Monthly Archives: August 2014

Steelers 53 Man Roster

Predicting The Steelers 53 Man Roster

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The Steelers have until 4:00 pm on August 30th to trim their roster down to the final 53. Here is my final roster prediction.

Quarterbacks (3)

Ben Roethlisberger
Bruce Gradkowski
Landry Jones

I could see the team waiving Jones and signing him to the practice squad, but I don’t think they will.

Running Backs (4)

Le’Veon Bell
LeGarrette Blount
Will Johnson
Dri Archer

No real surprises here. I don’t see the team disciplining either of the 2 LB RBs, so I don’t think they keep another back, especially since none of them has shown enough to warrant the spot. I expect Tauren Poole to be added to the practice squad, and the position can easily be addressed in free agency if the need arises.

Tight Ends (3)

Heath Miller
Matt Spaeth
Michael Palmer

This could go either way, but I think the team throws in the towel on the David Paulson project.

Wide Receiver (6)

Antonio Brown
Markus Wheaton
Lance Moore
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Martavis Bryant
Justin Brown

There’s some room for error here as Justin Brown is a coin toss, Martavis Bryant has been pretty disappointing in preseason, and DHB hasn’t shown a whole lot aside from hauling in a deep touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger against the Eagles. Plays like that were exactly what the Steelers were envisioning when they signed him. Bryant isn’t going to the practice squad, but Justin Brown very well could. Notable cut- Derek Moye.

Offensive Line (8)

Maurkice Pouncey
Kelvin Beachum
Ramon Foster
David DeCastro
Marcus Gilbert
Mike Adams
Cody Wallace
Wesley Johnson

Earlier in the year, I didn’t see Johnson making the roster, but I think the Vanderbilt stand out has shown enough to earn him a spot on the final 53.  If the team goes 9 here, Guy Whimper will be on the list. I see Chris Hubbard landing on the practice squad.

Defensive Line (7)

Cameron Heyward
Steve McLendon
Brett Keisel
Cam Thomas
Stephon Tuitt
Daniel McCullers
Josh Mauro

I think Mauro has shown enough to earn that last spot on the defensive line. While I don’t think McCullers is a roster lock by any means, his upside is greater than that of his peers. Notable cut- Hebron Fangupo.

Linebackers (9)

Jarvis Jones
Ryan Shazier
Lawrence Timmons
Jason Worilds
Arthur Moats
Terence Garvin
Vince Williams
Sean Spence
Vic So’oto

This is probably where I’ll find the most disagreement, but I think Vic So’oto’s play has earned him the last linebacker’s spot. You can’t make the club from the tub, and Jordan Zumwalt has been “in the tub” throughout summer. The team could decide not to move on from Chris Carter, but they should.

Cornerbacks (5)

Ike Taylor
Cortez Allen
William Gay
Antwon Blake
Brice McCain

This one’s pretty easy, though the team would be wise to try to upgrade here via the waiver wire/free agency. Shaq Richardson should have a spot on the practice squad.

Safeties (5)

Troy Polamalu
Mike Mitchell
Will Allen
Shamarko Thomas
Robert Golden

No surprises here.

Specialists (3)

Shaun Suisham
Brad Wing
Greg Warren

Unless Brad Wing is a surgeon in the preseason finale I can’t see him holding his roster spot. Like Drew Butler last year, I see Wing making it past the last round of cuts, only to lose the job shortly after when the team finds an upgrade. The team won’t need to carry 2 long snappers as some had once thought, and with Warren’s recovery time projection, the team could have Luke Ingram or Bryce Davis fill in briefly until he’s 100%.

Dennis Dixon

Bills Cut Former Steelers QB Dennis Dixon

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The Bills have cut former Steelers draft pick Dennis Dixon according to ESPN reporter Mike Rodak and other media outlets.

https://twitter.com/mikerodak/status/503898817222418432

Dixon was signed to the Bills practice squad last October after spending time with the Eagles and Baltimore Ravens. After drafting the former Oregon Duck in the 5th round of the 2008 draft, Dixon saw playing time in only 4 games over his 4 years in Pittsburgh. Dixon got snaps as the Bills #2 quarterback during preseason, and their QB depth is poor, but Dixon couldn’t crack the roster.

Cam Newton Steelers

Cam Newton Has Rib Fracture, Won’t Play Against Steelers

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After the Panthers lost to the Patriots Friday night, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera told the media that he intended to play his starters against the Steelers on Thursday.

“To me it is very evident we’ve got to get (the starters) out there. We’ve got to get our quarterback out there on the field, and he’s got to get some timing with those guys,” Rivera said via the Charlotte Observer. “He missed a couple throws, we had some guys that were open he overthrew, and we’ve just got to continue to work with him. The more snaps he gets, the better.”

Regardless of Rivera’s plan, Newton won’t be facing the Steelers on Thursday now, as it was determined that he has a hairline fracture in his rib.

https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/503644900920135681

With the poor showing by the Steelers first teamers against the Eagles, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad idea to give them some additional reps during the preseason finale, though, if history is any indicator, the starters will be wearing shorts and t-shirts on the sidelines.

David Decastro contract

Breaking Down Marcus Gilbert’s Contract Extension

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The Steelers extended Marcus Gilbert on Tuesday. The deal increased his 2014 cap number by almost $1.37 Mil. Gilbert’s five year extension has a total value of $30 Mil, and includes a $7.65 Mil guaranteed signing bonus.

The deal also includes a $3.5 Mil roster bonus which Gilbert can earn if he’s on the roster the 5th day of the 2015 league year. Lastly, the contract includes the option for Gilbert to earn a $50K workout bonus each year.

Here’s a breakdown of his contract, where SB, RB, and WB are signing bonus, roster bonus and workout bonus respectively.

[table]
Year, Base Salary, SB,RB, WB, Salary Cap Number, Dead Money, Savings If Cut
2014, “$650,000”, “$1,741,802”, “$0”, “$0”, “$2,391,802”, “$7,861,802”, “-$5,470,000”
2015, “$1,900,000”, “$1,530,000”, “$3,500,000”, “$50,000”, “$6,980,000”, “$6,120,000”, “$860,000”
2016, “$3,950,000”, “$1,530,000”, “$0”, “$50,000”, “$5,530,000”, “$4,590,000”, “$940,000”
2017, “$4,000,000”, “$1,530,000”, “$0”, “$50,000”, “$5,580,000”, “$3,060,000”, “$2,520,000”
2018, “$4,050,000”, “$1,530,000”, “$0”, “$50,000”, “$5,630,000”, “$1,530,000”, “$4,100,000”
2019, “$4,865,103”, “$0”, “$0”, “$50,000”, “$4,915,103”, “$0”, “$4,915,103”
[/table]

Sean-Spence

Report: Sean Spence Will Not Require Surgery On His Knee

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As you likely know, Sean Spence suffered an injury to his right knee during Thursday night’s loss to the Eagles. After the game, Coach Tomlin described it as a PCL, but didn’t have any further information. According to Jerry Dulac of the Post Gazette, Spence sprained his PCL, and it will not require surgery.

https://twitter.com/gerrydulac/status/503272493248155649

As I mentioned the other night, most PCL injuries do not require surgery. Thankfully for Spence, this appears to be minor. Goodness knows the kid has overcome enough in his short NFL career. Hopefully he makes a quick recovery. Assuming it is a low grade sprain, his recovery time should be relatively short.

Adam Podlesh

Projecting The First Wave Of Roster Cuts

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The Steelers have until August 26th at 4:oo pm to reduce their roster down to 75 players. Currently the team is carrying 90. The Steelers will likely make their cuts prior to the Tuesday deadline, as has been their tendency in recent history. Cuts could come as early as today.

Aside from the obvious reason a player gets cut in the first wave of cuts, sometimes teams cut players early as a courtesy, but other times it’s to try to reduce the chance of them getting claimed on waivers by another team. Here is a look at the players who are very likely to be waived, a couple of whom may be injury waivers.

CB Dayonne Nunley
CB Lew Toler
DE Ethan Hemer
DT Roy Philon
LB Jordan Zumwalt
OL Emmanuel McCray
QB Brendon Kay
RB Josh Harris
RB Stephen Houston
OG Chris Elkins
RB Miguel Maysonet
TE Eric Waters
WR Lanear Sampson
WR CJ Goodwin
OT Graham Pocic

Honorable mentions- S Ross Ventrone, RB Jordan Hall, LB Dan Molls.

 

Le'Veon Bell

Le’Veon Bell Didn’t Know He Could Get A DUI For Being High

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Ross Township police have released the criminal complaint against Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount. According to the complaint, Le’Veon Bell didn’t know he could get a DUI from smoking marijuana.

“I didn’t know that you could get a DUI for being high. I smoked two hours ago,” Bell said according to the complaint (via the Post Gazette). “I am not high anymore. I am perfectly fine. Why would I be getting high if I had to get on a plane to make it to my game?”

You can draw your own conclusions, but either Bell really is that clueless, or he hoped to talk his way out of it. The officer asked where he was heading, to which Bell replied, “I have to be on my plane at three to be in Philadelphia. I play for the Steelers.” The officer noted that Bell’s eyes were red and glassy, and his pupils were dilated. After a field sobriety test, the officer noted that he didn’t believe that he could safely operate a motor vehicle.

After the traffic stop, Bell was taken to UPMC Passavant where he had a blood test to determine if he had active THC in his blood. He was subsequently charged with DUI.

After last night’s game, the two apologized for the distraction they caused. “I’m sorry to be a distraction to the team,” said Bell. “I’m only going to answer football questions right now.” After which he would not answer questions about the incident.

Blount’s apology was similar. “I’m sorry for the distraction I caused my team. I apologized to the team and the coaches.”

 

 

Isaac Redman

Former Steelers RB Isaac Redman Done With Football Due To Neck Injury

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After the news of Le’veon Bell’s and LeGarrette Blount’s marijuana charges broke the other day, many people were calling for Isaac Redman to return. No really, they were. Anyway, the calls for his return on social media must have prompted him to reveal that he can no longer play football due to a spinal injury. Here’s what he had to say about it via his Twitter account.

“To those who are wondering why I am not playing anymore. Last season I tried my best to play through a neck injury but I wasn’t myself on the field. After being released I wen Cali to see Dr. Watkins. (donctor who did Payton Manning’s neck surgery) after 2 MRI’s and a cat scan he then told me I had suffered a career ending injury to my spinal cord. Various teams have called but as you can see I was unable to go. I would like to thank all my fans for the tremendous support throughout my career.”

https://twitter.com/ired33/status/502826137207455744

Redman was named starter last year, but was waived by the team on October 21st.

Steelers news

Sean Spence And Jason Worilds Exit With Knee Injuries

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During the loss to the Eagles tonight, Sean Spence and Jason Worilds left the game early with knee injuries. Sean Spence’s knee injury was to his right knee, not the knee he had surgically repaired two years ago. Coach Tomlin described it as ‘probably a PCL’. He didn’t elaborate and probably doesn’t have specifics yet, but often times PCL injuries don’t require surgery. We’ll have to wait and see how significantly it was injured. PCL injuries usually seem better than they truly are at first, but worsen as time goes on.

Tomlin said Jason Worilds had a ‘knee of some description’. This could mean anything, but he was on the sideline icing it during the game, and he didn’t seem to be concerned about it. According to Ian Rapoport, taking him out was just a precaution.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/502676079559991296

The only other injury coach Tomlin mentioned after the game was an ankle sprain to Cam Heyward.

steelers

Steelers Inactives Vs Eagles

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The following players are not dressing for the Steelers tonight:

S Will Allen, WR Lance Moore, RB Tauren Poole, TE Eric Waters, TE Will Johnson, CB Shaq Richardson, CB Devin Smith, OL Cody Wallace, LS Greg Warren, and LB Jordan Zumwalt.

For the Eagles:

CB Brandon Boykin, WR Brad Smith, WR Josh Huff , RB Chris Polk, LB Jake Knott,  and C Julian Vandervelde.