Steelers Depot

Report: Weslye Saunders Suspended Four Games For Undisclosed Violation

Dave Bryan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:10:10 PST

It is being reported by several outlets that Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Weslye Saunders has been suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season for an undisclosed violation. Saunders, who signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the lockout, could not be reached for comment as he his currently vacationing out in Las Vegas. We will update this report with more information as we get it. Saunders missed his senior season at South Carolina after he had lied to NCAA investigators over an inquiry into improper contact with agents. It led to his draft stock eventually Read more [...]

Roethlisberger Should Prepare For Haley, Fire & Brimstone

Dave Bryan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:55:30 PST

The great Lynn Swann said it best this past week when he was asked about Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his statement made at the Pro Bowl that he was going to sit down with Art Rooney II to find out which direction the offense was going to go now. Swann said," The last time I checked, he was a paid employee of the team." He later followed that up by saying, "I don't think you question an organization that's had the consistency and success the Steelers have had." Now that Todd Haley is expected to be officially named the new offensive coordinator sometime this week, we will Read more [...]

Todd Haley Offensive Stats Resume & Timeline

Dave Bryan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:59:34 PST

Now that it looks certain that Todd Haley will be named the Pittsburgh Steelers new offensive coordinator, I have put together a time line of Haley along with the offensive stats dating back to 2007, his first year as an offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals through his time as head coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. You will see the run/pass ratios that are based on attempts, sacks and recorded quarterback scrambles as well. These are of course not 100% guaranteed ratios, but pretty damn close based on drop backs. The stats are also regular season stats and do not included the playoffs. 2007 Read more [...]

Todd Haley To Be Announced As Steelers New Offensive Coordinator Soon

Dave Bryan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:27:01 PST

This is one of those reports that I will pass on, but I caution you that there has been no confirmation by the Steelers or anyone else that it is indeed true. Mark Carman, from 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City, is reporting via Twitter that he is hearing that former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley has been hired as the new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator and an official announcement should be coming soon. Haley, the son of former Steelers Director of Player Personnel Dick Haley, interviewed with the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin last Tuesday. It has been the only interview Read more [...]

Steelers Six From Around The Web – February 6th – Gisele Bundchen Throws Patriots Receivers Under The Bus Edition

Dave Bryan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:13:02 PST

Dan Wetzel has a great timeline up that documents New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady from locker room to boarding the team bus after the loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. Speaking of the Patriots team bus, Brady's wife Gisele Bundchen threw the Patriots wide receivers underneath it on the way out of the stadium following the game. Bundchen was caught using an F-bomb expletive on camera while doing it as well. Dermontti Dawson shared his thoughts on being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Teresa Varley before flying out to Indianapolis to take part in the Read more [...]

2013 Super Bowl XLVII Odds Have Steelers At 12/1

Dave Bryan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:14:13 PST

The early 2013 Super Bowl XLVII NFL Futures Betting Odds For 2013 and Super Bowl 47 are out on BoDog and of course the game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on 2/3/2013. The Green Bay Packers are the early favorites as 6/1 odds to win it all with the New England Patriots coming in as the highest rated AFC team at 7/1 odds. The Houston Texans caught a lot of eyes this past season and are tied for second with the Pittsburgh Steelers at 12/1 odds. Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars bring up the rear with 100/1 odds to win it all in 2013. 2013 Super Read more [...]

Ryan Clark & James Harrison Pile On Patriots After Loss In Super Bowl

Dave Bryan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:18:21 PST

The New England Patriots lost to the New York Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI and not only was the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base happy with the Patriots failure to capture their 4th Super Bowl championship, but so were a few Steelers players as both safety Ryan Clark and linebacker James Harrison let their thoughts be known about the Patriots on Twitter. Harrison was the first to pile on with,"Told you, cheaters never win!!!!!!!!!" and followed it up with, "Lol, I'm sorry I couldn't help it!!!" Told you, cheaters never win!!!!!!!!!— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) February 6, 2012 Clark Read more [...]

Super Bowl XLVI: Giants Versus Patriots Preview & Score Prediction

Dave Bryan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:44:45 PST

The New York Giants and the New England Patriots square off tonight in Super Bowl XLVI as both teams look to capture their 4th Super Bowl championship. The game is also a rematch of the week 9 game earlier this season that the Giants won 24-20. It also is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII that the Giants won 17-14. Below are a few keys to the game along with my prediction. I have had a change of heart since my initial prediction in the Thursday podcast. Enjoy the game. The Gronkle - Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will play despite his injured ankle. How effective Gronkowski is in regards to both Read more [...]

Steelers Six From Around The Web – February 5th – Super Bowl XLVI Edition

Dave Bryan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:17:41 PST

Unless you were working all day or hiding under a rock on Saturday, you likely know by now that Dermontti Dawson and Jack Butler were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2012. If you missed the interviews with each that followed on the NFL Network, you can see the Dawson interview here and the Butler interview here. Butler still seems razor sharp for his age and I can't wait to hear his induction speech later this Sunday. The "NFL GameDay Morning" crew shared their disappointment on the finalist they thought were snubbed yesterday by the election committee. Pittsburgh Steelers Read more [...]

NFL Honors Rodgers, Brees, Newton, Miller, Suggs, Harbaugh & Stafford With AP Awards

Dave Bryan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:04:25 PST

The NFL saluted its best players and plays from the 2011 season the night before Super Bowl XLVI with the first annual "NFL Honors" show. The star-studded football and entertainment event was held at Murat Theatre in Indianapolis and it made for a great two-hour primetime awards special that aired on NBC. Alec Baldwin hosted the show that featured a performance from Lenny Kravitz. It was a mix of comedy with awards as seven of the yearly Associated Press awards were handed out. The show was predicted to be a flop, but instead it was very entertaining and it should turn into a yearly red carpet Read more [...]

Bouchette: “Good Chance” Jerome Bettis Gets Elected To Pro Football Hall Of Fame In 2013

Dave Bryan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:22:08 PST

We now know the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, and it even includes a couple of former Pittsburgh Steelers players in center Dermontti Dawson and defensive back Jack Butler. Dawson was one of the 15 modern era finalist, while Butler was one of the two senior finalist that made the 2012 final cut. Of course Dawson and Butler were not the only two former Steelers that were finalist this year as running back Jerome Bettis and linebacker/defensive Kevin Greene were also included in the list of 15 modern day finalist. Neither however made the cut down to 10 this time around. Immediately after Read more [...]

Dermontti Dawson & Jack Butler Elected Into Pro Football Hall Of Fame 2012 Class

Dave Bryan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:22:55 PST

The votes are in and the Pittsburgh Steelers have two more former players elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as center Dermontti Dawson and defensive back Jack Butler were named to the 2012 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dawson and Butler joined Willie Roaf, Curtis Martin, Cortez Kennedy and Chris Doleman as 2012 members that will inducted later this summer. Dawson was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft and originally played guard alongside fellow Steelers Hall of Famer center Mike Webster in his rookie season and then moved to center in his second Read more [...]

Steelers Six From Around The Web – February 4th – Deacon Likes Deebo Edition

Dave Bryan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:25:32 PST

Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones supports the style of play of linebacker James Harrison while speaking this week on radio row. Jones would have been the poster child for fines if he were still playing today. Former Steelers great and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson joined 93.7 The Fan to talk about his experience playing in the Super Bowl, the game Sunday and Bill Belichick. Joe Greene also called in to talk about how difficult it is for him to be in Indianapolis without the Steelers playing. That is not all from Greene as he has come out to say that he is OK with idea of a new offensive Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Free Agents Analysis: T Jamon Meredith

Dave Bryan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:55:20 PST

Onward we go with our player by player look at the Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Free Agents as I do a complete breakdown of their 2011 season and look ahead to their pending 2012 free agency situation. The post we finish out the Steelers restricted free agents with tackle Jamon Meredith. Please check out the links at the bottom to the other free agent player analysis already completed. Next up in the series will be the Steelers unrestricted free agents. Player: Jamon Meredith Position: Tackle Experience: 3 Years Free Agent Status: Restricted 2011 Salary Cap Hit: $600,000.00 (estimated) 2011 Read more [...]

Hines Ward’s Future Up In Proverbial Air

Christina L. Rivers — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:40:16 PST

Hines Ward's future with the Steelers is on the decision block and his future with the team will most likely be decided on March 1. 2012, due to a roster bonus he is due. At the Super Bowl media center Thursday, Ward was adamant that he'd be with the Steelers. It's true that in the last year of Bruce Arians' offense, Ward was devalued, but Arians is gone and that may or may not bode well for the 14-year veteran out of Georgia. Ward is scheduled to earn $4 million in the last two years of his contract, and has insisted he's willing to take a cut to stay with the team. According to the Pittsburgh Read more [...]

Report: Steelers Were Interested In Tom Clements As Next Offensive Coordinator

Dave Bryan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:35:30 PST

Not surprisingly, It was announced yesterday that the Green Bay Packers named Tom Clements their new offensive coordinator. Clements had been the Packers quarterbacks coach since 2006 and was the obvious choice to replace Joe Philbin, who left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins after the 2011 season. Clements, who previously served as the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach under Bill Cowher from 2001-2004, was instantly considered a candidate to come back to Pittsburgh to be the new offensive coordinator, should he not get promoted by the Packers. WPXI Sports Director Alby Read more [...]

Report: Todd Haley Frontrunner For Steelers Offensive Coordinator Job

Dave Bryan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:30:07 PST

Alby Oxenreiter, Sports Director for WPXI, tweets this afternoon that it is his understanding that former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley is the frontrunner for the Pittsburgh Steelers open offensive coordinator job. Since it was announced two weeks ago that Bruce Arians would not return for 2012, Haley was the only interview that has been 100% acknowledged by the Steelers website. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also has reportedly had interest in Jim Caldwell, Alex Van Pelt and Hue Jackson as well, but if any of those interviews actually did take place, they only have fringe confirmation Read more [...]

NFL Network To Broadcast 13 Thursday Night Games In 2012 & It Stinks Of Hypocrisy

Dave Bryan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:05:36 PST

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell held his yearly State of the NFL press conference today in Indianapolis and announced that the the NFL Network will broadcast 13 Thursday night games starting in 2012. Goodell also said that all 32 NFL teams will be guaranteed at least one prime time game over the course of the 2012 season. The NFL Network broadcasted eight Thursday night games last season and the new package will start in Week 2 and will run through Week 15 of the 2012 regular season. The question now becomes, how does this figure in with the strong push for player safety? Giving players a short Read more [...]

The Terrible Podcast – Super Bowl Preview & Myron Rolle Interview Episode

Dave Bryan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:21:28 PST

Season 2, Episode 74 of The Terrible Podcast is up and David Todd and get the Super Bowl preview show started by addressing a few reader emails to start off with. Next David and I run down the list of finalist again for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and give our final predictions on who we think will be in the class of 2012 when it is announced Saturday. Do we think former Steelers Dermontti Dawson, Jerome Bettis, Kevin Greene and Jack Butler get in? You might be surprised on our thoughts. We move on from that discussion to start breaking down and previewing Super Bowl XLVI. We look at what Read more [...]

Lynn Swann Says Last Time He Checked, Ben Roethlisberger Was A Paid Employee

Dave Bryan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:58:20 PST

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann was making the rounds today on radio row at the Super Bowl promoting the free Burger King giveaway of onion rings this upcoming weekend. Swann sat down for a quick interview with Dave Dameshek and Adam Rank from NFL.com and Dameshek asked Swann his thoughts on the comments made last week by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the Pro Bowl where he said once he returns from Hawaii he will seek out team president Art Rooney II to find out what direction the Steelers offense will move in now that offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is gone. Swann Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Free Agents Analysis: S Ryan Mundy

Dave Bryan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:05:55 PST

Continuing on with our player by player look at the Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Free Agents as do a complete breakdown of their 2011 season and look ahead to their pending 2012 free agency situation. The post we focus in on restricted free agent safety Ryan Mundy. Please check out the links at the bottom to the other free agent player analysis already completed. Player: Ryan Mundy Position: Safety Experience: 3 Years Free Agent Status: Restricted 2011 Salary Cap Hit: $525,000.00 2011 Season Breakdown: The Steelers former 2008 6th round draft pick was very reliable in 2011 as he was Read more [...]

Steelers Sign LB Brandon Hicks To Futures Contract

Dave Bryan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:31:00 PST

According to a tweet by Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert, the Steelers have signed linebacker Brandon Hicks to a futures contract. Hicks was a teammate with Gilbert at the University of Florida and was signed by the Buffalo Bills after going undrafted last April. Hicks did not make the Bills final 53 man roster and was released prior to the start of the 2011 regular season. At his Florida pro day last March, Hicks measured in at 6023 and weighed 231 pounds. His unofficial 40 time was 4.83, he did 12 reps of 225 ponds, had a 31 inch vertical jump, a 09'10" broad jump and a 4.38 short Read more [...]

Packers Promote Tom Clements To Offensive Coordinator

Dave Bryan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:38:56 PST

You can scratch the name of Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements off of the list of potential candidates to be the Pittsburgh Steelers new offensive coordinator as it was announced today that Clements has been promoted to offensive coordinator by the Packers according to Kareem Copeland from the Green Bay Press Gazette. The move was expected after Joe Philbin left to become the Miami Dolphins new head coach. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also made his feelings known that he was hoping that Clements would be promoted as well. Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said today: “Tom Read more [...]

Don’t Count Out Koogs

Jeremy Hritz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:16:59 PST

By Jeremy Hritz Jim Irsay, who is becoming more eccentric with each passing day, and the Indianapolis Colts wasted no time in hiring a replacement head coach for Jim Caldwell. Nor did they hesitate in hiring a new offensive coordinator. Within eight days, Chuck Pagano, one-time defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, was hired to replace Caldwell, with the embattled and “retired” Bruce Arians following a few days later. Some Steelers’ fans may be looking at the Colts with envy, not because the history and tradition of the Colts’ franchise, but because of the swiftness that Read more [...]

Report: Steelers Have Not Contacted Packers QB Coach Tom Clements

Dave Bryan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:44:43 PST

WPXI Sports Director Alby Oxenreiter reports via Twitter that Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements has not heard from the Pittsburgh Steelers about their offensive coordinator opening. Clements has long been speculated as a possible candidate for the job as he is a Pittsburgh native and was the quarterbacks coach for the Steelers under head coach Bill Cowher. Clements is the odds on favorite to be promoted by the Packers to their open offensive coordinator position after Joe Philbin left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown his Read more [...]

Bruce Arians Says Wearing Bulls-eye Is Fun As An Offensive Coordinator

Dave Bryan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:04:39 PST

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians spoke to the Indianapolis Colts media today after being named the teams new offensive coordinator. Arians talked about returning to Indianapolis, Peyton Manning and the upcoming opportunity to possibly work with a young quarterback. He also took questions about his offensive philosophy and of course about his time in Pittsburgh. Below are the transcribed questions and answers pertaining to the Steelers. Re: On his main philosophy in running an offense Arians: Balance. You cannot be one dimensional. I like to go back and look at Read more [...]

Roethlisberger Exposes Feet To Wife On Hawaii Golf Course

Dave Bryan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:55:00 PST

While out in Hawaii for the 2012 Pro Bowl, it appears that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got in a round of golf on Tuesday with his wife Ashley Harlan serving as chief photographer and wearer of black sun dress. The left ankle that Roethlisberger injured against the Cleveland Browns seems to be doing just fine as you can plainly see that he his not wearing an ankle brace or even shoes for matter. At least he did not leave spike marks on the green and there is no confirmation if he got his balls washed during the round either. It does appear he was the designated golf cart driver Read more [...]

Steelers RB Coach Kirby Wilson Has Started Physical Rehabilitation

Dave Bryan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:22:19 PST

The Pittsburgh Steelers have updated the status of running backs coach Kirby Wilson on Wednesday afternoon via a short statement on behalf of the family of Wilson. The Statement reads, "Mr. Wilson remains in serious condition in the Trauma Burn Center at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh. His status is stable, and he has started his physical rehabilitation. The Wilson family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support." Wilson reportedly suffered burns over 45 percent of his body in an early morning fire at his house in suburban Pittsburgh back on January 7th. He was initially placed in Read more [...]

Report: Steelers May Have Interest In Talking To Hue Jackson

Dave Bryan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:07:11 PST

Alby Oxenreiter, Sports Director for WPXI in Pittsburgh, reports via Twitter this afternoon that a source has told him that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may be interested in talking to recently-fired Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson about the still open offensive coordinator position. Jackson has long been speculated as a possible candidate for the job ever since it was announced that Bruce Arians would not return next season. Jackson began his coaching career at his his alma mater, Pacific, in 1987 and has since had several coaching stops at both the college and professional Read more [...]

Rod Woodson Could End Up With Bengals As Secondary Coach

Dave Bryan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:32:13 PST

Former Steelers great defensive back and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson will likely be candidate to be the new Cincinnati Bengals secondary coach according to their head coach Marvin Lewis on Wednesday. Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Lewis said they have interviewed some guys for the position already and that they are going to talk to some other possible candidates and make a decision as quick as possible. According to the report by Reedy, Lewis said that he would consider Woodson as a possibly replacement to replace Kevin Coyle, who left to become the Miami Dolphins new defensive Read more [...]