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Team Notebook: Pittsburgh Steelers News, Rumors and Injury Updates
 Steelers | Graessle, London signed Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free-agent P Adam Graessle (Packers) and WR Brandon London (Dolphins). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Steelers | Bettis says he believes offense needs tweaking Ed Bouchette, of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports former NFL RB Jerome Bettis said he believes the Pittsburgh Steelers need to tweak their offense at bit but do not need a complete overhaul. "All it needs is tweaking. It doesn't need a total overhaul. And if you would overhaul that, it would be a mistake. [QB Ben Roethlisberger] is maturing into one of the best passers in the game. Now the running game has to develop. If the running game develops, now you have an offense that is close to unstoppable," Bettis said. Steelers | Woodley said defense to blame for losses Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley said the defense was to blame for the team's late-game losses this season and not because of a struggling running game. Steelers | Had interested in Van Pelt John Murphy, of WIVB.com, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers had interest in adding former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Alex Van Pelt to their coaching staff, but Van Pelt decided to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff. Steelers | Harrison didn't blitz as much last season Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers LB James Harrison said there were reasons his sack total dipped from 16 in 2008 to 10 last season. Harrison said, "I started dropping a little more in coverage, would show blitz, and when I normally go, I didn't go." Harrison did not have a sack in the team's final six games last season. Steelers | Hampton does not want to be placed with franchise tag Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers DL Casey Hampton, a pending free agent, said Friday, Jan. 29, "it will be a problem" if the team were to place the franchise tag on him. "You say we're family, and you'll take care of me. All I've done for this organization, and I feel like that's a slap in my face if you franchise me," Hampton said. "That's not right. You don't do business like that. I want to be treated fair, and I think franchising me is not fair." Steelers | Could take a safety early in draft Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers could select a safety in the early rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft especially if impending free-agent FS Ryan Clark signs with another team. Steelers | Olsavsky hired as assistant coach Adam Schefter, of ESPN, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have hired former NFL LB Jerry Olsavsky as their defensive quality control coach. Steelers | Re-signing Reed top priority Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers see re-signing impending free-agent PK Jeff Reed as their top priority during the offseason. The Steelers could place the franchise or transition tag on Reed if they can't agree to a long-term deal. Steelers | Have not approached Colon about long-term deal Teresa Varley, of Steelers.com, reports Joe Linta, agent for Pittsburgh Steelers impending restricted free-agent OT Willie Colon, said the Steelers have not approached Colon about a long-term contract at this point. Linta said Colon is not upset about the lack of talks. Steelers | Smith expects to be ready for next season Teresa Varley, of Steelers.com, reports Pittsburgh Steelers DE Aaron Smith (shoulder) said he is progressing well and is expected to be ready for the start of next season. "I am doing really well. I plan on coming back in full force and contributing next year," said Smith. "The offseason is really important to get back to where I can compete and help the team." Steelers | Hood says experience will help next season Teresa Varley, of Steelers.com, reports Pittsburgh Steelers DE Evander Hood said the experience he received playing as a rookie this season hopefully will help him improve next season. "Having the experience under my belt and stepping on the field first hand were important. Next year will hopefully be a lot better and I will come out stronger and play a whole lot better," Hood said. Steelers | Could draft CB early Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers may look to select a cornerback in the early rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft. Steelers | Willing to re-sign Townsend Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers are willing to re-sign impending free-agent CB Deshea Townsend at a reduced rate but there is no sense of urgency to do so at this point. The team believes Townsend wants to return to the team. Steelers | Townsend believes he can still start Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers CB Deshea Townsend said he believes he can start in the NFL even though he will turn 35 years old in September. Steelers | Carter likely will be allowed to test free agency Jason La Canfora, of the NFL Network, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers likely will allow impending free-agent FS Tyrone Carter to test free agency. Steelers | Hampton, Clark expected to re-sign Jason La Canfora, of the NFL Network, reports Pittsburgh Steelers DT Casey Hampton and FS Ryan Clark, who are impending free agents, are top priorities for the Steelers and expected to re-sign with the team before the start of free agency, according to sources. Steelers | Clark wants to stay Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers FS Ryan Clark, who will be a free agent in the offseason, said he wants to remain with the team. "Yeah, I do. I do," Clark said. "It's a great place to play. I think the Rooney family runs the team the way an organization should be run. I want to come back and make it right too. I want to come back and play with Troy, get all our guys back and make another run at it." Although the Steelers want to retain Clark, money could ultimately be an issue. The team is not likely to have Clark and SS Troy Polamalu among the highest-paid players on their defense. Steelers | Miller added to Pro Bowl ESPN.com reports Pittsburgh Steelers TE Heath Miller has been added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster in place of Indianapolis Colts TE Dallas Clark. Steelers | Colon could be a RFA this offseason Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers OT Willie Colon could be a restricted free agent this offseason if 2010 is an uncapped season. Steelers | Will try to sign Hampton before free agency Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers will try to re-sign impending free-agent DT Casey Hampton before the start of the free agency, according to sources. Eric Armstead, Hampton's agent said he is not sure what the Steelers plan is for Hampton. Armstead said he hopes to talk to the Steelers during the week of the 2010 Senior Bowl. Steelers | Colon says offense did not have identity in 2009 John Harris, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers OT Willie Colon said he did not think the Steelers offense has an identity this season because they did not have a good mix of run and pass. "We haven't had an identity," Colon said. "We'll throw the ball really well, and then there will be some games where we run the ball really well. Being committed to the run will help us manage the game better." Steelers | Colon wants balanced offense John Harris, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers OT Willie Colon said he wants the Steelers to have a balance offense next season because it would put their opponents at a disadvantage. Steelers | Kugler looking forward to running attack Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler said he is looking forward to the Steelers having a physical offensive line that can run the ball. "Of course, as a line coach, I love to run the football, and I know the Steelers have a history of putting a physical line up front that runs the football. I'd love to be a part of that," Kugler said. Steelers | Woodley added to AFC Pro Bowl roster Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley has been added to the AFC roster for the 2010 Pro Bowl. Steelers | Galloway not ready to hang up cleats Pittsburgh Steelers WR Joey Galloway, who is soon to be an unrestricted free-agent, said he is going to prepare to play during the 2010 season and is just going to wait for the phone to ring from another NFL team. He said he loves to play the game and isn't ready to retire. Steelers | Two former players interviewing for coaching job Ed Bocuhette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have interviewed former NFL LBs Jerry Olsavsky and Earl Holmes for their defensive assistant position. Steelers | Everest hired The Pittsburgh Steelers hired former San Francisco 49ers special teams coordinator Al Everest to the same position Thursday, Jan. 21. Steelers | Roethlisberger declines 2010 Pro Bowl invite James Walker, of ESPN.com, reports Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) declined an invitation to the 2010 Pro Bowl because of the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 17. Team doctors and trained recommended that Roethlisberger allows his shoulder to get fully healthy. Steelers | Fichtner named QB coach Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have named Randy Fichtner as their quarterbacks coach. Fichtner was the team's wide receivers coach last season. Steelers | Likely to hire Everest Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to hire former San Francisco 49ers special teams coordinator Al Everest to fill the same role. Steelers | Doggett signed The Pittsburgh Steelers signed LB Derrick Doggett to an undisclosed deal Tuesday, Jan. 19. Steelers | Horton likely will get offer for college job Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports it appears Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton likely will be offered the defensive coordinator position at the University of Houston, but it is not known if Horton would accept the job. Steelers | Rooney would like young players to contribute earlier Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said one thing the Steelers can do better is getting their younger players to contribute earlier. "That's something we have to think about and make sure we're doing what we need to do to have guys being able to step in maybe a little earlier. And over the next year or two, there's no question we have some age on the defense and there's going to be some turnover. We'll see in the next year or two how some of these draft choices play out, but we think we have some good young guys on this roster who can step up and make a difference," Rooney said. Steelers | Re-signing Hampton a priority Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said one of the team's top priorities in the offseason is re-signing impending free-agent DT Casey Hampton. Steelers | Want Tomlin around for a long time Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said he would like to re-sign head coach Mike Tomlin to a new extension in the offseason. Tomlin has one year remaining on the four-year deal he signed in January 2007, and the Steelers hold an option on his contract for the 2011 season. "I think Mike's going to be our coach for a long period of time," Rooney said Friday, Jan. 15. "That's certainly what we're shooting for, and that's his intention, so we'll deal with it at the appropriate time." Steelers | Everest interviewed for ST job Scott Brown, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have interviewed former San Francisco 49ers special teams coach Al Everest for their vacant special teams coaching position. Steelers | Rooney wants team to run more Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said he wants to see the Steelers have a more consistent running game. Rooney said he has talked to head coach Mike Tomlin about the situation and that Tomlin has talked to offensive coordinator Bruce Arians about the running game. Steelers | Horton candidate for college job Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, report Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton is a candidate for the defensive coordinator job at the University of Houston. Steelers | Fichtner could take over as QB coach Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Randy Fichtner could move to become the team's quarterbacks coach. Steelers | Kugler hired as OL coach Jason La Canfora, of NFL.com, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have hired former Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Sean Kugler to fill the same role. Steelers | Scherer a candidate for QBs coach Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer is a candidate to become the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterbacks coach. Scherer interviewed last week at the University of Virginia to be their offensive coordinator, and it is possible the Panthers would grant Scherer permission to interview for the Steelers' job. Steelers | Tomlin wants more emphasis on running Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wants more emphasis on the running game in short-yardage situations as well as when they need to run. Steelers | Tried to sign Lumbala Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports the Pittsburgh Steelers offered FB Rolly Lumbala a contract but Lumbala decided to sign with the Miami Dolphins. Steelers | Lewis, Mundy could compete for starting job in 2010 Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers CB Keenan Lewis and FS Ryan Mundy could compete for the starting free safety position next season if impending free-agent FS Ryan Clark does not re-sign with the team. |
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