Steelers News: What exactly is the difference in Ben Roethlisberger heading into 2020?

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. With the start of training camp now behind us, 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 difference between Ben Roethlisberger of 2019, and the Roethlisberger of 2020, per Vance McDonald.

Let’s get to the news:

• Ben Roethlisberger is different, according to Vance McDonald, but how?

McDonald is seeing a completely different Ben

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

When Steelers training camp practices wrap up for the day, players have always been accustomed to interacting with the fans at Saint Vincent College as they walked off the field.

But with camp now at Heinz Field, and no fans able to attend because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that interaction is coming in different manners.

On Friday afternoon, tight end Vance McDonald took part in the Steelers Nation Unite Huddle, answering fans questions that ranged from how Ben Roethlisberger is doing to life on his farm in Westmoreland County.

“Everyone is sad to sort of end the long marriage at Saint Vincent College, including the fans,” said McDonald. “It was something the organization was used to. There was a level of comfort we had. It’s been new for everyone, including us. There are certain things we had to work through, that is proximity, location of meetings, and COVID enhances all of that. A little bit of a learning curve. We are doing our best.

“It’s pretty cool to do your training camp workday at Heinz Field, right in the middle of Pittsburgh. There are some pros and cons of it all. But we miss the live interaction with the fans.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Benny Snell Jr. is a man who wants to do his job to the best of his ability.

Camp Blog: Snell ‘loves’ his job

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Snell loves his job: With his second training camp underway, and his rookie year behind him, Benny Snell is focused on one thing.

Taking his game to the next level in 2020.

And how will he get there?

“I need to work on everything,” said Snell. “I need to focus on being a better route-runner, a better pass protector, knowing pass pro and blitzes better. How the pass plays and run plays are run so I know the sweet spots, just being ahead of the game.

“There is always a way you can get better or an edge on your opponent when you are preparing for guys during the week. Film, getting the reps you can in practice, taking care of my body has been a big thing for me. A lot of those things tie in to how you play the game. It’s huge and it’s my job.

“And I love my job.”

You could see that love he has for football just in the way he played last season, with a solid rookie campaign. The fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft finished the season with 108 carries for 426 yards and two touchdowns, including a 98-yard performance at Cincinnati in Week 12.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Mike Tomlin is a part of a group designed to help minority coaches get more experience and exposure.

Maryland’s Michael Locksley forms group to help minority coaches

By: Darrin Gantt, ProFootballTalk

Maryland coach Michael Locksley made it to the top. Now he wants to help others find an easier path, and he’s enlisted some powerful NFL names in his effort.

According to Jim Trotter of NFL.com, Locksley formed the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches, which hopes to help speed up the pace of minority hiring in the college ranks and in the NFL.

“When I took the Maryland job last year and looked at the landscape of college football, I thought to myself, There’s something missing. I’m on the back nine of my career and the pathway to becoming a head coach is still as difficult as when I got into the business in 1992,” Locksley, 50, said. “I wanted to create an organization that would be able to help prepare, promote and produce the next group of coaches coming up through the ranks at every level.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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