Ladarius Green starts on PUP list for Steelers

Ladarius Green starts on PUP list for Steelers

Posted by Mike Florio on July 28, 2016

With Heath Miller retired, the Steelers need a competent tight end to enhance their offense. They signed Ladarius Green to be that guy.

The official launch of the Ladarius Era has been delayed. Via multiple reports, Green has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, with an ankle injury. He had offseason surgery on that ankle.

Receiver Shakim Phillips also in on the PUP list, after having a sports hernia repaired. Defensive tackle Devaunte Sigler begins on the shelf due to failing the conditioning test.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/07/28/ladarius-green-starts-on-pup-list-for-steelers/

Time for Jesse James to make his move for playing time.

This if it is true about his ankle scares me. I hope it's a conditioning thing. I'm looking forward to seeing what JJ can do but we need 2 tight ends in the lineup.

Ladarius Green not happy about being on the PUP list

By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tight end Ladarius Green wasn’t thrilled when he was informed by coach Mike Tomlin that he would start training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

“It’s not a good thing,” Green said this afternoon before the first practice of training camp. “I’m not happy about it, but that’s what the team thought was best. I’m just trying to take it day by day.”

Green, who was signed in March to replace Heath Miller as the starting tight end, had ankle surgery after last season. He missed OTAs and minicamp this spring and was hoping to be cleared by now, but there are a few hurdles for him to clear before he can return to the field.

“Just some things I’m still working on,” Green said. “Let’s put it that way. Some things I’m not perfecting yet. Cutting and stuff like that I’m building up on.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Steelers-Blog/2016/07/29/Ladarius-Green-not-happy-about-being-on-the-PUP-list/stories/201607290210

Replacing Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth AND Ladarius Green becoming problematic

by JIM WEXELL



Still optimistic about young replacements, QB Ben Roethlisberger discusses potential options for troubled position

LATROBE -- Ben Roethlisberger has reminded his young tight ends several times that they shouldn't feel the need to be Heath Miller right here, right now.

Obviously, the tight ends are listening to the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback because no one in this group has shown they are close.

With all due respect to youth and inexperience, the position is becoming a bigger problem with each passing day that Ladarius Green jogs on the far field as a member of the PUP list.

But even when the team's main free-agent acquisition does return from his post-season ankle surgery, the Steelers will still lack a quality in-line blocker.

At least that's what's been shown on the field thus far, and Green carries a reputation as a pass-catcher only.

However, Roethlisberger reminds those of us seeking answers that Miller was indeed a special breed of player.

"We've been very blessed here," Roethlisberger said. "And you know, everyone talks about Heath Miller, but you look at a guy like Matt Spaeth. Matt Spaeth was a HECK of a blocker and did so many things in the pass game and run game that his shoes are hard to fill in that aspect as well."

With Green out longer than the Steelers' brass will admit to have been expecting, the Steelers are using last year's fifth-round pick, Jesse James, and last year's practice-squad tight end, Xavier Grimble, along with retread David Johnson, as their three main tight ends.

* James is the best combination of pass-catcher and blocker but isn't anywhere near Spaeth as a blocker, nor, obviously, Miller as a receiver.

* Grimble is the best athlete but for every great catch he makes he seems to follow it with a drop.

* Johnson is the best overall blocker, but he's a move TE and backup fullback.

Could the resolution be more four-receiver sets? More Le'Veon Bell in the slot?

"I think it's still early for that," Roethlisberger said. "I don't want to jump to that conclusion yet. The good thing is if we do need to do some stuff, where it's four wide receivers or you keep two tight ends in and get Le'Veon out and don't ask him to block in the pass game, we have options. But we'll wait to make any crazy decisions on that until we get a little further on, and then each week may dictate some different groupings, some different scheme, things like that."

One solution in the past was the use of an extra tackle at tight end. The Steelers used a young Kelvin Beachum, and even Mike Adams, to replace an injured Spaeth in 2013. Last year they had Alejandro Villanueva prepared for work as an extra tight end until Beachum was injured and Villanueva had to play tackle full-time.

Anyone else? Perhaps rookie tackle Jerald Hawkins?

to read rest of article:

http://www.scout.com/nfl/steelers/story/1694723-steelers-looming-crisis-at-tight-end

Mike Tomlin addresses Steelers TE Ladarius Green's injury

Bryan DeArdo - Aug 9
Pittsburgh Newsletter

The Steelers' biggest offseason acquisition is also the Steelers's only player currently on the team's PUP list.

Ladarius Green, who signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the team back in March, is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. His coach, Mike Tomlin, recently addressed Green's injury as his team prepares for Friday's preseason game against the Lions.

“He’s progressing, but we really thought it would be touch-and-go up to this point, early in camp," Tomlin said. "The surgery was not a routine cleanup, so we knew it would be a significant amount of time. We’d love to see him out (on the practice field), but we’re not in any hurry. Now, where he progresses from here, we’ll see. But we thought he could be a PUP candidate for sure when we signed him, and that didn’t change our mind about him.”

While the team is certainly counting on his return, Pittsburgh has other weapons to turn to if Green isn't ready for the Steelers' Week 1 matchup with the Redskins. The team has been grooming tight end Jesse James -- the team's second year receiver -- to take the reins as the Steelers' starting tight end. Seldom used during the first part of his rookie season, James caught a touchdown in Pittsburgh's Week 10 victory over the Raiders, and he caught several big passes in Pittsburgh's playoff loss to Denver.

Outside of the tight end position, the Steelers have several other weapons to turn to. They obviously have All-Pro Antonio Brown, along with Markus Wheaton, who has 97 receptions over the past two seasons. Pittsburgh is also excited about the emergence of second year man Sammie Coates, who has been turning heads during the Steelers' training camp. The Steelers also hope that veteran receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey -- along with young receivers Eli Rogers and Demarcus Ayers -- also be ready to make an impact for Pittsburgh's offense when called upon.

While they have several other weapons, Pittsburgh will need Green's contributions in order to reach their potential this season, as the Steelers' offense will look to remain arguably the league's best unit despite the loss of Martavis Bryant.

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Mike-Tomlin-addresses-Steelers-TE-Ladarius-Greens-injury-46674984

Whoever fills those Heath's shoes has some mighty big footwear to tote. That guy was steady Eddie when it came to catching the football (especially when taking punishing hits).

It's been reported that headache's have been stopping Green from getting back on the field.

And, that doesn't sound good at all, guy has had concussions in the past. Let's hope it's not serious.


Update: Back in his March presser, he said this

Steelers Depot ‏@Steelersdepot
From March LG presser: “It came out as a concussion but I just had sinus problems, so it wasn’t a concussion,” said Green.

Steelers Depot ‏@Steelersdepot
More LG from March presser: “It was just the sinuses that got bad and they didn’t know about it so it’s fine now.”

https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/status/763799995006930944

Ladarius Green’s recurring headaches raise questions about his future, contract

Posted by Mike Florio on August 11, 2016



Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (80) pulls on a hat during a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Saturday, July 30, 2016

The NFL Media report, attributed to an unnamed member of the Steelers, regarding the recurring headaches suffered by tight end Ladarius Green raises questions about the player’s future, and regarding his contract.

First, rumors of Green dealing with lingering headaches have been circulating since training camp opened. The person who first mentioned the ongoing headaches to PFT suggested that Green is considering retirement. If the headaches don’t resolve, retirement remains an option.

Second, earlier today the same source told PFT that there’s new speculation that the Steelers may eventually cut Green.

Third, the Steelers could end up recovering (or at least trying to recover) Green’s $4.75 million signing bonus. If he retires, Green definitely owes the money. Even if he’s cut, however, there’s a chance the Steelers could make the same argument the Patriots* advanced three years ago regarding defensive end Jonathan Fanene.

in 2013, the Patriots* signed Fanene, gave him a $3.85 million signing bonus, and later cut him due to a knee injury that, as the team argued, came from a condition he had failed to disclose. If Green didn’t tell the Steelers he was still experiencing headaches at the time he was signed (and if he was indeed experiencing headaches), the Steelers could try to recover the $4.75 million.

In Fanene’s case, the grievance was settled, allowing the player to keep the $2.5 million he had received while also allowing the team to keep the $1.35 million balance.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/11/ladarius-greens-recurring-headaches-raise-questions-about-his-future-contract/

Hawaii 5-0 wrote:

Ladarius Green’s recurring headaches raise questions about his future, contract

Posted by Mike Florio on August 11, 2016



Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (80) pulls on a  hat during a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Saturday, July 30, 2016

The NFL Media report, attributed to an unnamed member of the Steelers, regarding the recurring headaches suffered by tight end Ladarius Green raises questions about the player’s future, and regarding his contract.

First, rumors of Green dealing with lingering headaches have been circulating since training camp opened. The person who first mentioned the ongoing headaches to PFT suggested that Green is considering retirement. If the headaches don’t resolve, retirement remains an option.

Second, earlier today the same source told PFT that there’s new speculation that the Steelers may eventually cut Green.

Third, the Steelers could end up recovering (or at least trying to recover) Green’s $4.75 million signing bonus. If he retires, Green definitely owes the money. Even if he’s cut, however, there’s a chance the Steelers could make the same argument the Patriots** advanced three years ago regarding defensive end Jonathan Fanene.

in 2013, the Patriots** signed Fanene, gave him a $3.85 million signing bonus, and later cut him due to a knee injury that, as the team argued, came from a condition he had failed to disclose. If Green didn’t tell the Steelers he was still experiencing headaches at the time he was signed (and if he was indeed experiencing headaches), the Steelers could try to recover the $4.75 million.

In Fanene’s case, the grievance was settled, allowing the player to keep the $2.5 million he had received while also allowing the team to keep the $1.35 million balance.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/11/ladarius-greens-recurring-headaches-raise-questions-about-his-future-contract/

So Bryant is gone for the year, Golson probably is gone for the year, Bell is looking at a potential 4 game suspension, and now this

No worries

Source: Green never told Steelers about headaches when they signed him in FA.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 12, 2016

My goodness.

BlackAndGold wrote:

Source: Green never told Steelers about headaches when they signed him in FA.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 12, 2016

My goodness.

Well isn't that just wonderful?

Jeez oh man. When it rains, it pours.

Steelers Nation suffers from a case of Sports Blue Balls. We paid for Green's dinner and now that it's his turn to perform, he has a headache.

Really not a good way to start off 2016. But hope he heals from it.

Tomlin will not address reports about headaches for green says he's on PUP because of ankle #Steelers

— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) August 13, 2016

A: There is noting wrong, just rehabbing his ankle.
B: It's true, just doesn't want to put more spotlight on the situation.

Just remember that the Steelers weren't expecting him until sometime in training camp. So it's not like he's late getting back from his ankle. The season is still a month away and Tomlin does like to take a conservative approach to injuries and the post surgery recovery during the off-season.  Although there's enough reports going around about these headaches that should make one think there's some merit to them, I'm not going to worry until something definitive comes out.

No players on concussion protocol per Tomlin.

The4ngryG4mer: If Green is indeed having trouble getting on the field for concussion issues, what does Tomlin have to gain by not being honest about the situation?

Ray Fittipaldo: No one really knows why Tomlin isn't being truthful about the situation. I do know he and Kevin Colbert don't like it when information is leaked. THey were mad, for instance, when someone from the NFL leaked the news about Le'Veon Bell's suspension. I guess they view this in the same way. Just being hard headed. I cannot think of another logical reason he'd lie about it.

ChicagoNate: Hi Ray, great job with the chats. I noticed a lot of talk about Tomlin lying to the media regarding Greens headaches. I believe Tomlin said he is on the PUP list because of his ankle. This is correct, he was placed on PUP because of his ankle. Maybe Green doesnt want the Steelers to discuss his head issues with everyone. A little good judgment should be used before calling people liars. Just my 2 cents.

Ray Fittipaldo: So there's a fine line between being truthful and outright lying to someone? I guess if you want to draw that distinction you can. To me, and a lot of others, why not just come clean after it's been reported? People reported the news. They did their job. After the news is out there I don't know if there is any reason to be misleading about it. Green's agent even came out and said his ankle isn't the problem. When the player's agent is confirming news about a player's health situation I assume the player doesn't care.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/08/15/Ray-Fittipaldo-s-Steelers-chat-8-15-16/stories/201608150105

Ladarius Green Says He Will Play This Year

by Alex Kozora - Steelers Depot‎
Aug. 20, 2016

Ladarius Green asked if he will play this season: "Of course I will. Why wouldn't I?".

to read rest of article:

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/08/ladarius-green-says-will-play-year/

The whole situation is giving me a headache.

BlackAndGold wrote:

The whole situation is giving me a headache.

I'm sure Green has some meds which will help. Apparently he's not using them

Steelers TE Green denies rumors he's suffering from recurring headaches
BY MARK KABOLY  | Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, 5:18 p.m.

Ladarius Green isn't retiring anytime soon — the Steelers' $20 million free agent tight end made that quite clear.

As for the reported headaches that have kept him on the physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp, Green didn't necessarily squash that idea, but he didn't endorse it, either.

Read the rest of the article here.

The hell is this shit? Just tell us what the hell is going on. It's not like we arent going to watch whether Green plays or not. Why do these idiots make it harder on themselves.