Steelers News: The best news coming from OTAs? No injuries

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 the best news out of Steelers OTAs is the fact they haven’t suffered any big injuries — unlike 2018.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers have a lot to celebrate after Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and nothing greater than the fact they didn’t suffer any big injuries throughout the workouts.

Unlike 2018, Steelers escape OTAs with healthy roster

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Five things we learned about the three-week organized team activities that the Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up Thursday:

1. Good health

Ask any coach, and he or she likely will tell you the most important thing about OTAs is getting through it without incurring any significant injuries.

Unlike last season, the Steelers got through their nine voluntary workouts (plus a trip to Topgolf) unscathed.

To read the full article, click HERE

• The Steelers picked up Bud Dupree’s 5th year option for 2019, but would you believe Dupree didn’t know the team could have pulled the deal?

Bud Dupree unaware Steelers could have pulled 5th-year option

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Told that the option afforded to first-round draft picks was only guaranteed against injury prior to March 13, as was the case with linebacker Ryan Shazier in 2018, Dupree professed innocence.

“I never had no thoughts of (them) taking it back,” Dupree said. “All the conversations I had with everybody – the coaches on the staff, the GM – we never had a conversation on why they would take it back, or (if there was) a disappointment or anything in that nature.

“Once they told me they picked it up going into my fourth year, I just knew it was for the long haul.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Jordan Berry has some competition...again...but will this year be any different in regards to the result?

Rookie Ian Berryman latest to take on Jordan Berry in quest to be Steelers punter

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

When the draft ended early in the evening April 27, Ian Berryman nervously sat through some excruciating moments.

“It felt like an eternity,” said Berryman, then a recent graduate of Western Carolina, “but it was probably like 5 minutes after the draft they called.”

The “they” was the Pittsburgh Steelers. And the reason the Steelers called was to sign Berryman to an undrafted free-agent contract.

“I had a few other offers, but here is probably where I just felt the best fit,” Berryman said. “The Steelers wanted to sign me to a contract, and I am forever blessed for that.”

To read the full article click HERE

• This may seem crazy, but Landry Jones is now looking forward to the XFL after being released by the Oakland Raiders.

Former Steelers backup QB Landry Jones among the names the XFL is promoting for its combine

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This June, he will be taking part in what is effectively a scouting combine for the XFL.

The XFL returns in 2020, and the cities for each of the eight teams that will begin play for the spring league are the sites for what it is calling the Summer Showcase.

The league’s official Twitter account has been teasing these events, at which invited players will have their heights, weights and other measurements taken in addition to be asked to run through football and other athletic drills, plus be interviewed by league personnel.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Social Media Madness