Steelers Daily Links: Remembering Dick Butkus, Ranking Ravens D

Chicago Bears legendary linebacker Dick Butkus passed away on Thursday at the age of 80. Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher and inside linebacker Ryan Shazier both expressed their appreciation for Butkus and all that he did for the game.

“Dick Butkus was not only a Legend, he was my Idol. Loved his Frankness, Toughness, and the Inspiration he was for me! You set the Standard for the role of a MLB! Love you Dick ❤️,” Cowher wrote on X.

“Praying for the entire Butkus family tonight. One of the NFL’s trailblazers who gave his entire heart to the team and community,” Shazier said.

? Steel City Star posted a clip of Dick Butkus’ biggest play against the Steelers, which came on opening day at Solider Field in 1971. The Bears won the game, 17-15, thanks to Butkus’ forced fumble.

? Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports revealed some sobering numbers on Matt Canada’s offense. Since Canada became the Steelers’ OC in 2021, Pittsburgh ranks 28th in points per game (18.8), 26th in yards per game (313.1) and 30th in yards per play (4.9). The Steelers also haven’t recorded 400 yards in a regular season game since Week 2 of the 2020 season, which predates Canada, but 38 of the 52 games have been under him.

? The Baltimore Ravens defense has allowed a touchdown on just 3 of 48 drives this season (6.3%). It ranks first in the NFL.

? Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network believes Najee Harris’ comments defending the coaches were calculated.

“Harris is very smart. He played at Alabama. He has been through an intense media environment and intense media circuit. He has seen the criticism,” Rapoport said. “There is a lot that he has been through. This all leads me to believe that this is on purpose. This is calculated. To me he wants to look in the mirror. He wants to focus on the players, knowing that it’s on the coaches.”

? The official Miami of Ohio football account on X posted a throwback to Ben Roethlisberger’s four-touchdown, 440-yard performance against Bowling Green in the MAC Championship 20 years ago. Roethlisberger’s banner game led the RedHawks to a 49-27 victory and a championship.

? Former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown reflected on the good old days with Ben Roethlisberger on X.

? Happy 68th birthday to former Steelers defensive back and coach Tony Dungy. Dungy played two seasons with the Steelers in 1977 and 1978, when he had six interceptions to lead the Steelers on their way to Super Bowl XIII.

After his playing career, Dungy was the Steelers’ defensive backs coach from 1981-83 and defensive coordinator from 1984-88. He became an NFL head coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996. In his time in Tampa, he became a mentor to current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

In 2007, Dungy led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl XLI victory, becoming the first African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl.

? Steel City Star posted Ben Roethlisberger’s game-winning drive against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008. Thursday marked the 15th anniversary of the game.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins waived Alex Nylander and set five others to the AHL.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Oneil Cruz is on the verge of taking a significant step.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt’s Phil Jurkovec is moving to tight end.

West Virginia Sports Now: Grading WVU football at the bye week.

Nittany Sports Now: Penn State has a new future football schedule.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Pitt women’s soccer took down No. 22 Duke, 2-1.