March 2014 - Pittsburgh Steelers Wiretap

James Harrison Retires From NFL

Oct 19, 2014 6:57 AM

James Harrison has announced his retirement from the NFL.

Harrison spent 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one last year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I have made the difficult decision to retire as of today," Harrison's statement said. "My love for my family and the need to be there for them outweighs my desire to play the game. I have missed too many experiences with them because I devoted SO much time to my career.

"My love for the game isn't strong enough to make up for missing one more birthday or first day of school."

The 36-year-old Harrison entered the league in 2002 as an undrafted free agent out of Akron. 

Coley Harvey/ESPN

Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Misc Rumor

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Belichick, Carroll, Payton Considered Best HC's In NFL By Peers

Sep 3, 2014 11:09 PM

Bill Belichick is ranked as the best coach in the NFL, according to a poll of 30 league insiders.

Pete Carroll and Sean Payton are ranked second and third and are also in their first tier.

"The most important thing to me is the ability to control the offense, the defense and the special teams," a GM said in describing the ideal coach. "You can change and you can coach multiple things and you have the ability to teach almost every position group. Then you can lose any coach you want and replace from within because the head coach is the talent. Belichick is the ultimate model of that."

 

Belichick commmanded a 1 vote on 28 of 30 ballots.

In Tier 2 are Andy Reid at No. 4, Tom Coughlin at No. 5, Mike McCarthy and Mike Tomlin at No. 6, Jim Harbaugh at No. 8, John Harbaugh at No. 9, John Fox at No. 10 , Jeff Fisher at No. 11, Chip Kelly at No. 12, Bruce Arians at No. 13, Lovie Smith at No. 14 and Mavin Lewis at No. 15.

Tier 3 is led by Chuck Pagano At No. 16, followed by Rex Ryan (17), Mike Smith (18), Gus Bradley (19), Ken Whisenhunt (20), Mike McCoy (20), Marc Trestman (22) and Ron Rivera (23).

Tier 4 features Mike Zimmer (24), Jay Gruden (25), Bill O'Brien (26), Jim Caldwell (27), Doug Marrone (28), Joe Philbin (29), Jason Garrett (30), Mike Pettine (31) and Bruce Allen (32).

Mike Sando/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, IQ

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Le'Veon Bell, LeGarrette Blount Faces Marijuana Charges

Sep 3, 2014 12:57 AM

Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount will be charged with marijuana possession following a traffic stop the day the Pittsburgh Steelers flew to Philadelphia for their third preseason game.

Ross Township detective Brian Kohlhepp said traffic officer Sean Stafiej pulled over a Camaro operated by Bell around 1:30 p.m. after Stafiej, who was on a motorcycle, noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Stafiej found a 20 gram bag of marijuana inside the car. Bell, Blount and a female passenger all claimed ownership of the marijuana, according to police.

Bell, 22, was taken to a hospital to have blood drawn and is expected to be charged with driving under the influence of marijuana.

Bell and Blount have been close since the latter signed a two-year, $3.85 million contract as an unrestricted free agent with the Steelers in March.

Scott Brown/ESPN

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Legal, Suspension

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Steelers Agree To Sign Brett Keisel

Aug 31, 2014 7:05 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to sign Brett Keisel for a 13th season.

Keisel had been a free agent since March and had been hoping to eventually re-sign.

The Steelers have looked to become younger on the defensive line by signing Cam Thomas and using a second round pick on Stephon Tuitt.

Keisel turns 36 in September.

Scott Brown/ESPN

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Marcus Gilbert Signs Five-Year, $30M Extension With Steelers

Sep 15, 2014 3:51 PM

Marcus Gilbert has signed a five-year, $30 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gilbert was a second round pick out of Florida in 2011.

Gilbert is the Steelers' starting right tackle.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Polamalu Back At Natural Position Due To Ryan Shazier

Sep 1, 2014 11:59 PM

The promising play of Ryan Shazier will allow Troy Polamalu to move back to his natural position of strong safety.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to use Polamalu at linebacker last season because they didn't have anyone else who could cover in space.

"It depends, you know, because my role has changed so much through the years," said Polamalu. "So, it really all depends on how coach LeBeau wants to use me. It's evolved, it's changed, it’s kind of done everything."

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, IQ

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Steelers Pleased With Blount's Play, Attitude In Camp

Nov 24, 2014 12:52 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed LeGarrette Blount to a two-year, $3.85 million contract in March and that seemed like a bargain in the offseason.

Blount struggled during backs-on-'backers drills and nearly started a brawl with Vince Williams when the linebacker and Le'Veon Bell wrestled to the ground.

"Easy for me to work with," running backs coach James Saxon said of Blount. "Great for the (running backs) room and the guy’s an outstanding runner. Very prideful guy. Comes to work every single day. Wants to do it right."

Bloint and Bell have become friends and the Steelers hope the relationship won't be strained when they compete for carries.

 

Scott Brown/ESPN

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Fantasy, IQ

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Steelers Sign Jawan Jamison, Release Alvester Alexander

Aug 4, 2014 2:43 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Jawan Jamison while waiving Alvester Alexander as they shuffle their running back depth.

Jamison was a 7th round pick last season by the Washington Redskins and was mostly a practice squad player.

Alexander is a first-year pro from Wyoming.

Mike Wilkening/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing, Waiver

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