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 NFL has cancelled the 2020 Hall of Fame Game and cut the preseason to an undetermined amount of games 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 progress Eric Ebron has shown this offseason as he returns from his season-ending ankle injury in 2019.
Let’s get to the news:
- Steelers new tight end Eric Ebron is ready to go for the 2020 season
Ebron proving ankle injury is in the past
By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports
Eric Ebron knows what fans and experts say about him. How he is an immense talent, but struggles staying healthy. After the Steelers acquired him via free agency this offseason, even the fan base had concerns.
Concerns over his health, and pairing him with another tight end, Vance McDonald, who also has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career.
Some even compared Ebron to Ladarius Green.
While Ebron certainly is aware of what is being said, he solely has focused on getting himself right for the 2020 season. It all starts with an ankle injury that plagued his 2019 season and limited his effectiveness for the Colts.
Last season, Ebron played in 11 games, starting two of those, catching just 31 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns. It was a precipitous drop off from his 2018 Pro Bowl season when he played in all 16 games, caught 66 passes for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Steelers fans, rightfully so, want to know if Ebron’s ankle injury is in the past, or if it will sideline him early in training camp when players report at the end of the month. If Ebron’s social media has proven anything this offseason, it is that his ankle is doing just fine.
Take a look at some of the videos posted both by Ebron, and the Footwork King, a renowned trainer who works with all levels of athletes to improve footwork, speed and agility.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Previewing both matchups this season against Baltimore
Countdown to 2020: The Ravens
By: Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com
Date: Oct. 25
Time: 1 p.m.
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Date: Nov. 26
Time: 8:20 p.m.
Venue: Heinz Field
All-Time Regular-Season Series: Steelers lead, 25-23. The Steelers also lead the all-time postseason series, 3-1.
Last Meeting: Both quarterbacks threw for fewer than 100 yards (Baltimore’s Robert Griffin III had 96 and Devlin Hodges had 95) and both teams turned the ball over twice in the regular-season final on Dec. 29 in Baltimore, a contest in which the playoff-bound Ravens rested a significant number of starters. The difference was the Ravens gained 223 of their 304 total net yards on the ground in a resounding, rain-soaked 28-10 victory in Baltimore. RB Gus Edwards piled up 130 yards rushing on 21 carries and Griffin II had 50 on eight carries. The Ravens also defeated the Steelers, 26-23, in overtime, on Oct. 6 at Heinz Field. The Steelers have outscored the Ravens by seven points, 964-957, in the teams’ 48 all-time regular-season meetings.
Last Season: The Ravens went 14-2 and finished first in the AFC North. Baltimore ranked second in total offense (first rushing, 27th passing) and fourth in total defense (fifth rushing, sixth passing). The Ravens were upset at home in their playoff opener, an AFC Divisional Round meeting with Tennessee, 28-12.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Zach Banner tells it how it is, even if it means calling out the work habits of others
Banner questions some players’ motives
By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports
The NFL has been sitting pretty during the offseason, waiting and watching to see what Major League Baseball, the NHL and NBA do as it comes to returning to play amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Time is running out, and as the rubber meets the road, there are some new wrinkles in discussions that need ironed out.
The most recent issue that has players scratching their heads is the league reportedly asking them to move some of their 2020 salary to escrow to offset the losses the league will endure if no fans are in the seats this season.
To suggest this went over like a lead balloon might be an understatement.
The players union essentially told the league to go kick rocks. But with this being just one of the issues facing the league and the players association, some are wondering what is holding players back from doing whatever it takes to get back on the field. The health of players, testing and protocol side of the debate is obvious, but Zach Banner is wondering if there isn’t something else which is keeping players from being all-in for the upcoming season.
He took to his verified Twitter page to sound off about it.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- BTSC articles you may have missed
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There is no reason the Steelers can’t contend in 2020
Devin Bush has learned quickly from his mistakes in the NFL
The Steelers answer a few items about tickets for the 2020 season, but many questions remain
- Social Media Madness
Who wants this mini helmet signed by @JamesConner_? ✍️
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 9, 2020
RT this for a chance to win it! pic.twitter.com/7DWO0dGx8k
Bad idea: Throw the ball in Mel Blount's direction #tbt pic.twitter.com/CKnHaoTy2z
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 9, 2020
Conner juking on the beach! #Steelers pic.twitter.com/NFw0m0Z3x9
— BlitzburghVideos (@BlitzVideos) July 9, 2020