Good day to you Steelers’ Fans.
Monday was a day away from the practice facility and an opportunity to do some team bonding (or building if you prefer). This tradition goes back to the Bill Cowher days and on this particular venture the team headed to TopGolf. There was a time in the NFL when team building wasn’t really necessary. That’s because there weren’t OTAs and training camps were ridiculously long. That’s where the ‘team building’ took place. As player responsibilities and requirements softened, teams found new ways to create team chemistry away from the field. Not everyone on the Steelers’ roster plays golf and seeing some of these guys, both big and small, take their whacks can be pretty damn funny. What coaches want to see is how these guys handle the ribbing they will no doubt take from their teammates. It may not sound like a big deal but it’s a major part of creating a team culture that is positive and successful.
The Steelers rookies also took some time to visit the children at UPMC Hospital. This is obviously a thrill for the kids but the players get a lot of good moments out of it too.
Tweet of the Day… Cam sums it up perfectly.
To be honest I probably whiffed ? but had a great time with the boys ?: @karlroser / @steelers pic.twitter.com/TKIxm07wHA
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) June 3, 2019
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated his desire for an 18-game regular season schedule and reduction to the preseason schedule yesterday. Let me examine… First of all, I agree with Goodell that four preseason games is too many. With player evaluation taking place on a yearly basis now, four games really isn’t needed and only increases the risk of injury. This is largely why most key players rarely take the field in the preseason. But as for the two added games to the regular season schedule? No thank you. The owners will balk at expanding rosters which the players will demand should two extra games be added. But this also flies in the face of what Goodell and many of his cronies have been saying for the last several years which is “player safety.” How are you making the game safer by adding two games? And let me guess…. He’ll also want to expand the postseason as well. I’d have a lot more respect for Goodell if he just came out and said, “We’re only preaching player safety so we don’t get hammered with lawsuits.” That ain’t happening however and I really hope the extra games don’t happen either.
Ryan Shazier was honored with the George Halas Award this past week. This is given to the NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed. Obviously this is a terrific achievement for Shazier but I don’t think his script is entirely written just yet. I have a feeling we will see and hear much more from Shazier in the years to come.
The Steelers dodged a bit of a bullet yesterday when defensive tackle Gerald McCoy agreed to sign with the Carolina Panthers. He was actually offered a better deal by the Ravens but chose to stay in the NFC South which means the Black and Gold won’t have to deal with him twice a year.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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