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 Steelers who could make their first Pro Bowl this season.
Let’s get to the news:
- Is Devin Bush the Steelers most likely first-time Pro Bowl?
First Call: Which Steeler has best chance at making his first Pro Bowl in 2020? Devin Bush? Or someone else?
By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
NFL.com came up with a list of players — one per franchise — poised to make their first Pro Bowl.
The Steelers nominee was second-year linebacker Devin Bush.
Good call. I can see that. For a rookie playing a difficult position, Bush boosted the overall athleticism of the Steelers on defense and made some splash plays.
Marc Sessler posted the piece for NFL.com. Here is his assessment of the second-year inside linebacker.
“The former Michigan star screams on tape with blazing quickness, a nose for the ball and the requisite skill set to make a big jump come September. Bush looms as the special sauce in a rowdy, Super Bowl-level Steelers defense.”
Sure, the rookie got lost in coverage occasionally. Maybe a bit outsized at times, too. And there is still some nuance to the position Bush needs to grasp. But he’s off to a good start.
That said, it took Ryan Shazier three years at that spot before he made his first Pro Bowl. So if Bush eventually needs another season before he gets that kind of recognition, let’s take a look at a few other options in Wednesday’s “First Call.”
1. Bud Dupree (OLB): During a career year with 11.5 sacks in 2019, Dupree was snubbed for last year’s Pro Bowl.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Mel Blount changed the way cornerbacks played the game
‘Burgh’s Best to Wear It, No. 47: Rules changed due to dominance of Steelers’ Mel Blount
By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
No. 47: Mel Blount
His playing height and weight listed at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Mel Blount was a larger-than-life cornerback. No wonder he became a Hall of Famer. But even among those privileged few inducted in Canton, Ohio, only a small fraction can say they changed the game.
Blount did. The NFL changed its rules, with little subtlety, in almost direct response to the dominance Blount showed over a 14-year career with the Steelers. One of 10 players from the Steelers of the 1970s to be voted into the Hall of Fame, Blount’s physical style compelled the league in 1978 to ban contact with receivers beyond 5 yards past the line of scrimmage.
No matter. Blount continued a run of six All-Pro designations (first- or second-team) in seven seasons by being so honored in 1978, ‘79 and ‘81. He had a combined nine interceptions the next two seasons, helping the Steelers win the Super Bowl at the end of each.
“When they changed the bump-and-run rule, we all had to adjust,” Blount told the Steelers’ website in 2016. “If you’re an athlete, a player, you make the adjustment. You play within the rules, and you let your ability take you to whatever it can take you to.”
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Looking at another XFL player hoping to catch on with the Steelers
Football has always been the dream for Keenoy
By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
Get to know Steelers center John Keenoy
John Keenoy
Center
Western Michigan
Most entertaining person you follow on social media? Probably Barstool Sports.
Must have food? I love Italian food, so pasta, fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza. Anything Italian I love to eat.
Must see show? Blacklist. I love Raymond.
Morning person or night owl? Night owl for sure.
Who is your football mentor or inspiration? My dad, John. Growing up he coached all of my football teams. He played college football at Central Michigan and I always wanted to grow up and be like him. I always looked up to him. He instilled the fundamentals in me.
What motivates you? To be the best. You never play to be second best. You play to be the best. You want to be the best and represent yourself the best.
What is your football mindset/approach? To be the best for yourself on and off the field. To be a team player. To do whatever it takes to help the team. It takes all of the guys in the locker room rallying around one common goal. My favorite thing to do is be a team player, be goal oriented and be the best player I can be.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- BTSC articles you may have missed
Bud Dupree will not be signing a long-term deal with the Steelers for 2020
The best Steelers to wear number 91
Should the Steelers consider adding another running back?
Looking at a suggestion of a new contract for T.J. Watt
Predicting the records of the AFC West
- Social Media Madness
9️⃣8️⃣@VinnyVidiVici98 pic.twitter.com/ZPbPXYPes8
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 16, 2020
Cam anyBudy else see Watt’s wrong here? This list needs some edits Tuitt. https://t.co/h14Gk39ef0
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 15, 2020
You know what day it is ➡️ #BensDay pic.twitter.com/AWU6t2Jco2
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 15, 2020
#HappyBirthday to Hall of Fame WR John Stallworth! pic.twitter.com/tnnd979Ngi
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 15, 2020