Steelers News: Stewart, Apple, DeCastro
By Kim Myers
The Steelers players head into the offseason for recovery and the coaches head out to prepare for free agency and the draft.
Steelers season never truly ends for Steeler Nation so while the offseason starts to heat up we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Monday, Feb. 29th.
An original mobile quarterback
Before there was even a Michael Vick there was Kordell Stewart, a mobile quarterback who later came to be known as “Slash” for his ability to play quarterback, receiver, running back and anything else the Steelers asked him to do.
Teresa Varley caught up with Stewart at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend and he discussed how the league has changed as far as the combine and as far as the view towards mobile quarterbacks.
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Back in his day a mobile quarterback was asked to play different positions but, just like everything else, the NFL has evolved to find roles for them as starters.
Stewart started off hot for the Steelers with his quick moves and versatility but after having a revolving door at offensive coordinator over a few seasons he never truly developed as a starting quarterback. He’s now part of the NFL media as host of No Huddle on TuneIn.
The Ohio State connection
If it seems like the Steelers have a lot of defensive players from Ohio State it’s because they do. Gerry Dulac of the PPG reminds us that the Dick LeBeau connection led several former Ohio State players to the Steelers defense for years.
This year the Steelers are looking at another defensive Ohio State player in cornerback Eli Apple. Apple is a 6’1”, 200-lb bump-and-run corner who is projected as a big hitter and a strong tackler (yes, please). Dulac suggests the Steelers could also look to Apple’s Ohio State teammate safety Vonn Bell in the draft as well.
Important moves
Free agency is just a little over a week away but there are some signings that the Steelers should be working on later on in the offseason. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggests that signing offensive guard David DeCastro should be top of the list of offseason moves for the Steelers.
Next: Steelers Free Agency: Defensive Backs
DeCastro signed a one-year deal to his fifth-year rookie option last offseason so locking him up to a long-term deal could give him a lower cap hit while ensuring the core of the talented offensive line. Barnwell also suggests that the team should be offering a long-term deal to running back Le’Veon Bell this summer, who enters the final year of his rookie contract this year.