Steelers Morning Huddle 7/9/13

Nov 4, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) hands off to running back Isaac Redman (33) during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the New York Giants 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

The articles about the Steelers continue to trickle because the camps haven’t started.  If Rex Ryan has time to go run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain and that is one of the main NFL headlines, you know it is off season.  It was debated on every ESPN sports show I listened to yesterday and is still coming up with morning.  I’m about to gouge my eyes out with a spoon for crying out loud!  Even so, I braved the internet and looked away from the Ryan headlines to scan the internet and found at least a few articles that may interest you:

Isaac Redman Q&A Continues

Teresa Varley of Steelers.com posted the first part of a Q&A session Isaac Redman had with fan over a week ago and now the second part is available.  The questions are screened by the Steelers.com organization and none are controversial.  He was asked about the competition at the running back position, how he likes his nickname “Red Zone” Redman, and what is the best advice he has ever gotten.  It is an attempt to bring the players closer to the fans, in a controlled environment.  I guess it works for some people but I find it to be useless.  The questions and answers are controlled to make sure that Redman looks good to his fans.  He tows the corporate line.  I would expect nothing less.  However, some may find it interesting and feel like you know him better.  You don’t, but maybe some find it entertaining.

Steelers.com Interviews Rapper Mac Miller

Teresa Varley of Steelers.com had a chat with the native Yinzer who now lives on the West Coast but remains loyal to his hometown team.  I posted it here as an interest item, but I’m not familiar with his music.  What I can identify with is being a displaced fan.  I haven’t lived in southwestern PA since I graduated from high school (which seems sooooo long ago – and it is) but I have always rooted for my hometown sports teams.  I follow the local teams where ever I have lived, but I bleed black and gold.  It sounds like Miller remains loyal too.

Fantasy Football Rankings:  Tight Ends

The Fantasy Football articles have started.  While I think things aren’t going to be very solid until training camps and preseason are done, I guess people need to start thinking about how to build their teams.  NFL.com’s Michael Fabiano posted a ranking of tight ends and considering the Gronk surgeries, Heath Miller rehab, and the Hernandez arrest, I figured the list was going to be shaken up this year.  There is an important disclaimer:

"These ratings are not to be confused with player rankings and are not the be-all, end-all in determining a player’s stock. However, owners should use them when picking between players with similar value and looking for potential sleepers.”"

I may venture into fantasy football for the first time this year, I haven’t decided.  I see that there is only one AFC North player in the top 10 – Dennis Pitta for the Baltimore Ravens.  I also notice that Gronkowski ranks 22.  Heath Miller is 31.  Now, I am unabashedly a homer, so perhaps fantasy football isn’t for me.  Gronk just had back surgery after 4 surgeries on his arm and his fantasy ranking is at 22?  I understand Miller being low, he’s an unknown right now from a rehab standpoint:

"2013 Outlook: Miller (4th) re-emerged into a top-10 fantasy tight end last season, but he’s in danger of missing the start of the 2013 campaign after enduring a major knee reconstruction after suffering a torn ACL, MCL and PCL. When he does return, the veteran will play 11 games against teams that allowed fewer than seven fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2012. Even in a best-case scenario, Miller would be worth no more than a late-round pick coming off such a ailment.”"

Georgia Bulldogs Keeping an Eye on Jarvis Jones 

Loran Smith, who writes for the website Georgiadogs.com posted an interview with Jarvis Jones.  I live in southern Georgia right now and even though the northern part of the state is way different from more rural southern part, I knew that Jones would find the city to be very different from anything he has seen before.  I am not surprised to find that he does some of the same things I do whenever I bring someone with me who has never visited the area.  The rivers, the bridges, and the inclines (don’t get me started on the food!) need to be experienced:

"This is an exciting city, but it is different. Everywhere you go there is a bridge or tunnel. Every Sunday, I go up to Mt. Washington to a pier and look down at the city. You see the three rivers and all the buildings, PNC Park, and Heinz Field. I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere on game day.”"

Jones also says the same things we’ve heard in other interviews, so I don’t see many surprised in it.  He’s saying the right things and the fans will be behind him in his rookie year, even if he doesn’t produce much, as long as he respects the franchise and works hard.

What did I miss?  What did I get wrong?

Let me know what you think.  I’ll keep looking for interesting articles to post for tomorrow.