Steelers LeBeau Not Forced Out, Captain Brown, Bell Improved

The Steelers offseason started with some surprises and certainly doesn’t look to be a boring one in the next few months. While the Steelers prepare for free agency and coaching moves, we’ll be busy looking around for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Saturday, Jan. 17^th.

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LeBeau wasn’t forced out

Bob Labriola has some opinions on the notion that Dick LeBeau was either fired or forced out of the Steelers organization. Labriola contend that that’s just not what happened. The simple fact is that LeBeau wanted to keep coaching and both he and Keith Butler’s contracts were up this season.

The Steelers already had a succession plan in place where Butler was to replace LeBeau as the defensive coordinator. They simply couldn’t keep blocking Butler from getting opportunities from other teams and they felt it was time for the succession plan to come to fruition. Labriola contends the Steelers don’t deserve the criticism for a departure even LeBeau calls, “mutual.”

Captain Brown

Steelers Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown has been named a co-captain for the Pro Bowl this year. The game will be in Glendale, Arizona, the same site as the Super Bowl on Jan. 25^th. Brown was chosen, after having an ass-kicking season, along with Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt, Dallas Cowboys RB Demarco Murray and Cleveland Browns CB Joe Haden. Brown is one of four Steelers who will play in the game and one of five who were selected as reminded by ESPN’s Scott Brown. Ben Roethlisberger declined due to knee swelling.

Most Improved

Le’Veon Bell was voted Most Improved Player for the 2014 regular season after responding to a rookie season of 860 rushing yards with a sophomore season of 1,361 rushing yards and increasing his yards per carry to 4.7.

Next: Expectations Too High for Butler Already?