Steelers OTAs, Blake Signs, Defensive Signings

The NFL free agency period is in full swing and you can bet that we won’t miss a beat of Steelers coverage. While the Steelers are releasing players, signing free agents, restructure and extending contracts and re-signing their own free agents we’ll be busy looking around for mentions of your Black & Gold. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Saturday, April 4^th.

Work it out

Per Bob Labriola, the Steelers have announced their offseason workout program in accordance with the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. There are three phases of the programs and a mandatory minicamp. We have the dates and details of all the workouts per the Steelers website right here for you:

Phase One: The first two weeks of the program with activities limited to strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only. Begins April 20^th.
Phase Two: Three weeks of on-field workouts that may include player instruction drills and team practices. No live contact or offense vs. defense drills are permitted. May 4-21 which means it runs through the end of the NFL Draft. The Steelers rookie minicamp will be the weekend after the draft and after that, rookies who have already had graduation ceremonies may remain in Pittsburgh for the final part of Phase Two.
Phase Three/OTAs: Begins May 26^th and runs four weeks where the teams are permitted as many as 10 days of OTAs. No live contact still, but drills are permitted.
Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18 is the mandatory three-day minicamp that wraps up the offseason program. Next stop, Latrobe!

Blake Signs Tender

ESPN’s Scott Brown reports that Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake has signed his $1.542 million contract. The contract was a restricted free agent tender which allowed other teams to make offers to Blake but the Steelers had the right to match.

Blake stepped up from his special teams role when Cortez Allen went down the drain last season. Blake recorded 36 tackles last season, 14 in the last two games of the season and one interception. Brown reports that the other restricted free agents, fullback Will Johnson and safety Robert Golden are expected to sign their offers as well.

Defensive signings

Ed Bouchette of the PPG reports that the Steelers signed DE Clifton Geathers to a one-year deal. The five-year veteran was signed last season after Brett Keisel tore his triceps but did not play a snap in the regular season. In addition to signing Geathers, the Steelers signed OLB Shayon Green to be on their spring workout program. Green signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins last season but was released.

Next: Steelers Ross Ventrone

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