Latest news with #RobertWoods
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Steelers' Robert Woods Hoping To Follow Hines Ward's Footsteps
Steelers' Robert Woods Hoping To Follow Hines Ward's Footsteps originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers willingly made themselves less talented on offense when they traded away receiver George Pickens just months after acquiring Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf. Advertisement The Steelers' decision was more than a matter of future draft capital and an extension that seemed increasingly unlikely. Given that Pickens wore out his welcome, it was a move underlined by Pittsburgh's culture, too. And if there's a receiver who embodies head coach Mike Tomlin's vision, it's one of Pickens' replacements, Robert Woods. As a versatile receiver built on winning along the margins, Woods is more than his production. Now, the Steelers receiver is hoping to follow franchise icon Hines Ward's footsteps. 'Hines was getting involved in the blocking,' Woods said, via The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. 'But when you really watch him going across the middle, making big catches, taking hits, just being a physical receiver, running with the football, fighting for extra yards, I think that's the mentality, that's the mindset of the team (we're) trying to get back to in the receiver room.' Advertisement Woods was targeted 30 times for just 20 receptions and 203 yards. He's currently penciled into a starting role alongside Calvin Austin III and Metcalf. But with Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, and Scotty Miller vying for playing time, it seems more likely that Woods plays an on-and-off role in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense. Given his willingness to block, it's easy to see him carving out snaps on early downs and aiding the run game. By the looks of it, he's craving that opportunity. 'I think a lot of guys are fake tough guys,' he said. 'When you get hit, you kind of really see who's really tough. 'Just being able to deliver the blow every single time. Obviously, you get a guy on the sideline, you hit him once, (he) might come in a little different the next time, and that's when you're able to fight for those extra yards and get those first downs. And it's a long game, and guys don't want to be hit for four quarters, and you see that. And I think if you have a whole team who is delivering the blow every single play, I think you'll see teams start turning down.' Advertisement Woods is far from the Los Angeles Rams' premier ancillary target. But his nuance as a receiver, trustworthiness at the catch point, and general tenacity give him some staying power. In Pittsburgh, Woods has a chance to embody the culture that the Steelers are trying to reinforce. With instability under center and turnover at receiver, that could prove to be a stabilizing force in 2025. 'Finally getting a chance to run with the football and being physical that way, I always wanted to deliver the blow and not be the one receiving it.' Related: One Position Defines Steelers Trading Pickens Related: Steelers Insider Questions Pickens' Happiness in Dallas This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
6 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Robert Woods, the Steelers' oldest WR, emulates Hines Ward's old-school physicality
PITTSBURGH — More than 30 minutes after practice ended at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Thursday, well after the majority of players left the field, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Robert Woods stood alone near the end zone. Woods exploded out of his stance, delivering a blow to a tackling dummy before darting upfield. Rep after rep, this continued, as the veteran honed his releases off the line of scrimmage. Advertisement 'It's very important for young guys and old guys to always take the opportunity to work your craft, get in extra work,' Woods said. 'We only get a few hours out here to really work on our craft.' At 33 and entering his 13th NFL season, Woods fits squarely into that second category. His NFL journey began when the Buffalo Bills selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft. Over a career that has spanned 171 games and included 683 catches and 38 touchdowns, Woods has enjoyed many of the highs the game has to offer. A pair of 1,000-yard seasons. A Super Bowl ring. Now on his fifth NFL team, Woods is looking to provide a veteran's savvy, a voice of leadership and a physical presence to a receiver room that needs quality depth to emerge this spring. 'I'm trying to get better,' Woods said. 'Maybe (younger guys) see the same thing. We are trying to teach, if one guy is getting better, the whole team is getting better. Keep elevating your game, and it elevates the team.' While Woods' work ethic after practice stood out, it's the way he competes between the whistles that he hopes gets the attention of coaches and teammates. Throughout the 10-minute conversation, the word 'physicality' was thrown out often. That attribute has been one of Woods' strengths since he began playing football. Through high school, Woods starred on the defensive side of the ball. During his freshman year at USC, he played nickel cornerback and wide receiver during practices before focusing his attention on offense. He's continued to maintain the mentality of a defender as he's built his NFL career. 'Finally getting a chance to run with the football and being physical that way, I always wanted to deliver the blow and not be the one receiving it,' Woods said. Woods said he's always watched the Steelers from afar and, in some ways, modeled his game after Hines Ward. Wearing No. 16, he joked that he has one half of Ward's old No. 86 jersey. The oldest receiver on the roster is trying to instill that old-school mentality in his entire room. Advertisement 'Hines was getting involved in the blocking,' Woods said. 'But when you really watch him going across the middle, making big catches, taking hits, just being a physical receiver, running with the football, fighting for extra yards, I think that's the mentality, that's the mindset of the team (we're) trying to get back to in the receiver room.' That identity fits what the Steelers are about, both past and present. This offseason, coach Mike Tomlin said the team made it a priority to 'retool physicality in all areas.' Under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Steelers also often use their receivers in the run game to create lanes for ball carriers. To Woods, there's a difference between talking about being physical and showing it. 'I think a lot of guys are fake tough guys,' he said with a smile. 'When you get hit, you kind of really see who's really tough. 'Just being able to deliver the blow every single time. Obviously, you get a guy on the sideline, you hit him once, (he) might come in a little different the next time, and that's when you're able to fight for those extra yards and get those first downs. And it's a long game, and guys don't want to be hit for four quarters, and you see that. And I think if you have a whole team who is delivering the blow every single play, I think you'll see teams start turning down.' Woods has been a precise route runner, sure-handed receiver and willing blocker throughout his career, but the question is: How much does he have left as he approaches his mid-30s? An accomplished sprinter in high school who ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at the 2013 combine, Woods is confident he still has the wheels to be a difference-maker. However, he's coming off his least productive season after catching 20 passes for 203 yards and no touchdowns last year in Houston. Advertisement The Steelers will need Woods — or another receiver — to step up and seize the opportunity. After GM Omar Khan dealt George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, the wide receiver room again features an upper-echelon No. 1 in DK Metcalf and plenty of opportunity behind him for someone to emerge as the next threat. The best way for Woods to capitalize on the opportunity? Keep working. 'I'm just coming in here and working,' Woods said. 'Obviously, there's one ball, and I'm trying to be open every time, and hopefully that ball finds me. But we are just going out here and working, putting good stuff on tape, hoping the coaches see that and see myself open on film, and say, 'This is a guy we could get the ball.''
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Seahawks legend Shaun Alexander wakes up with 'GMFB'
How Will DK Metcalf Handle Being Lone Wolf? | Steelers Morning Rush Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how new wide receiver DK Metcalf will handle being the top dog -- and maybe the only real threat at outside receiver. Metcalf has always been part of a deep group of wide receivers with the Seattle Seahawks, splitting targets with Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba the last two seasons. With Pittsburgh right now, he looks like he's the whole show, as the Steelers appear to once again be set to enter the season with just one solid option at outside receiver. Veteran Robert Woods, special teamer Ben Skowronek and undrafted rookie Roc Taylor appear to be the best options to help ease the pressure on Metcalf at this point -- not exactly a threatening list. So how will Metcalf handle the pressure? Alan breaks it down. #steelers #herewego #nfl CONNECT WITH STEELERS NOW: Steelers Now: SN on Twitter: SN on FB: SN on Insta: 7:49 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Will Robert Woods start opposite DK Metcalf — what can Steelers fans expect in 2025?
Will Robert Woods start opposite DK Metcalf — what can Steelers fans expect in 2025? Days after the Steelers completed a run-defense-oriented 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh added former Super Bowl champion Robert Woods. With 12 years of NFL experience — and several concerns surrounding the current state of the Steelers' offense — what can fans expect from the veteran wideout in 2025? Mike Williams re-run? At 33 years old, Woods is at the tail end of what has been a great career — but the Steelers proved last season how much they value veteran receivers on offense. Mike Williams, a 30-year-old veteran WR whom Pittsburgh acquired ahead of the 2024 trade deadline from the Jets, shined bright in his Steelers debut — catching a game-winning TD from Russell Wilson. But after that, he sparingly saw snaps and targets — catching just nine balls total for Pittsburgh all season. Clearly, the Steelers undervalued and underappreciated Williams' presence on offense — but Woods' situation could be different, even though he's three years older. Career resurgence in the Steel City Back in 2024, Woods was buried behind talented receivers on the Houston Texans roster — including Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, and John Metchie. He played just 37% of snaps — despite 2023 being a solid year for the veteran. Aside from Diggs, Woods was with the same receivers two years ago — but had a more active role in the offense. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Woods averaged 2.6 yards of separation in 2023 — tied with Davante Adams, and ahead of DK Metcalf's, Garrett Wilson's, George Pickens's, and A.J. Brown's 2.5-yard averages. Even at 31 years old, Woods was getting open and proved he could be a viable addition to any offense — he just needed a chance. Putting it all together While it would be silly to compare Woods' 2025 potential to that of a top-20 WR in the league, he should still contribute more than Williams did last season. Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are likely competing for slot receiver snaps — leaving the door open for Woods to go almost unchallenged for the other outside WR role opposite Metcalf. His veteran presence will speak volumes for a Steelers organization trying to move past its tendency to draft and trade for diva-esque receivers — but the overall ceiling of his production will likely depend on who's under center in 2025. If Aaron Rodgers truly signs on to play with the Steelers, Woods could finish out his career on a high note — a last-ditch career resurgence for the 12-year NFL vet.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers ‘Interested' Another Blockbuster Trade for Receiver
The Pittsburgh Steelers have already made a number of moves this offseason that involve wide receivers. Whether it was trading with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire DK Metcalf, or trading away their star receiver, George Pickens, to the Dallas Cowboys. Pittsburgh has been experimenting with their wideouts. Advertisement Now, per a report by Adam Crowley of 93.7 The Fan, the Steelers could be looking in the trad market for another star receiver to go alongside Metcalf. Specifically, New Orlenas Saints star Chris Olive. "The Steelers are interested in the 24-year-old, but sources describe that call as a due diligence call," Nick Farabaugh of PennLive wrote on Friday talking about whether or not the deal could happen. "In addition, sources tell PennLive that New Orleans does not seem interested in trading Olave. As of this morning, nothing is close to a trade or imminent." The Steelers' current WR2 on the depth chat is listed as Robert Woods. Given the fact that he is 33 years old, it could be in the team's best interests to at least look for some depth at the position. For someone who is just 24 years old, Olave has already shown he is a star in this league. He finished his first two seasons with over 1,000 yards, but his second concussion in 2024 kept him out for most of the season. Advertisement The Saints might not be showing much interest in trading the young weapon at the moment, but those injury concerns could be something that could lead them to. If they do end up being interested, it could be something for the Steelers to keep tabs on. Related: Steelers Will Start 0-6 Per ESPN Prediction Related: Steelers Botched Pickens Trade Due To DK?
