Steelers News: The Steelers deploy one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, again

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 over. As the team disperses 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 the Steelers deploy one of the best offensive lines in the NFL again in 2019, and that is even without Marcus Gilbert and Mike Munchak.

Let’s get to the news:

• Want to know the secret to a solid offense? A great offensive line, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best returning in 2019.

One of the NFL’s most talented group of big men

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

As football increasingly becomes more about passing, it begs the question, does winning at the line of scrimmage still matter?

The game has always been about whose big guys do a better job of exerting their collective will.

But with more facets of the college spread offenses trickling into the league -- along with less running -- you’d think having talented big men is less important than ever. That’s not necessarily the case, however.

”Yeah, I think so,” Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said when I asked him if winning in the trenches still matters. “Maybe people say not so much the run, but the pressure you put on quarterbacks, yes. That’s a big part of it.”

Because so many teams get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly -- seven-step drops aren’t all that common any more -- that pressure has to come up the middle or from the interior defenders.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Steelers are hoping they can find someone to actually return kicks effectively in 2019.

Working to improve on toughest job in sports: Punt returner

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

It’s a topic that comes up often on message boards and in bars: What’s the toughest position to play in all of sports.

Some would say goalie in any of the sports that require the position. Others would say pitcher, catcher or quarterback.

But there’s one position that’s often overlooked in such discussions. When it comes to playing football, no position might be tougher than being a punt returner.

Cornerbacks are said to be “on the island” in the NFL. But they usually have help of some kind. Punt returners? They’re back there all by themselves.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• For B.J Finney, someone who is living out a dream playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he is motivated by family.

Finney motivated by family

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

What motivates you?

My family. Just knowing what I am doing now cannot just alter my life but can alter their lives for the better. Getting opportunities to the younger generations of my family. Having doors opened to me and be able to share that with them.

What is your football mindset/approach?

Come in, do your work as hard as you can, be the best that you can, and as detailed as you can.

Why do you play football?

Because I love the game.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• What if I told you the Steelers almost signed Justin Tucker way back in 2012? Well, they tried at least...

Justin Tucker almost joined the Steelers?!

By: Hunter Homistek, DKPittsburghSports

Before signing with Baltimore, however, Tucker fielded a call from the Steelers. After an “outstanding” rookie minicamp, Ravens doctors failed Tucker’s physical for a back issue. This opened the door for others to swoop in, as he could not officially sign with the Ravens until he was cleared.

Tucker says he was “basically at the mercy of the docs” at this point. That’s where the Steelers enter the story.

”In the meantime, I got a couple of phone calls from other teams because they heard I had done pretty well at Ravens rookie minicamp,” Tucker says. “The one team that called with something substantive was the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

According to Tucker, the Steelers requested a workout and intended to throw Tucker into the mix. At the time, Shaun Suisham held down the Steelers’ starting kicker position, but he was coming off a 2011 campaign in which he made just 23 of 31 kicks (74.2 percent) with a long of 51. (Suisham would bounce back and make 28 of 31 kicks — 90.3 percent — in 2012, and also go above 90 percent in 2013 and 2014, but the Steelers couldn’t have known that at the time.)

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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