Steelers News: Darryl Drake’s family releases statement after death of Steelers WR coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron when they reported back to training camp. With practices underway, the news surrounding the black-and-gold is just starting to heat up. As the team prepares for the coming season, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the season starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the family of Darry Drake released a statement following the death of the team’s wide receiver coach.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers organization is still picking up the pieces after the loss of wide receiver coach Darryl Drake, and the family of Drake released a statement thanking fans for their thoughts and prayers.

Family of Darryl Drake thanks well-wishers

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

The family of Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, who died suddenly Sunday morning at the team’s training camp at Saint Vincent College, responded Monday to the outpouring of well wishers in a statement released by the team.

Drake, 62, had been with the Steelers since replacing longtime receivers coach Richard Mann at the end of the 2017 season, following Mann’s retirement.

He had been a coach for 37 years, first at the college level, then with the Bears, Cardinals and finally the Steelers.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Oakland Raiders are getting a glimpse of the real Antonio Brown. Do they already have buyer’s remorse?

Tim Benz: Raiders should already regret trading for Antonio Brown

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Should any of us be surprised at the nature of the latest Antonio Brown debacle?

I’m not even talking about his allegedly cryotherapy-frostbitten feet.

I’m talking about him pitching a fit and reportedly staying away from the Raiders in part because he’s mad that the NFL is forcing him to play with a new model of helmet.

Am I surprised it reached such a level this quickly in Oakland? Yes. I thought Brown would, at least, wait to flip out until his first regular-season drive without getting a target.

Am I surprised it’s over such a stupid thing as a league-mandated helmet? Yes. Somehow, the foot frostbite surprises me less.

But the genesis of the helmet issue is incredibly consistent with all of Brown’s problems in Pittsburgh. He simply thinks rules don’t apply to him and that he should never have to follow them.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• In a surprise to no one, Devin Bush was named the Steelers Player of the Week after his performance vs. the Buccaneers on Friday night.

Bush is Digest Player of the Week

By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com

DEVIN BUSH

Inside Linebacker

When training camp opened and Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about No. 1 pick Devin Bush, he said, “He has a lot to learn. He has a lot to prove.” Forty-eight hours before kickoff of tonight’s preseason opener vs. Tampa Bay at Heinz Field, Tomlin was asked about Bush’s progress, and he answered, “Communication is often a display of understanding, and he’s a pretty good communicator. So that tells us that he’s understanding what he’s doing and what he’s being asked to do. He’s got a big challenge in front of him tonight in the stadium, but I think he’s game for it. I know we’re all going to be excited watching him play.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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