Steelers News: Minkah Fitzpatrick can be a difference maker without moving around the defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how despite what Minkah Fitzpatrick said recently about moving around the defense, it might not even be necessary.

Let’s get to the news:

• Minkah Fitzpatrick wants to do more in 2020. He wants to bounce around, be more like a Troy Polamalu type safety. But is this even necessary?

Tim Benz: Minkah Fitzpatrick doesn’t need to move in Steelers defense. Stats, video tell the story.

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Is Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick perpetually unhappy with his job description?

Or does he have a point?

When Fitzpatrick requested a trade from the Miami Dolphins early last season, apparently part of his reasoning for doing so was that he was switching positions too much for his liking within the framework of Miami’s defense.

He didn’t seem thrilled by it. And neither did his mother.

Upon being dealt to Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick was ensconced in the free safety position.

He thrived. As did the Steelers defense. The second-year defensive back from Alabama was part of eight turnovers in Pittsburgh (five interceptions, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries). The Steelers ended up leading the NFL in takeaways with 38. And Fitzpatrick was named All-Pro.

However, over the last seven weeks of the season, he touched the ball just twice. He had a pass defensed against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. And he recovered a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals 22 yards downfield, which was caused by Devin Bush.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• We all take a moment to remember old Three Rivers Stadium. That big hunk of concrete...

Saying goodbye to an old friend

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

On this day in Steelers history Pittsburgh said goodbye to an old friend, Three Rivers Stadium.

February 11, 2001

Three Rivers Stadium implosion

It was home to incredible memories for the Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, but Three Rivers Stadium had seen better days and eventually it was time for it to give way to the Steelers new home, Heinz Field.

So on a Sunday morning in February, Pittsburghers did exactly what you would expect them to do. They gathered throughout the city, from across the river in Point State Park to atop Mount Washington, to witness the home of four Super Bowl championship teams and two World Series championship teams, be imploded.

It took 4,800 pounds of dynamite to implode the 30-year old stadium and just 19 seconds to see it evaporate into a cloud of dust.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Ben Roethlisberger’s foundation continues to do great work, albeit under the radar, for police forces across the country by providing K-9 units and equipment.

Ben Roethlisberger Foundation announces new K-9 grants

By: Paul Guggenheimer, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation announced Monday it will distribute eight grants to police and fire dog programs in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The departments receiving funding this year from the Roethlisberger Foundation include Homestead, Butler, Beaver Falls, Indiana Township, Uniontown, Connellsville, as well as the Martins Ferry and Columbiana Police Departments in Ohio.

The departments will use the grants to create new police dog units, replace retiring dogs, and buy safety and training equipment.

“This will go towards keeping our dogs healthy and the equipment that is needed to keep them safe,” Butler police Chief Bob O’Neill said in a statement.

“The K-9 program continues to grow and improve with the help of not only the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation but the continued support of members of our local community,” Indiana Township police Chief Timothy Michael said. “We are proud to have the only explosive trained dog within all the North Hills’ boroughs and townships.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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