It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Being on the cusp of padded practices, it still 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 linebacker Devin Bush as the Steelers look for him to have a big second season.
Let’s get to the news:
- The Steelers’ second-year linebacker will be called on to do a lot more in 2020.
Steelers ready to call on Devin Bush to take on bigger role this season
By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Devin Bush did just about everything asked of a 21-year-old rookie inside linebacker plopped into the middle of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense last season.
From a statistical standpoint, Bush had the best start to a Steelers career of any player at his position. He led the team with 109 tackles, including 72 solo, and became the first Steelers rookie to reach the century mark.
Bush also tied for the team lead with four fumble recoveries, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He intercepted two passes and had nine tackles for loss while learning the ins and outs of playing his position in the NFL.
Coach Mike Tomlin expects to see improvement in players from their first to second seasons, and Bush is no exception. Bush will be expected to expand on the 82% of the snaps he played last season, and he will carry the responsibilities of making the calls on defense.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Another second-year player in Benny Snell Jr. is also looking for a big year.
Steelers encouraged by a more svelte Benny Snell, who is vying for bigger role in Pittsburgh’s offense
By: Bryan DeArdo, CBSSports
Benny Snell is following in familiar footsteps. Six years ago, Le’Veon Bell enjoyed a breakout sophomore season with the Steelers after shedding weight during the offseason. Four years later, James Conner, the team’s current starter, followed suit, earning Pro Bowl honors after significantly improving his conditioning during the offseason.
Snell, by all accounts, has done the same during the 2020 offseason. While it’s only been a week, the Steelers are impressed from what they’ve seen from their second-year running back during training camp. Snell, who last season checked in at 5-foot-10 and 224 pounds, looks noticeably more fit as he looks to earn more playing time in Pittsburgh’s backfield this season.
“Yes, it is true, Benny looks better,” Steelers running back coach Eddie Faulkner recently said, via Ed Bouchette of The Athletic. “He has done a lot of running, you can see the work he has put in. The exciting part about it is he did it while being away from us, so you know he had a focus on getting right and getting in the best shape that he can. So, I am excited about Benny. That is a guy that is passionate and loves the game.”
Snell, who left the Wildcats’ program as the school’s career rushing leader, had nearly identical numbers as Conner last season despite receiving only two starts. Snell made the most of those two starts, rushing for 98 yards and a score in a win over the Bengals before gaining 91 yards and a touchdown in the team’s season finale against the Ravens. His hard-nosed running earned him praise from his coach, Mike Tomlin, near the end of Pittsburgh’s Week 14 win over Arizona.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- It looks to be a turn-around season for the big guys up front on offense.
Reconfigured Steelers offensive line looks for improvement after ‘pretty terrible’ season
By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
One of the more memorable quotes from Ben Roethlisberger over his 16-plus seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers came as a 35-year-old in 2017.
During the postgame glow of a victory at Kansas City that came a week after Roethlisberger threw five interceptions during a loss that had some wondering if the end of a potential Hall of Fame career was near, he delivered a subtle-yet-smug retort.
“I guess this old cowboy has got a little left in him.”
Some of Roethlisberger’s closet friends on the Pittsburgh Steelers are the members of his offensive line. They are hoping 2020 serves as a season-long similar reaffirmation.
For the better part of a decade, the Steelers enjoyed continuity and consistency from an offensive line that was the envy of much of the NFL. Center Maurkice Pouncey and left guard Ramon Foster were stalwarts and started next to each other through much of the 2010s. David DeCastro joined them in late 2012 and has filled the right guard spot since.
Kelvin Beachum and Alejandro Villanueva have the majority of starts at left tackle during that span. And Marcus Gilbert and Matt Feiler have been the only full-time right tackles the Steelers have used since 2011.
But change is coming in 2020. The Steelers will have their third consecutive different season-opening starting right tackle. They’ll have a new left guard, too. Their left tackle is entering the final year of his contract.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- BTSC articles you may have missed...
Are the Steelers truly “all in” on a 2020 Super Bowl run?
Breaking down the new rules for rosters and the practice squad for the upcoming season
David DeCastro vs. Geno Adkins has been an epic matchup
Is James Washington quietly preparing for a breakout year?
Continuity is key for 2020 according to Mike Tomlin
How will the NFL handle positive COVID-19 test on the day of a game?
- Social Media Madness
Solid work week #SteelersCamp
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 15, 2020
Get an exclusive look inside of team meetings, equipment fittings, the strength & conditioning program, the defensive backs’ preparations & @_BigBen7's return to the field in Episode 2️⃣ of 'The Standard'.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 15, 2020
Watch the full on Sunday at 8 pm on our YouTube & Facebook pages! pic.twitter.com/OWitWsyiIM
Chapter IV... 4 more weeks! pic.twitter.com/LPouJnhcCO
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) August 15, 2020
W O R K @budlight | #SteelersCamp pic.twitter.com/tRKt9As7Pw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 15, 2020