Steelers News: Daniel McCullers making his annual push to make the 53-man roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron this week 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 returns from their summer break, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until training camp starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how despite fan outrage, Daniel McCullers is making yet another push to make the team’s 53-man roster in 2019.

Let’s get to the news:

• There are few players who can get fans as bent out of shape as Daniel McCullers. The ‘Shade Tree’ has taken up a roster spot every year since he was drafted, and it looks like 2019 will be no different.

Dan McCullers used more, shows versatility in 6th Steelers camp

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Big Dan is no longer just the big man taking up space in the middle of the defense.

In his sixth Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, Dan McCullers is being used more often and getting more reps than he typically did in his previous five. While his time at nose tackle gradually has decreased since he was drafted in the sixth round in 2013, McCullers seemingly is getting more reps than ever in the nickel defense at Saint Vincent.

“I am out in the nickel more, playing more, working on getting the plays down flat,” McCullers said last week from training camp.

“(Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar) says, ‘You’re doing well,’ and he’s putting me in there more and letting me get more reps. So my thing is just keep doing good and getting as many reps as I can.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The AFC North seems to be much more than a two horse race in 2019, or maybe it won’t be...

John Steigerwald: Measuring Steelers, Browns, Ravens delusions

By: John Steigerwald, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

ackson was the starter and never threw more than 25 passes in that stretch, with no interceptions in his last five games. He ran the ball 129 times in those seven starts. After a terrible first half in the wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, he finished strong with a chance to win at the end.

Ben Roethlisberger averaged 47 passes in his last seven games, including two losses when he threw more than 50.

Steelers fans and many in the media seem to be convinced the Steelers will be better without one of the best wide receivers in the league and his 104 catches, 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. They’re even more convinced that they’ll be better without Le’Veon Bell again.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Some players aren’t just trying to make the 53-man roster, they are realizing this might be the end of the road for their professional careers.

In 2nd camp with Steelers, WR Tevin Jones getting look

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Though Tevin Jones began Pittsburgh Steelers training camp toward the bottom of the wide receivers depth chart and getting scant reps, in recent days the big and athletic receiver has been opening eyes.

At 26 and his fourth NFL training camp, Jones has been with the Steelers for 19 months. It shows.

“I’m a lot more comfortable, and everything’s pretty much slowing down a little bit,” Jones said Saturday from Saint Vincent. “I am glad just to be in the same offense a second year because I’d been on different teams (in 2016 and ’17 after going undrafted). Now I feel a little more comfortable at different positions.

“I’m trying to go out there and give it all I got.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Steelers are a brotherhood, and this isn’t news, but Steven Nelson is experiencing this for the first time.

Nelson explains ‘brotherhood’ early in camp

By: Hunter Homistek, DKPittsburghSports

“It’s a beautiful day, man,” Nelson said. “A great day for Steelers football.”

The new guy already embracing ‘Steelers football’? Yeah, that’ll work. Nelson brought up the topic unprovoked, so I rolled with it, asking him exactly what he’s feeling as a Steeler thus far. After all, he’s had only OTAs, minicamp and a short stint here at training camp to adjust.

But he’s feeling the love and the chemistry.

”Man, it’s taking its course,” Nelson said. “It’s been fun, man, just being around the guys, being around the atmosphere. It’s a good thing, to have on this black and gold.”

Nelson was telling me about that chemistry with the team back in May at the Rooney Complex, too, so that came as no surprise. But it’s not just about “fitting in” for a new player. It’s about evolving and growing and learning every day. To that end, Nelson feels comfortable with his current position.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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