Williams Extension Could Affect Lawrence Timmons
- The Steelers extended linebacker Vince Williams through 2018 earlier today, and that deal could have an impact on veteran defender Lawrence Timmons, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Timmons, 30, is entering the final season of his current contract, and recent reports have indicated that he isn’t close to a long-term extension with Pittsburgh. If the two sides can’t hammer anything out before next spring, the Steelers now have a ready-made replacement in the form of Williams.
- As part of its PED investigation, the NFL will interview Steelers linebacker James Harrison on Thursday, not Tuesday the 30th as originally reported.
NFL To Interview James Harrison On Thursday
While a prior report indicated the NFL would meet with Steelers linebacker James Harrison next Tuesday regarding recent PED allegations, the league will instead come to Pittsburgh this Thursday, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. the NFL had always wanted to talk this week — and in fact set a August 25 deadline — but Harrison wanted to speak next week, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter links).
Last week, the NFL stated that the four players involved in the PED scandal — Harrsion, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, and Mike Neal — would be required to submit to interviews by Thursday or face suspension. The NFL received written statements from the four players in question at the end of last month, and the NFLPA is of the opinion that those affadavits qualify as “cooperation.” The league disagrees, and is still requiring the individuals to partake in in-person interviews.
Harrison, for his part, has said he never denied any interview, but claimed he’d like for the meeting to be televised (and also referred to commissioner Roger Goodell as a “crook”). He, Matthews, and Peppers agreed to sit-downs, but Neal was of a different mind, at least originally. One report indicated that Neal had no intention of meeting with the NFL given that he’s considering retirement, but that notion was quickly disputed, and Neal will interview with the league.
Matthews and Peppers will meet with NFL officials in Green Bay tomorrow, while Neal is scheduled to sit down with the league in Chicago on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Steelers Extend LB Vince Williams
The Steelers announced that they’ve reached a three-year extension with linebacker Vince Williams. The new deal will begin this season, meaning Williams is now locked up through the 2018 campaign.
[RELATED: CB Keenan Lewis to visit Steelers]
Williams, 26, started 11 games during his rookie season in 2013, but has since been relegated to a backup role — he’s appeared in all 32 contests over the past two years, but has started only two games during that time. Given the presence of Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons at inside ‘backer, Williams doesn’t figure to see much action with Pittsburgh during the upcoming season, but that’s not to say he isn’t a valuable commodity.
Though he played only 192 defensive snaps in 2015, Willams saw time on 300 special teams plays, meaning he was on the field for more than two-thirds of the Steelers’ ST snaps. The former Florida State Seminole picked up 25 tackles a year ago, adding a half-sack and two fumble recoveries for good measure. And, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets, Williams might boast the league’s best bio picture on NFL.com.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Four New Teams Interested In Keenan Lewis
The Lions, Jets, Cardinals and an unidentified NFC South team have made preliminary inquiries on Keenan Lewis, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Earlier today, we learned that at least six teams have shown interest in Lewis, including the Steelers who will be hosting Lewis on a visit. 
The Lions are quite young at cornerback with 25-year-olds Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson in starting roles. Behind them are Quandre Diggs (24), Alex Carter (22), Darrin Walls (28), and Crezdon Butler (29). The 30-year-old Lewis could bring some veteran experience to a group that lost Rashean Mathis to retirement in the offseason.
Lewis says that he is particularly intrigued by the possibility of joining the Jets or Cardinals (link):
“I wouldn’t mind playing with (Darrelle) Revis. Bruce Arians was also coaching with the Steelers when I was there. I wouldn’t mind playing with Patrick Peterson too. Those teams are only getting stronger. I just want to put myself in the best situation. I want to play two to three more years and my goal is to win a Super Bowl.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ramon Foster Tells Players To Save Money For CBA Fight
Steelers player rep Ramon Foster is prepared for a tussle over the collective bargaining agreement in 2020 and says players should be prepared to sit out games, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Because the league could be headed towards a strike or lockout, Foster is hoping players will save up now. “Hit them in the pocket,” said Foster of the league. “Money always talks.”
- Recently-released cornerback Keenan Lewis will head to Pittsburgh tonight for a visit with the Steelers, for whom he played from 2009-12.
Keenan Lewis To Visit Steelers
Former Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis is going to Pittsburgh tonight for a visit with the Steelers, a source tells Josh Katzenstein of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Lewis has drawn interest from at least six teams, Katzenstein adds. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter) also hears that the Steelers have interest in Lewis, though he says that his hip injury is a concern.
Lewis, 30, was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2009 draft. He went on to spent the first four seasons of his career in Pittsburgh before signing a five-year, $26.3MM deal with his native New Orleans in March 2013. The ex-Oregon State standout started in all 16 of the Saints’ regular-season games in both 2013 and 2014, something he had also done in his final year with the Steelers, before injuries held him to a mere six contests in 2015.
The Steelers, meanwhile, could use some help at cornerback after learning that Senquez Golson has suffered yet another setback.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Sets Dates For PED Interviews
The NFL will meet with Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers in Green Bay on Wednesday to discuss the league’s ongoing PED investigation, a source tells Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter links). Steelers linebacker James Harrison‘s interview will take place on August 30 in Pittsburgh, while free agent Mike Neal will sit down with the league this Thursday in Chicago.
Last week, the NFL stated that the four players involved in the PED scandal — which was spurred by an Al-Jazeera documentary that aired earlier this year — would be required to submit to interviews by August 25 or face suspension. The NFL received written statements from the four players in question at the end of last month, and the NFLPA is of the opinion that those affadavits qualify as “cooperation.” The league disagrees, and is still requiring the individuals to partake in in-person interviews.
Harrison, for his part, has said he never denied any interview, but claimed he’d like like for the meeting to be televised (and also referred to commissioner Roger Goodell as a “crook”). He, Matthews, and Peppers agreed to sit-downs, but Neal was of a different mind, at least originally. One report indicated that Neal had no intention of meeting with the NFL given that he’s considering retirement, but that notion was quickly disputed, and Neal will interview with the league.
“We’ve spent the last few days advising our players and letting them know in a completely honest and open way exactly what their options are, what they want to do,” NFLPA president Eric Winston said last week. “Each case is different, each guy is different. Each guy might want to do different things so no matter what we’re going fight for them like crazy like we always do, and we’re going go and have our players’ backs. That’s what we’re all about and that’s all we can do and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Le’Veon Bell Speaks About Suspension
After having his four-game suspension reduced to three games as part of a settlement between the NFL and NFLPA, Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell spoke briefly about his punishment on Saturday, and he largely took ownership of his mistake (AP article via ESPN.com). Bell said, “I already apologized to my teammates, my coaches and Steeler Nation. I’m sincerely sorry about everything I put everybody through. It’s been frustrating, and I own up to everything. It’s all my fault, and I can’t blame nobody else for that.”
Of course, this marks the second time that Bell has been suspended in his professional career. He sat out the first two games of the 2015 season as punishment for his arrest in August 2014 on DUI and marijuana possession charges following a traffic stop. On that point, Bell said, “It [stinks] to keep having to miss time. I want to play football and be out there with my teammates. I accept the suspension. I just have to learn from this and move on.”
At the same time he appeared to accept full responsibility for the suspension, Bell also attempted to deflect some criticism, as Ray Fittipaldo of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes. Bell indicated that the video he posted on social media on Friday — one he later deleted — included everything he wanted to say about this matter, and in that video he claimed he was not able to come to the Steelers’ facility for testing in December and January and that the drug testers were unable to come to him. He also said he overslept in April when a test was to be administered at 5:37 in the morning.
When pressed Saturday on whether the process was fair, Bell said, “It’s not that hard of a process. I didn’t do everything right. I didn’t do everything wrong either. I just want to move on from it and keep pushing.”
Bell will miss the first three games of the regular season against the Redskins, Bengals and Eagles, but he will be eligible to return on September 26 before the Steelers’ Week 4 home game against the Chiefs. He will be allowed to train at the team’s practice facility, but he won’t be allowed to practice during his suspension.
Veteran back DeAngelo Williams, who thrived in his first season with the Steelers in 2015, will again shoulder the load in Bell’s absence, as Roster Resource indicates.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Steelers Add Bryn Renner
- Down Bruce Gradkowski to injury, the Steelers signed Bryn Renner, the team announced. The Steelers also added guard Antoine Everett, cut Christian Powell and waived/injured center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke. Renner spent two months with the Chargers earlier this year, but the Bolts’ claim of Zach Mettenberger resulted in the former North Carolina UDFA being jettisoned. The 26-year-old Renner spent much of 2015 with the Ravens, spending the offseason in Baltimore and, after being cut, catching on with the team’s practice squad in December.
Steelers Notes: Bell, Green, Jones, Vaughan
The Steelers don’t have many reasons to trust Le’Veon Bell at the moment, argues Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, and it’s possible that sentiment infects contract talks with the pending free agent. Earlier this week, Bell saw his suspension reduced from four games to three, but that doesn’t excuse the missed drug tests, DUI, and marijuana busts, as Fowler writes, adding that Pittsburgh “probably won’t know what to expect from him off the field until he proves it over time.” On the flip side, the Steelers laud Bell for his work ethic and his interactions with fans, so he’s clearly not a character problem in the traditional sense of the term. How exactly Pittsburgh views Bell and his off-field questions could affect his future with the club and any negotiations the two sides might have over the next seven months or so.
More from the Steel City:
- Tight end Ladarius Green went on the record to deny that he’s been dealing with headache issues, and once again reiterated that it’s an ankle injury that’s been keeping him on the PUP list and off the field. Reports have indicated that Green is suffering from the aftereffects of multiple concussions, and has even contemplated retirement, another storyline that Green challenged. “I am wondering who said this,” Green told Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune. “I don’t think I spoke about retiring no time soon. I am only 26 so I don’t think I am retiring anytime soon.”
- Though Bruce Gradkowski could be sidelined for some time after tearing his hamstring, the Steelers figure to stand pat with Landry Jones as their backup quarterback, writes Fowler in a separate piece. Jones was solid during training camp, and as Fowler adds, the veteran QB market is extremely thin. Pittsburgh did sign Bryn Renner earlier today, but that was primarily a reaction to third-stringer Dustin Vaughan suffering a broken thumb, tweets Kaboly.
- Last week, veteran linebacker James Harrison — along with Packers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers — agreed to future interviews with the NFL about an ongoing PED investigation. Harrison went on to blast Roger Goodell, referring to the commissioner as a “crook” and saying he’d like to have the interviews televised.