The Steelers signed eight players to their practice squad today in
addition to a ninth player who will remain with the team throughout the 2008 season
as part of the NFL's international player development program.
Each of the eight players added to the Steelers' practice squad were in training
camp with the team this summer. All NFL teams were able to sign a maximum of eight
players to their practice squad beginning at noon today.
The players signed by the Steelers include: LB Patrick Bailey, CB Roy Lewis, S Grant
Mason, OT Jeremy Parquet, DT Scott Paxson, WR Micah Rucker, TE Dezmond Sherrod and
RB Justin Vincent.
Wide receiver Marvin Allen was also designated to the team's practice squad as a
part of the NFL's international player development program.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The cuts are in
The Steelers trimmed their roster to the 53-player limit today by placing one player on the Reserve/Injured List and releasing 22 others.
Eleventh-year QB Charlie Batch was placed on the Reserve/Injured List after breaking his collarbone in the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Third-year LB Arnold Harrison was placed on the Waived/Injured List after injuring his left knee in the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. The team also placed rookie LB Mike Humpal (neck) and rookie S Ryan Mundy (ankle) on the Waived/Injured List. Both players were selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
The Steelers released 18 other players from their roster today, including: LB Patrick Bailey, WR/KR Eddie Drummond, P Paul Ernster, FB Billy Latsko, OG Doug Legursky, OG Matt Lentz, CB Roy Lewis, S Grant Mason, DE Ryan McBean, OT Jeremy Parquet, DT Scott Paxson, DE Jordan Reffett, WR Willie Reid, WR Micah Rucker, TE Dezmond Sherrod, TE Lee Vickers, RB Justin Vincent and CB Travis Williams.
Wide receiver Marvin Allen will be added to the Steelers’ practice squad as part of the NFL’s international player development program. All NFL teams may sign up to eight players to their practice squad beginning after 12 noon on Sunday, Aug. 31. The addition of Allen enables the Steelers to carry a ninth practice squad player.
Eleventh-year QB Charlie Batch was placed on the Reserve/Injured List after breaking his collarbone in the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Third-year LB Arnold Harrison was placed on the Waived/Injured List after injuring his left knee in the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. The team also placed rookie LB Mike Humpal (neck) and rookie S Ryan Mundy (ankle) on the Waived/Injured List. Both players were selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
The Steelers released 18 other players from their roster today, including: LB Patrick Bailey, WR/KR Eddie Drummond, P Paul Ernster, FB Billy Latsko, OG Doug Legursky, OG Matt Lentz, CB Roy Lewis, S Grant Mason, DE Ryan McBean, OT Jeremy Parquet, DT Scott Paxson, DE Jordan Reffett, WR Willie Reid, WR Micah Rucker, TE Dezmond Sherrod, TE Lee Vickers, RB Justin Vincent and CB Travis Williams.
Wide receiver Marvin Allen will be added to the Steelers’ practice squad as part of the NFL’s international player development program. All NFL teams may sign up to eight players to their practice squad beginning after 12 noon on Sunday, Aug. 31. The addition of Allen enables the Steelers to carry a ninth practice squad player.
Friday, August 29, 2008
A few words about the Washington guys
There are a pair of Washington natives trying to make it in the NFL this season, with center Dan Mozes in camp with Minnesota, and running back Travis Thomas working with the Browns.
Word is, Mozes received news Friday night that the Vikings were cutting him on Saturday, when teams have to trim their rosters to 53 players. But he has a good shot of landing on the team's practice squad.
Starter Matt Birk is a free agent at the end of the season and the only other center on the roster is John Sullivan, a sixth-round draft pick this year.
Thomas' situation is a little more unsettled in Cleveland.
The Notre Dame product gained 70 yards on 11 carries Thursday night in a loss to Chicago. But he's buried behind starter Jamal Lewis and backups Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison on Cleveland's roster.
Thomas' saving grace may be that he's a solid special teams player.
Word is, Mozes received news Friday night that the Vikings were cutting him on Saturday, when teams have to trim their rosters to 53 players. But he has a good shot of landing on the team's practice squad.
Starter Matt Birk is a free agent at the end of the season and the only other center on the roster is John Sullivan, a sixth-round draft pick this year.
Thomas' situation is a little more unsettled in Cleveland.
The Notre Dame product gained 70 yards on 11 carries Thursday night in a loss to Chicago. But he's buried behind starter Jamal Lewis and backups Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison on Cleveland's roster.
Thomas' saving grace may be that he's a solid special teams player.
Those who shined; those who didn't
Thursday night's preseason finale was a number of players' final chance at earning a roster spot with the Steelers. Here's who stood out or, at the very least, earned a roster spot:
© Andre Frazier is probably the big winner. With Arnold Harrison going down with what appears to be a serious knee injury, Frazier probably gets a roster spot where one was not available before.
Patrick Bailey made a couple of nice special teams tackles, but hasn't shown enough consistency doing that to merit a spot.
Donovan Woods also looked good – and has flashed at times, at least more so than Bailey – but he's an inside linebacker.
With Bruce Davis not ready to contribute, right now, the only backup outside linebacker ready to play other than Frazier is Lawrence Timmons. And he may be starting inside in place of an injured Larry Foote.
© Mitch Berger wins the punter's job just by letting Paul Ernster kick a few more times.
Berger's not going to set the world on fire, but he's also not going to kick the ball 22 yards.
© Willie Reid wins the fifth - make that fourth - receiver spot because of Limas Sweed's inconsistency.
Sweed will make the roster, but he isn't ready to contribute.
That means the Steelers need a receiver who is ready to make a contribution now rather than later. Reid has the experience factor at receiver over Dallas Baker. Eddie Drummond, meanwhile, did not show enough as a return man to earn a spot on this roster.
Drummond was bitching about not get enough opportunities after the game. Seems he knows his days are numbered as well.
© Charlie Batch will probably be played on the PUP list, giving the Steelers some more time to make a decision about what to do with their quarterback situation.
© Andre Frazier is probably the big winner. With Arnold Harrison going down with what appears to be a serious knee injury, Frazier probably gets a roster spot where one was not available before.
Patrick Bailey made a couple of nice special teams tackles, but hasn't shown enough consistency doing that to merit a spot.
Donovan Woods also looked good – and has flashed at times, at least more so than Bailey – but he's an inside linebacker.
With Bruce Davis not ready to contribute, right now, the only backup outside linebacker ready to play other than Frazier is Lawrence Timmons. And he may be starting inside in place of an injured Larry Foote.
© Mitch Berger wins the punter's job just by letting Paul Ernster kick a few more times.
Berger's not going to set the world on fire, but he's also not going to kick the ball 22 yards.
© Willie Reid wins the fifth - make that fourth - receiver spot because of Limas Sweed's inconsistency.
Sweed will make the roster, but he isn't ready to contribute.
That means the Steelers need a receiver who is ready to make a contribution now rather than later. Reid has the experience factor at receiver over Dallas Baker. Eddie Drummond, meanwhile, did not show enough as a return man to earn a spot on this roster.
Drummond was bitching about not get enough opportunities after the game. Seems he knows his days are numbered as well.
© Charlie Batch will probably be played on the PUP list, giving the Steelers some more time to make a decision about what to do with their quarterback situation.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Bubble Boys
Heading into Thursday's preseason finale, here's a group of veterans who are clearly on the bubble and need a big performance:
Darnell Stapleton: Rookie offensive tackle Tony Hills has improved his play the last couple of weeks – though he's still not ready to contribute. And given the team's pending free agents at the end of the season, it has to keep Hills around this season. That could leave Stapleton on the outside looking in if the team only keeps nine offensive linemen on the roster.
Eddie Drummond: Willie Reid stretched his legs a bit last week as a receiver. Unless Drummond shows something truly special as a return man, he doesn't make this team. He's not even in consideration for the No. 5 receiver spot.
Dallas Baker: Reid has the advantage on Baker for the No. 5 receiver spot, but Baker could change that with a big game.
Nick Eason/Orpheus Roye: One's going to make it, the other isn't. Eason has actually had a good preseason, but his career has shown him to be nothing more than a backup. Roye has plenty of starting experience, but is only a one year stop-gap.
Paul Ernster/Mitch Berger: I'd give Berger the edge right now for the punting job. Coaches hate to go with the unknown at the position because they don't want to give it any thought.
Anthony Madison: He's too small to help out as a cornerback, but is a solid special teams player. But rookie Travis Williams or Roy Lewis might be more capable of playing corner and better special teams options.
Darnell Stapleton: Rookie offensive tackle Tony Hills has improved his play the last couple of weeks – though he's still not ready to contribute. And given the team's pending free agents at the end of the season, it has to keep Hills around this season. That could leave Stapleton on the outside looking in if the team only keeps nine offensive linemen on the roster.
Eddie Drummond: Willie Reid stretched his legs a bit last week as a receiver. Unless Drummond shows something truly special as a return man, he doesn't make this team. He's not even in consideration for the No. 5 receiver spot.
Dallas Baker: Reid has the advantage on Baker for the No. 5 receiver spot, but Baker could change that with a big game.
Nick Eason/Orpheus Roye: One's going to make it, the other isn't. Eason has actually had a good preseason, but his career has shown him to be nothing more than a backup. Roye has plenty of starting experience, but is only a one year stop-gap.
Paul Ernster/Mitch Berger: I'd give Berger the edge right now for the punting job. Coaches hate to go with the unknown at the position because they don't want to give it any thought.
Anthony Madison: He's too small to help out as a cornerback, but is a solid special teams player. But rookie Travis Williams or Roy Lewis might be more capable of playing corner and better special teams options.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Steelers release Boyd
The Steelers placed tight end Cody Boyd on the Waived/Injured List, the
team announced today. The release of Boyd brings the team's roster to the NFL
maximum of 76 players, including one international practice squad player.
Boyd (6-8, 264) was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in
May of 2007. He was released by the team and spent a portion of the 2007 season on
the Washington Redskins active roster and practice squad. Boyd was re-signed earlier
this year by the Steelers.
The Steelers currently have 76 players on their roster due to the exemption of wide
receiver Marvin Allen, who will be a member of the team's practice squad this year
as part of the NFL's international player development program.
Hrad coach Mike Tomlin left the possibility open Tuesday for bringing Boyd back on the team once his shoulder heals. Boyd had surgery on the shoulder Monday and Tomlin said the damage wasn't as bad as the team feared.
It appears the team will open the season with two tight ends, using Max Starks as the third tight end - at least until Boyd is ready to return.
team announced today. The release of Boyd brings the team's roster to the NFL
maximum of 76 players, including one international practice squad player.
Boyd (6-8, 264) was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in
May of 2007. He was released by the team and spent a portion of the 2007 season on
the Washington Redskins active roster and practice squad. Boyd was re-signed earlier
this year by the Steelers.
The Steelers currently have 76 players on their roster due to the exemption of wide
receiver Marvin Allen, who will be a member of the team's practice squad this year
as part of the NFL's international player development program.
Hrad coach Mike Tomlin left the possibility open Tuesday for bringing Boyd back on the team once his shoulder heals. Boyd had surgery on the shoulder Monday and Tomlin said the damage wasn't as bad as the team feared.
It appears the team will open the season with two tight ends, using Max Starks as the third tight end - at least until Boyd is ready to return.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Steelers make roster moves
The Steelers placed punter Daniel Sepulveda on the Reserve/Injured List
and made three other roster moves, the team announced today, bringing the team's
total number of players to 77 players (one international practice squad player).
Sepulveda (6-3, 230) injured his knee prior to the team's first preseason game and
had season-ending surgery the following week. The Steelers' first of two
fourth-round draft picks (112th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft, Sepulveda was the
recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as a rookie, given annually to
the team's top rookie after averaging 44.3 yards per punt last season.
Additionally, the Steelers released quarterback Mike Potts, wide receiver Jeremy
Bloom and defensive lineman Martavius Prince.
The Steelers currently have 77 players on their roster due to the exemption of wide
receiver Marvin Allen, who will be a member of the team's practice squad this year
as part of the NFL's international player development program. The Steelers must
make one more roster move prior to tomorrow's 4 p.m. ET deadline to meet the NFL's
maximum roster limit.
and made three other roster moves, the team announced today, bringing the team's
total number of players to 77 players (one international practice squad player).
Sepulveda (6-3, 230) injured his knee prior to the team's first preseason game and
had season-ending surgery the following week. The Steelers' first of two
fourth-round draft picks (112th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft, Sepulveda was the
recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as a rookie, given annually to
the team's top rookie after averaging 44.3 yards per punt last season.
Additionally, the Steelers released quarterback Mike Potts, wide receiver Jeremy
Bloom and defensive lineman Martavius Prince.
The Steelers currently have 77 players on their roster due to the exemption of wide
receiver Marvin Allen, who will be a member of the team's practice squad this year
as part of the NFL's international player development program. The Steelers must
make one more roster move prior to tomorrow's 4 p.m. ET deadline to meet the NFL's
maximum roster limit.
Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings
The interesting thing about the WR rankings is where to rank Brandon Marshall and Steve Smith? Both will be on suspension when the season begins, which hurts their fantasy value. But both are extremely valuable fantasy receivers.
1. Randy Moss, New England
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
4. Terrell Owens, Dallas
5. Torry Holt, St. Louis
6. Marques Colston, New Orleans
7. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland
8. Andre Johnson, Houston
9. Steve Smith, Carolina
10. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
11. Wes Welker, New England
12. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati
13. Roy Williams, Detroit
14. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati
15. Plaxico Burress, N.Y. Giants
16. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh
17. Jerrico Cotchery, N.Y. Jets
18. Lee Evans, Buffalo
19. Roddy White, Atlanta
20. Brandon Marshall, Denver
Don't be too scared off by the Boldin situation in Arizona. If he wants paid or to get out of there at the end of the year, he'll have a big season. Colston should be good with the addition of Jeremy Shockey to take some pressure off of him. Smith would go a couple of spots higher if not for the suspension. White kind of scares me because of his QB situation.
1. Randy Moss, New England
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
4. Terrell Owens, Dallas
5. Torry Holt, St. Louis
6. Marques Colston, New Orleans
7. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland
8. Andre Johnson, Houston
9. Steve Smith, Carolina
10. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
11. Wes Welker, New England
12. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati
13. Roy Williams, Detroit
14. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati
15. Plaxico Burress, N.Y. Giants
16. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh
17. Jerrico Cotchery, N.Y. Jets
18. Lee Evans, Buffalo
19. Roddy White, Atlanta
20. Brandon Marshall, Denver
Don't be too scared off by the Boldin situation in Arizona. If he wants paid or to get out of there at the end of the year, he'll have a big season. Colston should be good with the addition of Jeremy Shockey to take some pressure off of him. Smith would go a couple of spots higher if not for the suspension. White kind of scares me because of his QB situation.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Quick hits from Minnesota game
If you’re looking for some insight into the first round of cuts, quarterback Dennis Dixon, wide receivers Jeremy Bloom, Marvin Allen and Micah Rucker, running back Justin Vincent, defensive linemen Jordan Reffett, Ryan McBean and Martavius Prince and guards Doug Legursky and Matt Lentz did not play against the Vikings.
Dixon, however did not play because head coach Mike Tomlin wanted Byron Leftwich to play under fire in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. And Allen gets an exemption on the practice squad as a player from Great Britain.
The rest of that group are likely done here, if not this week, then later.
© I liked what I saw from Rashard Mendenhall - with the two fumbles being a very notable exception.
Mendenhall ran with greater power and had some very nice cuts.
Now, he'll have to work on that whole ball protection thing.
But it's better to get that kind of stuff out of the way now rather than in September against Houston.
Dixon, however did not play because head coach Mike Tomlin wanted Byron Leftwich to play under fire in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. And Allen gets an exemption on the practice squad as a player from Great Britain.
The rest of that group are likely done here, if not this week, then later.
© I liked what I saw from Rashard Mendenhall - with the two fumbles being a very notable exception.
Mendenhall ran with greater power and had some very nice cuts.
Now, he'll have to work on that whole ball protection thing.
But it's better to get that kind of stuff out of the way now rather than in September against Houston.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Fantasy Running Back Rankings
Here are my top 20 fantsy running backs heading into 2008
1. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia
4. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis
5. Frank Gore, San Francisco
6. Steven Jackson, St. Louis
7. Clinton Portis, Washington
8. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo
9. Marion Barber III, Dallas
10. Larry Johnson, Kansas City
11. Reggie Bush, New Orleans
12. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland
13. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants
14. Ryan Grant, Green Bay
15. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville
16. Willis Mcgahee, Baltimore
17. Edgerrin James, Arizona
18. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh
19. LenDale White, Tennessee
20. Ronnie Brown, Miami
LT is a no-brainer at the top, but Peterson is something of a risk at No. 2 given his injury history. Jackson could struggle after his lengthy holdout. I like Barber, but he's never had to carry most of the load and his running style lends itself to injury. My league counts catches as a point, which is why Bush is so high. If your league doesn't, bump him down about six spots. It's looking like Brown, who's been hurt throughout the preseason and is coming of a major injury, will be sharing carries with Ricky Williams.
1. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia
4. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis
5. Frank Gore, San Francisco
6. Steven Jackson, St. Louis
7. Clinton Portis, Washington
8. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo
9. Marion Barber III, Dallas
10. Larry Johnson, Kansas City
11. Reggie Bush, New Orleans
12. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland
13. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants
14. Ryan Grant, Green Bay
15. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville
16. Willis Mcgahee, Baltimore
17. Edgerrin James, Arizona
18. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh
19. LenDale White, Tennessee
20. Ronnie Brown, Miami
LT is a no-brainer at the top, but Peterson is something of a risk at No. 2 given his injury history. Jackson could struggle after his lengthy holdout. I like Barber, but he's never had to carry most of the load and his running style lends itself to injury. My league counts catches as a point, which is why Bush is so high. If your league doesn't, bump him down about six spots. It's looking like Brown, who's been hurt throughout the preseason and is coming of a major injury, will be sharing carries with Ricky Williams.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Fantasy QB rankings
For those of you who aren't long-time readers of this blog, it actually started three years ago as a fantasy football blog.
I used to do preseason rankings and then give my hot wire pickups and weekly sleeper picks. Then I realized that all the guys I was competing against were reading my blog and discontinued that.
But as a nod to the good old days, I'm going to have my fantasy rankings available here for all to see:
QBs
1. Tom Brady. New England
2. Tony Romo, Dallas
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans
4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
5. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati
6. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
8. Derek Anderson, Cleveland
9. Matt Haselbeck, Seattle
10. David Garrard, Jacksonville
Brady is a no-brainer at No. 1, while Manning slips a little because of his knee injury. I don't like Anderson as much as some fantasy magazines and sites do. In the second half of last season he had four games with fewer than 200 yards passing and only had 12 TDs. Garrard is something of a surprise on the list, but if you look at his numbers down the stretch, it's deserving.
I used to do preseason rankings and then give my hot wire pickups and weekly sleeper picks. Then I realized that all the guys I was competing against were reading my blog and discontinued that.
But as a nod to the good old days, I'm going to have my fantasy rankings available here for all to see:
QBs
1. Tom Brady. New England
2. Tony Romo, Dallas
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans
4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
5. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati
6. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
8. Derek Anderson, Cleveland
9. Matt Haselbeck, Seattle
10. David Garrard, Jacksonville
Brady is a no-brainer at No. 1, while Manning slips a little because of his knee injury. I don't like Anderson as much as some fantasy magazines and sites do. In the second half of last season he had four games with fewer than 200 yards passing and only had 12 TDs. Garrard is something of a surprise on the list, but if you look at his numbers down the stretch, it's deserving.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
OK, forget Humpal
Linebacker Mike Humpal did not practice again today as the Steelers held their first workouts at their training facility after breaking camp and head coach Mike Tomlin has already pretty much ruled the sixth-round draft pick out for Saturday's game at Minnesota.
I had Humpal on my 53-man roster I did Monday, but as Chuck Noll used to say, "you can't make the club in the tub."
Take Humpal off that roster and put Tyrone Carter back on, though linebacker Donovan Woods could make a strong case for himself this weekend.
© In case you missed it, former Steelers' punter Josh Miller was released by Tennessee Tuesday.
Miller, however, is 38.
I had Humpal on my 53-man roster I did Monday, but as Chuck Noll used to say, "you can't make the club in the tub."
Take Humpal off that roster and put Tyrone Carter back on, though linebacker Donovan Woods could make a strong case for himself this weekend.
© In case you missed it, former Steelers' punter Josh Miller was released by Tennessee Tuesday.
Miller, however, is 38.
Monday, August 18, 2008
My 53-man roster
NFL teams have another 10 days or so before they have to get down to their 53-man roster, but with training camp finished, I’m ready to trim the Steelers’ roster now. Here’s what I’m coming up with.
QBs: (3) Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon. The Steelers will wait as long as they can before releasing Charlie Batch, but it will probably happen.
RBs: (5) Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, Carey Davis and Gary Russell. This is pretty much a no-brainer position.
WR: (5) Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed and Dallas Baker. It was once assumed Eddie Drummond would make this team and he still could. Baker is clearly on the bubble and needs to show something on special teams or Drummond could send him to the practice squad.
TE:: (3) Heath Miller, Matt Speath and Cody Boyd. This is a tough call because all of the guys vying for the third spot have been banged up with the exception of Lee Vickers, who was only signed Saturday. Vickers could beat Boyd out, particuarly if Boyd is unable to play Saturday at Minnesota with a lingering shoulder problem.
OL: (10) Marvel Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Kendall Simmons, Willie Colon, Max Starks, Trai Essex, Sean Mahan, Darnell Stapleton, Tony Hills. Hills is the only tough call here. He doesn’t deserve to make the roster based on play, but the team has to have an eye on the future.
DL: (6) Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, Travis Kirschke, Chris Hoke, Orpheus Roye. This assumes Roye has anything left in the tank. And Nick Eason could actually beat out Kirschke, though I doubt it. Scott Paxson has one more year on the practice squad.
LB: (9) James Harrison, James Farrior, Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, Keyaron Fox, Arnold Harrison, Mike Humpal and Bruce Davis. Humpal has been banged up a lot and Davis makes the team because of his draft status. It’s a tough call between Harrison, Andre Frazier and Donovan Woods for what will be a special teams position. Woods could open some eyes Saturday.
DB: (9) Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu, Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden, Anthony Smith, William Gay, Ryan Mundy and Roy Lewis. Tyrone Carter spent all of training camp at strong safety with Polamalu out, but he is just so limited because of his lack of size. Lewis bumps Anthony Madison and Travis Williams because he can also play safety.
Specialists: (3) Jeff Reed, Mitch Berger, Greg Warren. Berger beats out Paul Ernster, but the team could still sign somebody else to punt depending on who’s released in the next two weeks.
QBs: (3) Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon. The Steelers will wait as long as they can before releasing Charlie Batch, but it will probably happen.
RBs: (5) Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, Carey Davis and Gary Russell. This is pretty much a no-brainer position.
WR: (5) Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed and Dallas Baker. It was once assumed Eddie Drummond would make this team and he still could. Baker is clearly on the bubble and needs to show something on special teams or Drummond could send him to the practice squad.
TE:: (3) Heath Miller, Matt Speath and Cody Boyd. This is a tough call because all of the guys vying for the third spot have been banged up with the exception of Lee Vickers, who was only signed Saturday. Vickers could beat Boyd out, particuarly if Boyd is unable to play Saturday at Minnesota with a lingering shoulder problem.
OL: (10) Marvel Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Kendall Simmons, Willie Colon, Max Starks, Trai Essex, Sean Mahan, Darnell Stapleton, Tony Hills. Hills is the only tough call here. He doesn’t deserve to make the roster based on play, but the team has to have an eye on the future.
DL: (6) Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, Travis Kirschke, Chris Hoke, Orpheus Roye. This assumes Roye has anything left in the tank. And Nick Eason could actually beat out Kirschke, though I doubt it. Scott Paxson has one more year on the practice squad.
LB: (9) James Harrison, James Farrior, Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, Keyaron Fox, Arnold Harrison, Mike Humpal and Bruce Davis. Humpal has been banged up a lot and Davis makes the team because of his draft status. It’s a tough call between Harrison, Andre Frazier and Donovan Woods for what will be a special teams position. Woods could open some eyes Saturday.
DB: (9) Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu, Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden, Anthony Smith, William Gay, Ryan Mundy and Roy Lewis. Tyrone Carter spent all of training camp at strong safety with Polamalu out, but he is just so limited because of his lack of size. Lewis bumps Anthony Madison and Travis Williams because he can also play safety.
Specialists: (3) Jeff Reed, Mitch Berger, Greg Warren. Berger beats out Paul Ernster, but the team could still sign somebody else to punt depending on who’s released in the next two weeks.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Steelers sign Roye
The Steelers signed 47-year-old defensive lineman Orpheus Roye to a contract Sunday, hoping, praying, that somebody will knock Nick Eason off of this roster.
Roye, you'll remember, was a 1996 draft pick of the Steelers, who left the team to sign with Cleveland back in the stone ages. He was replaced in the starting lineup by a young Aaron Smith.
So much for getting younger on the defensive line.
Who's next? Ernie Stautner?
The signing of Roye shows a bit of the team's desperation for backup help on the defensive line. And desperation is not a good thing in the NFL.
Roye, you'll remember, was a 1996 draft pick of the Steelers, who left the team to sign with Cleveland back in the stone ages. He was replaced in the starting lineup by a young Aaron Smith.
So much for getting younger on the defensive line.
Who's next? Ernie Stautner?
The signing of Roye shows a bit of the team's desperation for backup help on the defensive line. And desperation is not a good thing in the NFL.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Steelers make another flurry of moves
The Steelers made three roster moves today, including signing free
agent tight end Lee Vickers, placing tight end Jonathan Dekker on the Waived/Injured
List and waiving defensive end Kevin Huntley.
Vickers (6-6, 275) was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Steelers as a
defensive end out of North Alabama in 2006 but was released that same season in
training camp. He was then signed as a tight end to the Philadelphia Eagles practice
squad where he spent most of the 2006 season on the practice squad. Vickers was
released by the Eagles and signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 2007 and played in nine
games as a tight end, starting two. He caught two passes for four yards but was
released last week from the Ravens.
Dekker (6-5, 250) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Steelers' preseason
game against the Buffalo Bills. He originally signed as a rookie free agent with the
team in 2006 and spent the entire 2006 season and 11 games of the 2007 season on
Pittsburgh's practice squad. He was signed to the active roster for the final five
games of the 2007 regular season, seeing action in three contests.
Huntley (6-7, 290) was waived after failing his physical. He originally signed with
the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent from Kansas State in 2006. Huntley played
in the final five games of his rookie season with Oakland and registered 10 tackles,
2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble. He spent the 2007 season with the Atlanta Falcons
and recorded three tackles while playing in five games. The Steelers claimed him
last week from the Washington Redskins.
I like Vickers. He was one of the "offseason phenoms" of last season, but didn't work out as a defensive player. But the former quarterback and pitcher is a superior athlete who has some special teams experience.
© In other news, it appears the Steelers are targeting Tuesday for Troy Polamalu's return to the field. That would mean Polamalu would see some action in Saturday's game at Minnesota.
agent tight end Lee Vickers, placing tight end Jonathan Dekker on the Waived/Injured
List and waiving defensive end Kevin Huntley.
Vickers (6-6, 275) was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Steelers as a
defensive end out of North Alabama in 2006 but was released that same season in
training camp. He was then signed as a tight end to the Philadelphia Eagles practice
squad where he spent most of the 2006 season on the practice squad. Vickers was
released by the Eagles and signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 2007 and played in nine
games as a tight end, starting two. He caught two passes for four yards but was
released last week from the Ravens.
Dekker (6-5, 250) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Steelers' preseason
game against the Buffalo Bills. He originally signed as a rookie free agent with the
team in 2006 and spent the entire 2006 season and 11 games of the 2007 season on
Pittsburgh's practice squad. He was signed to the active roster for the final five
games of the 2007 regular season, seeing action in three contests.
Huntley (6-7, 290) was waived after failing his physical. He originally signed with
the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent from Kansas State in 2006. Huntley played
in the final five games of his rookie season with Oakland and registered 10 tackles,
2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble. He spent the 2007 season with the Atlanta Falcons
and recorded three tackles while playing in five games. The Steelers claimed him
last week from the Washington Redskins.
I like Vickers. He was one of the "offseason phenoms" of last season, but didn't work out as a defensive player. But the former quarterback and pitcher is a superior athlete who has some special teams experience.
© In other news, it appears the Steelers are targeting Tuesday for Troy Polamalu's return to the field. That would mean Polamalu would see some action in Saturday's game at Minnesota.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Post-game thoughts
I don't know how the coaching staff will be able to keep Lawrence Timmons off the field.
I like Larry Foote a lot. He's always been a stand-up guy with me through thick and thin. But Timmons has the look of a future Pro Bowl player.
His closing speed is Kendrell Bell-like. And unlike Bell, Timmons has a head on his shoulders.
© I don't lose a lot of sleep over preseason games – though it is currently past 2 a.m. when I'm making this post – but you know what I mean.
Buffalo really, really wanted to win this game in front of a Canandian crowd it was trying to impress.
That's no exuse for allowing Trent Edwards to look like the second coming of Steve Young, but hey, Tyrone Carter was on the field.
© Justin Hartwig's holding penalty was really the only thing I saw from him that I didn't like. Remember, he was facing a much defensive line this week than Sean Mahan did against Philadelphia.
Marcus Stroud is still a load in there when he wants to be. And Hartwig helped keep him out of Ben Roethlisberger's face.
Marvel Smith also saw just how good Aaron Schobel is.
Schobel might be the best player in the NFL nobody has heard of.
© Rashard Mendenhall has got to learn to get lower if he wants to pound it between the tackles in the NFL.
Running high through a hole may work against Minnesota, but he'll find out next week it won't work against the Vikings.
© I really like what I'm seeing now out of Dennis Dixon. The kid is looking much better than he did in the first week of camp.
Much of that is probably because he's shaken the rust off. It's hard to believe – especially after watching him hug the sidelines on his long TD run – that he had major knee surgery less than a year ago.
© Johnathan Dekker's injury may have opened a spot for Cody Boyd on this roster - though I thought Boyd was the better option until he was slowed by a shoulder injury.
But Dezmond Sherrod had a nice block as well on Dixon's touchdown run.
I like Larry Foote a lot. He's always been a stand-up guy with me through thick and thin. But Timmons has the look of a future Pro Bowl player.
His closing speed is Kendrell Bell-like. And unlike Bell, Timmons has a head on his shoulders.
© I don't lose a lot of sleep over preseason games – though it is currently past 2 a.m. when I'm making this post – but you know what I mean.
Buffalo really, really wanted to win this game in front of a Canandian crowd it was trying to impress.
That's no exuse for allowing Trent Edwards to look like the second coming of Steve Young, but hey, Tyrone Carter was on the field.
© Justin Hartwig's holding penalty was really the only thing I saw from him that I didn't like. Remember, he was facing a much defensive line this week than Sean Mahan did against Philadelphia.
Marcus Stroud is still a load in there when he wants to be. And Hartwig helped keep him out of Ben Roethlisberger's face.
Marvel Smith also saw just how good Aaron Schobel is.
Schobel might be the best player in the NFL nobody has heard of.
© Rashard Mendenhall has got to learn to get lower if he wants to pound it between the tackles in the NFL.
Running high through a hole may work against Minnesota, but he'll find out next week it won't work against the Vikings.
© I really like what I'm seeing now out of Dennis Dixon. The kid is looking much better than he did in the first week of camp.
Much of that is probably because he's shaken the rust off. It's hard to believe – especially after watching him hug the sidelines on his long TD run – that he had major knee surgery less than a year ago.
© Johnathan Dekker's injury may have opened a spot for Cody Boyd on this roster - though I thought Boyd was the better option until he was slowed by a shoulder injury.
But Dezmond Sherrod had a nice block as well on Dixon's touchdown run.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Steelers sign DE, cut Clement
The Steelers added a new name to their roster today when they claimed third-year defensive end Kevin Huntley off waivers from the Washington Redskins.
Huntley (6-7, 290) originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent from Kansas State in 2006. He played in the final five games of his rookie season with Oakland and registered 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble. He spent the 2007 season with the Atlanta Falcons and recorded three tackles while playing in five games.
The Steelers made room for Huntley on their roster by releasing rookie free agent defensive end Kyle Clement.
Huntley (6-7, 290) originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent from Kansas State in 2006. He played in the final five games of his rookie season with Oakland and registered 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble. He spent the 2007 season with the Atlanta Falcons and recorded three tackles while playing in five games.
The Steelers made room for Huntley on their roster by releasing rookie free agent defensive end Kyle Clement.
Breaking for the Bills
Training camp is winding down and I know the players probably couldn't be happier.
After watching practice after practice for the past two weeks, I know that I'm tired of it all. The players have to really be sick of it.
Mike Tomlin must have sensed that a little and gave them the morning off after having them stretch to make sure nobody had gone over the wall.
I kept a close eye on new punter Mitch Berger today and came away with unimpressed.
Berger is more consistent than Paul Ernster, but doesn't kick the occasional 60-yarder than Ernster does. He also didn't shank anything, which Ernster has done a couple of times as well.
Tomlin took time during his press conference today to rip the media for what he thought was an unfair portrayal of safety Anthony Smith as a thug.
Tomlin said Smith's feelings were hurt by the portrayal.
Talking to Smith later in the day, I didn't get that sense. He just said that he's never robbed anyone and doesn't have a record, so he can't be a thug.
Guess he's got a different idea of what the word means than most people.
Tomlin did say, however, that Thursday's game against Buffalo will be a big one for Smith, who has missed a good amount of time in camp with a hamstring problem.
The team is liking what it has seen from rookie Roy Lewis, and it likes Ryan Mundy's upside.
It's possible Tomlin is looking for a good reason to rid himself of Smith.
After watching practice after practice for the past two weeks, I know that I'm tired of it all. The players have to really be sick of it.
Mike Tomlin must have sensed that a little and gave them the morning off after having them stretch to make sure nobody had gone over the wall.
I kept a close eye on new punter Mitch Berger today and came away with unimpressed.
Berger is more consistent than Paul Ernster, but doesn't kick the occasional 60-yarder than Ernster does. He also didn't shank anything, which Ernster has done a couple of times as well.
Tomlin took time during his press conference today to rip the media for what he thought was an unfair portrayal of safety Anthony Smith as a thug.
Tomlin said Smith's feelings were hurt by the portrayal.
Talking to Smith later in the day, I didn't get that sense. He just said that he's never robbed anyone and doesn't have a record, so he can't be a thug.
Guess he's got a different idea of what the word means than most people.
Tomlin did say, however, that Thursday's game against Buffalo will be a big one for Smith, who has missed a good amount of time in camp with a hamstring problem.
The team is liking what it has seen from rookie Roy Lewis, and it likes Ryan Mundy's upside.
It's possible Tomlin is looking for a good reason to rid himself of Smith.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Watching Leftwich
I came away from seeing Byron Leftwich for the first time in practice Monday morning impressed.
He's got a canon for an arm, far more so than Charlie Batch.
Now, I'm starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Batch's spot here isn't so firm.
Batch was having surgery Monday and it wouldn't surprise me if the team eventually releases him. Leftwich looks like a better player.
He threw a perfect strike to rookie Limas Sweed in the front corner of the end zone on his first play in red zone practice Monday morning. Sweed dropped the ball.
He just missed Dallas Baker on his next attempt on a short slant, but followed that up by threading the ball to tight end Jonathan Dekker at the goal line. It was a pass Batch couldn't make.
I like Charlie. He's a great guy.
But he doesn't have this kind of arm strength - not any more, not ever.
He's got a canon for an arm, far more so than Charlie Batch.
Now, I'm starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Batch's spot here isn't so firm.
Batch was having surgery Monday and it wouldn't surprise me if the team eventually releases him. Leftwich looks like a better player.
He threw a perfect strike to rookie Limas Sweed in the front corner of the end zone on his first play in red zone practice Monday morning. Sweed dropped the ball.
He just missed Dallas Baker on his next attempt on a short slant, but followed that up by threading the ball to tight end Jonathan Dekker at the goal line. It was a pass Batch couldn't make.
I like Charlie. He's a great guy.
But he doesn't have this kind of arm strength - not any more, not ever.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Leftwich signs, but what does it mean?
The Steelers signed Byron Leftwich and have led him to believe he has a chance to beat out Charlie Batch for the No. 2 job in Pittsburgh behind Ben Roethlisberger.
Maybe Leftwich was buying it, but I'm not.
Batch is a Pittsburgh guy who's very involved in the community, something that's very important to the Rooneys. He's also very popular with his teammates - perhaps more so than Roethlisberger.
And if rookie Dennis Dixon continues to show that he can be an eventual replacement for Batch, there won't be any room on the roster for Leftwich.
So long as Batch is only going to be out four to six weeks, I don't look for Leftwich to be around all that long.
Maybe Leftwich was buying it, but I'm not.
Batch is a Pittsburgh guy who's very involved in the community, something that's very important to the Rooneys. He's also very popular with his teammates - perhaps more so than Roethlisberger.
And if rookie Dennis Dixon continues to show that he can be an eventual replacement for Batch, there won't be any room on the roster for Leftwich.
So long as Batch is only going to be out four to six weeks, I don't look for Leftwich to be around all that long.
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