It’s been a unique offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most professional player days and participate in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers continue to move toward a return to soccer activities. Just because the Steelers can’t keep their typical OTAs and the NFL has canceled the 2020 Hall of Fame Game doesn’t mean we stop giving you features, feedback, and opinions to help you through the offseason!
Today, in the black and gold links article, we take a look at the Steelers’ new wide receiver coach Ike Hilliard and his relationship with his young players in 2020.
Let’s go to the news:
- First impressions of a new coach and young players can mean a lot
Hilliard is already hitting Steelers receivers
By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports
The Steelers wide receivers have had a forgettable calendar year, there is no other way to say it. Almost a year ago, during training camp at Saint Vincent College, wide receiver coach Darryl Drake He was found dead in his bedroom.
The shocking news destroyed the receiving body, leaving the offensive reeling in the last days of the camp. What happened next was Ray Sherman charged with being an interim coach, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ryan Switzer and Diontae Johnson battles fought and Donte Moncrief It went on to be one of the worst free-agent acquisitions in the team’s history.
Offensively, the Steelers stumbled during the 2019 season, and in the past offseason, the team addressed the vacancy in their coaching staff by hiring Ike Hilliard.
Hilliard’s coaching experience began as an assistant wide receiver coach with the Dolphins in 2011, but in 2012 Hilliard was hired as a wide receiver coach under Mike Shanahan and the red skins. But in 2013 she saw him leave Washington and head to the Bills with the same title. In 2014 he returned to the nation’s capital under Jay Grudenand I stayed there during the 2019 season. During the 2019 season, Hilliard helped develop a group of rookie catchers that included Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon and Steven sims.
Another aspect of Hilliard’s style is that he not only has experience as a coach, but he was a tremendous player in the NFL.
Selected as the seventh overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Giants, Hilliard played eight seasons in New York, where he caught 30 touchdowns. Hilliard ended his playing career at Tampa Bay, where he played four seasons and added eight other touchdowns. Hilliard could be best known for his performance in 10 catches, 155 yards and two touchdowns in the 2000 NFC Championship game.
So what kind of impression has Hilliard made on the team’s current crop of catchers? Even if it wasn’t in person due to the coronavirus pandemic? James Washington has given the new coach passing grades in his first interactions with Hilliard.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Both about the start of the 2020 NFL season will be different for the Steelers
Mike Tomlin prepares for an unusual training camp environment for Steelers
By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
In a normal soccer offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be in their second week of a summer recess that would last until the start of training camp.
And coach Mike Tomlin would be counting down the seconds until he could summon his players at Saint Vincent College.
Tomlin is likely still looking at the clock this year, though he’s sad that he won’t have the opportunity to spend a few weeks in the foothills of Laurel Mountain preparing his players for the 2020 season.
Training camp will begin in about a month, and Tomlin is gearing up for the unique challenge of holding it at Heinz Field due to the coronavirus pandemic that has altered the landscape of all sports this year.
“I am a training camp lover,” Tomlin said last week in a video conference with journalists. “I think there is an intangible value in going to camp. That is something that is out of our control in 2020. “
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- A look at the Steelers vs. Giants, both past and present
Countdown to 2020: the giants
By: Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com
Date: September 14
Hour: 7:15 pm
Venue of events: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Regular season series of all time: Lead giants, 44-30-3.Last meeting: Steelers 24, Giants 14, December 4, 2016, Heinz Field. What turned out to be the last Ben roethlisberger-vs.-Eli Manning The quarterback showdown ended with both completing 24 passes, including two for touchdowns. But Roethlisberger threw for 289 yards and Manning 195. Manning also threw two interceptions to Roethlisberger’s. The Steelers held a 14-0 lead thanks to safety, three Randy bullock field goals and a Roethlisberger-to-Antonio Brown touchdown pass (his two-point conversion attempt failed).
Last season: The Giants were 4-12 and finished third in the NFC East. New York ranked 23rd in total offense (19th race, 18th pass) and 25th in total defense (20th race, 28th pass).
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
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