Pope on 53 because of Haley

Pope had a miserable game against the Panthers. He had a could of dropped passes at least. Why is he still on the roster? IMHO its because of Haley. However, after Wesley Saunders four game suspension is over, the Steelers have a decision to make. Do they bring Saunders back who I think is a better TE then Pope, McCoy, and Paulson, or do they cut Saunders. If they bring back Saunders, who do they cut, Pope, Paulson or McCoy from the PS. Do they put Paulson on the PS?

IMHO, Pope should be cut, Paulson should be the third TE, and McCoy should be kept on the PS. Pope I hope is the odd man out.

 

i think mccoy is there until saunders gets back and paulson goes to the PS and learns the FB spot also. he will be a two position backup, i'd say. i think they have to pay pope for the whole season now that he's made the team and he knows the offense. brown had a couple drops too. pope is still 6-8 for the redzone. he did get open on those two drops also which is a positive. i fully expect saunders to be the 2nd TE and with willj playing well he may be used in alot of different roles this year too. pope will have a hard time seeing the field i think.

 

Saunders hasn't exactly been lighting it up this camp either.... He has kind of regressed.

Pope has shown he is a better blocker than everyone previously has thought.

 

I guess you didnt watch the panthers game suander had a few nice plays. They know what they have in suanders they were looking at the other guys. Suanders was running with the ones when miller was hurt

 

This!

 

They didnt really use him during the preseason...they didnt put him in until the 3rd/4th string...as they know what they have with him...they wanted/needed to evaluate the other players first. Saunders is just fine.

 

Edog, I think you're always a little quick to promote the younger players whether they've proved their worth or not.

In this case, I do kind of agree - Pope has been solid throughout his career, but never spectacular.

However, there's nothing inherently wrong with players aligning with coaches, unless it's absolutely nepotistic. Mewelde Moore was hardly a hindrance to us the last few seasons, for example.

 

Yep noes the time pope.....let's see what you got big guy

 

I thought for sure Pope would be cut...I agree he played a horrible game against the Panthers...In his defense though I did rewatch his play and he is getting better as a blocker and he was able to get open....He made a good block on a screen ,but he must get his head in front...

He has four games to show why he is here...If not he will be gone..

 

I am not aways quick to promote the younger players. I say who I think the best players are. There is nothing wrong with youth. Most of the nfl teams play their younger players and have success. I think the Steelers are slow to pull the trigger sometimes on the younger players. I think Farrior and Smith were kept around to long. Put the younger guys out their and let them learn on the run.

 

he's actually had 6 or 7 yrs to prove his worth.......... this is his 3rd time in haley's offense...... if he hasn't proven his worth by now, i say that he won't............ from what i saw, during the pre-season, pope showed me a great impersonation of the statue of liberty.

 

I think it's just a case of needing bodies at a certain position and the fact that Pope knows Haley's offense. It makes sense.