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Friday, February 06, 2015

Steelers news, notes

The Steelers, as expected, promoted Jerry Olsavsky and Joey Porter to the positions of inside linebackers and outside linebackers coach, respectively.

Both men, while serving as defensive assistants, had already worked extensively with those positions already.

The move was made to replace Keith Butler, who was promoted to defensive coordinator last month after serving as the team's linebackers coach since 2003.

I still look for another former Steelers player - with Deshea Townsend being at the top of the list - to be added as a defensive assistant, who in addition to working with specific positions, also do advance scouting and tape work.

@ LeVeon Bell was admitted into the ARD program for first-time offenders on Friday and can have his DUI/marijuana possession charges expunged from his record if he completes the program successfully.

But that will not preclude the NFL from also disciplining the All-Pro running back.

I still expect the NFL to levy a one-game suspension on Bell, which will likely come in Week 1 next season.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Heard on the radio his lawyer or agent expects 2 games. Do you think he has any intentions of appealing or fighting a suspension, since the policy was put in place ex post facto? Thought I read the NFLPA filed a grievance in regards to this broad policy sweep. Stating Goodell overstepped the bounds of the CBA (which supercedes all), and the union was boxed out of the process. If so, sounds like they have a pretty strong case. Who did they file that will, the NLRB?

Anonymous said...

Zzzzzzzz.

mv7267 said...

I heard and read 2 games also. Does Blount face any League punishment? He had his arrest "erased" recently. If the Commish does suspend both to start the season, that would pretty much squash any Steeler/Pats Thursday opener. I think it'll be Buffalo and Sexy Rexy for NBC.

Dale Lolley said...

Agent said one OR two games. I've talked to him and he doesn't seem inclined to fight it. Take his medicine and move on from an unfortunate mistake.

Blount's infraction was only a marijuana possession charge. The issue for Bell is the DUI, which is an automatic suspension.

adamg said...

Heard on a local sports talk show today that CBS indicated Pgh/NE would open Thurs night football. The only teams to win 4 SBs with the same coach, etc.

Anonymous said...

Looking at New England's home schedule I come to 2 conclusions: the Steelers have better than a 50-50 chance to play in the opener and the Pats will go 13-3 and get a first round bye. Again.

Anonymous said...

I'm hoping the Steelers play New England in the opener. I just don't see the Steelers winning no matter when they play so they might as well get the loss out of the way early.

Dale Lolley said...

That's purely speculation at this point on the Pittsburgh-NE opener. That would be an attractive matchup, but it's not set in stone.
Could also be Buffalo-NE for Rex Ryan's first game. Or NE-Philly.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 6:50, they can beat them, but not without Bell. So yes if it's gonna be week one that's perfect, beat us when we'll likely not be at our best

kelly said...

Two games for a first time weed offender? Isn't that the same suspension originally handed down to Rice for knocking out his girlfriend? Yeah, that seems about right.

Anonymous said...

that's one of the things that bothered me too.

regardless though, since when does a first time offender go straight to suspension? is that part of the cba or goodells new conduct code?

Dale Lolley said...

Again, it's the DUI that is the more serious offense. And I expect him to get one game for that.