Steelers Daily News & Links: AB Blasts Hines, Pittsburgh Draft Needs

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.

🏈 NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on Steelers Nation Radio that this year’s draft lines up well with the potential needs of the Steelers.

“If you need a corner or tackle, it’s a good draft,” Jeremiah said. “I think the tricky thing is going to be you’re going to have to pass up the center, and if you pass your center, (you’re) probably going to have to wait until round three or four.”

🏈 Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw 12 touchdown passes in two games in 2014. Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph threw a combined 13 touchdowns in 2023.

🏈 Kenny Pickett has thrown a touchdown on 1.8% of his passes in the NFL. That’s the lowest out of all 391 QBs with at least 500 attempts in NFL history, per Scott Kacsmar.

🏈 The Steelers’ 9-2 record in one-score games in 2023 was the best in the league.

🏈 Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones, a member of the Competition Committee, said discussion on the proposal to change the rule about fumbling through the end zone has “died,” per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

🏈 Former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown said he plans on going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027 as a Steeler. He also blasted Hines Ward in the process.

“Obviously I’m gonna go down with the Steelers, I got more stats than Hines Ward and receiving yards,” Brown said on the Cam Capone News podcast.

Ward holds the Steelers all-time record in receptions (1,000), yards (12,083) and touchdowns (85). Brown had 837 catches with the Steelers for 11,207 and 74 touchdowns. Overall, Brown has more career receiving yards with 12,291. He had 83 touchdowns with 928 catches over 146 career games. While Ward does have better stats with the Steelers, it took him 217 games compared to 130 for Brown.

“Yeah, he can’t f*** with me like, he can’t even wear my jock strap,” Brown said. “Hines Ward is my stepson.

“He’s a baby wipe, I’m constipated and I’m still s****ing on him,” Brown added. “And I had to deal with more adversity and more criticism.

“Obviously I’m gonna go down with the Steelers, I got more stats than Hines Ward and receiving yards,” Brown said. “Yeah, he can’t f*** with me like, he can’t even wear my jock strap. Hines Ward is my stepson.

“He’s a baby wipe, I’m constipated and I’m still s****ing on him,” Brown added. “And I had to deal with more adversity and more criticism. I’m letting you know what a guy got to deal with when he been so great. Hines Ward can’t f*** with me.”

🏈 Former Steelers running back and team scout Merril Hoge reiterated on the The Herd with Colin Cowherd that North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye isn’t worthy of a first-round pick.

"I wouldn't take him in the first round."

— @merrilhoge to @ColinCowherd on Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/3bPuTnmKql

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 27, 2024

🎂 Happy Birthday to former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, born on February 28, 1962 in Augusta, Georgia. Whisenhunt was the Steelers’ OC from 2004-2006. One of Whisenhunt’s most famous moments as a Steeler is the trick play he called in Super Bowl XL. With Pittsburgh leading 14–10 over the Seattle Seahawks, Whisenhunt called a wide receiver reverse pass (Antwaan Randle El to Hines Ward), that allowed Pittsburgh to extend the lead over the Seahawks. In 2007, Whisenhunt was named the Arizona Cardinals head coach. After initial success in Arizona, Whisenhunt was fired after three consecutive losing seasons following the 2012 season. Whisenhunt was also the Tennessee Titans head coach from 2014-2015. He’s currently serves as the special assistant to the head coach at Alabama.

🎥 Stephen A. Smith sees Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, or Russell Wilson as the Steelers’ next quarterback.

“You cannot go into next season with Kenny Pickett zeroed in as your likely starter. That just cannot happen,” Smith said on First Take.

.@stephenasmith sees Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, or Russell Wilson as the Steelers' next QB:

"You cannot go into next season with Kenny Pickett zeroed in as your likely starter. That just cannot happen." pic.twitter.com/gPNbPnXZnX

— First Take (@FirstTake) February 27, 2024

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Erik Karlsson scored in overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a huge win over the Vancouver Canucks.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a grand slam as the Pittsburgh Pirates clobbered the Atlanta Braves in Grapefruit League action.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt basketball lost a crucial game at Clemson, falling to the Tigers 69-62 and putting their NCAA Tournament hopes on thin ice.

West Virginia Sports Now: The once-promising WVU women’s basketball team has now lost three straight games.

Nittany Sports Now: A slow start doomed Penn State basketball in its loss at Iowa.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will be on national TV four times in 2024.