Steelers Global, Tuitt’s Time, Running Game Revival

The Pittsburgh Steelers are just about ready to head out onto the practice field for OTAs where the rookie class and returning players will be participating in drills and getting acquainted. While the new Steelers get acclimated with the Steel City we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Saturday, May 23^rd.

Prestige Worldwide

It’s pretty evident that the NFL is trying to expand to the global market and it only makes sense that the Steelers would want to get in on that action as well. Steelers Nation expands way far beyond the borders of even Western Pennsylvania; it’s all across the world.

Steelers President Art Rooney II told Bob Labriola that he would expect to see NFL games being played in Mexico and Germany along with the games in London by the end of the decade. Rooney is part of the NFL’s International Committee so he’s working to make sure the Steelers are part of the league’s international expansion.

"“We would love to play another game in Mexico at some point, and so that part of taking NFL football to another country is something in which we have a keen interest. The Steelers are interested in other international games as well, and so there’s a lot of activity going on. There’s a lot of interest in NFL football around the world, and we’re just trying to keep developing that.” – Art Rooney II"

I’m not sure how well that would go over if the Steelers take a home game overseas. I get the idea of what they’re trying to do and if there is money to be made all over the globe you can bet your ass the NFL owners are going to chase it but you still have to keep your home fan-base filling your stadiums.

Tuitt Time

Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt will turn 22 today and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says now is the time for Tuitt to take the glimpses he showed in 2014 to the next level and more towards the quarterback this season. The Steelers have drafted heavy in the front seven the last few years but that hasn’t reflected in the sack numbers.

The Steelers defense ended the 2014 with their lowest sack total since 1989. While Steelers defensive ends typically don’t record a ton of sacks Tuitt can improve his technique and match that destructive force on the other side of the line, Cameron Heyward.

Running game revival

Speaking of improving things, the Steelers finished 27^th in rushing in the league in 2013 but was able to improve that to 16^th in 2014 thanks to an invigorated offensive line coached by Mike Munchak and led by a healthy Maurkice Pouncey. There’s no reason to rest of their laurels this offseason and think they have a finished product.

Ray Fittipaldo of the PPG reminds us that Coach Munchak will be relying on his line to pave the way, literally, for a continued improvement this season. In addition to dealing with the Le’Veon Bell suspension early on they’ll be dealing with a new backup running back in DeAngelo Williams, a veteran back they picked up in free agency.

Next: Steelers Player Preview: Sammie Coates

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