Will these players make the 53?

Yes... in a vacuum. Heyward is just a part of the ST unit as a whole. We are going to cut guys that played ST's for us last year and bring guys in (namely rookies) who will be playing this year. Robinson, Leal, Heyward, etc will all see ST snaps. Watt is a great ST player, as is Snell. But neither have pulled their weight on the field on offense (Snell bc he just isn't an NFL quality runner and Watt bc we don't use FB enough). Replacing great ST players with rookies seems like "well couldn't this guy do the same job" and the answer is "theoretically yes"... but that's not always how it plays out. Sometimes those guys come in and play awful ST's.. then we get to gripe about how sh*tty our ST's are when we continue to give up long returns. It's a catch 22. Until someone can unseat them on offense, I doubt there is any reason to dump either of them due to their ST play.

Now... I do think Warren has surpassed Snell in terms of a back up RB. I would give that kid the nod over Snell. If we are planning on having all 3 TE's dress on gameday (which I think we are), then it kinda gives us that extra ST player in Heyward. Which potentially makes someone like Snell or Watt expendable. Watt has no FB replacement, so I think he's safe (Heyward is an Aaron Hernandez style TE). Snell could potentially be sent in favor of McFarland if we don't really need him as a ST option. So I think if either get cut, then Snell is the most likely. I don't think either will.

 

You want our TE3 playing FB?

 

Green should be cut

 

Why not he ran in college. I think we can better spend 4 million possibly on an OL or ILB

 

Can Radar be beefed up/trained to play OL? Could Tuszka be taught to play ILB?

 

Not uncommon

 

I would say no to both. Tuszka has come a long way IMO. He went from a fringe player, to a guy that gets some snaps in a rotation outside. I don't think playing inside suits him. I know we need help there, but throwing a guy out if position isn't the answer.

I don't see transition to tackle in Radar's future. I think he could make another teams 53 as a TE. Only way he sticks here is if the Steelers keep 4.

 

While that's true, I just don't think that's his skillset. Maybe as an emergency FB, but I really think the kid is just a TE.

 

He ran as a RB not a FB in college. Like I mentioned in my response to another poster, I just don't think FB is his skillset. I also think it is telling that he hasn't run a single snap as a FB in camp. The Steelers don't view it as his skillset either.

He is a TE in the mold of Aaron Hernandez. I don't think jamming a round peg into a square hole just to save a few bucks is good business.

 

I am going to have to agree to disagree.

 

That's fine, you're entitled to that. No worries at all.

I'm not saying its a horrible idea to try players out in certain roles if you think they can do it... Its just that the Steelers haven't given Heyward a single FB snap, so I find it hard to believe that they think he is capable to fill that role as a starter.

 

Bottom line, who am I to argue with Steeler brass if they keep Watt even at his cap hit? I wish he was used more and by extension was more productive with the offense. That's where the rub is for me. However, I'd be surprised if they kept Snell over Warren. Warren has some chops both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. They could possibly keep Snell over McFarland even though McFarland has a higher upside with his speed on offense. It'll be interesting either way.

 

That's because we don't give anyone very many snaps at FB.

 

That is true

 

I'd be very upset if Warren doesn't run ahead of Snell when it comes to actual offensive snaps in season. Warren just brings so much more to the table as a runner and receiver. I also would prefer McFarland to Snell as well, but I could see us sending McFarland to the PS to keep Snell.

But yeah, we don't really use Watt as a FB much. He's an awesome ST player, but that's about it.

 

Austin - Yes (Possibly on IR though)
Boykin - No
Leal - Yes
Mullet - No
Gunner - Yes
Warren - Yes
Heyward - Yes
Watt - No
Vaughn - No
Allen - No

 

The FB (Watt) doesn’t get snaps at FB

 

I am not so sure Vaughns clears waivers, Too many teams needing WR's also. This will be a tough cut for us DL, TE's, WR's