Steelers News: The NFL tables discussion on alternative to the onside kick

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most player pro days and participating in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers keep pushing forward toward a return to football activities. Just because the Steelers are unable to hold their typical OTA’s 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 the NFL tabling an alternative to the onside kick which would allow the team to run one offensive play.

Let’s get to the news:

• Facing a “4th &15” in place of an onside kick fails again

Not enough support for 4th-and-15 rule

By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com

In Steelers President Art Rooney II’s eyes, what has come to be known as the fourth-and-15 rule was too much of a gimmick, the chance for making permanent the rule allowing pass interference to be challenged was zero, and the idea of incentivizing the Rooney Rule needs more thought.

During today’s virtual NFL Owners Meeting, there were four proposals approved, two others were tabled, and the rule allowing offensive and defensive pass interference penalties (both called and uncalled) to be challenged via instant replay review officially was put out of its misery.

“We had six items we could have voted on, and we wound up approving four of them and tabling two of them,” said Rooney. “We approved the defenseless player rule for returners. We approved the rule on limiting the pre-snap fouls that people started to play with last year (to run time off the clock). We approved the item concerning extra points being replayable. We also approved the bylaw proposal that increases the number of players who can be designated to return (from the injured reserve list) from two to three. Those were the ones we approved. There’s another designated to return proposal that got tabled, and then the one that got the most discussion was the onside kick alternative, the fourth-and-15 rule, and that also got tabled.”

Rooney admitted that there is interest in trying to do something to allow an avenue for a team that’s trailing late in a game to have a realistic chance to mount a comeback, but he doubted anything would happen in time for the 2020 season.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The payment deadline for season ticket holders is almost here

Steelers willing to work with season ticket holders about renewal process

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

With the deadline to renew season tickets approaching, the Pittsburgh Steelers are working with ticket holders who are cautious about attending games because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The deadline to renew season tickets is June 1. It was pushed back from an original May 1 deadline because of concerns about the outbreak.

“We will continue to work with our fans to review our policies to make sure we provide a fan-friendly and fair policy,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said. “We still encourage our fans to contact our ticket office directly so we can understand any concerns they may have as it relates to the 2020 season.”

The Steelers plan to adhere to the June 1 deadline, although the situation remains fluid while Pennsylvania goes through the three-tiered approach to reopening. Allegheny County remains in the yellow phase.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Steelers’ players give their thoughts on playing games in empty stadiums

Steelers weigh in on potentially playing games with no fans

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

True to his Type-A, hyper-analytical public persona, Mike Tomlin’s first reaction to the concept of playing games without fans was void of emotion.

“The thing that I’m interested in is how it changes the game, maybe mechanically, in some ways,” Tomlin said earlier this week while speaking as a guest on John Calipari’s video podcast.

Tomlin recognizes some of the fundamental aspects of NFL play will be altered if teams are competing in empty stadiums because of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

In an environment lacking ambient noise, will opponents be able to overhear a play call in his huddle?

Or discussions between coaches on the sidelines?

Will the method for audibles at the line of scrimmage need to change, if the defense (and the entire coaching staff) can hear the quarterback?

But even Tomlin, moments later, acknowledged the more intangible effect that playing in front of nothing but empty seats can have on a team and on a game.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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The Steelers most underrated player going into 2020

The honorable mentions of the most prolific numbers worn by the Steelers

A look at the Steelers 2021 salary cap

How will the Steelers be represented in the NFL’s Top 100 Players?

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