Minicamp Insider 1.0
In his latest column, Scout.com's NFL insider Adam Caplan breaks down several story lines. Who is player the Kansas City Chiefs targeted in the Jared Allen trade? Why did the Green Bay Packers target a receiver in the second round and where will he fit in long-term? What is the future of Darren Howard? We also have more exclusive details on Brady Quinn's contract and whole a lot more inside. [Link]
Rushing rookies into minicamp means trouble
Take your time with minicamp newcomers, NFL teams. Alex Marvez says rushing them into the mix with veterans is asking for trouble. [Link]
OTAs to resume Tuesday
The Steelers begin their OTA practice sessions Tuesday. The team will practice three times a week for the next four weeks. [Link]
Snapshot: Ryan Mundy
As we do every year at this time, SteelCityInsider.com presents its Snapshot series of features on the Steelers' rookies. Today we're featuring sixth-rounder Ryan Mundy. [Link]
Who's going to be NFL's biggest comeback?
Jay Cutler had a tough 2007 and has been diagnosed with diabetes. It's why he's on Alex Marvez's list of comeback award hopefuls. [Link]
7 Points: Jones-Drew is a Little Big-Man
Ed Thompson points out why Maurice Jones-Drew can scoff at his former critics — and why Miami rookie WR Davone Bess should be able to do the same in a few years. Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald, former Raider Duane Starks, a smart personnel move by the Colts and more are all in today's 7 Points feature. [Link]
Sen. Specter wants independent investigation into Spygate (AP)
Hold on, NFL. Spygate isn't over. Not if the "incensed" Pittsburgh Steelers fan in Congress has anything to do with it. Sen. Arlen Specter on Wednesday called for an independent investigation of the New England Patriots' taping of opposing coaches' signals, possibly similar to the high-profile Mitchell Report on performance enhancing drugs in baseball.
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Snapshot: Patrick Bailey
As we do every year at this time, SteelCityInsider.com presents its Snapshot series of features on the Steelers' rookies. Today we're featuring LB Patrick Bailey. [Link]
10-pack: The worst moves (and non-moves) of the NFL offseason (SportingNews.com)
With the offseason moving past the halfway point, SN's Mike Florio takes a look at 10 of the moves (and non-moves) that stand out as the least prudent of the year to date. [Link]
Hartwig looking to fit in
Center Justin Hartwig wants to fit into the Steelers' starting lineup, locker room. [Link]
Nine nuggets for the NFL offseason
Don't look now, but Buffalo has the pieces in place to make some noise in the playoffs. Adam Schein explains in his offseason nuggets. [Link]
Does Being Number One Really Matter?
When compared to their draft class peers, there was no one statistically better at running the ball, intercepting passes, throwing passes or sacking the quarterback than these players. But did it pay off for them on draft weekend? Scout.com's Ed Thompson takes a look. [Link]
Snapshot: Dennis Dixon
As we do every year at this time, SteelCityInsider.com presents its Snapshot series of features on the Steelers' rookies. Today we're featuring fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon. [Link]
Dying of Cancer, but Full of Life Lessons
Randy Pausch, who has pancreatic cancer and whose book, “The Last Lecture,” has been an inspiration to many, was invited to a Pittsburgh Steelers practice. [Link]
New crop of wide receivers ready to take over (SportingNews.com)
The crop of thirtysomething wide receivers is moving past its prime. It's time to get to know these six receivers, all of which are 25 and under. [Link]
Belicheat to walk away free from Diegate
Now that Matt Walsh's tapes apparently have nothing on Bill Belichick, Steve Serby says the Spygate saga will become Diegate. [Link]
More Tales From Minicamp
Jim Wexell found four more interviews in his minicamp notebook. Some of it will interest Steelers fans, some of it might worry them, and some of it will entertain them. [Link]
Mixed signals (Yahoo! Sports)
With no tape of the Rams' walkthrough, the NFL and Patriots can downplay what was on the tapes sent Thursday. [Link]
Snapshot: Bruce Davis
As we do every year at this time, SteelCityInsider.com presents its Snapshot series of features on the Steelers' rookies. Today we're featuring third-round pick Bruce Davis. [Link]
This NFL offseason has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL offseason? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
This NFL off-season has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL off-season? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
News analysis: Ravens QB situation
Move over Kyle Boller, there's a new quarterback in town. [Link]
Q&A: Deshea Townsend
Deshea Townsend is one of the wise men of the Steelers' defense. Today the soon-to-be 33-year-old corner talks to Jim Wexell about the team, the rookies, and growing up but not old. [Link]
Minicamp Wrap:
Can a notes column run too long? No way, you say, but reporter Jim Wexell tests that theory with his lengthy column on the three-day Steelers minicamp that ended Sunday. [Link]
Steelers' top pick Mendenhall robbed at gunpoint
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early Monday, his mother and agent said. The former running back was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall's wallet and cellular telephone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, told the Chicago Tribune. "He didn't get hit or anything, he didn't get hurt or anything," Sybil Mendenhall said. "He's fine. [Link]
Steelers first-round pick Mendenhall robbed at gunpoint
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early Monday, his mother and agent said. The former running back was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall's wallet and cellular telephone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, told the Chicago Tribune. "He didn't get hit or anything, he didn't get hurt or anything," Sybil Mendenhall said. "He's fine. [Link]
Steelers draft pick Mendenhall robbed
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early Monday, his mother and agent said. The former running back was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall's wallet and cellular telephone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, told the Chicago Tribune. "He didn't get hit or anything, he didn't get hurt or anything," Sybil Mendenhall said. "He's fine. [Link]
Steelers' rookie Mendenhall robbed (PA SportsTicker)
CHICAGO (Ticker) - Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint early Monday morning, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. [Link]
Steelers draft pick Mendenhall robbed (AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early Monday, his mother and agent said. The former running back was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall's wallet and cellular telephone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, told the Chicago Tribune. [Link]
Steelers draft pick Mendenhall robbed
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early Monday, his mother and agent said. The former running back was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall's wallet and cellular telephone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, told the Chicago Tribune. "He didn't get hit or anything, he didn't get hurt or anything," Sybil Mendenhall said. "He's fine. [Link]
Q&A: Brett Keisel
Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel talks about Year Two of the Mike Tomlin era, and provides insight on the young linemen on both sides of the ball. [Link]
Looking at the mini-camp that was
The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their second mini-camp under head coach Mike Tomlin Sunday with hat day. [Link]
Top 10: Worst franchises in pro sports
They're rarely in the playoffs and their best moment came in a movie. The Cards have surely earned their spot on this dubious list. [Link]
NFL Draft: 2009 Mock Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft is behind us, but it doesn't mean we can't have a little fun and take a look at the 2009 draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber releases his first 2009 mock draft and includes draft-eligible underclassmen. [Link]
Steelers unveil Land of Giants
The Pittsburgh Steelers' receiving corps has a new look this year. The group was unveiled yesterday at the first day of this weekend's minicamp. Find out who's looking good out of the gate. [Link]
Minicamp notebook:
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened minicamp yesterday and Jim Wexell has plenty of information from the two practices. [Link]
Parker "surprised" sharing spot as Steelers open minicamp
The Pittsburgh Steelers can't afford to have the wheels come off Willie Parker again. NFL teams rarely devote a first-round draft pick to a position of strength, but that is exactly what the Steelers did by choosing Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois with the No. 23 pick last weekend. Suddenly, Willie Parker - the NFL's leading rusher until breaking his right leg on Dec. 20 - finds himself competing for every carry and every snap. [Link]
Parker "surprised" sharing spot as Steelers open minicamp (AP)
The Pittsburgh Steelers can't afford to have the wheels come off Willie Parker again. NFL teams rarely devote a first-round draft pick to a position of strength, but that is exactly what the Steelers did by choosing Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois with the No. 23 pick last weekend. Suddenly, Willie Parker — the NFL's leading rusher until breaking his right leg on Dec. [Link]
Mendenhall ready to go
No. 1 draft pick Rashard Mendenhall met with the media on Friday as the Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp. [Link]
Pressing needs for every NFL team
The draft can't fix everything (see the Jets' and 49ers' QB quandaries). Alex Marvez runs down every team's pressing needs. [Link]
Roethlisberger said he had no influence in draft (Yahoo! Sports)
It's not that Ben Roethlisberger doesn't like that the Pittsburgh Steelers ' top picks in the NFL draft are a… [Link]
Q&A: Limas Sweed
Limas Sweed will be in town for minicamp this weekend, but he talked to SteelCityInsider's Jim Wexell in between workouts from his home in Brenham, Texas. [Link]
Scout.com NFL Draft Report Card
Only five NFL teams earned an "A" in last weekend's NFL Draft according to former pro scout Tom Marino. Was your favorite team one of them? Or was it one of the handful who earned a failing grade? Check out Marino's grades for all 32 teams in this Scout.com feature. [Link]
Draft keeps Steelers a leg up in AFC North (SportingNews.com)
With an aggressive offseason, the Cleveland Browns made a push to be top dog in the AFC North. But the Pittsburgh Steelers made all the right moves to remain the best in the division. [Link]
On the Clock: 15 prospects for '09 NFL Draft
With the '08 draft in the books, who's ready for next year? Peter Schrager gives you his draft wrap, complete with names for '09. [Link]
10-pack: Booty could challenge Jackson in Minnesota (SportingNews.com)
Pro Football Talk.com's Mike Florio offers postdraft coverage. [Link]
2009 NFL Draft: Steuber's Big Board
With the 2008 NFL Draft complete, it's never too early to take a look at the top senior prospects that will be available for the 2009 NFL Draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber debuts his Big Board of the Top 19 seniors who will be available in 2009. [Link]
NFL Post-Draft Insider 1.0
Scout.com's NFL insider Adam Caplan gives you the inside skinny in what went behind the selections of eight teams in this post-draft update. Caplan also breaks down how some of drafted players will fit in with their new teams. [Link]
Steelers Draft Review
Most of the fans and media wanted the Pittsburgh Steelers to fortify their lines of scrimmage, but the team drafted only one lineman. Here's what Jim Wexell thinks of the gamble: [Link]
Picks indirectly solve o-line issues
Heading into the weekend, most fans would've been fine with the Steelers drafting six offensive linemen. They got one — in the fourth round — but that could be good news for Big Ben. [Link]
