Today is one of the few days in my life that I am ashamed to be a Steelers fan. It is not because of some detrimental thing that was done by the owner or a player but the actions of men in the front office. The Steelers announced today that they plan on releasing the greatest receiver in Steelers history.
Hines Ward was relegated to fourth string duty this season and didn't complain once. He proclaimed that the Steelers owed him anything and that it was just part of the business. This is even after he offered to cut his salary down to the bare minimum, the Steelers will release the legend anyway.
My son is named after this man and Hines was so excited and honored that he sent me an autographed picture, personalized to my son. It proudly hangs on his wall and now I can't really look at it without getting upset. I will miss the legend who passed other Steeler greats Lynn Swan and John Stallworth in every statistical category.
Goodbye Hines and thank you for all the years.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Roster Moves
The Steelers officially signed cornerback Myron Rolle as well as two other players, Juamorris Stewart and Brandon Hicks. They also terminated the contracts of four players, Miguel Chavis, Erik Clanton, Arnaz Battle and Bryant McFadden.
Juamorris Stewart is a 6'3 195 lb. receiver who played his college ball at Southern University. There he caught 201 passes for 2,668 yards and 25 touchdowns in 43 games. Brandon Hicks is a former Florida Gator linebacker that stands 6'2 228 lbs. At Florida he amassed 117 tackles, 10.5 for loss, with 9 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
Battle and McFadden are really not a shock. Since coming back to the Steelers from Arizona, McFadden has not been the player he once was. Battle on the other hand became a victim of the Steelers salary cap purge. With all the young players that have stepped up on special teams, Battle and his salary are no longer necessary.
Juamorris Stewart is a 6'3 195 lb. receiver who played his college ball at Southern University. There he caught 201 passes for 2,668 yards and 25 touchdowns in 43 games. Brandon Hicks is a former Florida Gator linebacker that stands 6'2 228 lbs. At Florida he amassed 117 tackles, 10.5 for loss, with 9 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
Battle and McFadden are really not a shock. Since coming back to the Steelers from Arizona, McFadden has not been the player he once was. Battle on the other hand became a victim of the Steelers salary cap purge. With all the young players that have stepped up on special teams, Battle and his salary are no longer necessary.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Haley Hired
ESPN is reporting that Todd Haley will be hired as the Steelers next offensive coordinator. Todd Haley is known for being the son of Dick Haley and a former Steelers ball boy.
Haley started his coaching career in the New York Jets scouting department in 1995 before becoming the assistant receivers coach from 1997-2000. In the 2001 season Haley was named the Bears receivers coach where he helped Marty Booker become the first Bears receiver since 1971 to make the pro bowl. After his stint with the Bears and Cowboys he was named Ken Whisenhut's first offensive coordinator in Arizona prior to the 2007 season.
In Arizona, Haley's offense ranked third in scoring, fourth in offense, second in passing and sixth in first downs. He led the Kurt Warner offense to Super Bowl XLVIII, a 27-23 defeat at the hands of our Steelers.
Following the 2008 season, Haley was named as the Kansas City Chiefs head coach. He coached in two plus years with the Chiefs going 19-26 and 0-1 in the playoffs while winning one division title.
The biggest issue with Haley was how unpopular he was among the players. There have been players quoted as saying they couldn't play for him. How will his attitude translate to Pittburgh? I guess we will have to wait and see...I guess.
Haley started his coaching career in the New York Jets scouting department in 1995 before becoming the assistant receivers coach from 1997-2000. In the 2001 season Haley was named the Bears receivers coach where he helped Marty Booker become the first Bears receiver since 1971 to make the pro bowl. After his stint with the Bears and Cowboys he was named Ken Whisenhut's first offensive coordinator in Arizona prior to the 2007 season.
In Arizona, Haley's offense ranked third in scoring, fourth in offense, second in passing and sixth in first downs. He led the Kurt Warner offense to Super Bowl XLVIII, a 27-23 defeat at the hands of our Steelers.
Following the 2008 season, Haley was named as the Kansas City Chiefs head coach. He coached in two plus years with the Chiefs going 19-26 and 0-1 in the playoffs while winning one division title.
The biggest issue with Haley was how unpopular he was among the players. There have been players quoted as saying they couldn't play for him. How will his attitude translate to Pittburgh? I guess we will have to wait and see...I guess.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Steelers Sign Rolle
Myron Rolle is reporting via his twitter account that he has signed a futures contract with the Steelers. Rolle played his college football at Florida State before heading to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
Following the completion of his studies overseas, Rolle returned and entered the NFL draft. He was selected 207th overall in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans. Rolle never played a down with the Titans because he was released by the Titans prior to the start of the season.
In college Rolle was a standout safety for the Seminoles recording 206 tackles, 13 pass deflections, a sack and an interception in 38 games.
I am personally excited to see him in Pittsburgh. When he entered the draft in 2009, I wanted the Steelers to draft him because of his athletic play and character. It is a few years later but he has a serious chance to make the roster; his main competition will be Will Allen and Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith.
Following the completion of his studies overseas, Rolle returned and entered the NFL draft. He was selected 207th overall in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans. Rolle never played a down with the Titans because he was released by the Titans prior to the start of the season.
In college Rolle was a standout safety for the Seminoles recording 206 tackles, 13 pass deflections, a sack and an interception in 38 games.
I am personally excited to see him in Pittsburgh. When he entered the draft in 2009, I wanted the Steelers to draft him because of his athletic play and character. It is a few years later but he has a serious chance to make the roster; his main competition will be Will Allen and Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith.
Olsavsky Interviews
It was just last week it was reported that Keith Butler was leaving for Indianapolis, then it was retracted to an interview and all that before he decided to stay in Pittsburgh as the linebackers coach. During that time I brought up the fact that I was not worried because the man to succeed him was a damn good former linebacker by the name of Jerry Olsavsky. That man may now be leaving the Steel City for a promotion down south.
Jerry will be in Miami interviewing with new head coach Joe Philbin to become the new linebackers coach for the Dolphins. If he gets the job, Jerry would become the second assistant to leave Pittsburgh; the first being Harold Goodwin who left to become the new offensive line coach in Indianapolis.
Jerry Olsavsky, a Pitt graduate, was selected 258th overall in the 10th round by the Steelers in 1989. He played with the Steelers until 1997 and with the Ravens in 1998, finishing his career with 204 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, a recovery and an interception.
Jerry will be in Miami interviewing with new head coach Joe Philbin to become the new linebackers coach for the Dolphins. If he gets the job, Jerry would become the second assistant to leave Pittsburgh; the first being Harold Goodwin who left to become the new offensive line coach in Indianapolis.
Jerry Olsavsky, a Pitt graduate, was selected 258th overall in the 10th round by the Steelers in 1989. He played with the Steelers until 1997 and with the Ravens in 1998, finishing his career with 204 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, a recovery and an interception.
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