Steelers News: How Eli Rogers will prove his worth within the Steelers’ offense in 2019

With all of the Steelers’ 2019 offseason workouts in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan base has to suffer through the dog days of summer until the boys of fall return to the gridon. In the meantime, don’t think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is from over. As the team retreats for the summer, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until training camp!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how Eli Rogers, although surrounded by competition, could survive once again to make the Steelers’ 53-man roster and be an impact player.

Let’s get to the news:

• Eli Rogers played well when he returned to the team at the end of the 2018 regular season, but can he build on that and be an answer for an offense searching for just that?

Carter’s Classroom: Rogers survives again?

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

When Eli Rogers returned late in the 2018 season, he didn’t get too many chances to show why the Steelers kept him while he recovered from an long-term knee injury. Now, Rogers returns with competition at his position that could push him off the depth chart, but I’m here to break down why that won’t be so easy.

Rogers went from playing in 14 games in 2017 to just three in 2018. His injury opened the door for Ryan Switzer to make a name for himself as the team’s undersized and often overlooked slot receiver. Rogers came back and posted 12 catches on 14 targets for 79 yards and a two-point conversion.

Rogers isn’t tall, fast or elite in any regard, but his rapport with Ben Roethlisberger has been a big reason he’s stuck around since 2016. When Rogers would make mistakes in training camp, you could see Roethlisberger working closer with him than other receivers. The two have connected in some tight spots for the team over the years, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Don’t look now, but James Washington is turning heads throughout the 2019 offseason.

Kovacevic: Who’s the real James Washington?

By: Dejan Kovacevic, DKPittsburghSports

James Washington seems to be a contradiction.

He stands 5 feet 11, framed more like Rashard Mendenhall than any wide receiver at any level, but he’s stamped as being a high-point target in the NFL. He’s never been a burner, but he’s expected to splash his way to big plays. And maybe most mystifying, at least this summer, his pedigree at Oklahoma State was built on being stocky, sturdy ... so he went and lost 15 pounds.

Seriously, can anyone grasp what the Steelers might -- or might not -- have here?

I could see the investment of the second-round draft pick in 2017, particularly given how solid Kevin Colbert’s scouts have been at wide receiver. And I could definitely see a lot of what they liked rolling into the preseason, when he and his college QB, Mason Rudolph, reconnected with some combat-catch rock at the next level. But then came a rookie season in which he played 14 of 16 games, started only six and made all of 16 catches.

If Washington and Ben Roethlisberger were sharing anything but a uniform, it wasn’t obvious.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Is the NFL screwing up their new replay challenge rule?

Tim Benz: The NFL is screwing up its own replay fix

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Leave it to the NFL to block itself from doing the right thing when it comes to pass-interference replay.

The league was about to do something that showed eminent good sense. Now, it’s going to screw it up.

Bear with me through this winding road of missteps and stupidity as we recap. I’m as mad at the league for making you read this as I am at the league for making me type it.

• In March, NFL owners voted to allow replay reviews for pass-interference calls and (eventually) non-calls. This was a clear response to the blown non-call in the Saints-Rams NFC title game.

At the time, the problem with this significant rule change was that the owners gave replay officials sole power to initiate the review process in the final two minutes of each half and overtime.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Think Mike Hilton will hold out to get a new contract in 2019? Think again...

Holdout hasn’t ‘crossed my mind,’ Mike Hilton says as he awaits new deal

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mike Hilton exited minicamp without a contract and without assurances he will get a favorable deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to training camp.

Because he has not signed his $645,000 exclusive-rights tender, the 25-year-old slot cornerback remains the Steelers’ only player without a contract. The Steelers don’t report to training camp until July 25, giving the two sides nearly six weeks to work out a deal.

If nothing transpires, is Hilton prepared to hold out until he gets more money?

“That hasn’t even crossed my mind,” Hilton said this week before the Steelers concluded minicamp. “I’m here for the team. I’m going to be here and try to help the team win games.”

To read the full article, click HERE

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