Steelers News: The Steelers have a way to go before learning how to avoid social media pitfalls

With the 2019 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 season is fast approaching, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is far from over. As the team now turns their attention to more offseason workouts, OTAs and minicamp, there is no shortage of news.

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how despite a very tumultuous season in 2018, the Steelers haven’t seemed to have learned their lesson when it comes to social media. At least not yet anyways.

Let’s get to the news:

• Just when the Steelers were saying all the right things, leave it to one Bud Dupree to not completely understand what appropriate behavior on social media looks like...

Tim Benz: Quieter Steelers on social media? So far, no good

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

I get the feeling that’s what’s happening to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now that Harrison is muckraking on FS1, Bryant is petitioning the league for reinstatement, Bell is causing front-office upheaval in New York and Brown is still tweeting away in Oakland, those of us in Pittsburgh are wondering who the new internet distraction jockeys will be in Black and Gold.

It didn’t take very long to figure out.

On Monday, Terrell Edmunds “liked” that Brown tweet, which seemed to be calling Ben Roethlisberger “two-face(d).”

Then on Wednesday, Bud Dupree called Steelers writer Mark Kaboly of The Athletic a “fat boy.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• For those who were wondering about Chris Boswell’s competition for the placekicking job in 2019, the competition is there, and nothing is guaranteed.

Rookie Matthew Wright given shot to unseat Chris Boswell as Steelers kicker

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

“It’s different,” Wright said of an NFL practice as opposed to a college session at UCF. “But it’s been all good so far.”

Wright was brought in as an undrafted free agent to compete with veteran Chris Boswell to be the Steelers’ kicker going forward. Boswell was the AFC’s Pro Bowl representative at the position for the 2017 season and signed a lucrative contract with the Steelers just nine months ago.

But Boswell struggled mightily last season (seven missed field goals, five missed extra points in 15 games), and the Steelers used Matt McCrane for their season finale. McCrane, like Boswell, remained on the roster once the offseason began. But Wright was added to the mix 3 ½ weeks ago.

“I agreed to come here about midway through the draft on the third day actually,” Wright said. “They called and me, and my agent thought there was an opportunity (with the Steelers), a good opportunity.”

To read the full article, click HERE

Barron calls teammate Bush ‘good, young talent’

By: Hunter Homistek, DKPittsburghSports

Among those newcomers Barron will influence is Devin Bush, who the Steelers moved up 10 positions in the 2019 Draft to select at No. 10 overall. While many rookies take a year to learn and develop, Bush is expected to contribute in some form in Year 1. He’s on the field with the first team for some reps during OTAs, he’s calling plays and he’s making reads and adjustments on the field.

Interestingly, Bush and Barron share similar skill sets and strengths, something that could put them in competition for playing time depending on the defensive scheme. But Barron feels neither tension nor a need to compete with Bush. To him, it’s an opportunity to teach — and to learn from — a young player he expects to be great.

”[Bush is] a good, young talent,” Barron said. “I knew that as soon as we picked him up. I’m excited to work with him. I always feel like great players bring out the best in each other, so just getting to work with each other and bringing the best out of each other, I think that will be good for the team as a whole.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Think life in the NFL is a breeze? Think again. James Washington talks about how difficult his rookie season was in 2018.

Washington: ‘It was hard’

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Sure, the 15 pounds he lost this offseason, dropping down to around 210 pounds, were a big part of the difference. One of Washington’s offseason goals was to drop some weight, and he did that with a combination of working on his family’s farm in Texas and with a trainer in Miami.

“I went home for the first two weeks, was putting in some hard work with my dad on the farm,” said Washington. “I was trying to cut down weight. Eat less. I went to Miami and worked in the sun. Worked on strength, strong hands, all the things receivers work on.

“I feel great. I feel lighter. I feel like I am a lot quicker off the ball. It was about 40 percent farm work and 60 percent field work. Last year at the end of the year I wrote down some goals. That was my top goal, to cut weight, to get faster. Not just for me, but for the team. That was my main goal.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Social Media Madness