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What’s the Real Turth About Arians? Rooney Doesn’t Seem to Want to Say

January 26th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in News, Opinions

Seems like there’s been more controversy about OC Bruce Arians not coming back with the Steelers, you really don’t know who to believe anymore. The Steelers (more so Art Rooney II) clearly at this point appears to have taken it upon himself to make the decision to get rid of Arians, but doesn’t seem ready to admit it.

Today, Bob Labriola on Steelers.com did an interview with Rooney II, and asked him point blank about the Arians situation, and if he anything to do with Arians not coming back.

“Bruce talked about retiring for a number of years now,” Rooney said. “We are looking to improve on offense and to have somebody in place for a number of years. I think it was time for a change. We are looking forward to moving on.”

Ok, but did you make the decision to fire him? Clearly that answer doesn’t give the whole story.

Arians said he had no choice but to retire after the team did not offer him a contract to come back for next season. He’s already talking to other teams, meaning that he still wants to coach in the NFL.

Rooney seemed to not want to answer how the process of Arians not being around played out. He basically said in so many words that it doesn’t matter how Arians ended up not being the Steelers OC anymore.

“The question of how we got here is not really relevant,” Rooney said. “The key now is that Mike (Tomlin) has begun the search for our next offensive coordinator. We will go through the process and interview the right candidates.”

The Steelers offense finished 12th in total offense (372.3 yards per game) and 21st in points per game (20.3) last year.

I’m not a fan of Rooney II getting too involved with this team. His dad and Dan Rooney never did, and I don’t think it really needs to change now. If Rooney fired him, he fired him – just admit it and let’s move on.

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Steelers NT Casey Hampton To Undergo ACL Surgery

January 26th, 2012

Russ Loede

Posted in Injuries

Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hampton suffered the injury in the Steelers’ 29-23 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. The 34-year-old nose tackle has undergone two previous surgeries to repair a torn ACL and Friday’s procedure will be the second on that knee.

During his 11-year career, all with the Steelers, the 6-foot-1, 325-pound Hampton has 347 tackles and nine quarterbacks, earning two Super Bowl rings and five trips to the Pro Bowl. Hampton is entering the final year of his most recent contract, which calls for a $4.89 million base salary and $1 million workout bonus.

Releasing Hampton would clear $5.89 million in salary cap space for the Steelers, who are over $20 million over the cap for 2012.

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Chris Hoke Announces Retirement

January 25th, 2012

Russ Loede

Posted in Main, News

Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke has officially announced his retirement, the team announced on Wednesday.

Hoke will conduct a press conference on Thursday.

Signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2001, Hoke did not appear in a game until 2004 and has totaled 83 tackles and two quarterback sacks in 114 games over the last seven-plus seasons.

The 35-year-old suffered a “stinger” on October 16 and was placed on injured reserve on December 8. Hoke underwent surgery on his neck the following week that was expected to end his playing career.

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Arians Speaks Out – Still Not Sure Why He’s Not Coming Back in 2012

January 24th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in News, Opinions

Finally after a few head scratching days, Bruce Arians is speaking out about exactly what happened between he and the Steelers that lead to him no longer being the offensive coordinator.

Sort of.

Whatever the case, it clearly doesn’t sound like Arians has “retired,” as it’s being reported he’s already looking to continue his coaching career, speaking to other teams.

Frank Bodani of the York Daily Record caught up with Arians, and he says Art Rooney II didn’t give the OC a reason why he wasn’t coming back to the team in 2012. “I can’t answer that question. Only the people there can. That’s the business. I know the job we did as a staff. I don’t have any regrets.”

So how is Arians’ good pal Ben Roethlisberger dealing with the change? Sounds like he’s not too happy, but he will deal with it and move on.

“He’s not happy, but that’s part of the business,” Arians said. “He is happy for me. He lives around the corner and we’ll still see each other a lot. The phone is always there when he needs me.”

Arians also seemed close to head coach Mike Tomlin.

“My door is always open to him. I respect him a ton,” Arians said. “I enjoyed our relationship and learned a lot. It was great watching him grow and working with him.”

“I can’t answer that question. Only the people there can. That’s the business. I know the job we did as a staff. I don’t have any regrets.”

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King: Don’t Be Shocked to See Jim Caldwell as the Next Steelers OC

January 23rd, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in News

With Bruce Arians gone, there’s a little tidbit in today’s Monday Morning NFL QB from Peter King that points to who he thinks will be the next Steelers offensive coordinator – former Colts coach Jim Caldwell.

Mike Tomlin (secondary) and Jim Caldwell (quarterbacks) coached together at Tampa Bay under Tony Dungy in Dungy’s last season with the Bucs, 2001, if you’re looking for a clue on the next offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.

Caldwell was dismissed as the Colts head coach last week after the team went 2-14. He led Indy to the Super Bowl in his first season in 2009, the Colts were AFC South champs and lost in the first playoff game in 2010, and were awful this past season without Peyton Manning.

Caldwell joined Tony Dungy’s staff with the Buccaneers in 2001 as quarterbacks coach. He followed Dungy to Indianapolis in 2002 and remained with him for his entire tenure, helping lead the Colts to a win in Super Bowl XLI.

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Video: Ravens Fans React to Their Loss to the Patriots

January 23rd, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in Opinions, Video

For those that need some good stuff to get through a Monday, watch as this Raven fan goes bonkers after Billy Cundiff blows a tying field goal. (NOTE: LANGUAGE NOT APPROVED FOR WORK OR CHILDREN!!!)

And there’s good news, as I think we found Thomas Crowley and what he was like after the kick:

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Defense Could Get Beat Up in Free Agency

January 22nd, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in 2012 Free Agency, News

Look for the Steelers to drop the hammer before March 13 on as many as four players who opened the season as starters according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The defense that yielded the fewest total yards, total points and total yards passing will take the biggest hits all over the next few months.

The Steelers are $25 million over the roughly $124 million salary cap that will go into effect March 13. That, Steelers president Art Rooney said Tuesday, will call for some tough decisions.

Candidates on defense to be released and their scheduled 2012 salaries that would vanish if they are: Aaron Smith ($2.1 million), Bryant McFadden ($2.5 million), James Farrior ($2.82 million), Casey Hampton ($4.89 million), and Larry Foote ($3 million).

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