New Steelers LB Kwon Alexander ready for anything with Pittsburgh

On the same day that the Pittsburgh Steelers signed inside linebacker Kwon Alexander, he was on the practice field with his new team. Alexander also spoke to the media as a member of his new team.

 

Alexander said all the right things when asked about his role as he joins a very crowded group of inside linebackers. Alexander said whatever the Steelers ask him to do, he’s good with it. Plus, when Alexander was asked about what he saw from the Steelers defense that translated to his skills, he have the most Steelers answer ever.

“Hard-nosed football,” Alexander said. “Hit hard, run, get the football.”

That is a great answer. It isn’t clear how the Steelers will divide up labor with all the inside linebackers they have but Alexander could have a role. Assuming Alexander stays healthy his physical nature should endear him to Steelers fans quickly. Alexander is a smart, instinctive run defender and will add some speed and punch to the defense.

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Super Bowl champion linebacker Clark Haggans, who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died Monday at 46, the organization confirmed. His cause of death has not yet been released. Pittsburgh radio host Colin Dunlap first reported the passing of the longtime starter and prolific pass rusher Tuesday night.

Haggans’ rise to prominence began during his collegiate career at Colorado State, where he is a member of the athletic department’s Hall of Fame. Though he departed from the program 24 years ago, he remains the Rams’ all-time sack leader with 33 to his name. He also amassed 54 career tackles for loss, which ranks second in Colorado State history.

Haggans joined the Rams as a walk-on, helped lead the program to conference championships in 1997 and 1999 and is now regarded by the university as one of the greatest defensive players to pass through Fort Collins.

At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Haggans was a fifth-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. The Steelers selected him at No. 137 overall, reuniting him with fellow Colorado State alumnus Joey Porter and creating a prolific linebacker tandem.

Four years later, Haggans earned a starting role. He recorded six sacks in that 2004 campaign and tallied nine more during the 2005 season, which ended with a Super Bowl XL victory. In total, Haggans racked up 332 tackles, 32.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception throughout his time with the Steelers.

After his eight seasons in Pittsburgh, Haggans became a free agent and joined the Arizona Cardinals. He accounted for five sacks in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons and ultimately spent four years with the organization.

Haggans closed his playing career with the San Francisco 49ers and made his third Super Bowl appearance before retiring from football. By the end of his 13 years in the NFL, Haggans racked up 520 total tackles with 46.5 sacks.

These are the NFL-Star Wars mashups you’ve been looking for! Welcome to a collection of concept football helmets by artist John Raya that recasts each of the NFL’s 32 teams as a squad that’d be fit to take the field in a galaxy far, far away. In other words, if you’ve ever wondered what the New England Patriots would look like if they played on Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi home, well, you’re about to find out.

Because the NFL-Star Wars connection is a real thing here in the real world, we’ll also show you some of the best Star Wars cosplay that’s been captured at NFL games. As the pictures prove, these fans did not come to play; they came to dominate in their best Darth Vader helmets.

This AFC East team may not have won big in a while, but the Miami Dolphins sure look good as the Rodia Greedos. Greedo is the bounty hunter from Rodia that Han Solo may or may not have shot first in the original Star Wars movie.