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Ziggy Hood | Defensive Lineman

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age / DOB:  (26) / 2/16/1987
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 300
College: Missouri
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thinks the Steelers could consider moving Ziggy Hood to nose tackle in 2013.
Hood has been one of the least productive pass-rushing 3-4 ends in football since being a first-round pick in 2009, but he has been a solid run defender. At 300 pounds, Hood is a little light for a 3-4 nose. Beat writer Gerry Dulac suggests Steve McLendon could then move from the middle to the outside at defensive end. Jan 27 - 1:07 PM

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Date:

The Tribune-Review calls Steelers DE Ziggy Hood "one of the NFL's least-productive players at his position."

According to Pro Football Focus, Hood was the league's worst-rated pass-rushing end. He played 833 snaps, but came up with just three sacks and three quarterback hurries. Scouts are questioning his down-to-down effort as he heads into 2013 -- the final year of the former first-round pick's rookie deal.
Jan 9 - 10:17 AM

Steelers DE Ziggy Hood left Sunday's game in the second quarter with a back injury and did not return.

A disappointment in the first two months, Hood was coming off his best game of the season in Week 10. Cameron Hayward, the Steelers' 2011 first-round pick, will see increased snaps if Hood misses Week 12 at Cleveland.
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 02:13:00 AM

Ziggy Hood has been the Steelers' "clear-cut starter" at left end through the early days of camp.

Hood was expected to at least be pushed by 2011 first-rounder Cameron Heyward, but that's yet to be the case. If Heyward isn't earning first-team reps in practice, he's going to have to rely on his preseason tape to pressure Hood.
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 10:49:00 AM

Steelers LE Ziggy Hood has lost 18 pounds of fat and gained 20 pounds of muscle after working out with Outer Limit Athletic Performance this offseason.

Hood faded badly down the stretch last season, conceding that he was "feeling sluggish" and not "in tip-top shape." He's already lowered his body fat from 24 to 18 percent while his training videos have made waves on YouTube. The 2009 first-rounder should have the edge on Cameron Heyward for the starting left end job this summer.
Fri, Jun 8, 2012 12:37:00 PM

Ziggy Hood has an "inside track" on the Steelers' starting left end job.

Hood and 2011 first-round pick Cameron Heyward are competing for Aaron Smith's old job. Both players have first-round pedigrees, but Heyward played just 197 snaps as a rookie. The job is likely Hood's to lose, though he did grade out as Pro Football Focus' least effective 3-4 end last season.
Sun, Jun 3, 2012 12:47:00 PM

The Steelers have had internal discussions about moving Ziggy Hood from end to nose tackle.

Hood practiced on the nose during the 2011 season, and took snaps there on some obvious passing downs in games. Though he's undersized for a nose (6'3/300), the Steelers could use Hood in a Jay Ratliff/Earl Mitchell-type role. The starting ends then would be Brett Keisel and 2011 first-round pick Cameron Heyward. The Steelers may have to cut pricey incumbent NT Casey Hampton.
Fri, Jan 20, 2012 02:48:00 PM

Steelers DE Ziggy Hood (hamstring) is expected to play in Monday's game against the 49ers.

Hood left last week's win over the Browns early, but his strain proved to be minor. The Steelers' defensive front could use him as they're already without James Harrison (suspension), Aaron Smith (injured reserve, neck) and Chris Hoke (injured reserve, neck).
Wed, Dec 14, 2011 08:12:00 AM

Steelers LE Ziggy Hood was forced from Thursday's game in the second quarter with a groin injury.

His replacement, first-round rookie Cameron Heyward, was on the receiving end of a sideline lecture after leaving the left side of the line wide open on a 26-yard draw play by the Browns. Hood is questionable to return.
Thu, Dec 8, 2011 09:32:00 PM

Ziggy Hood is now the Steelers' permanent starter at left end.

Veteran Aaron Smith is done for the season as he needs neck surgery. "I'm going to dedicate this season for him," Hood said. The No. 32 overall pick in the 2009 draft is more than ready to step in. He has 14 career starts under his belt and has been stout against the run.
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 08:33:00 AM

Steelers LE Ziggy Hood is recovering from surgery to clean out bone spurs in his ankle.

This is a routine surgery that shouldn't cost Hood any portion of offseason workouts, in the unlikely event they are any. In a breakout second NFL season, Hood racked up 20 tackles and three sacks, not including two in the playoffs. He'll enter 2011 training camp as the favorite to start over Aaron Smith.
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 10:10:00 AM

The Steelers' run defense has actually improved since Ziggy Hood took over for an injured Aaron Smith at left defensive end in Week 8.

Smith has a reputation as the league's best 3-4 end against the run, but the stats suggest Hood has been just as good. The Steelers allowed 63.8 rushing yards per game with Smith starting versus 62.1 per game with Hood. The 2009 first-rounder is yet another draft "hit" for a franchise that rarely swings and misses.
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 02:13:00 PM

Steelers LE Ziggy Hood will keep his starting job even if Aaron Smith (triceps) ends up playing against the Jets.

It's only fair. SI's Peter King recently anointed Smith the best run-stopping 3-4 end in football, but the Steelers haven't missed him at all with Hood filling in. Smith hasn't played in snap in three months while Hood has posted four sacks in the past five games. Smith's availability has been one of the most overplayed stories of the playoffs.
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 02:25:00 PM

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Ziggy Hood will get the opportunity to replace Aaron Smith (triceps surgery) at left defensive end.

Hood was passed over by Nick Eason for a start when Brett Keisel went down with an injury, but even though Tomlin is "hopeful" that Keisel will be back this week, he's going with Hood instead of Eason to replace Smith. Hood was terrific during training camp and the preseason, but it has yet to translate over into the regular season.
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 10:41:00 AM

Though Ziggy Hood was bypassed for the starting right defensive end job this week, coordinator Dick LeBeau has no worries about his progress.

Hood has been playing through an ankle injury, which may have tilted the decision to start in Nick Eason's favor. "I think [Hood] is going to be a major contributor for us this year," LeBeau said, "and I think he's right on schedule to becoming a real good NFL defensive lineman."
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 11:04:00 AM

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PosRoleName
QB1Ben Roethlisberger
2Bruce Gradkowski
3Landry Jones
4John Parker Wilson
RB1Le'Veon Bell
2Isaac Redman
3La'Rod Stephens-Howling
4Jonathan Dwyer
5Baron Batch
GLB1Le'Veon Bell
2Isaac Redman
3RB1Le'Veon Bell
2La'Rod Stephens-Howling
FB1Will Johnson
WR11Antonio Brown
2Markus Wheaton
3Justin Brown
4David Gilreath
5Reggie Dunn
WR21Emmanuel Sanders
2Jerricho Cotchery
3Plaxico Burress
4Derek Moye
5Kashif Moore
WR31Jerricho Cotchery
TE1Heath Miller
2Matt Spaeth
3David Paulson
4David Johnson
5Jamie McCoy
K1Shaun Suisham
2Danny Hrapmann