Pittsburg, PA
Steelers WR Learning From Antonio Brown
PITTSBURGH — Following the third day of Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp, wide receiver Van Jefferson stayed on the field. He and fellow WR Calvin Austin III took turns catching passes from the Jugs machine and trying to deflect one another’s receptions.
Jefferson didn’t just catch a few balls after practice, he caught 300. Yes, you read that right, 300 footballs after practice. When he finally did leave the field, he was asked where this routine came from. To the surprise of the scrum, Jefferson informed the media that he learned about this practice from Steelers’ and NFL great, Antonio Brown.
“One of the equipment guys said, ‘You know, AB used to catch like 300 every day after practice.’ I just took that from them,” he said. “I think he’s one of the best to ever play in the NFL, so shoot, why not follow what he did?”
It’s a great train of thought for Jefferson, who is looking to have his best offensive season since the 2021 campaign with the Los Angeles Rams. That season, he collected 50 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs. In the years since, his production’s declined steadily, but this season is his best opportunity to change that.
Which is why a new routine makes sense for Jefferson. Before arriving in Pittsburgh, catching hundreds of balls after practice was not on his schedule. Now, it’s a way for him to show determination and contribute to a determined group of pass-catchers.
Determination is a quality that the Steelers’ wide receiver room shares. It’s one of the main things that Van Jefferson sees in his teammates at the position. When asked how to summarize the team’s WR room, Jefferson chose his words carefully.
“Hungry,” he said. “All of us are just hungry to get out on the field and show what we can do.”
Jefferson continues to bring that hunger every day of training camp, and the wide receiver room will hopefully follow suit. In the meantime, you can catch Jefferson emulating AB and catching 300 balls once practice ends.
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Pittsburg, PA
Steelers Have Weekly Plans for Justin Fields
The Pittsburgh Steelers have put their plan to increase quarterback Justin Fields’ involvement in motion, though it’s not yet a completely ironed-out component of the offense.
Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo, Fields stated that the Steelers have a package in place for him every week, though it isn’t always clear how or when he’ll be utilized.
“I have a set package each and every week,” Fields said. “I think the play-calling is random to be honest with you. It’s kind of a feel thing with Arthur [Smith]. How I’m going to be used is a question for him honestly.”
After logging three snaps and rushing for 17 yards in Pittsburgh’s Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Fields saw his reps more than doubled to seven in a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
The highlight of the 25-year-old’s day was a 30-yard run in the fourth quarter that advanced the Steelers into Cleveland territory, with the drive resulting in a Jaylen Warren touchdown. Fields’ two other attempts on the ground went for a combined -4 yards.
Pittsburgh also put their trust in him through the air on a 3rd-and-4 play while up 19-18 with 3:34 left in the contest. On his first throw since Week 6, Fields targeted George Pickens down the field but couldn’t complete the connection, which brought on the punt unit.
The Browns scored on their ensuing possession before thwarting the Steelers’ final scoring attempt of the night to clinch the victory.
Russell Wilson, who went 21-for-28 with 270 yards and a touchdown, also shared his uncertainty as to how and when Fields would be inserted into games moving forward.
“I don’t know when it’s going to happen,” Wilson said. “Whenever it does, all I want us to do is win. When Justin gets in there I’m rooting for Justin to do great and make a big play. When I go back in, it’s vice versa. We’re always rooting for each other.”
The Steelers haven’t been quiet about their intentions to continue featuring Fields. While things didn’t shake their way against the Browns as they perfect those arrangements, it’s fair to assume they’ll continue to ramp up his participation as the season continues on.
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Pittsburg, PA
KDKA-TV Morning Forecast (11/25)
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Pittsburg, PA
Wisconsin storms back against Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off
The Wisconsin Badgers are the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off champions.
Wisconsin, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 7-0 by coming back from a double-digit deficit to defeat Pittsburgh (6-1) 81-75 Sunday evening in West Virginia. The comeback completed a sweep of the showcase, having defeated Central Florida in their first game of the tip-off on Friday afternoon.
John Tonje led the Badgers with 33 points. The star guard was 11-of-19 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. It’s his second 30-point game of the season; his first was a 41-point explosion in Wisconsin’s win over then-No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 20-8 lead nearly 10 minutes into the first half before the Badgers clawed back to within 34-27 at the half.
In the second half, Pittsburgh kept the Badgers at bay, leading 50-45 with 12:22 to go before Wisconsin went on a run and grew a lead to 71-64 with 4:15 remaining.
The Badgers have scored at least 79 points in all seven games this season, which is a program first.
Up next: Wisconsin vs. Chicago State, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. CT.
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