Yankees agree to deal for veteran Andrew McCutchen

By Joel Sherman

https://nypost.com/2018/08/30/yankees-trade-for-veteran-outfielder-andrew-mccutchen/

August 30, 2018

Kiel Maddox/USA Today Sports

Andrew McCutchen is a shadow of the player he was when he won the 2013 NL MVP award. But he is still an extraordinary upgrade on Shane Robinson and as good an insurance policy for Aaron Judge as the Yankees could get this late in a season.

That is why the Yankees agreed to a trade with the Giants Thursday night that would send them McCutchen for two minor leaguers. The deal was considered near the finish line, but not done. As long as it is completed by Friday midnight, McCutchen would be eligible to be on the Yankees’ playoff roster.

The Yankees have been without Judge, who has a chip fracture of his right wrist, since July 27. Initially they had hoped he could return in three weeks, but then amended that to 5-6 weeks. Five weeks into the healing, however, Judge has not yet swung a bat. Even if he returns now, the Yankees cannot be sure, because of his violent swing, what they will be getting at this late date.

Clint Frazier (who began a rehab stint Thursday) and Jacoby Ellsbury (out for the year) also have not been available and the Yankees in recent years have traded a load of outfielders such as Ben Gamel, Billy McKinney and Jake Cave, who could be on the major league roster now.

That has had them playing Neil Walker out of position in right field or turning to the journeyman Robinson, whose 0-for-4 in an 8-7 loss Thursday to the Tigers dropped his average to .143. In addition, Aaron Boone has probably had to play Brett Gardner more than he had hoped through this outfield injury period and even use Giancarlo Stanton more than he had hoped.

McCutchen, even diminished with his 32nd birthday approaching in October, is still a starting major league outfielder. He is hitting .255 this year with 15 homers and a .772 OPS, while playing exclusively in right field. McCutchen got through waivers, which meant he could be traded to any team.

McCutchen is making $14.75 million this year, but as part of the trade last offseason that sent him from the Pirates to the Giants, Pittsburgh picked up $2.5 million. Thus, McCutchen has roughly $2 million left. Even if the Yankees picked up that whole amount, it would not put them over the $197 million luxury-tax threshold that they have vowed to stay beneath.

One of the two prospects the Giants would receive is infielder Abiatal Avelino, who between Double- and Triple-A, was hitting .287 with 15 homers this year.

Nice gesture: Mean Green to honor alum 'Mean' Joe Greene with statue

By Adam Rittenberg

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/

August 29, 2018

When North Texas Mean Green fans come to Apogee Stadium on Sept. 29, "Mean" Joe Greene will be waiting for them.

North Texas today announced plans to build a statue of Greene, a former All-American at the school and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, at the main gate of the stadium. The statue will be unveiled Sept. 29, before the Mean Green host Louisiana Tech.

"For over 50 years, Joe Greene has made a tremendous impact on our university and the athletic program," athletic director Wren Baker said in a prepared statement. "As a football player, as an alumnus and as a regent, he has made significant contributions to this campus and brought great honor to the Mean Green family. He is one of the greatest defensive linemen in the history of football and he's one of us. We are very excited to recognize Joe's achievements and contributions with this statue."

Greene earned consensus All-America honors for North Texas in 1968 before the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him fourth overall in the 1969 NFL draft. In 1983, Greene became the first black person appointed to North Texas' board of regents. In May, the regents approved a new campus residence hall to be named after Greene, 71.

Despite his deep ties to the program, the "Mean Green" nickname is not related to Greene.

The 8-foot bronze statue will be mounted on a 4-foot pedestal. Brian Hanlon, who has sculpted statues of Jackie Robinson, Jim Brown, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, will build the Greene statue.

"I am overwhelmed by the thought of a Joe Greene statue at the University of North Texas," Greene said in a prepared statement. "It is beyond my wildest expectations that the university thought enough of me as a player and a person to bestow such an honor to me and my family. It will be special for my kids, grandkids and all the generations that follow to see their father and grandfather displayed in such a manner."

North Texas also will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its future indoor football practice facility on Sept. 29.

Ben Roethlisberger's arm routine: Less ice, more weights, more zip

By Jeremy Fowler

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/

August 29, 2018

Ben Roethlisberger August 9th (James Lang/USA Today Sports)

PITTSBURGH -- Maurkice Pouncey had a direct question for Ben Roethlisberger upon the quarterback's arrival to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp as a smaller Big Ben.

"I said, 'You've got a beach body, what's going on?'" Pouncey recalled. "The kids got you looking right?"

Roethlisberger slimmed down to keep his knee joints fresh after several injuries, but another body part perked up in the process: A right arm that the quarterback says "feels stronger than it ever has."

Teammates have noticed Roethlisberger working out more often in the weight room and getting less rest during practices, throwing early and often with authority.

Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner recalls a recent practice when Roethlisberger threw dozens of footballs off to the side, targeting tight ends, receivers and even a big, gray garbage pail from about 40 yards out. Roethlisberger had his script of practice plays in team drills, which was fairly light that day, but he wasn't on a pitch count during the side action, or most other times.

The quarterback told ESPN the team typically tracks his throwing attempts each day, but he really hasn't had to keep track.

"I haven't had to ice it and I haven't felt any pain," said Roethlisberger, 36. "That's always a positive. For me it's about knowing the days -- is it a day off, a full day or a half day."

That has been the three-day cycle Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin prescribed the past few years, but Roethlisberger appears to be doing much more on half days now. Tomlin calls Roethlisberger's arm maintenance a "fluid process that includes dialogue" daily.

With Roethlisberger declaring publicly he wants to play another three to five years, players are seeing him validate those words behind the scenes. Or, as Pouncey says, giving "everyone what they want to see."

Arm strength hasn't been an issue for Roethlisberger in the past, but Fichtner has noticed Roethlisberger isn't bothered by heavy workloads, no longer touching his elbow after throws, moving his shoulder in a circular motion or carrying several bags of ice after long throwing sessions.

"He looks good, looks like he doesn't need much time to get loose, doesn't need much time to warm up out there," tight end Jesse James said. "When the tight ends and wideouts are out there, he can throw however many times he wants. His arm has always been strong. I'm not surprised he took a little bit more action this offseason, coming in in better shape and being ready for it. Fifteen years is a long time. You probably need to take a few extra [preparation] steps to get going."

Roethlisberger isn't worried about throwing the ball 70 yards downfield, he says. His arm goals are mainly for maintenance and longevity, quickly getting the ball to playmakers for yards after the catch and setting up the occasional deep ball.

The Steelers are expecting one of Roethlisberger's best years, with Tomlin recently calling his preseason "awesome."

"He's taken a lot of [hits] and is trying to maintain your body a certain way," Pouncey said. "Quarterbacks have to stay sharp. They have to be the smartest players on the field. They have to stay in great shape. I think he looks amazing."

Steelers acquiring WR Ryan Switzer from Raiders

By Jeremy Fowler

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/

August 27, 2018

PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers are acquiring wide receiver Ryan Switzer, along with a 2019 sixth-round pick, in a trade with the Oakland Raiders.

The Steelers will send a 2019 fifth-round pick to Oakland in the deal, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said.

Pittsburgh released WR Justin Thomas in a corresponding move.

Switzer, a fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2017 who has been traded twice in the past 121 days, finished his rookie year with six catches for 41 yards.

The Steelers need help in the return game, and Switzer has experience in that area. Last year, Switzer posted 256 punt return yards and one touchdown on 29 tries (8.8 yards per attempt, ranking 12th in the league), along with 600 kickoff return yards on 24 tries (25 yards per attempt, third leaguewide).

Steelers punt returner Cam Sutton fumbled on his first attempt Saturday against the Titans. Running back Fitz Toussaint handled the first kickoff of the game but is not a lock to make the team. Switzer also provides slot receiver depth, but the Steelers are in decent shape there with JuJu Smith-Schuster as an inside-out weapon and Eli Rogers returning soon from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The Steelers have been more willing to make preseason trades in recent years, dealing for tight end Vance McDonald and safety J.J. Wilcox.

This is the second trade between the Steelers and Raiders this offseason. During the draft, Oakland acquired receiver Martavis Bryant for a third-round pick.

The good, the bad and the ugly from Steelers' win vs. Titans

By Tim Benz
https://triblive.com/sports/columnists/timbenz/breakfastwithbenz/14014593-74/tim-benz-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-from-steelers-win
August 26, 2018


Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) returns an interception during the preseason NFL game on Saturday.

There was more good than bad to come out of the Steelers' 16-6 preseason win against the Titans on Saturday. Most of the good came from the defense. That's particularly good because last time out against the Packers, the defense was ... particularly bad.

Dare I say "ugly?"

So here's a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from Week 3 of the preseason.

THE GOOD

THE DEFENSIVE FRONT

For as bad as the defense might have been up front in Green Bay, it was every bit that good against Tennessee.

Getting Cameron Heyward on the field certainly helped. He played well and had a sack in his preseason debut. On the other side of the defensive line, Stephon Tuitt had a couple of early plays where he destroyed Tennessee blockers in the same way he did to Cleveland at the start of last year's opener before tearing his biceps. He also had a sack.

Now it's just a matter of keeping Tuitt healthy.

As we discussed after the game , the linebackers stood out. Vince Williams, Farrington Huguenin and Olasunkanmi Adeniyi registered sacks. Matthew Thomas had a team-best nine tackles.

Bud Dupree and Anthony Chickillo were credited with one tackle apiece. But both were far more active than that, creating havoc for Tennessee offensive linemen throughout the game. Dupree collapsed the pocket, taking away any escape lane on Heyward's sack in the third quarter. He also provided the pressure on Marcus Mariota to help force the throw Terrell Edmunds intercepted.

All in all, the Titans failed to average more than 2.3 yards per play against the Steelers first-team defense.

THE SECONDARY

The defensive backs — a perpetual point of concern — performed well, even without Mike Hilton and Morgan Burnett.

We didn't see the usual speeding up from the back third of the defense on bad angles. Titans ball carriers weren't running through arm tackles. And Steelers DBs weren't sticking to blocks like Velcro.

Also, Tennessee receivers weren't running through the secondary with unfettered freedom.

Edmunds had an interception. Then he showed great athleticism to bounce up and get a 30-yard return.

Marcus Allen grabbed a pick as well.

The three Tennessee quarterbacks combined for 30 dropbacks and totaled 168 yards passing.

THE RUNNING BACKS

Rookie Jaylen Samuels impressed after showing marginal results in the first two games.

He had 15 touches for 78 yards. On top of that, the N.C. State product had a nifty 17-yard catch-and-run that was negated by a penalty.

James Conner didn't do much on the ground: 18 yards on 10 carries. But he hauled in six catches for 52 yards.

THE BOZ

Chris Boswell nailed all three of his field goals. For $19 million, he better be good. Almost always, he is.

THE BAD

THE FIRST OFFENSIVE DRIVE

On their first possession, the Steelers stalled just across midfield. Ben Roethlisberger misfired on a pass to Jesse James. On third-and-4, Roethlisberger threw a 2-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Then they punted from the 42-yard line.

Why punt there? If the Steelers are going to run the risk of dressing Roethlisberger and the rest of the first-team offense, why not have them try to stay on the field for the sake of practice and try to pick up the first down?

They have three games to work on punt coverage. They had three drives to work on the first-team offense with the Pro Bowl quarterback.

Roethlisberger angrily waved at the sideline after getting pulled. He was right to do so.

Don't punt there.

THE UGLY

THE WIDE RECEIVERS

Justin Hunter made a nice 32-yard touchdown catch on a pretty throw from Roethlisberger.

But aside from that, it was a forgettable day for the pass catchers.

Tennessee rookie linebacker Robert Spillane wrestled a ball away from Hunter for an interception. JuJu Smith-Schuster had one blatant drop and failed to come down with a contested fourth-down pass. Rookies James Washington and Damoun Patterson had a combined four targets and no catches.

Steelers quarterbacks combined for 24 completions. Thirteen of those went to running backs and tight ends.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TimBenzPGH.

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Steelers must take long look at rookie ILB Matthew Thomas

By Tim Benz

https://triblive.com/sports/columnists/timbenz/breakfastwithbenz/14005664-74/tim-benz-steeler-must-take-long-look-at-rookie-ilb-matthew-thomas

August 23, 2018

(Tribune-Review)

Here’s how my first attempt to interview Steelers undrafted rookie inside linebacker Matthew Thomas went. It happened after practice Thursday.

Me: “Matthew, got a few moments?”

Thomas: “I don’t know, man. I don’t really talk.”

Me: “Oh. You don’t do interviews?”

That’s when fellow inside linebacker Jon Bostic chimed in, one locker down.

Bostic: “No, man. He doesn’t … talk. He just doesn’t talk.”

Me: “On the field?”

Bostic: “At all.”

That’s when I looked over my shoulder and saw another inside linebacker, L.J. Fort, chuckling and nodding in agreement.

Thomas seemed to take umbrage with that.

“I make more calls than that,” Thomas retorted, eventually getting his voice above a whisper.

“You said you make more calls,” Bostic questioned. “You don’t make no calls, bro!”

Next thing I knew, I was in the middle of about a four-way discussion between various defensive players about who lined up right, who lined up wrong and who dropped on a play I paid zero attention to in practice.

“Just run fast,” a dismissive Bostic ordered, giving up on the debate.

And there it is. That more or less sums up. That’s been the debate over Thomassince his Florida State days . Lots of speed and athleticism. But does he know where to line up and where to run?

Thomas is built similarly to the injured Ryan Shazier. Thomas is two inches taller and two pounds heavier. Thomas isn’t quite as fast, but he can still run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Thomas opened up his motor when he nearly tracked down Packers wide receiver Jake Kumerow in the open field last week .

But the knocks on Thomas always have been he fails to unfurl all that potential because he lacks instincts, awareness and technique .

“Running is running. But you’ve got to learn the system,” Thomas admitted. “That’s going to come eventually.”

Coach Mike Tomlin was asked Thursday if he has seen growth from Thomas in the preseason.

“Yeah, but (the rookies) all have,” Tomlin said. “If they didn’t, we wouldn’t be talking about him because we would’ve fired him by now.”

Quite a ringing endorsement, coach.

Inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky was a bit more extensive in his assessment.

“I’ve been pleased with him,” Olsavsky said. “He’s picked up the defense. He’s not perfect. But he’s athletic. And he’s not afraid.

“He’s done a great job. And we like him now.”

Pro Football Focus’ numbers sometimes come into debate. If you are a believer, so far they have Thomas rated as one of the top 10 rookies leaguewide in the preseason on defense .

Whether it was Shazier early in his career or Kendrell Bell in 2001 and ‘02, there are some Heinz Field-era examples of sacrificing a little polish at inside linebacker in the name of pure athleticism.

The Steelers should consider it again this year with Thomas. Maybe not as a starter right away. But there are snaps to be won at the position.

The converse is true of Bostic and Tyler Matakevich at inside linebacker. There seems to be faith in those two knowing the defense. The questions are simply about whether they can cover enough ground and make enough tackles to be effective.

For my money, give me the athlete who needs on-the-job training as opposed to the well-schooled player who can’t get from Point A to Point B as quickly.

This Steelers defense needs impact plays — turnovers, tackles for losses, sideline-to-sideline coverage — to get the ball back. Thomas is more likely to do that than some of the other inside linebackers.

Knowing what to do and where to go is, of course, essential. And if Thomas is utterly incapable in that regard, then this argument is moot.

But if Thomas can get the proper compass as to where he should go, he’s going to get there faster and with more force than anyone else the Steelers have at the position.

Making him learn quickly should be a top priority for Tomlin and Olsavsky.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TimBenzPGH.

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Did Steelers' WR factory strike again with James Washington?

By Jeremy Fowler

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/

August 22, 2018

Aug 16, 2018; Green Bay, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) catches a pass for a touchdown against Green Bay Packers cornerback Demetri Goodson (39) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)

PITTSBURGH -- Life for a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie receiver can change quickly.

On Thursday, James Washington captivated with two strong-arm touchdowns over Green Bay Packers defenders on his way to 114 yards, teasing the potential for a big-play guy alongside Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. In a practice two days later, coaches pulled Washington aside to explain what Ben Roethlisberger wanted on a failed goal-line play, Washington recalled. The offense huddled for the next play without him.

"I'm not used to a quarterback throwing the ball in a window 1 foot wide," said Washington about adjusting to Roethlisberger's fast pace.

Roethlisberger isn't afraid to tell young receivers to get out of the huddle from time to time if they aren't ready, said veteran receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who recognizes a skill that will keep Washington in it.

"The kid can catch," said Hewyard-Bey, who enters his fifth season with the Steelers and his 10th NFL season overall. "I keep telling him, keep displaying that. Some people have that, some don't. It's a hard thing to learn. But he has a big range, and hopefully he can do that on Sunday."

Washington, a second-round pick in April, has made contested catches all preseason, which accentuates the Steelers' penchant for selecting impact wideouts each spring.

The Steelers set a lofty standard for versatile playmaking in 2010 after turning a third-round pick and a sixth-round flier into Emmanuel Sanders and Brown. From 2011 to 2017, three of their four receivers drafted in the first four rounds produced at least one 50-catch season. Martavis Bryant and Smith-Schuster have flashed superstar qualities. Sammie Coates is the only player resembling a bust, and he produced more than 20 yards per catch in his second season.

Now there's Washington, who's moved to second string on the depth chart and is trending toward a No. 3 receiver role for opening day. Washington isn't sure why Pittsburgh drafted him but knows "the Steelers, they make good choices, I can say that for sure."

Heyward-Bey can tell the rookie why he's here: You might be unproven at the NFL level, but you fit Pittsburgh's physical, versatile mold.

"They are just looking for a guy who competes. I don't really think they care about measurables," Heyward-Bey said. "A guy who can go out here and compete and play football. It has an atmosphere of going out and doing well on Sundays. A room full of guys who can play -- you better bring it."

The Steelers require their receivers to play all three primary spots along the formation. Smith-Schuster shined as a physical slot receiver who could stretch defenses vertically on his way to 917 yards as a rookie. Bryant, traded to Oakland in April after growing discontent with his role in the offense behind Brown and Le'Veon Bell, was a true deep threat who often ran screens and reverses.

Since rookie minicamp in May, Washington has done just about everything. He's lined up in the slot, gone deep and caught practice passes from four different quarterbacks, including college teammate Mason Rudolph.

His head's spinning a bit, but that's the point.

"Knowing the entire concept of the play, from X all the way to Z. You've got to know what everybody's doing," Washington said. "I've been moving around quite a bit. It's been putting stress on me at night and before practice. I'll be in my playbook and learning stuff. Just meet with the quarterbacks, get with them and develop study habits."

Roethlisberger "runs the train" for all receivers, Heyward-Bey said. Develop chemistry with him and you've got a chance. That's Washington's next step, and they've appeared on the wrong page on multiple goal-line drills.

But the Steelers like his chances because of the way he competes.

For example, the Steelers liked that Washington ran the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and his combine, showing nothing to hide despite his 4.54-second official time. The Steelers believe his game speed is faster than that, as evidenced with a 54-yard catch Thursday when he blew past a Packers defender and had to come back for the deep ball.

"We've had fast guys in the past and count how many times they've gotten open deep," offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said. "There's a lot of ways to do that: one by strength, one by technique and one by willingness and conditioning. [Washington's] that kind of guy, and you can't deny what he's done in college [at Oklahoma State]. ... This guy comes in with several tricks."

Early in the season as Washington adjusts, the Steelers could opt for veterans Heyward-Bey or Justin Hunter to run in the three-receiver sets alongside Brown and Smith-Schuster.

But Washington has made the contested catch look routine enough that using him in the red zone seems a given.

"He didn't do anything in this stadium that we hadn't seen on the practice fields of Latrobe, so that's a good sign," coach Mike Tomlin said after Thursday's game.