Steelers News: Anthony McFarland has always looked up to Le’Veon Bell, but will wear No. 26 differently

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 NFL Draft is officially over. After finishing last year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, have 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 Steelers rookie RB Anthony McFarland grew up idolizing Le’Veon Bell, but wants to create his own path as a running back wearing No. 26 for the black-and-gold.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new No. 26, but he shouldn’t be compared to the old No. 26 who ran the football.

Steelers’ Anthony McFarland ‘idolizes’ Le’Veon Bell, but will forge own path as No. 26

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

He’s been given high praise on a national stage by a legend at his position. A college teammate who’s joined him in the pros can’t say enough good things about him. A prominent new teammate has taken a liking to him, and he has quite the “in” with a notable member of his new offensive coaching staff.

Two weeks into his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, it seems Anthony McFarland can do no wrong. Even if he hasn’t yet been on so much as a practice field and even if he somewhat-unwittingly added an extra layer of pressure via his choice of uniform number.

McFarland, a running back, will wear No. 26 for the Steelers. The same number that Le’Veon Bell wore for the team while accumulating almost 8,000 yards from scrimmage and two first-team All Pro honors over five seasons for the team.

“I watch his game, I study his film as somebody who’s been a great back in the league for a long time,” McFarland said during a video conference call with media Saturday. “It’s definitely me looking up at him and not a sign of disrespect.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Sports without fans? That sounds awful, and you know it.

John Steigerwald: Sports without fans will be dreadful, and we all know it

By: John Steigerwald, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Good for the NFL.

The league, after taking major heat for holding its draft as scheduled at the end of April, released its 2020 schedule Thursday with the intention of starting the season on time.

The big question, of course, is will fans be allowed to attend the games?

If not, the NFL should forget it. Write off the 2020 season.

Same goes for MLB, the NHL, NBA and NCAA football. I know, the planet has never gone this long without having sports to watch even if you count UFC, but the contrived versions of seasons being proposed in baseball, hockey and basketball are ridiculous.

Obviously, there is too much money to be saved by playing some facsimile of a season for them not to give it a try, but what’s being planned without fans will be dreadful.

The novelty of games without fans will wear off quickly and who, other than the most die-hard fan, is going to want to watch regular-season hockey played in an empty arena in July and August?

Will this season’s Stanley Cup Final be played in an empty building? Imagine Sidney Crosby skating around the rink with the Cup in an empty PPG Paints Arena.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Mike Tomlin is pretty confident Ben Roethlisberger will be back, and better than ever.

Mike Tomlin “extremely confident” Ben Roethlisberger will be ready

By: Darin Gantt, ProFootballTalk

The Steelers now know which teams they’re supposed to play and when, and the hope is that when that time comes, Ben Roethlisberger will be there.

The latest expression of optimism came from coach Mike Tomlin.

During an interview on NFL Network, Tomlin said all the signs were positive regarding his quarterback

“As we sit here today, we are extremely confident in his readiness,” Tomlin said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “We are enjoying the process that he’s going through right now. Obviously, it’s not without its angst. The guy is coming off a season-ending injury and surgery. But we like where we are. He’s throwing on a rehab schedule, and it’s going well, and we fully anticipate him being ready to go for that opener.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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