Pittsburgh (Defense / Pit)

Latest News:

03.01.12

The Steelers plan to offer Mike Wallace a contract tender, rather than franchise him, ESPN.com reports.

Impact:
In such a scenario, another team could try to sign Wallace to an offer sheet, but the Steelers would then have the right to match the offer -- or get a first-round draft pick as compensation if they don't. Franchising Wallace would come at a price of $9.5 million, a figure that the Steelers don't currently have the salary cap space to handle. That said, the team would absolutely prefer to retain Wallace and it seems to be his preference to stay, though he does seem resigned to testing the market. "(Pittsburgh is) where I would like to be, but we all know that it is a business and you have certain things you have to handle," Wallace said. "So if I have to go elsewhere, you know Pittsburgh will always be in my heart, but I have to do what I have to do."

02.23.12

The Steelers have saved about $8 million in cap space by restructuring Ben Roethlisberger's contract, ESPN.com reports.

Impact:
The deal helps the the Steelers in their quest to free up enough cap space to retain receiver Mike Wallace, an impact player whose return would no doubt benefit Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense as a whole.

02.22.12

Hines Ward had a DUI charge dropped after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to reckless driving stemming from his arrest in Georgia last summer, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Impact:
At the time of his arrest, police allege that Ward failed multiple field sobriety tests, but refused the breathalyzer test, and it is customary in Georgia for DUI charges to be reduced to reckless driving when there's no breathalyzer evidence. That's good news for Ward, but is won't help his chances of remaining with the Steelers, who were already less than enthusiastic about bringing back the soon-to-be 36-year-old receiver.

02.18.12

There is a 50-50 chance that a team will try to sign Mike Wallace, a restricted free agent, away from Pittsburgh, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Impact:
Pittsburgh's top priority this offseason will be to bring back its elite young receiver, but the team is roughly $11 million over the cap and will have trouble matching an especially high contract offer. If a team can outbid the Steelers, the first-round pick they'd give up in exchange would be a small price to pay for a talent like Wallace, who's arguably worth twice as much.

02.15.12

Ben Roethlisberger is working to strengthen his throwing shoulder after sustaining an in-season injury, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact:
Big Ben proved his toughness after suffering injuries to his shoulder, ankle, foot, and thumb during the 2011 campaign, missing just one game. Roethlisberger has already begun training for next season with a renewed commitment level. "I feel like I'm coming into the prime of my career, what I hope will be my best years," said Roethlisberger. "So I want to make sure I'm ready to go." With his physical style of play, it is worth watching how quickly Roethlisberger, who turns 30 in three weeks, recovers from further injury.

02.13.12

The Steelers are not counting on Rashard Mendenhall, who underwent ACL surgery, being able to play in 2012, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact:
Though GM Kevin Colbert did not say that Mendenhall wouldn't play in 2012, he noted "I never feel good about an ACL for a year." Though the Steelers may add depth at the running back position in the coming months, Colbert cites Isaac Redman as a back who has "established himself as an NFL running back." In addition, John Clay, Baron Batch and Jonathan Dwyer are in the team's running back mix, but given Colbert's words, don't be surprised to see Mendenhall start the 2012 season on the PUP list.

02.12.12

Despite published reports that Hines Ward won't be back with the Steelers, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that no decision has been made with regards to Ward's future with the franchise.

Impact:
For his part, Ward would like to return to the team. "I want to finish my career with the Pittsburgh Steelers." Ward said. "And as I've already told the organization, I am willing to work with them to restructure my contract to make sure this happens." Ward, who turns 36 on March 8, took a backseat to Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown this past season, but we suppose that he could still provide the Steelers with some valuable depth and experience this coming season, but only at the right price.

02.10.12

Hines Ward will not be back with the Steelers next season, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network.

Impact:
Ward took a backseat to Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, posting his lowest receiving totals since his rookie season in 1998. Ward has one year left on his deal worth $4 million and has indicated he would consider playing elsewhere next season, but the choice might not be his if he can't work out his own restructured deal.

02.07.12

Weslye Saunders will be suspended for the first four games next season, Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times reports.

Impact:
The violation that Saunders committed was not disclosed. The rookie tight end had a reputation in college for off-field issues too, so this may not come as a big surprise to some. Saunders mostly contributed on special teams in his rookie season and caught just four passes, including one for a touchdown.

02.04.12

Hines Ward recently underwent surgery to remove bone fragments from his right ankle, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact:
The surgery was minor in nature, and Ward expects to resume working out Monday. The most prolific Steelers receiver of all time, Ward began this season as a starter, catching 20 passes in his first five games, but finished with 46, the lowest total since his rookie season in 1998. "I'm not going to get into whatever happened last season," Ward said of his decreased playing time, which some speculate was the decision of departed OC Bruce Arians, and maintains he will be ready for OTAs. Ward is due a roster bonus next month in addition to a $4 million contract. A significant pay cut seems likely if Ward is to return, and the Steelers have to make a decision by March 1 due to a clause in Ward's contract.

01.20.12

The Steelers signed Troy Smith on Friday, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Impact:
Smith more than likely can't beat out Byron Leftwich for the backup role behind Ben Roethlisberger, so his best-case scenario is probably a competition with Dennis Dixon or another quarterback for the third spot.

01.18.12

Rashard Mendenhall (ACL surgery) may not be offered a contract extension by the Steelers, according to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Scott Brown.

Impact:
Taking a "wait-and-see" approach, team president Art Rooney II suggested that the Steelers have time to evaluate Mendenhall upon his return next season from reconstructive knee surgery. They won't make a long-term commitment to him unless they know he's healthy again.

01.12.12

Mike Wallace expects the Steelers will tender him at the first-round level if a long-term agreement is not reached before free agency begins on March 13, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Impact:
The restricted free agent will most likely be back in 2012, as any team that attempts to sign Wallace to an offer sheet after being tendered at the first-round level would have to give Pittsburgh a first-round pick in return.

01.11.12

Emmanuel Sanders intends to take a month off to rest his feet and knee before resuming workouts for the 2012 season, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Impact:
He can certainly use the rest after the injuries forced him to miss five games this season. Sanders had stress fractures in both feet repaired, leading to problems with his knee. Currently, he is slated to be Pittsburgh's number three receiver behind Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.

01.11.12

Hines Ward is willing to accept a pay cut to stay with the Steelers in 2012, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact:
Although Ward needs minor ankle surgery to remove bone spurs, it appears he intends to play next season, even if the Steelers don't want him back. "I'm telling you I want to be here, I'm telling you I'm willing to do that [a restructuring]," Ward said.

01.09.12

Hines Ward has no plans to retire this offseason, according to Pittsburgh televsion station WPXI.

Impact:
This is in complete contradiction to a CBS report that several Steelers' players believe Ward is done playing. While it is possible he returns next season, it would be as Pittsburgh's fifth wide receiver, dictating a significant pay cut from the $4 million base salary he currently earns.

01.08.12

Byron Leftwich missed the entire 2011 campaign due to a foot injury.

Impact:
With Charlie Batch (37 years old) and Denis Dixon (DNP this season) the only other quarterbacks on the roster, Leftwich may get a chance to compete for the number two spot behind Ben Roethlisberger.

01.08.12

Dennis Dixon did not play during the 2011 regular season, losing out to both Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich.

Impact:
He was brought back only when Byron Leftwich was placed on IR, but may still be in the mix for a backup role next season.

01.08.12

Arnaz Battle once again succumbed to injury, missing the entire 2011 season.

Impact:
He has not caught a pass in an NFL game since 2009 and is buried on the Steelers' depth chart behind Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders and possibly even Hines Ward.

01.08.12

Baron Batch missed his entire rookie season due to injury.

Impact:
He will likely have an opportunity to compete with Mewelde Moore for a spot behind Isaac Redman in 2012.

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