Steelers News: James, Burns, Boswell

The Steelers draft picks have been made and the offseason workout program is in full swing.

Steelers season never truly ends for Steeler Nation so while the team starts to put in the work to prepare for the 2016 NFL season 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, June 6^th.

Make the most of it

There’s going to be a lot of talk this season about the impact Heath Miller had on the offense. You can’t help but pay respect to a player who was so consistently productive for the eleven seasons he played for the Steelers or notice his absence.

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Teresa Varley notes how it makes for an opportunity for snaps to increase for a local kid. Tight end Jesse James became a quick fan favorite when he was drafted out of Penn State last year and he naturally didn’t play a ton his rookie season his snaps are about to get much more frequent without Miller in the lineup.

"“For us as a tight end unit, there are snaps for the first time in 11 years. He has had every snap in every game. We are all competing and working hard, and for me I am trying to get as many snaps as I can.” – Jesse James"

Between James and Ladarius Green they know that the player who doesn’t give the coaches a reason to take him off of the field will get the most snaps. A little competition never hurt anybody.

Party of five

Steelers rookie cornerback Artie Burns is one of the youngest players on the roster. That doesn’t necessarily make him the least mature. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler details how Burns had to grow up fast losing his mother to heart disease and his father to prison.

Now he takes care of his own family which includes his longtime girlfriend and their one-year-old child along with Burns’ two teenage brothers. He’s moved the family from Miami to Pittsburgh and has his sights set on a starting gig for the Steelers to support his family.

Good thing for Burns is that his family just got a lot bigger. Steeler Nation is the family he has now and our support is unwavering.

Can you do that again?

The Steelers were cursed at the place kicking position last year starting with the Hall of Fame game that claimed veteran starter Shaun Suisham. Finally, they found Chris Boswell and on his sturdy leg the kicking season was saved.

Mark Kaboly of the Trib explains how Boswell intends to keep his job now that Suisham has recovered from his ACL tear. The Steelers will have at least one position competition in Latrobe this summer with Boswell having both an advantage and disadvantage.

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His advantage is that his younger and cheaper than Suisham but the disadvantage is that he’s only got the one season of being money for the Steelers under his belt. Suisham has the edge in experience and dependability. It will be as interesting as a kicking competition can get.