Daily Links: Steelers, NFL Teams Support Damar Hamlin; Hall of Fame Finalists Today
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL continued to show support to Buffalo Bills safety and Pittsburgh native Damar Hamlin, who remains hospitalized in Cincinnati on Wednesday, with a coordinated social media campaign on Tuesday afternoon.
? The Pittsburgh Steelers and every other NFL team have https://twitter.com/ASaunders_PGH/status/1610372359763927040″>changed
their social media profile pictures to a message of support for Damar Hamlin.
? The Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL Network, out of respect for Damar Hamlin, have agreed to https://twitter.com/MaryKayCabot/status/1610343794485903361″>postpone
the release of the names of the 15 finalists in the Modern-Era Players category by at least 24 hours. Tentatively set for Wednesday Jan. 4, 8 p.m. Hines Ward and James Harrison are semifinalists.
? The suspended Bills-Bengals game from Monday night will not be replayed this week, as both teams will move forward with plans for their Week 18 games. The NFL said it could be replayed at a later date.
? Tuesday marked the https://twitter.com/_BigBen7/status/1610435950835802121″>one-year
anniversary of Ben Roethlisberger’s last game at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger was victorious in his swan song in front of the Black and Gold faithful, as the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns, 26-14.
? Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus is https://twitter.com/FanMorningShow/status/1610261794278281217″>highly
impressed by Kenny Pickett’s composure for a rookie. “Kenny is HIM … He is not overwhelmed, which is the most important thing you can say about a rookie,” Spielberger said on 93.7 The Fan.
? According to Scott Kacsmar, Kenny Pickett has the https://twitter.com/ScottKacsmar/status/1610434553214107652″>second-lowest
touchdown pass percentage (1.7%) in NFL history (min. 350 passes). Only Trent Dilfer in 1995 (1.0%) has a lower percentage. Pickett has six touchdown passes on 360 pass attempts.
? Former Steelers long snapper Kameron Canaday was https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/1610428244796252169″>signed
to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad on Tuesday. Canaday beat out Joe Fortunato, Jordan Silver and Steven Wirtel in a tryout.
? Rich Eisen delivered a message to Steelers fans who want to move on from Mike Tomlin, despite the fact that he’s never had a losing season in his 15 years as head coach. That streak could be extended to 16 if the Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
? Nate Burleson shared a https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1609562515176058880″>hilarious
Mike Tomlin story on the CBS pregame show.
? The Steelers are 7-2 and have allowed 17.2 points per game with T.J. Watt in the starting lineup this season. Without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, the Steelers are 1-6 and have surrendered 25.3 points per game. The stark contrast in the numbers are truly astonishing. The “Watt Effect” is real.
The @steelers are 7-2 and have allowed 17.2 points/game with LB @_TJWatt in the starting lineup this season.
How do the fare with and without the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2022? pic.twitter.com/xKonOq1mu3
— Michael Bertsch (@SteelersPRMike) January 2, 2023
? Happy birthday to former Steelers tackle John Jackson, who turns 58 today, and former Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu, who turns 40.
? On this date, Jan. 4, 1976, the Steelers beat the Oakland Raiders, 16-10 to win their second consecutive AFC Championship Game. The Steelers led 3-0 after three quarters, but Franco Harris scored early in the fourth quarter, and Terry Bradshaw found John Stallworth for a 20-yard score after a Jack Lambert fumble recovery to keep Pittsburgh ahead as the Raiders charged back. Mel Blount tackled Cliff Branch in bounds on the game’s final play to seal the victory. The Steelers went on to win their second consecutive Super Bowl.
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STEELERS DRAFT DIGEST
? In a new mock draft done by Pro Football Network’s Kent Platte, the Steelers land Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski. That could be a dream pick for the Steelers, and Platte’s reasoning behind the idea of Skoronski becoming a Steeler is very simple.
“What has been less painful to watch is the progression of Kenny Pickett, who seems like he’s headed in the right direction after a pretty dreadful start to his NFL career,” Platte wrote. “When you have that kind of movement, you want to build on that momentum if you can.”
? Florida State DB Jammie Robinson declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Robinson is a freak athlete with 46 tackles, 1 interception, and 5 passes defenses in the 2022 season for the Seminoles. As it stands, Robinson is likely to be a mid-round pick and projects as a safety.
STEELERS SCHEDULE
? The Pittsburgh Steelers have an open locker room at 10:45 a.m., and practice at 12:15 p.m. — Alan Saunders
? The Pro Football Hall of Fame will announce its 15 modern era finalists on NFL Network at 8 p.m. — Alan Saunders, Chris Ward
AROUND THE NETWORK
Pitt basketball stormed back to upset No. 11 Virginia, 68-65 for the Panthers’ fifth straight victory and second in a row against a ranked opponent.
The Penguins have recalled goaltender Dustin Tokarski from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in light of the injury to starter Tristan Jarry in the Winter Classic.
WVU basketball is back to square one after a frustrating loss to Oklahoma State.
Nick Singleton evoked memories of Saquon Barkley with his legendary Rose Bowl performance.
Could the Pirates trade pitcher JT Brubaker?
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