Steelers Daily Links: Najee Harris Getting Faster, Peterson Circles Games

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is focused on getting faster this offseason, and new cornerback Patrick Peterson has already circled some games on the team’s 2023 schedule.

🏈 The Draft Network: Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints held private dinner meetings with Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo over the last few weeks. Along with having a private dinner, Ringo has also met with the Steelers formally at the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ringo allowed just one touchdown on 545 coverage snaps last season at Georgia. He also forced 11 incompletions.

🏈 Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson said on the NFL Network that he’s looking forward to going up against Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams the most in 2023. Peterson also said he has the game against the Arizona Cardinals circled. It will be the third straight year that Peterson will face his former team.

🏈 ESPN: With Lamar Jackson’s contract dispute still unresolved, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged the possibility of Baltimore selecting a quarterback in the first round.

“It depends on the board, it really does,” DeCosta said during the Ravens pre-draft press conference. “I mean, I’d have to say yes because we have quarterbacks in our top 31. So just based on that alone, simple math, I would have to say yes.”

🏈 Najee Harris has been working with Fast University in Katy, Texas this offseason to work on his speed.

Football players are able to develop:

✅Efficient Movement Patterns
✅More Power And Stability
✅Energy Systems to Play Faster Longer.
✅Proper Mechanics and Body Positions to Prevent Injury.

Athlete: @ohthatsNajee22 pic.twitter.com/Ubb8uhU1bB

— Fast University (@fasterperiod) April 5, 2023

🏈 Irish Breakdown: Jerome Bettis Jr. spoke with Justin Roberts of Irish Breakdown about the magnitude of receiving an offer from Notre Dame, the same school that his dad starred at in the early 1990s.

“I did talk to Chad Bowden, the head of recruiting, and one of the things he wanted to assure me on was that they were calling me because of me and not necessarily because of my father,” Bettis explained. “That was something that was super special to me that they were emphasizing that they wanted me as a football player and a person, rather than just my name. That was super important to me and special.

“It was super special. Being raised a Notre Dame fan, growing up in that environment, I’ve been a fan since I was as long as I can remember really. Being in that environment, I always wanted to be a Notre Dame football player and wear the Blue and Gold since I was a little kid. It has been a dream of mine watching on Saturdays ever since I was young.”

🏈 Kenny Pickett displayed his arm strength while training with personal quarterback coach Tony Racioppi in New Jersey.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett working Gun 5 Quick and Reset throwing Skinny Big Post as an alert vs Cov 4 putting ball on hash to NFL FA WR Gene Coleman. @TEST_Football @kennypickett10 @Cole5imba @steelers @MikeSullivan89 @WME_Sports #steelers pic.twitter.com/nzhdCgfGwb

— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) April 5, 2023

DRAFT DIGEST: Steelers Hosting Giant Defensive Lineman

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Aliquippa running back Tiqwae Hayes received an offer from Ohio State.

West Virginia Sports Now: Rick Pitino and his St. John’s squad are coming to Morgantown to face WVU and Bob Huggins this fall.

Nittany Sports Now: Penn State has added Minnesota running back and Williamsport native Trey Potts out of the transfer portal.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins have signed their top goaltending prospect, Joel Blomqvist, to an entry-level contract.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Another blackout? Burnett, McHenry, McCutchen call for fans to wear black at Pirates home opener.