Black and Gold Links: Randy Fichtner’s offense and Benny Snell Jr. could be the perfect fit

05

May 2019

POSTED IN | no comments

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 the Steelers and Randy Fichtner’s offense could be the perfect fit for rookie running back Benny Snell Jr.

Let’s get to the news:

  • Outside of first round pick Devin Bush, there is a good chance Benny Snell Jr. could be the rookie with the most impact on the 2019 season. He and the Steelers’ offense could be a perfect fit.

Steelers, rookie running back Benny Snell are ‘perfect marriage’

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

“He wanted to be the best,” Gran said. “He just didn’t want to be the best in the SEC, he wanted to the best in the country. When he got hurt, he never missed a practice. The kid had broken ribs and practiced that week and played in the next game. I tried to sit him out and even have him lose some reps. He said, ‘No, coach, I gotta go.’

“You just don’t get that very often.”

What impressed Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin was the way Snell approached the postseason after his junior year. The trend in college is for star players who intend on entering the NFL Draft to sit out their bowl game in order to prevent injury and gain a jump on their training. Snell not only played in the Citrus Bowl against Penn State, he carried 26 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns and was named offensive MVP in a 27-24 win.

“We really like to acknowledge that and give him credit for putting his team and that win over his own priorities,” Colbert said.

To read the full article, click HERE

  • While a vast majority of the Steelers fan base loved the team’s draft, one of the best aspects of the group is how they should help the team’s special teams play.

Steelers hope for a special (teams) rookie class

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

The Steelers, like every other team in the NFL, bring in a group of rookies they hope is special.

This year, they are banking on their rookie draft class being really special — or at least capable of being really good special teams players.

It was no secret the Steelers’ special teams units last season were anything but what their name implied.

Only the coverage units were truly above the line, as Mike Tomlin likes to say.

Placekicker Chris Boswell suffered through the worst season of his career, going from a Pro Bowl season in 2017 to one more fitting a toilet bowl. They also ranked 31st in kickoff return average, 17th in punt return average and led the league in special teams penalties.

To read the full article, click HERE

Ryan Shazier dances at his wedding

By: Michael David Smith

When Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier was stretchered off the field with a severe spinal cord injury on December 4, 2017, there were fears that he would never walk again. On Friday night, Shazier showed off perhaps the most important step in his remarkable recovery.

Shazier got married on Friday, and video shows him dancing with his bride at the reception, moving around on the dance floor gracefully and not giving any hint that he had previously been paralyzed.

To read the full article, click HERE

  • Social Media Madness