Steelers Morning Huddle 2/8/2014
By Kim Myers
Oct 11, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls a play in the huddle against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Steelers 26-23. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Steelers season goes all year long so whether we’re looking ahead to the start of free agency, predicting the possible draft choices, or looking around for mentions of your Black & Gold we’ve got you covered. Here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the block.
Franco Harris honored
Steelers HOF running back Franco Harris was honored locally with the Dapper Dan Lifetime Achievement Award. As Teresa Varley from the Steelers website reports, Mean Joe Greene presented Harris with the award. Harris had won Dapper Dan Sportsman of the Year previously in 1977. Previous Lifetime Achievement award winners include Arnold Palmer, Dan Rooney, Dick LeBeau, Bruno Sammartino, Joe Greene, and Mike Ditka. Varley doesn’t note whether or not Franco had his cardboard cutout of JoePa with him to accept the award.
Steelers trending up?
That’s what Scott Brown of ESPN thinks. After a strong finish to 2013 that almost got the Steelers an improbable playoff berth, Brown thinks success is in the Steelers near future. Apparently the ESPN “NFL Nation” reporters took a vote as to which teams were trending in the upward direction, out of the teams who missed the playoffs. The Steelers finished first among teams who missed the playoffs this year but are expected to make the playoffs next season. Obviously Ben Roethlisberger has a lot to do with that, he had a career year and played every single game last season. I’d love for these ESPN nerds to be right for a change.
Steelers are a team to watch this offseason
Adam Schein, NFL media columnist lists the Steelers among his teams worth paying close attention to this offseason. He even goes as far as to call them “intriguing”. Schein’s thoughts are that Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger make a winning combo and the help they need I’m guessing he’s just assuming they’ll get this offseason when they’ll be forced by salary cap restraints to “trim the fat”.
“Unlike in prior offseasons, the Steelers need to be active when it comes to changing their look and improving their roster. After back-to-back playoff-free campaigns, I think Pittsburgh can get on track with a productive offseason – and with the guts to pull the plug on some familiar (and beloved) players who are past their prime.” – Adam Schein
Yeah, I guess the Steelers have no choice but to be active this offseason. Having 21 unrestricted free agents kind of forces their hand on that one.
What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation? Are you happy for Franco to have won the Lifetime Achievement Award? Do you think the Steelers arrow is pointed up? Do you agree with the assessment that the Steelers offseason should be an intriguing one?
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