Steelers News: Count T.J. Watt into the group of Steelers starters who wants to play a lot Sunday

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron with the NFL preseason upon us. With exhibition games 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 some starters, including T.J. Watt, who don’t just want to show up and play a series, but want to play a lot in Week 3 of the NFL Preseason.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers’ starters will see their starters for the longest period of time this Sunday night when the team plays the Titans in Week 3 of the NFL Preseason, but some starters wouldn’t mind playing more than the usual quarter.

Steelers’ T.J. Watt looking for extensive playing time against Titans

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

T.J. Watt played almost the entire first half of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second preseason game, and he’s looking forward to suiting up against the Tennessee Titans in the dress rehearsal for the regular season.

After missing the entire 2018 preseason schedule with a hamstring injury, Watt isn’t about to pass up a chance to take some snaps, even in an exhibition game.

“I didn’t have the preseason last year, so to be able to have it this year is big for me,” Watt said Friday. “I feel like I’m able to go out and try different things.”

Watt led the Steelers with 13 sacks in 2018, so missing the preseason didn’t impact his play at outside linebacker. Still, he wants to expand his arsenal of pass-rush moves and believes this is the time to do it.

“You can’t be afraid this time of the year to try stuff and put yourself out there and try stuff that might not look good on film,” Watt said. “You just want to try to figure out who you are and always try to adapt your game. I’m always trying new stuff, and I feel like the preseason is a great time for that.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• In case you didn’t know, William Gay has been a coaching intern for the Steelers this season, but not on defense — offense.

Energetic ex-Steelers DB William Gay standing out as coaching intern — for offense

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The call came out during a training camp practices earlier this month from a fan lining the practice field at Saint Vincent.

“Big play Willie Gay!”

While standing along the sidelines of Chuck Noll Field, William Gay briefly turned around and said, “Naw, Coach William.”

After 12 training camps as a player, Gay’s transition from “big play Willie Gay” to “Coach William” is complete. At age 34, and a year and a half removed from his final meaningful game as a reliable, cerebral cornerback, Gay was hired by the Steelers in June as a coaching intern.

“He’s out here giving back his wisdom that he learned throughout his time in the league playing football,” said Artie Burns, his teammate in the Steelers secondary for three seasons. “It’s good seeing him out here. He always was that type of guy, giving out knowledge and stuff like that.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Do players actually value the preseason? It depends who you ask. Ask Ben Roethlisberger and his answer won’t be a resounding ‘YES!’

Ben Roethlisberger sees “some value” to playing in preseason

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t say for sure that he’ll be in the lineup against the Titans on Sunday night, but he’s “pretty sure” that he’s going to see his first game action of the preseason.

There’s been a lot of debate about the value of playing starters like Roethlisberger in preseason games this summer and Roethlisberger weighed in on that question while speaking to reporters. He acknowledged there’s “a line to walk” when it comes to risking injury, but said he thinks there are benefits to seeing game situations in the summer.

“There is, I think, some value because every game counts in the NFL,” Roethlisberger said. “In all the other major sports, you can get away with losing some games and you can kinda warm up to it because the season’s so long. In our season, you can’t really afford to do that so to get out there and get the game speed stuff is beneficial.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Mike Tomlin’s weekly press conference

• One-on-one with Ramon Foster

• T.J. Watt and Joe Haden post-practice media session

• Social Media Madness