Steelers MMQB: NFL Offseason News

Kim Myers

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (right) alongside NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after beating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:

Giants Odell Beckham Jr. wins Madden NFL 2016 Cover
Brady and Pats set to battle Goodell
Sean Payton won’t compare Deflategate to Bountygate
Mike Pettine taking bigger role in Browns offense
Shady McCoy takes odd stance with Chip Kelly
Steelers host youth football camp

Roger Goodell and the NFL have a busy end of Spring and beginning of Summer ahead of them. While teams will be suiting up for minicamps and OTAs the NFL front office will be busy hearing appeals. The most anticipated appeal will obviously be Tom Brady’s appeal of his four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate.

There are also the appeals of Cowboys DE Greg Hardy and Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell that are still pending and it’s not known whether or not Goodell will preside over those appeals like he’s made known how he’s going to preside over Brady’s. It will be interesting to see who gets their appeal first.

What’s also going to be interesting to see is how all of these appeals, for much different situations, will play out given that this is the process the players themselves agreed to in the last CBA. All, but the Pittsburgh Steelers, of course. They were the only team that refused to sign the CBA because of the authority it gave to Goodell in the discipline and appeals process. Now, years later, the NFLPA and Goodell still can’t agree on that same process.

Next: Cover of Madden 2016

Odell Beckham Jr. will be cover of Madden 2016

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In Odell Beckham Jr.’s first nine games as a full-time starter last season he averaged nine receptions, 133 yards and one touchdown a game, numbers that most wide receivers dream of averaging over the course of a season.

That and one hella impressive catch landed him the cover of Madden NFL 2016, over Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski. The NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones caught up with the sophomore wideout and he explained how he’s eyeing more than impressive stats and a cover of a video game for 2015.

"“I think the biggest goal for me is I felt like I’ve always been great and I’ve always been on good teams but I’ve just never been a champion. I went 13-0 freshman year (at LSU) and lost the national championship, 21-0. Things like that. Had chances to win it the next year and the year after that, and just have never really gotten to that position, so I know for a fact that if we could make it there, I just couldn’t see another one slip away. I don’t know if I could live with that.” – Odell Beckham Jr."

The Giants will have some tough competition in the NFC East from the Cowboys and the Eagles but with Beckham and a healthy Victor Cruz the Giants offense should at the very least be entertaining to watch in 2015, if Eli can get them the ball, naturally.

Next: Brady vs. Goodell

Brady and Pats vs. Goodell and NFL

Feb 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pose with the Pete Rozelle trophy during the Super Bowl XLIX-Winning Head Coach and MVP Press Conference at Media Center-Press Conference Room B. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Goodell’s claim to fame in the league was his willingness to punish and sometimes over-punish those who dared to tarnish “the shield” and this recent fight might be his defining legacy. Forget his campaign to right the wrongs of how the league has mishandled athletes with domestic violence charges for years; he’s trying to maintain the league’s integrity by standing firm against Brady and the Patriots.

Let’s all take a minute to remember that Goodell was partying at New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s house the very night before the AFC Championship Game in which he was apparently already tipped off about Brady’s tendency to get his equipment guys to alter his balls after the officials have signed off on them.

The idea that he’s now going up against the owner and quarterback it seems like he’s set out to protect more than anyone else since he was put into office by the owners is fascinating. There are so many angles to this story it’s not likely to go out of the news cycle any time soon.

Next: Bountygate vs. Deflategate

Bountygate doesn’t equal Deflategate

Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton fixes his headphones against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It was inevitable that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was going to be asked his opinion on the NFL’s latest scandal considering his team was the last one to be involved in a “gate-like” situation. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season for Goodell finding him responsible for not stopping the bounty program his players ran on the team.

In addition to the suspension to Payton the team was fined $500,000, docked a second-round draft pick, the GM Mickey Loomis was suspended eight games, assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six games and then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the alleged ring-leader of the bounty program, was suspended indefinitely.

While Patriots coach Bill Belichick was not found directly responsible for the deflating balls scandal, Payton was still asked about any similarities by The Times-Picayune.

"“I knew that question was coming at some point. We went through a process three years ago and I’m sure (the Patriots) are going through one right now. But other than that our focus right now for me and our team is on what we are doing right now. We’ve got enough problems ourselves to solve. That’s what I’d say.” – Sean Payton"

Robert Kraft won’t get any sympathies from other owners in the NFL as he surely didn’t stand up for the Saints when Goodell was dropping the hammer on them.

Next: Pettine in the Browns Offense

Pettine takes bigger role in Browns offense

Dec 21, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine on the sidelines in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns are in their perpetual state of “starting over” yet again this offseason and while they have continuity at the head coaching position, they’re learning a new offense with new coordinator John DeFilippo. Head Coach Mike Pettine has decided it might be a good idea for him to go ahead and learn the new offense as well.

Marc Sessler of Around the NFL reports that Pettine is sitting in on the offensive meetings and learning the offense as if he were a first-year player. He even made himself flash cards to help learn the different formations. Adorable.

Pettine is probably just trying to make it as the first Browns head coach to make it to his third season since Romeo Crennel so why not try anything that works. The Browns lost last year’s offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when he resigned in January after one season with two years left on his contract.

Next: Shady Throws Shade on Kelly

McCoy Goes in on Kelly

Mar 10, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy holds up his new jersey after a press conference at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

In the May 25^th issue of ESPN The Magazine Bills RB LeSean McCoy gave an interview on his thoughts on being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Buffalo Bills this offseason by head coach Chip Kelly. McCoy takes an odd turn with his comments.

"“You see how fast he got rid of all the good players. Especially all the good black players. He got rid of them the fastest. That’s the truth. There’s a reason…It’s hard to explain with him. But there’s a reason he got rid of all the black players – the good ones – like that.” – LeSean McCoy"

The problem is that McCoy doesn’t explain or elaborate on this. It’s also a problem that Shady is clearly ignoring the fact that while Kelly did “get rid of” him, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin; he also got rid of Nick Foles and brought in DeMarco Murray.

The comments McCoy made are irresponsible and unsubstantiated. You can kind of see where he might be coming from as far as the Eagle’s decision to not only keep WR Riley Cooper but offer a contract extension to him after a video of him berating a security guard at a concert with racial slurs went national.

Kelly’s moves since he took the reins for the Eagles have been eyebrow rising to say the least, but McCoy’s half-assed claim that they’re all racially motivated is kind of off base. I doubt Chip Kelly is losing any sleep over it but it doesn’t give a good look for McCoy.

Next: Steelers Youth Football

Youth football clinics

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines as the Steelers play the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers held two events over the weekend for youth football. Friday night the team hosted the Youth Football Clinic for Moms and Kids for the third time. The event gave moms and young players the opportunity to learn about safety enhancements and proper helmet fitting.

Debbie Gradkowski, mother of Steelers’ backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and the Denver Broncos Gino Gradkowski gave her perspective on being the mother of professional football players.

On Saturday, the focus changed from moms to coaches when the team held the Steelers Coaches Clinic at the UMPC Sports Performance Complex. Former Steelers RB Merril Hoge, member of the Heads Up Football advisory board, was a keynote speaker for coaches to learn to teach players better fundamentals and techniques to promote a safer game.

“When you play with the right techniques, you play better. That is obvious. But what people forget is you are a safer player. I’ve seen a cleaner, better game with guys trying to use the right techniques, whether tackling, running or blocking.” – Merril Hoge

Next: Steelers Linebacker Shawn Lemon

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Kim Myers

Editor for Still Curtain, Fansided's Pittsburgh Steelers-themed site. I write for my Dad. I like sports biographies and french fries on my salad.