Players to Watch in the Steelers and Buccaneers Game

By Barb Layton

It is so great to be watching Steelers football even if it is preseason. I am sure there are several players you really want to watch in tomorrow’s game. Here are a few on offense and defense, I am interested in watching.

Offense
8 Kenny Pickett, QB
5 Tanner Morgan, QB
19 Calvin Austin, WR
21 Hakeem Butler, WR
82 Dez Fitspatrick, WR
80 Darnell Washington, TE
77 Broderick Jones, OT
53 Kendrick Green, C/FB
74 Spencer Anderson, OL
68 William Dunkle, G

Defense
95 Keeanu Benton, NT
96 Breiden Fehoko, NT
68 Armon Watts, DT
26 Kwon Alexander, ILB
51 Nick Herbig, OLB
55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
24 Joey Porter, Jr. CB
41 Kenny Robinson, SS
34 Chandon Sullivan, CB
17 Trenton Thompson, FS

NFL Transaction Report 8/8/9

By Barb Layton

I am doing both the eighth and the ninth together. So, let’s get it done.

49ers
Signed RB Jeremy McNichols
Released CB Terrance Mitchell from IR with a settlement

Bears
Placed TE Jake Tonges on IR after clearing waivers
Activated WR Dante Pettis

Cardinals
Place RB Marlon Mack on IR
Signed RB Stevie Scott

Chargers
Signed OT Matt Kaskey
Waived OT Nicolas Melsop with injury designation

Colts
Signed RB Jason Huntley and TE Ricky Seals-Jones
Waived/injured TE La’Michael Pettway and S Michael Tutsie
Starting QB Anthony Richardson in pre-season opener

Jets
Placed OT Yodny Cajuste on IR after clearing waivers

Lions
Waive G Logan Stenberg
Signed RB Devine Ozigbo
Waived WR Avery Davis

Panthers
Waived DT John Penisini from the PUP list
Placed DE Jalen Redmond to the PUP list after clearing waivers

Patriots
Signed LB Joe Giles-Harris

Raiders
Activated DL Neil Farrell from the NFI list

Ravens
Activated WR Rashod Bateman from the PUP list
Signed DT Broderick Washington to a 3 year extension

Saints
re-signed TE J.P. Holtz
Waived G Koda Martin with injury designation

Seahawks
Placed DB Andrew Whitaker on IR after clearing waivers
Waived DE Joshua Onujioga with injury designation
Signed DT Anthony Montalvo

Steelers
Placed WR Ja’Marcus Bradley to IR after clearing waivers

Workout Report for Monday 8/7

by James Layton

It was busy Monday around the league for tryouts and visits. Nine players were signed following their tryouts or visit. Some veteran free agents that had a visit or tryout are John Johnson III (S), Rashaad Coward (OT), Trey Flowers (DE), and Duke Johnson (RB).

Let’s get into the complete list.

Tryouts

Falcons

  • LaColby Tucker, OT (Signedd)

Ravens

  • Bless Austin, CB
  • Colby Richardson, CB
  • Levonta Taylor, CB
  • Nigel Warrior, S

Bears

  • Tyreek Maddox-Williams, LB
  • Tanner Vellejo, LB
  • Barrington Wade, LB
  • Tre Walker, LB
  • Lachlan Pitts, TE (Signed)

Packers

  • Nate McCrary, RB (Signed)

Texans

  • Rashaad Coward, OT (Signed)

Raiders

  • Dakota Allen, TE
  • Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE
  • Vernon Scott, S
  • Armani Watts, S

Patriots

  • Tre Walker, DE

Jets

  • Bruce Hector, DT (Signed)
  • Jordan Miller, CB
  • Brandon Sebastian, CB
  • Nehemiah Shelton, DB

Steelers

  • Brandon Kipper, OT
  • Quinton Bell, LB
  • Jonathan Garvin, LB
  • Anree Saint-Armour, DE

49ers

  • Brian Hill, RB
  • Jason Huntley, RB
  • Duke Johnson, RB
  • Jeremy McNichols, RB

Seahawks

  • Jordan Ferguson, DE

Buccaneers

  • Jalen Elliott, S
  • Avery Young, S (Signed)

Commanders

  • Joshua Kalu, CB
  • Scott Nelson, S
  • Michael Palardy, P
  • Colby Wadman, P (Signed)
  • Jordan Silver, LS

Visits

Rams

  • John Johnson III, S (Signed)

Giants

  • Chris Wormley, DE

Seahawks

  • Chris Garrett, LB

NFL Transaction Report 8/2

By Barb Layton

Well, with training fully under way, there is always a need to know what is happening each day. I will be compiling the different moves each team is making daily.

Chiefs
Activated DT Tershawn Warton

Colts
Signed WR Amari Rodgers and TE La’Michael Pettway
Waived WR Johnny King

Dolphins
Waived P Michael Turk and S WR Jacob Copeland

Lions
Signed TEs Darrell Daniels and Daniel Helm
Placed CB Emmanuel Mosley on PUP List
Waived TE Derrick Deese

Packers
Claimed LB Arron Mosby off of waivers
Waived OLB La’Darius Hamilton

Patriots
Waived WR Ed Lee

Raiders
Signed TE Jacob Hollister

Saints
Signing OL Tommy Kraemer
Waived OT Scott Lashley

Steelers
Signed S Trenton Thompson and CB Isaiah Dunn
Waived/injured RB Alfonzo Graham
Placed CB Cory Trice on IR

Texans
Sign TE Nick Vannett
Released DE Damone Harris

Titans
Sign C Jimmy Murray
Waive WR Jacob Copeland

Workout Report for Tuesday 8/1

by James Layton

It was a somewhat busy day around the league for workouts. But it’s just going to get busier in the coming days because of injuries that took place yesterday.

Let’s get into the workouts.

49ers

  • Taco Charlton, DE (signed)
  • Daelin Hayes, DE
  • Breeland Speaks, DL

Broncos

Fabian Moreau, CB (signed)

Colts

  • Jesse Davis, OL
  • Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE
  • Ty Nsekhe, OT
  • Michael Pettway, TE (signed)
  • Rickey Seals-Jones, TE
  • Dan Skipper, OT (signed)

Falcons

  • Robert Barnes, LB
  • Frank Ginda, LB
  • Mariano Sori-Marin, LB

Packers

  • Darion Chafin, WR
  • Parker Ferguson, OL
  • Josh Love, QB
  • Andre Miller, TE (signed)
  • Cole Schneider, OL (signed)

Raiders

  • Rex Burkhead, RB
  • Darius Harris, LB (signed)
  • Damien Williams, RB

Steelers

  • Montrae Braswell, CB
  • Mac McCain, CB

Vikings

Dalton Risner, G (Visit)

Steelers Training Camp 2023: Predicting the Starting Defense

by James Layton

It’s that time of the year again. Steelers Training Camp is officially 6 days away from being in full swing. This has been a big offseason for the defense. There are so many new players for the unit.

This is going to be a big camp for the defense to start their rebuilding to be the top defense in the league again. Not only that, but to also help bring another Lombardi to Pittsburgh.

Fans are going to be able to finally see Patrick Peterson and Joey Porter Jr take the field in the black n’ gold for the first time.

Let’s look at the defense.

  • Defensive End: Larry Ogunjobi
  • Nose Tackle: Keeanu Benton
  • Defensive Tackle: Cam Heyward
  • Outside Linebacker: Alex Highsmith
  • Inside Linebacker: Cole Holcomb
  • Inside Linebacker: Elandon Roberts
  • Outside Linebacker: TJ Watt
  • Cornerback: Levi Wallace
  • Cornerback: Patrick Peterson
  • Slot Cornerback: Joey Porter Jr
  • Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • Strong Safety: Keanu Neal

Steelers Training Camp 2023: Predicting the Starting Offense

by James Layton

With the Steelers first practice of training camp taking place in six days. I thought who will be the starting offensive that day. This is going to be first time Kenny Pickett is going to be taking the field at camp as the starting quarterback.

This is going to be a big camp for the offense, they now have a full-time starting quarterback and some key additions to the offensive line. So now is the time to build the chemistry of the whole unit.

Let’s get into the Offense.

  • Quarterback: Kenny Pickett
  • Running Back: Najee Harris
  • Fullback: Monte Pottebaum
  • Wide Receive 1: Diontae Johnson
  • Wide Receiver 2: George Pickens
  • Wide Receiver 3: Allen Robinson
  • Tight End: Pat Freiermuth
  • Left Tackle: Dan Moore Jr
  • Left Guard: Isacc Seumalo
  • Center: Mason Cole
  • Right Guard: James Daniels
  • Right Tackle: Chuks Okorafor

Free Agents the Steelers Could Sign Before Training Camp

by James Layton

The Steelers have had an excellent offseason so far, adding depth and new starters. Although they could add another player or two for added positional battles.

A few places that could use another player are Running Back, Interior Offensive Line, and Inside Linebacker. They have made big strides in filling these positions so far, but it can never hurt to a little extra depth.

Let’s get into the free agents.

  • Rashaan Evans, LB Age: 27
  • Ben Jones, C Age: 34
  • George Fant, OT Age: 31
  • James Robinson, RB Age: 24
  • Pat Elflein, C Age: 29
  • Kwon Alexander, LB Age: 29*
  • Marlon Mack, RB Age: 27
  • Marquise Blair, S Age: 25
  • Chase Roulier, C Age: 30
  • Dwayne Washington, RB Age: 29
  • Dalton Risner, G Age: 28
  • Darrell Henderson, RB Age: 26
  • Ameer Abdullah, RB Age: 30

*Hosted for a visit earlier this offseason.

Top 15 Important Steelers Players for 2023

by James Layton

This is a big season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, after a 9-8 season in 2022 with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett becoming the clear-cut starter. And losing star OLB TJ Watt for a good part of the season. It got me thinking about who the important players are for the 2023 season.

I kept going back and forth between TJ Watt and Kenny Pickett, but after seeing what having TJ Watt on the field means, and how it impacts if it’s going to be a win or loss. TJ Watt has to be the most important player on this team.

Let get into the complete list.

  1. TJ Watt, OLB
  2. Kenny Pickett, QB
  3. Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS
  4. Najee Harris, RB
  5. Cameron Heyward, DT
  6. Levi Wallace, CB
  7. Mason Cole, C
  8. Pat Freiermuth, TE
  9. Chris Boswell, K
  10. George Pickens, WR
  11. Alex Highsmith, OLB
  12. Cole Holcomb, ILB
  13. Larry Ogunjobi, DE
  14. Joey Porter Jr, CB
  15. Patrick Peterson, CB

Honorable Mentions

  • James Daniels, G
  • Broderick Jones, OT
  • Jaylen Warren, RB
  • Keeanu Benton, NT

My Sleeper Player
Mark Robinson, ILB

Steelers Roster Bubble Players

by James Layton

With the Steelers starting Training Camp in eighteen days, I thought it would be a good time to look at the players that are more in likely going to be on the roster bubble.

This year with how deep the defensive side of the ball is. It’s no doubt that there are going to be more from that side on the bubble, especially with the defensive backs.

Let’s get into the players.

Offense

Mason Rudolph, QB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Anthony McFarland Jr, RB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Myles Boykin, WR
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Cody White, WR
Cap Savings: $870,000
Dead Money: $0

Kendrick Green, G
Cap Savings: $876,750
Dead Money: $453, 004

William Dunkle, G/T
Cap Savings: $750,000
Dead Money: $0

Defense

Jonathan Marshall, DT
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE
Cap Savings: $859,928
Dead Money: $160,144

Montravius Adams, NT
Cap Savings: $2,500,000
Dead Money: $732,500

Quincy Roche, OLB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Duke Dawson, CB
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Chris Wilcox, CB
Cap Savings: $750,000
Dead Money: $0

Tre Norwood, FS
Cap Savings: $916,390
Dead Money: $47,220

Elijah Riley, SS
Cap Savings: $1,010,000
Dead Money: $0

Kenny Robinson, SS
Cap Savings: $940,000
Dead Money: $0

Special Teams

Pressley Harvin III, P
Cap Savings: $919,817
Dead Money: $40,366