Steelers News: Ramon Foster tells Steelers fans they should be patient with Mason Rudolph

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 ex-Steelers guard Ramon Foster thinks Steelers fans should be patient with Mason Rudolph’s development.

Let’s get to the news:

• In case you didn’t know, Ramon Foster has gone from football to writing, and he is telling fans they should be patient with Mason Rudolph’s development.

On The Line: Be patient with Mason

By: Ramon Foster, DKPittsburghSports

I’m a firm believer that the quarterback is the head of the organization when it comes to the game of football. And that holds true at every level, with the exception of flag football, which I’ve coached over the past five NFL offseasons.

When coaching kids’ sports such as flag football or pee-wee ball, it almost always comes down to which team has the fastest kid. It’s sad but true. I’ve seen one kid completely win a game by himself in flag football.

Once those kids begin tackle or middle-school football, though, it’s all about one position: Quarterback. If they’re good enough, they’ll control the trajectory of your whole football life as a fan, player, coach and even up to an NFL franchise’s ownership. The really good ones are expected to win at least half the games based on their own talent. That’s no jab at all the other offensive positions or defense or special teams. That’s just how it is when one individual can milk the clock, dice up the opposing defense and have an impact on all three phases that way.

To read the full article click HERE (Free)

• The changes to the Rooney Rule should have a positive impact on the NFL.

Mark Madden: Changes to Rooney Rule should have trickle-up effect

By: Mark Madden, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Rooney Rule that promotes minority hiring in the NFL is a noble idea, and very worthy of having the late Dan Rooney’s name attached.

But right now, it’s just not working.

Minorities fill four head coaching jobs in the NFL and two general manager slots. The Rooney Rule requires NFL teams to interview minority candidates for those positions. It was adopted in 2003 when African-American head coaches Tony Dungy (Tampa Bay) and Dennis Green (Minnesota) got fired despite successful tenures. Rooney personally added bite to the rule’s bark when he hired Mike Tomlin to coach the Steelers in 2007.

But the Rooney Rule has mostly led to token interviews where time gets wasted. There have been 16 head coaching vacancies in the past three years. Only two were filled by minorities. Washington hired Ron Rivera and Miami hired Brian Flores.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Pennsylvania governor was not happy that Ben Roethlisberger got a haircut/beard trimming during the COVID-19 crisis.

Gov. Wolf voices ‘general concern’ over Ben Roethlisberger’s trip to barbershop

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ben Roethlisberger’s visit to a barbershop wasn’t enough to make Tom Wolf pull his hair out, but Pennsylvania’s governor wasn’t pleased the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback violated the state’s yellow phase reopening after the coronavirus shutdown.

During his daily press briefing Tuesday, Gov. Wolf criticized Roethlisberger’s decision to get a haircut and beard trim at a Sewickley barbershop.

Wolf was asked whether the salon would receive disciplinary action and whether the state would investigate the matter.

“My concern is just a general concern,” Wolf said. “Anybody who puts himself or herself into harm’s way is something that I think we have to try to avoid. When you go to something like a barbershop, and you’re not protected, I don’t care who you are, the chances of that virus actually wreaking havoc on your life increases.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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