Steelers News: It is time to start talking about the regular season, and the New England Patriots

The Pittsburgh Steelers just wrapped up the NFL preseason which means the exhibition games are over. This means the regular season is almost here, and 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 after Thursday night’s Week 4 preseason game vs. the Carolina Panthers means the meaningless games are over. Now fans can finally start talking about what matters — the regular season. And by proxy, the New England Patriots.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers’ preseason is over, and praise the Lord we can now start talking about games that really matter! Bring on the Pats!

Tim Benz: Can we start talking about the New England Patriots now?

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The goal was to hold this one until after Labor Day weekend.

You know, squeeze in one more preseason column after the Steelers’ 25-19 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.

Bang out one more thought-provoking deep-dive as to who the 53rd versus 54th guy on the roster should be in the wake of the final preseason game.

Maybe detail the whole practice squad?

But with apologies to Johnny Holton, Jayrone Elliott and Tuzar Skipper, only one question matters to me: Can we start talking about the New England Patriots, please?

After all, it’s been a remarkably Pats-free offseason around these parts, especially considering that the Steelers are opening their 2019 campaign against the defending Super Bowl champions next Sunday.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• How exciting is the Steelers’ new-look defense? Cam Heyward is in love.

Cam Heyward ready to ‘fall in love’ with new-look Steelers defense

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Like a romantic burned one too many times on the dating scene, Cameron Heyward continues to search for the right one. He thinks he has found it, but he’s not ready to let down his guard.

In this case, it’s not a significant other the veteran defensive lineman seeks. Heyward is happily married with three children.

It’s a group of defensive players on the Pittsburgh Steelers who will help carry the franchise to a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in a decade.

“I like them,” Heyward said late Thursday night. “I want to fall in love with them this year.”

With the preseason concluded following a 25-19 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Steelers defensive captain stood in a corner of the visiting locker room at Bank of America Stadium and projected optimism for a defense that has fallen short of greatness so often in his eight NFL seasons.

For the second game in a row, the defense was responsible for the first score of the game, late-addition Jayrone Elliott returning his own fumble forced on a strip sack 88 yards for a touchdown. The Steelers finished with six sacks, giving them 20 in the preseason, and recorded their first two interceptions, one which led to an immediate touchdown.

“We have all the capability in the world, all of the potential,” said Heyward, who like every other starter — offensive and defense — watched from the sideline Thursday. “A lot of speed, a lot of guys that can do a lot of things that can make us flexible in our approach. But we’ve got to do it in real games because that is what we will be judged on.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Joe Greene gets another honor from his alma mater.

North Texas to dedicate residence hall to Steelers great Joe Greene

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Joe Greene will have a residence hall at North Texas, his alma mater, dedicated to him Saturday in Denton, Texas.

The university decided in May 2018 to name the hall after Greene, the greatest player in school history and one of only two Steelers players to have his number retired.

Joe Greene Hall, which is part of a $58.9 million project that includes the school’s welcome center, is a 500-bed complex that features pod-style student communities. The hall also will have practice room for musicians, study lounges and a full kitchen.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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