Steelers News: Vance McDonald knows your best ability is your availability

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 how Vance McDonald realizes, and understands, his best ability is to be available week in and week out.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers have two tight ends who are more than capable on their roster, if they can stay healthy.

‘Availability is everything,’ including the only thing holding back Steelers’ Vance McDonald

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Vance McDonald has had quite an NFL career. This will be the eighth pro season for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tight end, and he already has earned more than $25 million in salary.

But through the 166 catches, 15 touchdowns and almost 2,000 receiving yards, one very simple achievement had eluded McDonald: He has yet to play all 16 games of a season.

That lack of consistent availability might be the only thing that has prevented McDonald from reaching his potential.

“I didn’t honestly hear this until I got here having my position coach (James Daniel) and Coach (Mike) Tomlin say this: ‘Availability is everything,’ ” McDonald said during a video conference Tuesday. “Obviously, (playing all 16 games) is something I’m working for. Availability is everything.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Kevin Colbert’s statement on the NFL’s recent COVID-19 fiasco

Statements from NFL & Colbert on COVID testing

By: Steelers.com Staff

Statement from Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert:

On Saturday, we had six players absent from practice due to our adherence to NFL COVID-19 protocol. None of those players were required to be placed on Reserve/COVID-19 and will be returning to meetings today and practice on Monday.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Tyson Alualu, a very valuable asset to the Steelers’ defense.

Camp Blog: Alualu’s competitive side is showing

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Alualu’s competitive side is showing: When it comes to having fun in the Steelers locker room at Heinz Field during training camp, Tyson Alualu and T.J. Watt have earned full bragging rights. The two are currently the No. 1 seed in ‘Spikeball,’ a fun game that is bringing out the competitive side of the players during free time in the locker room.

“With anything as athletes, you get real competitive,” said Alualu. “(We) formed teams and talk a lot of smack. Right now, T.J. is my partner and we have been playing pretty well. I think our record is like 11-1, so still the No. 1 seed. That has been fun being able to build that camaraderie with a lot of the other guys.”

Locker room games aren’t the only thing bringing out Alualu’s competitive side this camp. With Javon Hargrave leaving via free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s Alualu who has gotten the first look at the nose tackle spot in camp. It’s not a spot completely new to him, but he did spend more time at end last year, especially after Stephon Tuitt went out with a pec injury. Alualu said he didn’t do anything special physically this offseason to prepare for the new spot but did say there are some mental challenges that comes with it.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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