Steelers Morning Huddle 5/29/13

Oct 7, 2012; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon (90) hits Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) as he fumbles the ball during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning Steeler Nation!  We’ve got some more Black and Gold goodness to pass on to you today.  Here’s a look at what’s been posted around the internet about our Steelers.

Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, posted an article about Steve McLendon who has moved into the starting nose tackle position.  McLendon almost went to the Green Bay Packers this off season; however, he inked a 3-year, $7.25M contract with the Steelers.  He credits Casey Hampton as his mentor and quotes his advice:

"He continues to take advice from his mentor, who told him to “Remember to be humble, stay strong, stay firm in what you believe in, and, most important of all, just play football. It’s still a game.”"

Alan Robinson, of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, looks at David DeCastro.  Hopes were high as the Steelers went into camp at Latrobe last year because the Steelers had focused on shoring up their sieve-like, injury-ridden offensive line and DeCastro was to be a big part of that.  DeCastro’s knee injury (torn MCL and dislocated kneecap) sidelined him but he focused on the mental aspects of learning the NFL and preparing to play.  He didn’t just sit around and play video games.  He watched game tape and studied the game book.  DeCastro played in the last four games of the 2012 season and feels he gained a lot of experience in a short amount of time that he can use this year.  As the training activities continue, DeCastro says his knee feels great and he’s working hard to continue to learn and get better.

Mark Kaboly, of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, put together a review of where the Steelers sit in relation to the salary cap.  As of yesterday, the Steelers were $90k under the NFL-mandated $123M maximum.  Kaboly notes that $5.5M will become available from Willie Colon’s salary on Jun 1st and will go toward signing two rookies:  Le’Veon Bell and Jarvis Jones.  Kaboly also lists where the rest of the AFC North sits as well as a few other notable teams are in terms of the cap.

Robinson also published some bits and pieces about the Steelers in the Steelers Notebook:

• Roethlisberger continues to say positive things about the offensive game plan and indicates he is more comfortable.
• Brett Keisel is still getting used to be the oldest guy on the team now
• Plaxico Burress gushes about how Roethlisberger can observe the game at full speed and make adjustments on the sideline and threw out the term “elite” when talking about Ben

The Steelers, along with several other teams, have signed a deal with ESPN Radio to broadcast their games.  This does not affect the local radio station broadcasts.  This is music to the ears of out-of-market fans like me.  I’m not a satellite TV subscriber and I’m often trying to find a place with an open table to watch the Steelers play.  That’s always a gamble and most likely, I won’t get the audio at that bar.  WDVE has saved my life by streaming their broadcasts and I will continue to listen to them, but I’m happy there is another option for Steeler Nation who are scattered around the globe.

In other NFL news, the NFL has moved next year’s draft to May because of a scheduling conflict with Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  The last time the entire draft was held in May was 1984.  It seems odd that the draft has to slide because there venue should not be limited to one place.  My husband commented that this could be the NFL testing the market on how much more money would come in because there is more time to hype the draft.  Can’t other places in NYC handle the draft?  What about other cities?  Personally, it wouldn’t surprise me if this is an experiment; however, I’d like to think there is more to it than that.   However, in the end, I don’t really care when they hold it.  So what do you think Steeler Nation?  Vote on it:

That’s it for today.  Sound off and let me know what you like, what I missed, and what you disagree with!