LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers welcomed a pair of new players on Thursday, one a quarterback who could play in the preseason opener and a versatile offensive lineman, likely more of a back-up tackle option, but mainly a guard in his career. Both told their stories after practice at St. Vincent College.
Quarterback Logan Woodside got the offer Wednesday night to continue his NFL career by joining the Steelers. He was sitting with his wife at home in Kentucky after just getting his two sons to sleep when he got the call. The 30-year-old immediately packed and by Thursday morning he was in Latrobe and Thursday afternoon on the practice field.
“He is no stranger to the NFL,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “He has a past relationship with Arthur Smith. Given the circumstances with Will Howard, we thought that was appropriate. He will be a quick study. We will work hard over the next 48 hours and certainly he will have game availability, whether or not he plays, remains to be seen but that is the intention.”
His son is a key factor here, the oldest is six and has been Woodside’s workout partner. They went in their backyard every day. He would shag balls for him, snap to him and dad would throw into a net. Whiteside said he also kept in shape for a hope of adding a third NFL team to his resume.
Woodside has played for Arthur Smith at the previous two stops-Tennessee and Atlanta. In very limited action, the right-hander was 4-7 passing for 34 yards and 10 yards rushing. The relationship is so strong that Smith was at Woodside’s wedding.
“The relationship that we’ve built,” Woodside said. “What he’s seen in me going on five or six years now. Just him being able to trust me, we’ve been in game-type situations in the preseasons in the past.”
Offensive lineman Andrus Peat flew in for a workout with the Steelers and had a good feeling from his first interaction with coaches. He signed on Wednesday and also was at practice Thursday. He’s played 126 games (103 starts) in 10 NFL seasons, nine with the Saints and last year with Las Vegas. He’s played mostly left guard, where Isaac Seumalo just returned from injury, but can also play tackle at 6’7”, 316 pounds.
New Orleans’ first-round pick in 2015 out of Stanford, Peat says he will play wherever he’s needed. He’s been a three-time Pro Bowler and is willing to also advise some of the younger Steelers players.
“He is a versatile veteran, he has played both guard and tackle,” Tomlin said. “We’ve absorbed some attrition in those spaces. A grizzly veteran with multi-positional experience is an asset.”