Steelers News: James Washington putting the finishing touches on his prep for 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 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 James Washington is putting the finishing touches on his preparations for the 2019 regular season. One where he hopes to silence all his critics.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base was hoping they drafted JuJu Smith-Schuster 2.0 when they took James Washington in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but what they got was a receiver who needed time to get acclimated to the NFL game. Washington is putting the finishing touches on his game in hopes of having a head-turning 2019 regular season.

Football was his only focus

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

What he quickly found out, though, was life in the NFL is a whole lot different than college.

“It’s a lot of ups and downs in the NFL,” said Washington. “In college everything was smooth sailing. Everyone is good in this league. You’re not going to find someone that you can go out and beat every time. You’re not going to win without a fight. That is one thing that I learned. I just have to look at it differently next season. Just stay persistent.”

Washington finished the 2018 season with 16 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown, not nearly the production he had hoped for, but something he knows is a start.

“It wasn’t what I expected,” said Washington. “It was a lot, just because of the ups and downs. One week you’re playing good and the next week you’re not. One week you’re inactive, then it’s like you question yourself and you think am I really good enough. It just kind of gives you that challenge to answer the call. Without challenges you wouldn’t have the opportunity to get better, or know what your weakness are or what your strengths are.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• If you are wondering how the Steelers might be trying to stop/slow down mobile quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson this season...look no further.

Classroom: The cure for mobile QBs

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

The Steelers used to get terrorized by mobile quarterbacks when their defense began the transition from its elite era in the late 2000s/early 2010s. Plays like Tim Tebow dodging linebackers at will and Terrelle Pryor scoring on a 93-yard run became symbols over the years of the problems the defense had containing younger and more athletic quarterbacks.

Keith Butler has sought to eliminate that problem, but saw a small increase in rushing yards allowed to quarterbacks in 2018. Here’s why that number is going to go down in 2019:

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

• If you are a fan attending training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA this summer, you can meet some great Steelers of the past while there. Check out the schedule.

Asked and Answered: July 9

By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com

In response to the many questions from readers of Asked and Answered about the Steelers alumni who will be appearing at the meet-and-greet autograph sessions during training camp, here is a list of the dates and which players will appear. Each session will be from 2-3 p.m. and will take place inside the FedEx Air and Ground activation area on campus. The only exceptions will be on Friday, Aug. 2, which is the date of the team’s annual night practice at Latrobe Stadium. Those two Aug. 2 sessions will be inside LatrobeFest, which will be located in the parking lot adjacent to Latrobe Stadium.

Friday, July 26: Merril Hoge

Saturday, July 27: Donnie Shell

Sunday, July 28: Charlie Batch

Monday, July 29: Rocky Bleier

Wednesday, July 31: Santonio Holmes

Thursday, Aug. 1: Greg Warren

Friday, Aug. 2 at 4 p.m.: Jon Kolb

Friday, Aug. 2 at 5 p.m.: Arthur Moats

Saturday, Aug. 3: Jason Gildon

Tuesday, Aug. 6: Mike Wagner

Wednesday, Aug. 7: Chris Hoke

Sunday, Aug. 11: Shaun Suisham

Monday, Aug. 12: John Banaszak

Wednesday, 14: Matt Spaeth

Thursday, Aug. 15: Robin Cole

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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