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Breaking Down the Running Back Position for the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers Roster

May 22nd, 2013 at 11:23 PM
By Mark Mihalko

The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their first OTA session on Wednesday, with the major news being rookie fifth-round pick cornerback Terry Hawthorne being seen on crutches. As per David Todd (ESPN 970 Radio), Hawthorne should be ready for camp after having some bone chips removed from the right knee. While Hawthorne will be in a battle in the secondary, it is the battle in the backfield that Steelers 101 will focus on in this article.

'Steeler Training Camp 2010' photo (c) 2010, RJ Schmidt - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/
The running game has been hot and cold over the past few seasons, mostly cold according to the majority of fans. Of course, the causes are many, no consistency from the backs, a battered offensive line, and questionable play calling. There have been some changes in the backfield, some roster related and some schematic heading into 2013, which should see an improved rushing attack.

Gone are Rashard Mendenhall (UFA) and Chris Rainey (Released), two talented players, who never truly lived up to their athletic ability in Pittsburgh due to injury and character concerns. Returning for the Steelers are Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer and Baron Batch.  They will be joined by rookie second-round selection Le’Veon Bell and unrestricted free agent signee skatback Larod Stephens-Howling.

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Breaking Down the Tight End Position for the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers Roster

May 21st, 2013 at 10:12 PM
By Mark Mihalko

The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their first OTA session on Tuesday, the first major step toward the 2013 season. Coming off the disappointing 8-8 finish, there was a renewed focus and attention to detail. In all, every member on the roster except for wide receiver Markus Wheaton was present. Wheaton falls under the antiquated NFL / NCAA rule that prohibits some players from joining their team until the completion of the term.

'Steelers vs. Bills' photo (c) 2007, Cynthia Closkey - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
One position that will look similar to 2012 will be tight end. Of course, the final make-up of that position will center on Heath Miller’s recovery from the ACL/MCL tear suffered at the end of the 2012 season. Miller, who was the team MVP, was perfect in the offense brought to Pittsburgh by Todd Haley.  Miller recorded 71 receptions for 816 yards and eight touchdowns prior to the injury and must return to that high level in 2013 for the Steelers offense to take the next step.

Behind Miller, the Steelers signed a familiar face to take the spot vacated by Leonard Pope. Veteran and former Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth was signed as an unrestricted free agent after he was released by the Chicago Bears days before the start of free agency. While Spaeth will not light up the passing game as a receiver, he is an accomplished blocker and should come in and help give the running game a boost.

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Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Sixth-Round Pick Linebacker Vince Williams

May 20th, 2013 at 11:07 PM
By Mark Mihalko

On the eve of the first OTA session, the Pittsburgh Steelers came to terms with a second member of their draft class. Linebacker Vince Williams (Florida State) joins fourth-round selection Shamarko Thomas as the rookies that have come to terms.

'SAM_6051' photo (c) 2012, arctic_whirlwind - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/
There is no secret that the Steelers need an influx of youth in their linebacking corps, and Williams could be just the type of player the are looking for. A Senior Bowl participant, Williams was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, although he has the skills to be a late round selection for some team. At the Senior Bowl, he was not dominant, but he did flash potential off the edge and is a solid tackler.

A two-year starter, Williams is a downhill player, who did open some eyes some big hits during his time at the Senior Bowl. At 5-11, 233 pounds (4.76 40-yard dash), he is coming off his best season at Florida State, where he recorded 59 tackles with 6.5 for loss.

 

The Steelers need depth at inside linebacker with only Marshall McFaddon, Stevenson Sylvester and injured Sean Spence on the roster behind starters Lawrence Timmons and Larry Foote. While Spence will likely spend 2013 on injured reserve recovering from the devastating knee injury suffered during the preseason that cost him his entire rookie season, and possibly his career.

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Breaking Down the Quarterback Position for the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers Roster

May 17th, 2013 at 11:45 PM
By Mark Mihalko

With players preparing to start their OTAs, it has come time to start breaking down the potential 2013 roster and predict some of the better training camp battles for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While some positions may be close to solidified, there will definitely be major changes from the group that opened 2012.

'Roethlisberger Passing' photo (c) 2009, Jeffrey Beall - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
One place where that is extremely evident is at quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger is healthy and will return to lead the offense. In 2012, he again played through injury, although he missed some time after a freak injury took out both his shoulder and ribs.  At the end of the season, these injuries clearly had an impact on his performance, scuttling what started out as a potential career year. In the end, he is a leader and a warrior, and the perfect quarterback for the Steelers.

The major changes take place behind Roethlisberger on the depth chart. Gone are veterans Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich, who struggled in 2012 when Big Ben was on the shelf. In their place, the Steelers went outside the organization for a quarterback with local ties.

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Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Fourth-Round Pick Shamarko Thomas to a Four-Year Contract

May 16th, 2013 at 10:23 PM
By Mark Mihalko

 The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally signed one of their nine draft choices. On Thursday, they inked safety Shamarko Thomas to a four-year contract (financial terms undisclosed). The Steelers thought enough about Thomas to trade a 2014 third round selection to the Cleveland Browns to add the former Syracuse safety with the 111th selection.

'Syracuse Football Game' photo (c) 2009, Mat_the_W - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Thomas is extremely athletic, fast and physical. The 5-9, 213 pound defensive back ran a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process and has reportedly timed even faster earlier in his college career. He has shown a tremendous ability off the edge in blitzing situation and has the speed required to make plays in coverage. He plays with an edge, and often looks for the knockout blow when presented with an opportunity. 

 

Although athletically gifted, he can be susceptible to play fakes in coverage and can give up a big play. However, it is his size limitations that seem to be pushing him into the mid-round of the draft. A physically gifted player, he has the athleticism needed to play either safety position and could develop into a starter.

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