Stories from Behind the Steel Curtain
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NFL Pro Bowl: Can Boosting Players' Motivation Help Save It?
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Yesterday
I realize the Pro Bowl is old news by now, if that isn't an oxymoron. But the problem with things that happen on an infrequent basis and have proven to be unsatisfactory is that everybody complains at the time, but nobody does anything about it until the next one is imminent and it is too late to do anything differently. So I believe the time to explore ideas about how to fix the Pro Bowl is now. When I was a kid, my mom got Good Housekeeping magazine. Despite the title it wasn't entirely about housekeeping by any means, but… Full Story »
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Salary Cap Issues: What Decisions Are The Steelers Faced With in 2012, Part I
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Yesterday
With the releases of CB Bryant McFadden and WR Arnaz Battle , the Steelers are taking their first steps toward getting their top 51 players under the salary cap by the start of the 2012 league season - March 13. Other moves will certainly be coming, but there are several options the team could pursue by that date. In part I of this two part series, we'll dive into the looming cuts expected within the roster, and some projections for restricted free agency. Smith's Decision There are two choices, both between the team and Aaron Smith . After an outstanding… Full Story »
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Is the NFC Now Officially the Superior Conference?
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Yesterday
The New York Giants 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday marked the third straight victory by an NFC team in the Super Bowl. For many years, the AFC was considered the more elite of the two NFL conferences, and… Full Story »
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Welcome Home, Todd
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Feb 8, 2012
First things first, let's put aside the whole Bruce Arians argument. What's done is done. Those in Steeler Nation who believe Arians got a raw deal are certainly not rooting for failure just to say "I told you so." The arguments about how and why offensive coordinators are much more vulnerable to criticism by the arm chair coaches as opposed to defensive coordinators have all been made. It's time to move on. It makes sense that Pittsburgh went outside the building to hire their new OC. If we were talking about Dick LeBeau here, retiring in his mid-70s, I would… Full Story »
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Speculation Surrounds Alleged Suspension of Steelers TE Weslye Saunders
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Feb 7, 2012
It was reported earlier Tuesday that TE Weslye Saunders will be suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season. However, there was no confirmation of whether it was for the league's substance abuse policy (drugs, narcotics, etc.) or the league's steroid and related substances policy (HGH, anabolic steroids, etc.) There are at least two writers suggesting Saunders' alleged positive test came not from PEDs or drugs, but rather, a therapeutic drug which… Full Story »
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Steelers Found Their Offensive Coordinator, Now, What is Their Plan?
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Feb 7, 2012
With confirmation that Todd Haley is at the Steelers South Side facility today and will be named the team's offensive coordinator, Phase I of the modification of the Steelers offense is complete: they found their leader. Now, there are plenty of broader picture issues that Haley and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin will need to prepare for come minicamp, which is just three months away. This list is far from all-inclusive, but much of the offensive transformation will be based on these three concepts: Managing the relationship with QB Ben Roethlisberger… Full Story »
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Cleveland Browns Should Incur Record NFL Sanctions for Negligent Reaction to Colt McCoy Concussion
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Dec 14, 2011
Cleveland Browns fans have been busy lately raging for James Harrison to receive lethal injection for interpreting, albeit wrongly, that Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was a "runner" after he tucked the ball and advanced to the line of scrimmage. Earlier McCoy had done the exact same thing and scored a touchdown, though… Full Story »
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Five Burning Questions: Steelers Enter Final Three Weeks of 2011 Season with New Set of Challenges
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Dec 14, 2011
Only a week has passed, but in that time the Steelers eked out an ugly victory against the Browns , Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey are dealing with injuries, and James Harrison has been suspended. The bright side to all… Full Story »
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Carnell Lake Gets Personal with the Steelers' Secondary
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Dec 14, 2011
This is the third and final post about my experiences at the Dean's Dairy Woman's 202 Steelers Event that I attended on December 2nd. [The first installment can be found here , the second here .] In this final installment you get to hear what Carnell Lake had to say about some of the plays from the Kansas City game when he broke down the film with us. I found it absolutely fascinating. But first he talked about his coaching philosophy. It was pretty simple. He told us what he asks the guys to bring to the table: 1. Be… Full Story »
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James Harrison Suspended One Game For Week 14 Hit on Colt McCoy
Behind the Steel Curtain &bull Dec 13, 2011
Well, earlier this morning Neal Coolong wrote that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would be setting a new precedent were he to suspend Steelers linebacker James Harrison for the concussion-inducing hit he had on Colt McCoy in last Thursday night's win… Full Story »
