Steelers Central

The Pads Come on for SNL

On this episode of Steelers Central, I break down Saturday's festivities from the morning coordinator's press conferences to the now Saturday Night Lights instead of Friday Night Lights. I'll give my thought on what the coordinators said as a whole, and some standouts in a second consecutive sloppy performance from the offense. Next, I'll give my takeaways from the week as whole including three standouts on the offensive line as rookie Max Iheanachor was breaking out right before his injury as well as the emergence of some young players along the defensive line. See which WR has caught my eyes as well throughout this process. Then it's time to give a brief update on the QB room including why Mason Rudolph looks to continue to be in pole position for the QB 2 spot. The young guys are still working on consistency to impress the coaching stuff as Drew Allar goes through the ebbs and flows and Will Howards struggles to find his showing despite an impressive performance at Saturday Night Lights. I'll also tell you what rookies have been impressing including Mad Max, Daylen Everette, and Gabe Rubio?? Some guys have also disappointed me in the process including Gennings Dunker, Kaden Wetjen, and some undefined roles for Eli Heidenreich and Riley Nowakowski. Lastly, why I think the Steelers need to make a move for a free safety in what has been a revolving door in the backup safety spots from Robert Spears-Jennings to UDFAs Jack Henderson and Sebastian Castro to vets Rayshawn Jenkins and the recently-cut Darnell Savage. 0:00-23:55: Coordinators/SNL Talk 23:56-33:56 : Padded Practice Standouts 33:57-39:52: Rudolph Leading the Way 39:53-55:28: Rookie Report Card 55:29-61:59: Safety Conundrum

Training Camp Begins

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time for training camp! I'll give you my takes on what I am most excited to see on both sides of the ball as the team starts it's three week journey. Joey Porter Jr. is not practicing right now due to a supposed back injury so we'll analyze the importance of getting him back healthy in the midst of a contract hold up where he reportedly wants near $30 million a year. Here why I think both sides need to come to an agreement soon especially with Jalen Ramsey out with a knee injury for a couple weeks. Then I'll give my takeaways on the pre training camp press conferences that included no tackling, an update on Broderick Jones health, moving around on both sides of the ball with WRs and OLB, team chemistry, and booming stock in the WR Room. Lastly, I'll go through the first four days of training camp and give my thoughts on the team's surprising best player, early indications on key positional battles, key contributors in the passing game, and who is winning the backup QB battles through the first four practices. 0:00-14:27 What I'm Most Looking Forward to in Training Camp 14:28-22:15 JPJ Contract Situation 22:16-33:40 Press Conference Takeaways 33:41-40:47 PUP List 40:48-66:05 First Week of Camp

Most Training Camp Pressure and Pre Training Camp 53

On this episode of Steelers Central, we'll get into the players that I think have the most pressure heading into this training camp as they could be cut due to competition, or just not being versatile enough. These include a second-year RB, a third-year WR, a fourth-year OT, and the whole LB core . The addition of Patrick Graham also brings some new defensive wrinkles and less base defense for this year's Steelers. Despite the nickel defense drawing a lot of ire from fans, the team still ranked in the top 10 in YPC while in that formation. See why I think Pittsburgh has the personnel to be really successful with this group again this year. Lastly, I predict what I think the Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster will look like pre-training camp with some tough cuts at the RB and LB position. Listen to hear my early thoughts on this roster. 0:00-17:30 Players entering Training Camp under most pressure 17:31-24:12 Steelers Nickel Defense 24:12-51:06 53-Man Roster Predictions

2025 Draft Class One Year Later

On this episode of Steelers Central, we'll react to the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks one year later, and what they must improve on headed into year two. I have flip-flopped on two picks that Pittsburgh made last year as well with both players career paths headed in different direction, and one of them having more of an impact then I thought he would. Lastly, with Pittsburgh paying some key players from the 2023 Draft Class, and a couple more expected in Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu, see which players I think could be left out including one player from that 2023 Draft Class, and an offensive lineman that could be the odd men out. 0:00-18:05 2025 Steelers Draft Class One Year Later 18:06-35:16 Enough Money to go Around?

Most Productive Steelers Free Agent Addition

On this episode of Steelers Central, I discuss what free agent I think will be the most impactful to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will it be Jamel Dean in the CB room, Rico Dowdle to the RB room, or Michael Pittman to the WR room? Take a listen to find out! Next, the Steelers have one of the best defensive line rooms in the NFL, but yet their run defense has struggled to live up to the talent on paper, see why I think that will not be the case this year in part because of the addition to Sebastian Joseph Day. Lastly, with two 2023 draft picks signed and secured under long term deals, people are wondering when the Steelers will sign their star corners with deep Pittsburgh ties who had a top 10 season this past year. I'll tell you why you should not start to worry yet with around a month until training camp. 0:00-13:00 Steelers Most Impactful Free Agent 13:01-24:47 Will the Run Defense Improve? 24:48-34:50 Joey Porter Jr. Contract Situation