It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. With the scheduled start of training camp just days away, it looks like we’ll have to wait until opening weekend to see the Steelers take the field. Just because the NFL has cancelled the preseason 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 top questions the Steelers need to answer in their 2020 training camp.
Let’s get to the news:
- 5 questions for the Steelers as they open training camp
Steelers have share of questions to answer heading into unusual training camp
By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
A training camp unique in NFL history begins Tuesday. Like every other team, the Pittsburgh Steelers will deal with the challenges of preparing to play a 16-game season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This week will focus on covid-19 testing and physicals. Another week will be dedicated to strength and conditioning. Practice in pads won’t commence until the middle of August. The preseason has been scrapped.
Rosters will be trimmed to 80 before tackling is permitted, but additional jobs are available thanks to a supersized practice squad.
Although the NFL has changed the way camps are being conducted, the same questions facing teams as they build toward a new season exist. The Steelers are no exception.
1. Can Big Ben stay healthy?
This is No. 1 with the proverbial bullet. Fans got a glimpse of life without the Steelers franchise quarterback last year and, despite a decent start, it didn’t end well.
The offense mustered one touchdown in eight of the final nine games with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges taking the snaps, a big reason the Steelers slumped after peaking at 8-5.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Do the Steelers have enough options at middle linemacker?
Steelers’ 90-man roster: ILBs
By: Jim Wexell, Steelers Digest
ON THE ROSTER NOW: Devin Bush, Ulysees Gilbert, John Houston, Leo Lewis, Robert Spillane, Vince Williams.
ON THE ROSTER IN SEPTEMBER: Bill Cowher kept four inside linebackers every year he worked with Kevin Colbert, but Mike Tomlin has kept four only once in the last seven seasons. Otherwise it has been five, even six in 2016. The prediction here, though, is four will be kept, just based on the apparent talent at hand.
STAT THAT STANDS OUT: The Steelers received only 6.5 sacks from their group of inside linebackers last season, the lowest total since the group posted six in Ryan Shazier’s rookie season of 2014. Three of those 6.5 sacks left in the person of Mark Barron, so to keep up with the previous year’s total, Williams (2.5) and Bush (one) would have to figure to contribute more in that area.
KEY DEPARTURES: Barron was an effective bridge to the Bush era as a coverage linebacker, but he was released and remains on the market. Tyler Matakevich developed into a reliable reserve and core special-teamer but was signed away in free agency by the Buffalo Bills.
KEY ADDITIONS: Spillane was signed to the practice squad last October, activated a month later and played in five games down the stretch of the regular season. So he can be considered a seasoned vet in this group. The only new additions are undrafted rookie free agents Lewis and Houston. Lewis (6-2, 245) went to Ole Miss as a five-star recruit, made the freshman All-America team and started again as a sophomore in the 3-4 alignment, but he was moved outside in the team’s 4-3 for his last two seasons. Houston (6-3, 220) went to USC as a Parade All-America and was a three-year starter. As a captain during his redshirt senior season he made a career-high 104 tackles.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- The NFL journeyman hopes to find a landing spot in Pittsburgh
Borders: ‘I try to win small battles’
By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
Get to know Steelers cornerback Breon Borders
Breon Borders
Cornerback
Duke University
Most entertaining person you follow on social media? Chad Johnson. He is so random. He is always talking about McDonalds. He is a funny, random, dude.
Must have food? Gushers candy. I have to have them in the house. I have five boxes of them right now.
Must see show? South Park
Morning person or night owl? Morning person.
Who is your football mentor or inspiration? My inspiration since I was a kid has been Randy Moss. When I was younger, he was the prime receiver at the time. I wanted to be a receiver and I looked up to him.
What motivates you? My kids and my family and community. I feel like I am in a position to lead. I feel like everyone is looking to me to lead and set a good example for the younger generation, including my kids, family, and everyone.
Why do you want to be that leader? That is something that is really scarce in my town. In my town there are a lot of drugs, shooting, and I want to be a positive light in my community. I am doing all I can for them.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
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- Social Media Madness
#SteelersCamp pic.twitter.com/kw0dtHRBVk
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2020
Start your week off full steam ahead @Juiceup__3 pic.twitter.com/pm9gQjlXOT
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2020
It sure is!
— SteelersNationUnite (@SteelersUnite) July 27, 2020
Submit your @steelers selfie in the #SteelersNationUnite section of the #Steelers mobile app for your chance to be featured pic.twitter.com/JgfdpYljiC