Steelers News: Zach Banner not happy as nothing more than a fan favorite

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. With the scheduled 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 Zach Banner is a player the fans have fallen in love with, but he isn’t settled with just being “Mr. Eligible”.

Let’s get to the news:

• For Zach Banner, the goal is to be on the field for every offensive snap.

Goal is much bigger than being ‘eligible’

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

They were words that became commonplace during the Steelers 2019 season.

“No. 72 has reported as an eligible receiver.”

Fans would erupt in cheers when they heard it, whether it was announced once or 10 times a game.

Zach Banner couldn’t help but smile when he heard the reaction.

“I enjoyed it,” said Banner. “The relationship with the fans is something that I always had as a factor of my game. I always stopped to sign autographs, say hi. I joke with people. I have fun with the fans. I really enjoyed the fun with them.”

There was something else he enjoyed more, though.

Simply being on the field for meaningful snaps.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Antonio Brown isn’t going to challenge his 8-game suspension, and is excited for his “new beginnings”.

Antonio Brown: I look forward to new beginnings

By: Charean Williams, ProFootballTalk

Antonio Brown will not appeal his eight-game suspension. He will serve it and then plans (hopes?) to play the final eight games.

With who? Who knows.

The free agent receiver responded Friday night to news from the NFL earlier in the day.

“I look forward to new beginnings,” Brown wrote on Instagram. “I want to be the best version of myself on and off the field, and I will do my best to be a great teammate. I appreciate the NFL giving me the opportunity to continue to work on myself and improve.

“I am thankful and grateful for this opportunity to play a game that I truly love and I look forward to joining a new team soon. Thank you to my family and all those that have supported me. I will show the fans my appreciation for this second chance by having the best season of my career. #AB2.0 #Himmothy”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Steelers specialists in 2020 are what fans have seen for several years.

Steelers’ 90-man roster: Specialists

By: Jim Wexell, Steelers Digest

ON THE ROSTER IN SEPTEMBER: Here’s your sure bet of the preseason – the Steelers will keep three specialists, as they have in all 20 years of the Kevin Colbert era.

STAT THAT STANDS OUT: Boswell went from his worst season in 2018 (65 percent accuracy on field goal attempts plus multiple missed PATs) to his best in 2019 by converting 93.5 percent of his field goals. He made 29 of 31, just one make shy of Shaun Suisham’s team-record 30 of 32 (93.8 percent) in 2013. Boswell also converted all 28 of his extra-point attempts. His only missed field goal attempts were from 54 yards in a win over Miami and 44 yards in a 14-point loss to Cleveland.

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

KEY ADDITIONS: Waitman had a career punting average of 42.7 in five years at South Alabama. The Belgian attended high school in Florida before becoming a first-team all-Sun Belt Conference punter in 2017 when he posted a 45.2 average. Waitman was granted a sixth year of eligibility last year and transferred to Mississippi State, but did not kick.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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