Steelers News: James Washington remains humble after a flawless preseason opener

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 despite being nearly flawless against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 of the NFL Preseason, James Washington remains humble in his approach to Week 2 vs. the Chiefs and beyond.

Let’s get to the news:

• You can say a lot of things about James Washington, but calling him a self-centered, or self-absorbed is way off. The young man remains humble every step along the way.

Washington humble after 2019 debut: ‘I never think I’m perfect’

By: Hunter Homistek, DKPittsburghSports

James Washington had himself a night in the Steelers’ preseason opener, a 30-28 win against the Buccaneers at Heinz Field.

Washington, a player the Steelers need to make a big leap in Year 2, hauled in four catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, earning high praise from Pro Football Focus in the process.

I had to ask Washington about that connection with Rudolph. Those two did work in college, and it appears that connection is rolling into the NFL as well. In 2016, Washington was named the Alamo Bowl’s Offensive MVP after catching nine passes for 171 yards and a touchdown from Rudolph. In 2017, he won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver. In all, Washington caught 198 passes for 4,016 yards and 33 touchdowns from his sophomore year to his senior year — the same time frame Rudolph held down the team’s starting role.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• How did Mike Tomlin view the three quarterbacks who played on Friday night vs. the Buccaneers in Week 1? “Above the line.”

Mike Tomlin: Play from Steelers 3 QBs in preseason opener ‘above the line’

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn’t mention any of his three backup quarterbacks by name, but during Tuesday’s news conference he did offer an unsolicited hearty endorsement of the play of Josh Dobbs, Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges during the Steelers’ preseason opener four days prior.

“I thought, generally, the quarterback play was positive,” Tomlin said. “All three guys, I thought, made a good accounting of themselves in the stadium. They handled some of the game-situational things above the line (and) did a great job of communicating and even executing some situational ball scenarios relatively well.”

Dobbs started and engineered two possessions, Rudolph handled four drives – two each before and after halftime – and Hodges was running the offense for the final four offensive drives of what ended up a 30-28 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Is it possible the Steelers new about Antonio Brown’s helmet situation and was another reason why the team was willing to ship the receiver to the Raiders? Seems far fetched to me...

Did Steelers know helmet mess was looming for Antonio Brown?

By: Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

Raiders receiver Antonio Brown wants to wear the helmet he wore during nine seasons with the Steelers. His insistence on getting his way has become one of the strangest off-field stories in recent memory, if not ever.

Here’s an interesting question about the situation: Did the Steelers know that the helmet fight was coming?

Although Brown’s helmet isn’t one of the 11 models that as of this year are banned from use by NFL players, Brown’s helmet simply couldn’t be certified for use again because it’s now more than 10 years old. Last year, it wasn’t. It’s fair to wonder whether someone at some point within the Steelers organization became aware that 2018 was the last year that Brown could wear his helmet of choice.

Given that the Steelers knew Brown’s proclivities and eccentricities as well as anyone, it’s possible that they sensed the coming storm. Avoiding this potential distraction to their 2019 preseason preparations may have been one of the factors in the team’s decision to move on from Brown.

Yes, the perception is that Brown broke up with the Steelers. That he wanted out and got out. But the Steelers may have wanted him out, opting to let him think he was getting his way because the broader objective was just to get him away from the organization.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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