Behind the Steel Curtain: All Posts by Neal CoolongA level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47293/steel_curtain_fave.png2015-03-15T19:20:30-04:00https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/authors/neal-coolong/rss2015-03-15T19:20:30-04:002015-03-15T19:20:30-04:00On to new life's work - Thank you, BTSC
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<p>There are no other words I wish to convey more than "thank you" as I end my three-year privilege of serving as editor of the finest Steelers site on the Internet, but I'm going to go on a long rant anyway. </p> <p>I was bored off my ass sitting in a hotel room in Columbus, passing the time on the weekend from an extended work trip by digging around for Steelers news.</p>
<p>I came across a call for submissions from a site called "Behind the Steel Curtain," and I figured I could waste my time by getting back into writing. With a journalism background and some web experience, I figured I could at least get a byline or two.</p>
<p>My email was almost immediately answered by Michael Bean, the editor of BTSC. That was Oct. 27, 2008. I've been writing for BTSC ever since.</p>
<p>Bean and I struck up a wonderful friendship, fueled mostly by his love of late nights and mine of early mornings. I operated on the eastern time zone while he was in Seattle, meaning our conversations were right before he called it a night and right after I woke up.</p>
<p>SB Nation made the right choice in bringing Bean on full-time as a video production manager, leaving the editor position for BTSC open. I was hired for that formally on July 1, 2012.</p>
<p><b>That streak ends today, my final day with Behind the Steel Curtain and SB Nation.</b> I'm on to another challenge. It's something in the same arena (ahemUSA TodayCOUGH), but this letter isn't about that. It's about the people I've had the pleasure of meeting in serving the last three seasons as the editor of the finest Steelers site on the Internet.</p>
<p>During the Super Bowl run of 2010, I got to know Rebecca Rollett, a North Star figure of wisdom and intelligence. Bean wrestled her back from Bleacher Report, and it was probably the best decision he ever made.</p>
<p>I had a conversation with Ivan Cole not long after I started. That conversation created the Weekend Checkdown, the longest-running column on BTSC. I can count on two fingers the amount of weeks Ivan did not submit his column. Editors love that kind of thing, but only slightly less is how much they love the conversation Ivan creates.</p>
<p>I learned in three years Germans love Anthony Defeo (a play off a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOE7NMQadrY">Norm McDonald bit from Saturday Night Live</a>). Tony wrote a story about how historically the Steelers do really well in seasons after a new pop of the Catholic church is selected. That story was posted on a German Catholic Facebook page, and it was, until recently, the most viewed story in BTSC history.</p>
<p>BTSC exceeded any and all traffic goals set before it. In 2014, it reached the previous year's marks in July, and broke its goal of 25 percent increases before the ball was kicked off in Week 1. Those marks would not have been achieved without the groundwork Bean laid or the effort from so many contributors, not limited to the ones I mentioned.</p>
<p>I was home from work one day, and I decided to live-tweet the replay of Super Bowl XLV being shown on NFL Network. I really flipped out describing my frustration over Bruce Arians' decision to move Heath Miller away from Clay Matthews before Rashard Mendenhall's fumble. I mean, I went ballistic (there's a certain level of showmanship required in this business). I got a polite email from a reader who explained to me Ben Roethlisberger changed protections, and likely with it, the play, something the team often does. I watched it again, and wow - the reader was right.</p>
<p>The man you know as Paper Champions has been educating us on BTSC ever since.</p>
<p>There was a new ad campaign introduced across SB Nation sometime in 2013, and it was creating some problems. I received several emails on it, and I was losing patience. A reader pointed it out in the comments, and my response to him was probably less than professional. It appeared the reader was prepared for such a response, and he called me out on it, including a passage that went something like "you'd be better off if you just shut up sometimes."</p>
<p>PaVaSteeler has been a moderator and a writer ever since. A damn fine one at that.</p>
<p>Not long after I initially began writing for the site, I received an email subjected "Are you related to Henry Coolong?" That's odd, because I was the grandson of a man named Henry Coolong. I responded accordingly, and after receiving a detailed email outlining my father's side of the family and how this person is connected to all of them, I felt like I was being stalked. I ended up on the phone with this man, and had one of the most phenomenal conversations about the Steelers and the history of Pittsburgh I will ever have in my life.</p>
<p>My grandfather and my father knew Homer J. long before BTSC was created, and no one has given me more insight to the team than Mr. Silverstein has. I bet many agree with me on that.</p>
<p>Lance Williams asked me to be on his podcast over the summer of 2012. I hadn't done many of them before and I was kind of nervous. The man who has The Voice of the Steelers put me at ease, and we actually ended up talking for a solid hour after the recording. No one is more enjoyable to talk to than Lance. That is of course unless we film a Hangout show and it turns out an unnamed person wanders through the live shot wearing less clothes than socially acceptable. We had to delete the Hangout but not after dying laughing at my reaction in the playback.</p>
<p>We tried the Hangout thing without much success, and I was hesitant to start a new podcast after it, but after I brought Jeff Hartman aboard in the summer of 2014, I was forced to reconsider. That was mostly due to the fact Jeff wouldn't leave me alone about it. To his credit, he warned me from the onset he wouldn't stop asking. Eventually I caved, and he and Lance have been producing an excellent show, The Standard is The Standard. Jeff and I dipped into Steelers Final Score as well, and both grew into considerable entities in just one season.</p>
<p>Certainly not without proper recognition, Joel Thorman, SB Nation's NFL league manager and editor of Arrowhead Pride, patiently dealt with the horrible ideas of a vastly inexperienced writer for many years. Without his guidance and leadership, this site wouldn't be what it is. A previous editor scoffed me when I told him BTSC would be a top five site on the network. Joel didn't scoff. He was, in fact, very excited when he told me that prediction became reality.</p>
<p>Our excellent behind-the-scenes man, Christopher Carter (the future mayor Pittsburgh, that's not a joke), has been a trusted advisor and friend. He's aware of my personal situation, and back in December, had suggested I provide an update on my daughter.</p>
<p>Some of you might remember her struggle with Wilm's Tumor - a form of childhood cancer - and how she defeated it in April of 2014. Unfortunately, in October, another tumor had appeared. She had another biopsy done in December, and is currently undergoing Chemotherapy. It was a scary set-back, but as I sit here today, I'm excited to say her most recent CT scan revealed no traces of anything, and she's more than halfway done with Chemo.</p>
<p>Her prognosis is excellent, and she will be done with Chemo in July. You'll be happy to know she shouts "HEEEEATH!" any time her Heath Miller jersey is put on her, and gets excited any time her dad begins watching film, yelling "BALL BALL!" and clapping aggressively.</p>
<p>Anyone who knows me or this site knows I'll write 1,200 words when only 500 are needed. This is way too long, but it's extremely difficult for me to keep it short when discussing the impact this community has had on my life. In the time I've written here, I've gotten married, had a child, bought a house, been laid off four times, moved to Pittsburgh, sat through multiple surgeries and treatments and lost some hair. It's difficult to remember what life was like before this place.</p>
<p>What I do know is I've learned an incredible amount from all of the aforementioned people, as well as thousands of others. Some know I get annoyed when BTSC is referred to as a blog. I feel that word trivializes what this place is. It's been my safe haven. It's been my home. It's been my escape when facing some of the most stressful and painful areas of life one must face.</p>
<p>I want to thank you all for that.</p>
<p>I'll be around, commenting with the rest of you chumbalones and chowderheads. I hope to see you again very soon.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/3/15/8213785/on-to-new-lifes-workNeal Coolong2015-03-14T10:03:35-04:002015-03-14T10:03:35-04:00Ben's deal worth up to $108 million over 5 years
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<p>Without bonus details, it's tough to estimate what the contract will do against the the Steelers' 2015 salary cap, but it's a step in that direction. </p> <blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash">#Steelers</a> signed QB <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> to a 5-year deal worth $99M that can escalate to $108M, source said. Big-time deal.</p>
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/576738407256190978">March 14, 2015</a>
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While the details as reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport aren't complete, it would seem Roethlisberger's 5-year, $99 million deal is more team-friendly than Ben friendly.</p>
<p>It almost seems intentional the deal would be just under $100 million in base value, assuming the additional $9 million would be accounted for in performance bonuses (not counted against the cap).</p>
<p>Without the bonus money being broken out, it's hard to make much of it except for the fact he'll be getting just above or below a $20 million a year mark.</p>
<p>The full details would need to be available to determine what kind of cap implication the contract has. We've expected his new deal to only provide a minimal amount, if any, of cap relief, and after four days of open free agency, there aren't many targets still available who would command big bucks anyway.</p>
<p>The team is meeting with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> cornerback <span>Patrick Robinson</span> this weekend, and he may get offers in the $2 million a year range. It remains to be seen whether the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> value the 6-foot-0, 195-pound cornerback at that level, but it's presumably more than they would have offered <span>Brice McCain</span>, who signed for $2.5 million a year with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a>.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/3/14/8214567/ben-roethlisberger-contract-value-details-extension-2015Neal Coolong2015-03-13T19:19:35-04:002015-03-13T19:19:35-04:00Plays like this define Roethlisberger's career
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<p>It's fun to see Roethlisberger work his magic, especially knowing he'll be around for another five seasons. </p> <p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/Od1E6QvaXDh/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p>It's third and 10, a play needs to be made. That's when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> is at his best.</p>
<p>Facing a vicious <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>' pass rush in the team's Week 9 performance against their arch -rival, Roethlisberger escapes the grasp of one pass rusher, pumps a pass so hard it fakes even the camera man, eludes another tackle and releases a throw to tight end <span>Heath Miller</span> just before Ravens outside linebacker <span>Elvis Dumervil</span> is in position to knock him down.</p>
<p>First down Steelers.</p>
<p>Ben would go on to throw six touchdown passes in this game - a 43-23 rout of the Ravens - giving him 12 touchdown passes in two weeks. He's the only quarterback in the NFL to accomplish that feat, and it earned him consecutive AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards. Roethlisberger was signed to a five-year extension Friday, ensuring the veteran will finish his career in Pittsburgh.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/3/13/8212547/Ben-roethlisberger-highlights-plays-contract-extension-2015Neal Coolong2015-03-13T18:55:05-04:002015-03-13T18:55:05-04:00Newest Steelers running back has fuel to burn
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<p>The newest Steelers running back is quick to point out while he's a veteran, he has plenty of gas in the tank. </p> <blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>A veteran w/lots of gas left in the tank lol RT <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers">@steelers</a>: We have signed veteran RB <a href="https://twitter.com/DeAngeloRB">@DeAngeloRB</a> to a 2-year contract <a href="http://t.co/546d2IgnEg">pic.twitter.com/546d2IgnEg</a></p>
— <span>DeAngelo Williams</span> (@DeAngeloRB) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeAngeloRB/status/576498842843144192">March 13, 2015</a>
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In a response to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>' announcement they signed him to a 2-year contract, the newest Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams made sure to point out to Steeler Nation he has "lots of gas left in the tank."</p>
<p>Some might "lol" over that, but for Williams, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Panthers</a> all-time rushing leader, he very well could be finishing up an outstanding career in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>He turns 32 years old April 25, and has just over 1,600 career touches, spanning 117 games and nine NFL seasons. To whatever degree Williams will be counted on for the Steelers in 2015, he feels confident in what he has left.</p>
<p><span>Le'Veon Bell</span>, the Steelers' unquestioned starter and 2014 All Pro selection, is likely to begin the 2015 season on the reserve-suspended list, stemming from an arrest for DUI in August. He's since entered a diversionary program, but accepting such a plea deal in the league's collective bargaining agreement brings with it a mandatory suspension.</p>
<p>Williams will likely be asked to carry the ball for the Steelers in that time. Perhaps he took some exception with being referred to as a "veteran" in the tweet. Clearly the team meant no disrespect, but a player anxious to prove doubters wrong is a player a team can count on to be ready when needed.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/3/13/8212409/steelers-deangelo-williams-career-stats-2015Neal Coolong2015-03-13T16:25:04-04:002015-03-13T16:25:04-04:00Steelers sign DeAngelo Williams
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<p>Pittsburgh and Williams came to terms on the deal after Williams visited with the team Friday. The signing helps establish backfield depth in the likely event Bell must serve a suspension early in the season for a DUI arrest in 2014.</p> <p>The Bell has a back-up.</p>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> signed veteran running back <span>DeAngelo Williams</span> Friday, a move made to bolster depth behind All Pro running back <span>Le'Veon Bell</span>.</p>
<p>The announcement of his signing came right after the team announced a contract extension for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.</p>
<p><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p>It's been only a question of who all offseason in Pittsburgh. Bell is facing a suspension that could keep him out of action anywhere from one to four games, and many still feel the position will need to be addressed in the draft.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p>For now, it's Williams, the soon-to-be-32-year-old running back who starred for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Panthers</a> in his nine-year career.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>Williams is Carolina's all-time leader in rushing yards (6,846), touchdowns (46) and attempts (1,432). He owns several other franchise rushing records from his nine seasons with the club.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>"That was the end. That was it. Nobody came to the funeral," Williams told WBTV's Molly Grantham in February. "The owner didn't reach out. He didn't say anything. Never talked to me. Nobody upstairs ever talked to me.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>"The only two people who ever said anything to me was coach Rivera and Dave Gettleman. There's nothing that coach Rivera and Dave Gettleman can do to me that will make me mad or make me hate them because in my darkest hour they were there for me."<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>He began his career as a back-up to <span>DeShaun Foster</span>, and eventually became the main running back. The Panthers made the surprise selection of RB Jonathan Stewart in 2008, but Williams made the most of his first year with the bulk of the carries. He was named to the All Pro team after gaining over 1,700 yards and scored 20 total touchdowns (18 rushing, two receiving). <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>At the end of his tenure with the Panthers, Williams expressed resentment at the majority of the Panthers' organization over what he felt was a lack of support, particularly from owner Jerry Richardson, after his mother passed away from breast cancer.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>There was a time in Pittsburgh where some thought the Steelers may have been looking to select Williams in the first round of the 2006 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. He was an All-America selection at Memphis, and with what was thought to be an excellent running backs class, the competition was such Williams fell to 27 overall. The Steelers had traded up from the 32nd pick to 25 with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> to select Ohio State's Santonio Holmes.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>Williams is the Steelers' first outside free agent signing of 2015. The team is expected to sign quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> to an extension at some point, and a decision on the future of safety <span>Troy Polamalu</span> is forthcoming as well. With those moves, it would appear the Steelers will still have salary cap space, and could be targeting other free agents.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>A CBS Sports report said the Steelers were interested in a kick returner, and the loss of <span>Brice McCain</span> (signed with Miami) may have them looking at a veteran cornerback as well.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/3/13/8211497/steelers-sign-rb-deangelo-williamsNeal Coolong2015-03-13T15:33:03-04:002015-03-13T15:33:03-04:00Ben signs contract extension
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<p>No details were announced immediately, but the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger have agreed on a contract extension. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>We have agreed to terms with <a href="https://twitter.com/_BigBen7">@_BigBen7</a> on a new contract. More details to come on <a href="http://t.co/XL7UQsbZDF">http://t.co/XL7UQsbZDF</a>.</p>
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers/status/576465423979442176">March 13, 2015</a>
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<p>Roethlisberger is coming off his finest season, having thrown for 4,952 yards - a team record - and 32 touchdown passes. He became the first player in NFL history to throw six touchdown passes in back-to-back games as the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> scored 94 points in wins over the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> and <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> in Weeks 8 and 9, respectively.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>Roethlisberger turned 32 years old March 2, and with a loaded offense returning for the Steelers in 2015, there's little to suggest he can't create that kind of production again.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>Much was made over an alleged feud between Roethlisberger and Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, something both sides have denied over the years. Add in an NFL Network report in 2013 that Roethlisberger would seek a trade that offseason, plenty has been made to suggest Roethlisberger doesn't like the direction of the current team.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>His new contract says otherwise.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>The Steelers scored a franchise-record 436 points (27.3 per game) in 2014, as Roethlisberger, running back <span>Le'Veon Bell</span> and wide receiver <span>Antonio Brown</span> became the first trio with 4,500 passing yards, 1,300 rushing yards and 1,500 receiving yards.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p>This is on top of the early career path he set in terms of winning games. Roethlisberger has yet to be a part of a team with a losing record in the NFL. He's led the Steelers to two <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl" class="sbn-auto-link">Super Bowl</a> championships and three AFC championships. The 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has the franchise's career records in touchdowns (251), yards (39,057) and completion percentage (63.7).</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/3/13/8181709/ben-roethlisberger-contract-extension-2015-steelersNeal Coolong2015-03-13T07:53:55-04:002015-03-13T07:53:55-04:00Steelers searching for a return man
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<p>They have one of the best return men in the NFL on their roster already. The issue is he's also likely to be one of the most targeted receivers in the NFL as well. Who's available in free agency to fill Antonio Brown's punt return role? </p> <blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>While the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> are generally very quiet in free agency/trades they are quietly exploring options for a returner.</p>
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/576087315552034817">March 12, 2015</a>
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<span>DeAngelo Williams</span> is visiting the Steelers Friday.</p>
<p>Returning kicks likely isn't going to be in his job description.</p>
<p>Same for cornerback <span>Patrick Robinson</span>, who's the only other reported target of the Steelers in free agency. Jason La Canfora's tweet Thursday suggests they are still working the wire in terms of finding players to help improve the team.</p>
<p>It doesn't speak much of 2014 third round draft pick Dri Archer. Then again, we knew that. Archer was taken off kick returns midway through the season.</p>
<p>It wouldn't be in line with past tendencies for the Steelers to bring in a return man to handle just those duties. Not since the Steelers brought in <span>Allen Rossum</span> in 2007 or <span>Stefan Logan</span> after him has a Steelers player made the 53-man roster with the strict role of a return man.</p>
<p><span>Najeh Davenport</span> carried the ball from the backfield along with plodding forward on kick returns. <span>LeGarrette Blount</span> sometimes got the ball between his brief service as a kick returner. <span>Markus Wheaton</span> filled the role after Blount left and he still was targeted a few times in the passing game.</p>
<p>Outside of that, the Steelers haven't been a solid return team in a while, and even with the <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/5/3/4296332/steelers-rookie-minicamp-highlights-reggie-dunn-kick-returner-utah" target="_blank">lingering wistful dreams of Reggie Dunn</a> and so many other speed demons who tried to find roles as return men, the team's recent history suggests if they do want a player to bring in special teams contributory value, he'd need to be able to play a position as well.</p>
<p>Let this serve as preparation for the future story regarding <span>Antonio Brown</span> begrudgingly being put back on punt return duties. Not even 129 receptions mask his obvious talent as a return man, but bringing in someone who can bring that kind of skill would be idea.</p>
<p>If that's their key signing this free agency period, the Steelers can say they improved. Finding someone to fit that description may be the challenge of the offseason.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-free-agency-news-rumors-signings-2015-steelers/2015/3/13/8207345/2015-free-agency-steelers-hunting-for-a-return-manNeal Coolong2015-03-13T07:19:39-04:002015-03-13T07:19:39-04:00DeAngelo Williams visits Steelers Friday
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<p>The expectations for the Steelers' back-up running back will be much more clear when he's signed than they were in 2014. If Williams can accept that as his role, he's their guy. </p> <p>The same stage was set in 2014.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> needed a complimentary back to provide insurance on young running back <span>Le'Veon Bell</span>, and it seemed, in March, the best option would be a dual-headed approach of additions in the draft and free agency to help accomplish that goal.</p>
<p>The Steelers elected to sign veteran RB LeGarrette Blount in free agency but didn't address the running back position in the draft (they did sign undrafted free agent <span>Josh Harris</span>, who would eventually make the team's practice squad).</p>
<p>That decision turned out to be a regrettable one.</p>
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<p>The Steelers look to do the same thing, hosting veteran DeAngelo Williams Friday, just a few days after he was released by the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a>. Williams does not carry with him the same red flags Blount did, but those are replaced with injury concerns. That's more than likely what his visit will be about; checking him out, seeing him run a bit.</p>
<p>Most importantly, the Steelers have the opportunity to look him in the eye and be straight about their situation: Williams will not get the ball some games. While Bell is facing a suspension that could leave him out of anywhere from one to four games in 2015, Williams' highest and best use this season will be to prepare himself in the event Bell is cut down down by a low hit in the open field.</p>
<p>When Bell goes down, so does the Steelers' offense, as their 2014 division championship-season came to an abrupt end as a confused offense failed to produce anything close to what it had when Bell was healthy.</p>
<p>This will not be a running-back-by-committee. This is The Le'Veon Bell Show, and if Williams is ok with that, and will provide the same effort each day as if he's going to be the 20-plus carry running back he was earlier in his career, he's the right player to sign.</p>
<p>Blount may have received a different message. Blount is still in his prime. Williams may not be, but given the right situation, his experience and his character could be the strength the Steelers need in their back-up position.</p>
<p>Predicting Bell's massive leap forward from 2013 to 2014 was more blessing than curse, it did alter the Steelers' approach in free agency. Had the team known he'd go out and shatter the team's yards from scrimmage record, perhaps they wouldn't have aimed so high in identifying a back-up running back.</p>
<p>Now they know what they have with Bell and they have the opportunity to offer their best pitch to Williams.</p>
<p>The team will need Williams early in the season, then they may not need him at all. They're hoping not to need him, except to lug the rock while nursing a 20-point lead in the second half.</p>
<p>If Williams is cool with that, he's their guy.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-free-agency-news-rumors-signings-2015-steelers/2015/3/13/8207295/2015-nfl-free-agency-rb-deangelo-williams-visits-steelersNeal Coolong2015-03-13T06:56:59-04:002015-03-13T06:56:59-04:00Ward: I'd hate to see Polamalu in another uniform
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<figcaption>Vincent Pugliese-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Post Gazette reached out to ex-Steelers WR Hines Ward for his take on the current situation between the Steelers and S Troy Polamalu. Ward knows both Polamalu and the situation all too well. </p> <p>Ex-<a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> wide receiver <span>Hines Ward</span> played with a chip on his shoulder the size of Heinz Field. Even after 13 years in the league, he reminded people he was a third-round draft pick, and maybe even convinced himself that was evidence no one thought he would succeed.</p>
<p>He offered to take a pay cut to stay in Pittsburgh after the 2012 season. The Steelers weren't interested in that, and he was released. Ward made an effort to shop his services around the league, but in finding no suitable offers, he elected to retire.</p>
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<p>That very well could be the fate of safety <span>Troy Polamalu</span>, who's said to be teetering on retirement or release. Ward doesn't want to see it go down that way.</p>
<p>Post Gazette reporter <a target="_blank" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/03/13/Ward-hopes-Steelers-can-work-things-out-with-Polamalu/stories/201503130183">Ed Bouchette landed an interview with Ward</a>, who's experience with the situation Polamalu is in combined with his legendary status with the team makes him perhaps the strongest material witness to the situation.</p>
<p>"They tell you when you come into the league, play as long as you can," Ward told Bouchette. "I would hate to see Troy in another uniform. I just think some way, some how, they can figure out something to work things out."</p>
<p>The writing appears so clearly on the wall that Polamalu played his last game as a Steeler. His contract appeared to be structured with a post-June 1 2015 cut in mind. There is the possibility Polamalu and the Steelers work something out and Polamalu returns this year.</p>
<p>Nothing really points to that as a legitimate option, however.</p>
<p>That doesn't override the unsettling feeling Steelers fans would have in seeing Polamalu end his career in a different uniform, but those aren't mutually exclusive feelings. With the top free agents - or the perceived top free agents - having landed elsewhere by now, the start of Day 4 of free agency - it's not like the Steelers need extensive cap room anymore. They have the space to sign two players they are said to be looking at, Carolina running back <span>DeAngelo Williams</span> (who's visiting Pittsburgh today and is expected to sign) and New Orleans cornerback Patrick Robinson. They have the space to bring in those players and perhaps land an extension or two.</p>
<p>Polamalu's release would be about the assembly of the best roster they can make, not about creating cap space. His retirement would be met with sadness and nostalgia. It would also meet expectations from fans who are looking for the Steelers to launch the next chapter of success in a franchise that's been mired in mediocrity overall the last few years.</p>
<p>Ward looked back in the franchise's history for answers, and despite admittedly being bitter over the team's refusal to keep Ward around as a fourth receiver, primarily serving as a mentor to the team's up and coming young receivers, he knew his time was up.</p>
<p>"I looked back at Franco [Harris] and some of the other guys, it would feel weird putting on another uniform," Ward told Bouchette. "I don't think I could have given that effort in another uniform that I did in my Steelers uniform. That's when I knew it was time to leave."</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-free-agency-news-rumors-signings-2015-steelers/2015/3/13/8207245/hines-ward-id-hate-to-see-troy-polamalu-in-another-uniformNeal Coolong2015-03-13T06:30:04-04:002015-03-13T06:30:04-04:00Jordan Cameron leaves Cleveland for Miami
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<figcaption>Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It's all about closing the deal. Apparently Cleveland failed to do that with tight end Jordan Cameron, who's out of the AFC North and onto the Dolphins on a two-year contract. </p> <blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> beat odds and re-sign TE <span>Jordan Cameron</span>. <a href="http://t.co/s6dz92jxBp">http://t.co/s6dz92jxBp</a></p>
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyGrossi/status/576144108433051648">March 12, 2015</a>
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<p><span>Jordan Cameron</span> had verbal agreement on 2yr/$15M deal w/ CLE. Yet to sign it. Remains in Miami. Fins working on Clay extension but he's...</p>
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/576177284111007744">March 13, 2015</a>
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<p>And now the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> have announced they signed former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> TE Jordan Cameron.</p>
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/576189519789178881">March 13, 2015</a>
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It was <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> last year, having come to a verbal agreement with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, only to double-back minutes later and sign with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>.</p>
<p>The kicker here is initial reports indicated Cameron agreed to a 2-year, $15 million deal with the Browns. Then, he signed the same deal with the Dolphins.</p>
<p>Apparently, he wasn't kidding about wanting out of Cleveland.</p>
<p>Whatever happened, and whomever told whoever what, Cleveland risked not tagging Cameron (a move that would have cost the cap-healthy Browns around $7.5 million for this year), and because of that, lost him to the Dolphins. Miami, on the other hand, now has Cameron signed and transition-tagged <span>Charles Clay</span> already in place.</p>
<p>Cleveland is a suitor for Clay. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> are as well.</p>
<p>The chain of events shows the value of the tag, particularly at lesser-paid positions like tight end. Cameron joins <span>Brice McCain</span> in Miami, leaving Cleveland without its top offensive weapon. It also rids Cleveland of one of its biggest question marks.</p>
<p>Cameron has had multiple documented concussions, and when he wasn't dragging linebacks up the seam, earning big completions, he was out of commission. A remarkable player cut down due to the savagery of the game.</p>
<p>We're happy he's out of the division, but can't help but wonder what Cleveland's game plan is this offseason.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-free-agency-news-rumors-signings-2015-steelers/2015/3/13/8207223/jordan-cameron-signing-miami-dolphins-cleveland-browns-free-agencyNeal Coolong