Steelers News: Steelers rookies are preparing to jump on the “moving train” of offseason workouts

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 the Steelers’ 2020 rookies are preparing for life in the NFL without having the hands-on experience.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers are like all other 31 NFL teams who are trying to get their feet wet without being able to physically go through the rigors of their new lives.

Rookies are getting ready for football

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Steelers rookies embarked on Day 2 of the team’s virtual rookie minicamp on Saturday, and the most important aspect for all of them is getting an understanding of the playbook while they are working from home.

“Going through an experience like this I think it’s just a matter of time, how much you can soak in from the coaches,” said safety Antoine Brooks, the team’s sixth-round pick from Maryland. “It’s how much can your brain absorb, a lot of information from the coaches and can it stay there.”

His former Maryland teammate, and now current Steelers teammate, Anthony McFarland also knows that picking up the playbook is the most important aspect of what has become an odd offseason due to restrictions because of COVID-19. McFarland knows that they can’t fall behind just because they are learning on their iPads instead of in person, and he is doing his part to make sure he stays on top of everything.

“I don’t see it as behind. Ultimately everyone is in the same boat, you can’t do too much,” said McFarland, the running back taken in the fourth round. “Everybody is doing virtual. I don’t see it as being as behind. Being in the NFL they expect you to still come into camp, know the plays, know where you are lining up. At the end of the day you can’t fall behind. You really can’t fall behind. I don’t look at it like that. I feel like everybody is in the same boat across the league. You have to get in the playbook every day, not just in meetings, but after meetings.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Speaking of rookie camp, what does it look like in the virtual sense?

Rookie minicamp in a virtual world

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

The cold, raw, rainy weather in Pittsburgh, a day more reminiscent of November than May, would have made for a miserable day for the Steelers to hold their rookie minicamp.

But given the alternative, it might have been a welcome respite for the team’s rookies.

The Steelers held their first day of rookie minicamp on Friday, all of it in a virtual world. The on-field drills that have become the norm were completely replaced by virtual meetings, with the players together for their first time to get a look at the playbook.

“I want to get a good grasp on the playbook after this,” said second-round pick Chase Claypool. “Obviously you can’t get the whole playbook in a few days. Just a good grasp on the concepts, the terminology. That is what I learned today, those basic things, and we are going to progress as days go on.

“It’s definitely different. We have a couple of different websites that we use to get in and out of meetings that has information and stuff. They were able to supply me with an iPad that has some of the basic terminology and stuff, but not the entire playbook. It’s kind of hard to dissect it that way. That is what this rookie minicamp is for. It’s definitely a unique experience.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Antonio Brown on Monday Night Football...as an announcer?!

Odds set for ‘MNF’ booth. Antonio Brown is actually on the board.

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Football fans can actually bet on who will be the next color commentator in the “Monday Night Football” booth.

By some stroke of insanity, former Steeler Antonio Brown is on the board via Sportsbetting.ag.

With odds of 100/1.

I know. I thought they’d be greater when I read the headline, too.

Would you bet $100 on Antonio Brown becoming the next “Monday Night Football” announcer? I wouldn’t. But I might pay $10,000 to make it happen.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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What would a new deal for CB Mike Hilton look like?

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