Daily News & Links: 3rd Down Woes, Ex-Steelers Sound Off

Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL and around the Sports Now Group.

? On the heels of the George Pickens saga, former Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix shared some insight on what it’s like to play for Mike Tomlin.

“Coach T used to come up to me everyday and I mean every single day, didn’t matter if I was by myself or around people, when he seen me everyday he would say ‘Just make sure you justify your existence today Rosie,'” Nix wrote on X.

? Former Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams shared what it’s like to come up in the Steelers organization as a low-to-no round player. Williams played eight seasons in Pittsburgh after being a sixth-round pick out of Florida State in 2013.

“The Steelers’ knack for transforming outcast and low-to-no rounders into productive players hinges on the internal drive and natural overachievement of those individuals. The Steelers didn’t create the uniqueness of these players, but rather provided them with the opportunity and environment to unleash their potential and become extraordinary,” Williams wrote on X. “The result of this process is discovering numerous hidden football gems. However, even though we excel at unearthing talent, if you lack high motivation or passion for your craft, you will encounter issues.

“The Steelers have a mixed track record when it comes to player development. On one hand, they do offer an environment that allows you to evolve into the player you aspire to be, with no restrictions or limits on your growth. As an undrafted free agent, you have the potential to/become a perennial Pro Bowler, and a former underachiever can revitalize their career without any biases. In the end, everything hinges on the level of drive an individual has. If you don’t have the right mindset and a desire to reach your potential, then Omar will trading you.”

? Former NFL linebacker and current analyst at FS1 Emmanuel Acho thinks the 2023 Eagles are the 2020 Steelers. The Eagles have lost three in a row after starting the season 10-1. The Steelers had an epic collapse in 2020 after starting the season 11-0, losing five of their last six games, including the embarrassing playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field in the wild-card round.

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? Former Indianapolis Colts center and interim head coach Jeff Saturday thinks Steelers strong safety Damontae Kazee got exactly what he deserves in being suspended for the rest of the season for his illegal hit on Michael Pittman Jr. in Saturday’s loss to the Colts.

“As far as where he is, he fully deserved to be kicked out of that game. He deserves the suspensions because, again, you get to a certain point where – as a player – I’m all about live action, man. We ain’t running away from it. We understand we play a game that has the potential to be very dangerous and very violent, but we also understand that every player that lines up wants to go home and be with their family after the game is over,” Saturday said on ESPN’s First Take.

Saturday continued, “So, if you are limiting multiple people’s opportunity to do that (go home to their families) because you keep doing the same thing over and over and over, and you’ve had fines reduced or whatever the league is doing to you, at some point, enough is enough. So, I think that’s where, to me, it is probably a fair deal because it is. Five in a year? Dang, bro.”

? On Tuesday, T.J. and his wife Dani Watt packed meals with interns from Café Momentum and delivered them to 412 Youth Zone along with winter coats and blankets. 412 Youth Zone provides a safe and welcoming environment for young people in our community.

? Happy Birthday to former Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant, born on December 20, 1991, in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina. Bryant is currently on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad after being out of the NFL for five years. Bryant, 31, was suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in 2018 after several failed drug tests for marijuana usage. He applied for reinstatement in 2019, but spent four years waiting to be reinstated. Selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Bryant spent the first three seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, catching 126 passes for 1,917 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Steelers traded Bryant to the Oakland Raiders before the 2018 season, but he played in just eight games before the suspension.

? NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger broke down the Steelers’ inefficiencies on third down in the loss to the Colts. The Steelers were 4 of 12 on third down (33%). Mike Tomlin said during his Monday press conference that the miscommunication between Mitch Trubisky and Pat Freiermuth on third-and-3 at the end of the first half was a significant play in the game, as the Colts countered the mishap with a 3-play, 74-yard touchdown drive to take a 14-13 lead at halftime.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Scoring depth at forward has finally emerged for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: He’s back! The Pirates have re-signed Andrew McCutchen on a one-year deal for 2024.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt football landed a transfer portal commitment from a former Oregon State tight end.

West Virginia Sports Now: RaeQuan Battle is expected to finally make his WVU basketball debut.

Nittany Sports Now: Quinton Martin’s high school coach thinks Penn State is getting a good one.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Pitt soccer midfielder Filip Mirkovic was selected in the MLS SuperDraft.