KDKA Morning News Visits Steelers Training Camp
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - Larry and John made their yearly trek to Steelers Training Camp in Latrobe on Monday, where they got the inside information on the upcoming season with players, coaches, and the president of the team.
President Art Rooney II told Larry and John this year's team is, "younger than we've had [in] awhile."
Following the recent announcement that Joe Greene's No. 75 is going to be retired this season, Rooney says that Greene deserves it.
"He was the corner stone of the team of the 70s," Rooney said.
After retiring one number, does that open the door for others?
"Our hesitation was where we are going to draw the line, where do we stop?" he said.
He adds he doesn't know how many more numbers they will retire but Greene's is one that definitely should be.
Rooney also talked about the tribute being planned for Chuck Noll saying the team wouldn't be where it is without Noll.
"Everything we do here is built on the foundation he built here," Rooney said.
Ike Taylor
Ike Taylor says he thinks he is the oldest guy on the team.
"Time flies, 12 years later, they're calling me prehistoric," Taylor said.
As one of the team's leaders, what advice does Taylor have for the younger players?
"I just try to show them the Steeler way, how we do things, being honest, being humble, working hard, [and] loving each other. Going through the process, knowing it's not an easy process, but [everyone] has to do it. Just enjoying [the] moment, you never know how long or when it's going to end," Taylor said.
Taylor also talked about his relationship with Ambassador Dan Rooney.
"[It's a] unique relationship. It's something you really can't explain, it just happens. Throughout my wildest dreams I could never imagine being that close to an organization [and] Ambassador Mr. Dan Rooney."
Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, two-time Super Bowl Champ and host of the "Ben Roethlisberger Show" on 93.7 The Fan sat down with Larry and John to talk about football and family.
Roethlisberger talked about his newborn baby girl and his son who is about to turn two.
"It's so much fun and every day is a new experience," he said.
Roethlisberger is looking forward to this Saturday's first exhibition game against the New York Giants.
"The guys get tired of hitting each other and it's always fun to put the pads on and put the jersey on. For a guy like me, that's been doing it for a while now, it never gets old putting that Steelers uniform on and for some of the young guys, it's probably a dream come true," Roethlisberger said.
Kevin Colbert
Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert talked to Larry and John about the changes that were made to the team in the offseason.
"Coming off of two 8-8 [seasons], you have to change your people or you won't get different results. So, we made an effort to get younger, to get faster," he said.
He added that the success of the team will rely on how quickly the younger players develop.
One of the new faces on the team is rookie Ryan Shazier, who will be the first rookie in a decade to start on the defensive side of the ball.
"It is unusual for a rookie to be placed in that defense. It usually takes a year, sometimes two or three before they are ready, but Ryan's speed is unique. He has the opportunity to step up," he said.
Colbert also said it will be up to Shazier to keep the starting job.
Check out the Steelers' first exhibition game against the New York Giants this Saturday on KDKA-TV and listen to the "KDKA Morning News" with Larry Richert and John Shumway weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.
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