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Monday, September 02, 2013

Steelers make a pair of roster moves

Monday might have been a holiday, but the Steelers were busy practicing and making a couple of roster moves.

The team signed former New England punter Zoltan Mosko and released Drew Butler, then claimed cornerback Antwon Blake off waivers from Jacksonville and waived corner Isaiah Green.

Mosko kicked for New England for three seasons, averaging 44.2 yards per punt, with 40 percent of his kicks downed inside the opposing 20.

The Steelers were looking for an upgrade over Butler in the offseason, signing veteran Brian Moorman to a contract. But Butler, who averaged 43.8 yards per kick in 2012, beat out Moorman in the preseason.

Blake led the Jaguars in special teams tackles in 2012 with 12.

@ Isaac Redman said he took the first-team carries Monday and, though he hasn't been told, he expects to be the starting running back on Sunday against Tennessee.

Redman missed the final three preseason games with a stinger, but said he could have played in the final two games if they were regular season contests.

@ Le'Veon Bell has not only shed his boot, he's begun jogging.

It's a far cry from carrying a football in an NFL game, but Bell is hoping to return in Week 2.

It's more likely, however, he won't return until later in the month.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now the Steelers have a Zoltan, just like the Pirates.

PG says NE cut him for salary, not performance, reasons.

Anonymous said...

Right or wrong, it seems Spaeth to the IR-desig is a done deal. Or will be, come 4pm. So, who you anticipate them adding to the 53? Seems they sandbagged Malecki on their official roster until midday yesterday. Maybe him? Someone from their PS? Or by releasing McFadden, did that in a way give them 9 on their PS, with the thought that they would sign him once the Spaeth redtape cleared, even if he was signed to someone else's practice squad? They would just have to keep him on the 53 for 3 weeks, then decide what to do from there. Or do they look at someone else's practice squad? Could go an number of ways, I guess. Certainly didn't see the Zoltan thing coming.

If they do resign Malecki (or another OL), then that eases some of the concern over using Beachum at 2nd TE. If so, by getting Malecki back, it probably frees up the need for 5 TEs and they can dump Palmer, opening up another roster spot. Sounds like Beachum is still getting work there in practice. Wouldn't feel too secure if I were the #5 TE.

Steve said...

Just a guess, but I think it'll be Baxter that's added to the 53.