The Steelers open the season with a rematch against the Denver Broncos. All kinds of storylines there...bad blod from last season's playoff game, Peyton Manning's debut in Denver, Ryan Clark vs. altitude, etc. 

The bye week will take place during Week 4. Both Ravens games within 3 week span.  

The schedule also has a heavy dose of night games, as the team has 5 primetime contests (Den, Tenn, Cinn, KC, Balt). 

 

The Steelers, with the help of RB Isaac Redman, finally revealed the throwback uniforms that they will be wearing in 2012 to honor the team's 80th anniversary. 

The are....unique. Modeled after the 1934 jersey, the feature black and gold stripes and are much different from the Steelers previous 3rd jerseys which where a frankenstein-like mashup of different eras.

Fan reaction to the jerseys has been predictably horrid. Steelers fans had a meltdown on Twitter after they were announced...people saying that they were ashamed/embarrassed/etc.

Personally, I don't watch football for aesthetic reasons and I do not care if the jerseys look good or not. But to each his own. The whole reason jersey gimmicks like these are done is to make more money from selling them so if you don't like them, don't buy one. I actually kind of like them. 

Here are the photos:








Here is some of the reaction from Twitter users:

This photo, apparently taken in a public restroom at the Steelers' facility, features Isaac Redman sporting the Steelers' latest money-making venture throwback uniform. It's a replica of the 1934 Steelers, a team that went 40 freaking years before not being a laughing stock.

We're not sure if these are supposed to look more like bumble bees or cartoon prison uniforms, but they are so atrocious that they pulled me personally out of my blogging apathy and into a rage-fueled complaining frenzy.

Think of a "yo mama so ugly" joke. Now, replace "yo mama" with "These uniforms" and all the hyperbole is suddenly made valid. Any fan caught owning one of these jerseys must be immediately deported to Cincinnati, where prison stripe uniforms are commonplace and even encouraged.

The immediate public backlash on Twitter from these uniforms is amazing. Like ten people have said they like them, and those ten people are only saying so because they think Isaac Redman will be their friend if they do. (Hint: Isaac Redman is not going to come to your birthday party)

On one hand, these uniforms are actually nauseating. On the other hand, I can't wait to see them at a home game so I spend an entire recap making bee jokes. But still, did you see that picture? The Green Bay Packers wanted to "honor their history" (a better history, I might add) with their original throwbacks with that weird dot with the numbers and whatnot. Those were easily the most atrocious looking football jerseys anyone had ever seen (Yes, including Eagles blue/gold throwbacks). Now the Steelers are looking to move into first place in the "oh my god what on earth are you wearing" competition.

There's isn't a high school football team that would suit up in this. The Florida Everblades wouldn't even wear something like this, and to drive home what a point that is, the following image is of an ACTUAL UNIFORM that team has worn:

 
God help us all. Regular season schedule later, draft next week. 

The Steelers have used up 20 of their allotted 30 pre-draft visits with NFL prospects. Visits from local players (such as those from Pitt) do not count against the team's total of 30, which is why a large number of players from Pitt have visited the team prior to the draft. 

Here is the complete list of 20 visits, including a handful that happened late this week:

1. Jerrell Harris, LB, Alabama
2. Keith Tandy, CB, West Virgina
3. Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (Ohio)
4. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
5. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International
6. Derek Wolfe, DL, Cincinnatti
7. Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnatti  
8. Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi State
9. Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri
10. Akiem Hicks, DT, Regina (Canada)
11. Nick Perry, LB, USC
12. Mychal Kendricks, LB, California
13. Cameron Jackson, LB, Virginia 
14. Olivier Vernon, LB, Miami
15. Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
16. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
17. David Paulson, TE, Oregon
18. Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State
19. Hebron Fangupo, DT, BYU
20. Jeremy Jones, S, Wayne State 

If you are looking for a hint as to which positions the Steelers have made a priority, here is the breakdown so far: 

6 LB
3 DL
2 OG
2 OT
2 WR
2 TE
2 RB
1 S
1 CB

Every year, we put together a pretty comprehensive list of Steelers picks in mock drafts around the web. We're admittedly not draft experts and don't claim to know the inside scoop on hundreds of college players. Fortunately, there are plenty of people who do and they can be found below in our list of 2012 Steelers mock draft picks. 

Most experts are focused on Dont'a Hightower and Dontari Poe for the Steelers come pick 24. Offensive line is probably the team's biggest need at this point, but if guys like Mike Adams are already selected I'd be happy to see Poe or Hightower holding up a Steelers uniform. 

Mark Kaboly with the Trib broke the news this morning. 

William Gay is now a Cardinal. Gay had an excellent 2011 after an up and down 2010 and would have been the team's starting CB opposite Ike Taylor next season.

While Gay had a handful of shaky moments in coverage, he also has a history of making 'splash plays' at huge times, something that an aging Steelers defense desperately needs.  





 

Your move, Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown.  

Rumors flying everywhere. Looks like Hillis might head to Kansas City, but he's be awesome in Pittsburgh assuming he stays healthy, especially with Mendenhall's injury.

League source says TE Kellen Davis will visit the Cowboys, Steelers, and Bengals.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 13, 2012

Source: Free agent running back Peyton Hillis will meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers at 4 p.m. today.

— Jeremy Somerville (@Ctownsportstalk) March 13, 2012

Aaron Smith, one of the all-time great Steelers, took out an ad in Sunday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thanking Steelers fans and the city of Pittsburgh.  Here is the complete text of the page: 

Dear Steelers Fans,

As of today, I am no longer a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I leave the field and Steelers with no regrets, and am grateful to have played for such a tremendous organization. I feel truly blessed to have spent my entire professional career in the best town, playing for the most loyal fans who have loved and supported myself and my family.

The last 13 years of our lives have been special because of the people who cheered me on, and I am truly fortunate to have been a part of the Steelers, the City of Pittsburgh and the Steelers Nation. You have opened your arms and your hearts to us as a family and we will never forget that. Your support, enthusiasm, love and dedication are gifts I will carry with me my entire life.

I may no longer be on the Steelers active roster, but I will always be a Steeler and will never forget the people who made it all worthwhile -- the fans, the Rooneys, the front office, the equipment guys and trainers, my teammates and family. Thank you for supporting me over the last 13 years, and I hope you will support me in whatever future path life will take me on.

We plan on making Pittsburgh our home and I will endeavor for the rest of my days to find a way to thank each and every one of you personally for all that you have done and meant for me and my family. You cheered for me for 13 years and now I cheer for you for the rest of my life. You will always be in my heart, thoughts and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to have the job of a lifetime. You will always be in my heart.

Your friend always,

Aaron Smith and Family, No. 91