Steelers News: Ryan Shazier still has hope to return, regardless what critics say or think

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 Ryan Shazier, who is still recovering from his back injury suffered in December of 2017, is determined to return to the game of football regardless what anyone else thinks or says.

Let’s get to the news:

• So you don’t think Ryan Shazier should play again, even if he is deemed healthy enough? Shazier doesn’t really care. His goal is to return no matter what the naysayers might believe.

Shazier: ‘Doctors say I might be able to play again’

By Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

Earlier this week, Ryan Shazier told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinal he still holds out hope of reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Later in the week, he doubled down on his statement, telling former Colts punter and Pittsburgh native Pat McAfee on his podcast doctors are extremely optimistic about Shazier’s recovery from a spinal column injury suffered Dec. 4, 2017, in Cincinnati.

“I’m doing amazing man, I literally can’t complain,” Shazier told McAfee. “The same doctors that said I wouldn’t ever walk again, they’re just giving me the same amount of hope in saying if you continue with the same progress you might be able to play again. So, I’m just working my (butt) off man and thanking God every single day.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Can the Steelers’ run defense show it is capable of making teams one-dimensional in 2019?

Classroom: Run defense even better?

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

Keith Butler saw a big step up from his defense against the run from 2017 to 2018. Despite losing his best player in Ryan Shazier, his unit found a way to go from ranking 27th in yards per carry allowed in 2017 to ninth in 2018.

Much of that was because of the improved communication and composition of the defense in how it reacted to offensive adjustments and maintaining gap integrity. We dig in to show you how that happened and why they can carry that upward momentum into 2019:

To read the full article, click HERE ($$)

• Despite aging, Ben Roethlisberger still considered an upper echelon quarterback.

List of top 40 quarterbacks puts Ben Roethlisberger at No. 6

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ben Roethlisberger made an appearance on a quarterback rankings list that already generated some controversy before his inclusion on it.

Chris Simms, a former NFL quarterback and current NBC analyst, unveiled the final six spots on his Top 40 list this week with Roethlisberger accompanying the No. 6 position.

Ranked ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers veteran passer were Houston’s DeShaun Watson at No. 5, Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck at No. 4, Seattle’s Russell Wilson at No. 3, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes at No. 2 and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers at No. 1.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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