Departed Steelers from 2011: Where are they now?

I found this article interesting as I was wondering if anyone had signed Dennis Dixon and others we let go to a contract....

Departed Steelers from 2011: Where are they now?

By Mike Bires mbires@timesonline.com | Posted: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 10:08 am

Not long after the 2011 season ended, the Steelers began to clean house by pushing four aging veterans toward retirement and severing ties with several players who no longer fit into their future plans.

No less than 12 players who were on their opening-day 53-man roster were gone. That’s a 22.6 percent turnover rate.

Following is a list of those departed Steelers and what their status is now:

Hines Ward, WR -- retired

James Farrior, LB -- retired

Aaron Smith, DE -- retired

Chris Hoke, NT -- retired

William Gay, CB -- starting for the Arizona Cardinals

Mewelde Moore, RB -- reserve on the Indianapolis Colts’ roster

Jonathan Scott, T -- backup for the Detroit Lions

Chris Keomeatu, G -- unsigned free agent

Bryant McFadden, CB -- unsigned free agent

Arnaz Battle, WR -- unsigned free agent

Dennis Dixon, QB -- unsigned free agent

Dan Sepulveda, P -- unsigned free agent

 

Thanks for sharing this. It really hits home when you see them all listed in one place. Only one NFL starter this season out of 12 players and 5 that cant even get signed as BU's. It really seems like these changes were needed and justified. Hated to see a couple of the guys retire, but all of those cut/traded needed to go.

 

I never thought Willie Gay was too bad here but, man he sucked in the HOF game. I do remember Adrian Peterson stepping all in his face once though

 

This is also a stark reminder of how invested we get in the players that are brought in. I cheered, hard, for each and every one of the guys on that list. Now, looking at it, other teams didn't value these guys nearly as much as I did. I really did think Dixon had a chance even after we released him. I thought with his accolades from college and the few things he did here that a team or two out there might be intrigued by his potential. I wouldn't be surprised if Sep never plays again...not much need for a fractured Richard punter. I hope that Mewelde can stick around, I always liked the guy. Honestly, I kind of had to choke back a tear looking at the first 4 names on the list. What an elite group of players!

 

They didn't purge enough, Hampton, Foote should be gone also.
Maybe we are not talking a Mike Wallace hold out.

 

don't think so. they have (had) enough cap space for a deal that would have paid #17 fair money (heck, they should have enough space left AFTER signing ABrown, only have to be a bit ... creative ), the issue was - as far as I got it from news articles - that #17 wanted (a lot) more than the Steelers are willing to pay for him, having more cap space wouldn't have changed that.

 

If Wallace doesn't report soon, I predict we'll be seeing Arnaz Battle back in a Steelers uniform. We need the depth and he's a serviceable, if not spectacular, player who is valuable on special teams.

 

"I miss Johnathon Scott."-No One

 

He is the biggest surprise to me...I cant believe he is on a roster-anywhere.

 

I would certainly take McFadden, Dixon, Battle, and Sepulveda over him. People are desperate for tackles, I guess.

 

Bubby Brister;

De-veining shrimp on a boat off the Louisiana coast.

 

some teams need a right tackle and he wasen't bad on that side.

 

Huh? That has absolutely nothing what so ever to with Wallace not being signed. He was offered 50 mill at 5 yrs and he turned it down. We have the cap room to sign him. Foote is still more than servicable and has played just fine. Why in the hell would you want to get rid of him after Farrior retiring? Thats not a smart move at all. Hampton is quite injury prone these days but when he is healthy, he is still a force. He isn't the player he once was but is reliable when healthy.