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Friday, September 04, 2009

Post-Carolina thoughts

First things first, I think the police had better get a search warrant for the NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora's house. He's been smoking some serious stuff.

LaCanfora is the bozo who reported that people he knows close to the situation have told him the Steelers are considering cutting Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton.

Let me just say this about that: There's a better chance the Steelers will sign me to play quarterback than there is that they'll cut Hampton.

To even suggest that they will borders on lunacy. In fact, the NFL Network may want to re-check LaCanfora's credentials as a reporter.

© There was little doubt that Stefan Logan had earned a spot on the Steelers' roster before the 21-10 win over Carolina.

The 80-yard punt return was nice. But I was even more impressed with his crackback block in the third quarter to help spring Shaun McDonald for a big run after the catch.

© Issac Redman has likely beaten out Tank Summers for the fifth running back spot as well.

Tank just didn't show enough in the two preseason game he played in, while Redman ran through the entire Carolina defense and an official to get into the end zone in the first half.

© Sorry Jason Capizzi and A.Q. Shipley fans, I don't see either player making this roster.

In fact, the team took a good long look at rookie Ramon Foster at left tackle and he was fine.

Shipley, meanwhile, looks like he's bound for the practice squad.

And don't give me that stuff about somebody scooping him up. It could happen, sure, but all of those teams also passed on him six or seven times in the draft as well.

© Arnold Harrison, Ryan Mundy and Travis Kirschke made strong statements against the Panthers.

Bruce Davis and Keiwan Ratliff did not.

The cutdown will come by 4 p.m. Friday. It's going to be one of the most difficult ones I've seen in 17 years of covering the Steelers.

This team is deep and talented.

26 comments:

HACK said...

As for Summers vs Redman...I think it really boils down to what you are looking for.....Redman is the better runner....but if I am looking for another FB or ST guy then Summers is the better fit.....if I am looking for a NT doesn't matter how well you run the ball.....Do I want a 4th HB....or a 2nd FB? I think that is what will decide that roster spot.

Ben said...

Really tough cut down. That Grisham kid might have done his Practice Squad chances some good too. Our PS, if we can convince the guys we have in camp who are eligible to sign to it, should be pretty strong too. I agree Shipley is bound for the Practice Squad but next year when Hartwig is a possible free agent he's going to have a chance to impress if he wants to stick around. He's looked pretty good to me, despite his limitations in arm length, and in some years (last year perhaps?) he'd have made the roster but whilst we may not have the best starting OL in the league (ahem, some way off of that!) our depth is not looking too far off what we have as starters. Shipley is probably our 11th OL at the moment with Capizzi at 10 and I think we'll only carry 9. Tough on them.

keevin said...

i think i'm close

QB(3) Ben, Batch, Dixon
RB(5) Parker, Mend, Moore, Redman, Davis
TE(3) Miller, Spaeth, Johnson
WR(5) Ward, Holmes, Sweed, Wallace, McDonald
OL(9) Starks, Kemo, Hartwig, Essex, Colon, Legursky, Urbik, Foster, Hills

ST(4) Reed, Sepulveda, Warren, LOGAN

DL(7) Hampton, Smith, Keisel, Hoke, Hood, Harris, Eason(or Kirsche)

LB(8) Woodley, Farrior, Timmons, Harrison, Fox, Woods, A. Harrison, Frazier

DB(9) Taylor, Gay, Townsend, K. Lewis, Polamalu, Clark, Mundy, Burnett
final spot for either Carter/Madison/Ratliff

Anonymous said...

Keevin, very close. Although I would say Carter is definitely on this team and the last spot is between Mundy & Madison. Keenan Lewis, Wallace and/or Burnett would have to be able to handle punt coverage to cut Madison.

Anonymous said...

The block by Logan was completely missed by Pompiani and Nelson (no big surprise) but that was also the most impressive part of Logans night for me. That and the way he finished his 2nd run. That guy came to earn a spot and he did everything he needed to do.

I expect the Steelers to have at least a 10-15 yard advantage in starting field position vs. last year with Logan and and their opponents to have a 10-15 yards disadvantage on punt exchanges with Sepulvida.

You guys aren't stupid. You know that is HUGE in the NFL and with this team... lookout.

Anonymous said...

I still think Summers makes the team. He had some great blocks as a fullback and I beieve he's more position flexible than Redman. Dare I say it....maybe Carey Davis is gone.

Unknown said...

Did LaCanfora work for Pro Football Talk before the NFL Network? Now there is an organization that you can't believe anything they say.

Anonymous said...

I still think Redman is going to the practice squad. Summers takes Davis spot. Logan makes it. I could also see Joe Burnett going to the practice squad.

Anonymous said...

Ratliff makes it... He is a quality player that can play special teams and become a starter if necessary. More versatility than Madison. If he doesn't make it, he's gauranteed to be scooped up by someone else. I here Indy is hoping they get him back.

adamg said...

Summers was asked to show he could block last night and he did. Plus he got a nice 4 yd run on 3rd and 1. Redman got stuffed on his one 3rd and short chance.

I don't think Burnett did enough to make the 53 man squad. He'll be on the PS. I think Tomlin will like the idea of young vet like Ratliff who can play both CB and S.

I could see only 2 TEs on the roster instead of 3. Tony Hills, if he's dressed on game days, was a TE and he could be used when BA wanted to send out 3 TEs. Ideally, though, I'd love to see Spaeth traded for a 2010 draft choice.

Eason is a lock to make the team. He played very well last year and seems to be continuing that so far this year. Plus he and Hood are the only DL under 32.

As for OL, I heard that NE is so desperate they've brought in Kendell Simmons for a work out.

Cajunyankee said...

Summers as a lead blocking FB is a joke. I was at the game and watched him closely and he whiffed on I know three lead blocks. Thinking I might have missed something they replayed the plays like three times on the screens and Yep...he whiffed on them. Redman made the Squad, just wait till 4pm. Logan is FAST and Quick. Burnett is likely PS. R. Lewis and Mundy both made their case for the safety spot. Hard choices are gonna have to be made.
Cajun-

Anonymous said...

I am not to impressed with Davis at fullback, but Summer looked too lostlike when he almost got vincent killed on that sweep. But with Summers bing new he is probably easier to train and adjust.

Vaflyer said...

QB(3) Ben, Batch, Dixon
RB(5) Parker, Mend, Moore, Redman, Davis
TE(3) Miller, Spaeth, Johnson
WR(5) Ward, Holmes, Sweed, Wallace, Logan
OL(9) Starks, Kemo, Hartwig, Essex, Colon, Legursky, Urbik, Foster, Hills

ST(4) Reed, Sepulveda, Warren

DL(7) Hampton, Smith, Keisel, Hoke, Hood, 2 of Harris, Eason, and Kirsche

LB(8) Woodley, Farrior, Timmons, Harrison, Fox, Woods, A. Harrison, Frazier

DB(9) Taylor, Gay, Townsend, K. Lewis, Polamalu, Clark, Mundy, Burnett, Carter

Vaflyer said...

Sorry, left off Ratliff

Joe said...

Ratliff over McDonald, I don't see it. Logan can be under WR or ST unless you are putting Madison as a ST player, you only have 3 people listed & 4 roster spots taken for ST.

Kolby said...

Redman, Shipley among the cuts according to Mike Bires on inside pittsburgh sports.com

http://insidepittsburghsports.com/

Anonymous said...

Uh oh, Shipley, Capizzi AND Redman?!?!? Steeler Nation is sure to go crazy!!! After all, all three with get snatched up by other teams because they are soooo awesome.

Anonymous said...

I meant "will get snatched up" not "with" my bad.

Joe said...

Hey Anon, it is so bad to root for a local kid who works their butts off to hit it big, especially the case with Capizzi and Shipley.

Anonymous said...

Wexell just posted that no cuts will be announced today..earlier I'd read it would be today but now I guess it's changed.

Dome@RFK said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

1250AM reported cuts: cdavis, bdavis, amadison, A.Q., Capizzi, Redman, Vincent, and Paxson

Henry said...

Hey Dale,

regarding carey davis, how's that crow taste?

Anonymous said...

Cuts so far...

C A. Q. Shipley
T Jason Capizzi
FB Carey Davis
RB Isaac Redman
DT Scott Paxson
CB Anthony Madison
K Piotr Czech
LB Tom Korte
LB Andrew Schantz
QB Mike Reilly
LB Bruce Davis
RB Justin Vincent

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
HACK said...

Carey Davis was waived injured...he still might be back.