Steelers News: Johnson, Jones, Timmons
By Kim Myers
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 Tuesday, May 31st.
Competitive mindset
Teresa Varley describes how linebacker Steven Johnson discovered that Pittsburgh was the best place to be if you are a competitor. Johnson signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Tennessee Titans this offseason and has noticed the competitive nature of the organization while getting to know his teammates.
"“I really like the mindset this whole organization has. They want to win championships. You can tell by the facilities, the food you eat, how the locker room looks, the way guys interact in the locker room. It’s a family atmosphere and everyone here as the same goal, to win. I love that kind of atmosphere.” – Steven Johnson"
More from Steelers News
- A foolproof plan for Steelers to improve the OL in 2023
- Steelers HC Mike Tomlin must shoulder the blame if Matt Canada fails
- Steelers news: Matt Canada outrage continues, Ravens OC losses resigns, and more
- Steelers should lure Byron Leftwich onto their coaching staff
- 4 reasons Steelers are making a mistake keeping Matt Canada
The comment about the food they eat only makes me think that in the Steelers cafeteria they serve things like Championship Chipped Ham and Super Bowl Sammiches or perhaps some Lombardi Trophy Lasagna?
The most to prove
The geniuses over at ESPN decided which player on each NFL team has the most to prove this upcoming season. For the Steelers, Jeremy Fowler describes linebacker Jarvis Jones’ plight as he enters a contract year.
The Steelers didn’t pick up Jones’ fifth-year option on his rookie contract as he’s recorded five sacks in three years. He’s still splitting time with the 38-year old James Harrison and needs to basically ball out this year in order to remain in Pittsburgh going forward.
Old guys
Since the theme today is clearly linebackers we’ll move onto Lawrence Timmons. Mark Kaboly explains how Timmons is in sort of a denial about his age and not wanting to deal with the fact that he’s the third oldest defensive player and one of a dozen thirty-somethings on the roster.
It’s tough when it happens, Timmons. Unfortunately, he’s not in a position where he can lie about his age and get away with it like bloggers can. Anyway Kaboly also describes this season being a pivotal one for Timmons seeing as how he’s on the last year of a $48 million deal he signed in 2011.
Next: Steelers Le'Veon Bell injury prone?
Timmons’ contract has been restructured in the past so his cap hit this season is the second-largest on the team behind Ben Roethlisberger’s. Typically, this would be when the Steelers would restructure and extend a contract to give cap space but the reality is they don’t need it and don’t need to obligate themselves to more time to a 30-something linebacker. Brutal but true.