Black and Gold Links: Buried on a loaded roster, Isaiah Buggs looks to show his potential

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Time to check on the latest news surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With the 2019 NFLDraft in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 season is fast approaching, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is far from over. As the team now turns their attention to more offseason workouts, OTAs and minicamp, there is no shortage of news.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how although Isaiah Buggs was buried on a loaded defense while at Alabama, he is out to prove he is worthy of the Steelers’ pick, and to make a difference for the black-and-gold.

Let’s get to the news:

• When you are talking about college teams like Alabama, you have to take starting with a grain of salt. Why? Because they have one of the most talented rosters in the entire country. Backups for Alabama get drafted ahead of starters for other teams. This is where Isaiah Buggs comes into play…

Surrounded by talent, Steelers’ Isaiah Buggs stood out at Alabama

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Only four FBS teams in the country last season had more sacks than Alabama. And who led the national runner-up Crimson Tide in sacks?

That would be the second of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ three sixth-round draft picks last weekend, Isaiah Buggs.

“He can get to the passer,” said the man who probably knows best, Karl Dunbar.

“Very explosive guy.”

Dunbar is both Buggs’ old and new position coach. He recruited Buggs to Alabama and will work with him again as the Steelers’ defensive line coach.

Buggs had 9½ sacks last season, fourth-most in the SEC and ahead of the four Crimson Tide defenders taken ahead of him (most notably, No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams).

To read the full article, click HERE

• While things seemed to be falling apart around Ben Roethlisberger this offseason, and no one was speaking up for him…there was one guy who stood up and said his piece. Ryan Switzer.

Switzer: ’It’s a joy to be here’

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Switzer was acquired by the Steelers via a trade with the Oakland Raiders at the end of the preseason last year, and went from the lowest point of his career to the most fun he has ever had playing the game.

“I know it’s weird saying it was that much fun because we went 9-6-1 and we missed the playoffs. But honestly it was one of the most enjoyable times I had,” said Switzer. “It was because of our receivers room, guys like Coach (Darryl) Drake, Coach Randy (Fichtner), Danny Smith. It was a joy to come to work. It was a joy to be here. It wasn’t one of those things where you wake up in the morning and are dragging out of bed. It is a joy to be here. It makes me happy and excited for next year.”

Switzer, who when he arrived the initial thought from many was he was being brought in a return specialist, quickly proved that theory wrong as he got more and more involved with the offense.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Fans might be giddy with excitement for third round pick Justin Layne, but the Steelers’ coaching staff are warning he is still a work-in-progress.

‘He’s still learning, but we’re excited about that’

By: Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com

Why you should be excited about third-round pick Justin Layne:

He looks the part: At 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds, Layne has the size the Steelers covet in a cornerback.

“I think that one of the things you look for when you’re evaluating cornerbacks, obviously you’re looking for some size,” senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin assessed. “You’re looking for length because when you start talking about a lot of these receivers that are being drafted, they are big men. And you have to be able to compete and win some 50/50 balls.

“So I think size, length, speed, and then ball skills are important because you have to be able to turn the ball over in this league.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• With the addition of Diontae Johnson, many are wondering how many wide receivers the Steelers will keep on their active roster.

Asked and Answered: May 2

By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com

CRAIG BRYAN FROM BURNHAM, PA: Have the Steelers ever kept six receivers on the 53-man roster? My other question: can JuJu Smith-Schuster handle outside responsibilities full-time?ANSWER: Throughout last season, the Steelers had six wide receivers on the 53-man roster. When the season began, the six were Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ryan Switzer, Justin Hunter, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Ryan Switzer. When Hunter was injured and went on injured reserve, Eli Rogers took his spot on the roster. As for your other question, don’t spend too much time worrying about whether Smith-Schuster can “handle outside responsibilities,” because he will be lined up at different spots within the formation based on the play that is called. The Steelers are not like the Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts, who always broke the huddle with Marvin Harrison split to one side of the formation and Reggie Wayne split to the other side of the formation. It’s more multiple in Pittsburgh, and players are asked to learn multiple positions because on offense responsibilities can change based on things such as a man in motion, as just one example.

To read the full article, click HERE

• AFC North Links

The Nittany Lion QB might be more of a “slash “ for the Ravens
Speed around Lamar Jackson was paramount in the draft for the Ravens

The huge question marks surrounding the Bengals? The offsenive line
A.J. Green enjoying life with a coach who knows offense

Myles Garrett wasn’t too happy with Gregg Williams as a DC
Kareem Hunt is doing all he can to help improve his image

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