Pittsburgh Steelers: Who's In and Who's Out
After a surprisingly eventful final preseason contest and victory against the Carolina Panthers, the Pittsburgh Steelers have to get their roster down to the 53 men who will carry this team in 2010.
There aren't a lot of easy decisions to make and there are a few decisions that could be unpopular with several people.
Here's one man's look at who's done enough to stay on the team and who will likely be packing up their locker and moving on.
IN: Jonathan Dwyer, RB
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Dwyer was on the bubble after two preseason games. As a sixth round pick who came into camp out of shape and quickly became injury prone, the running back was nowhere near a lock to be kept on the roster.
After two strong efforts late in games against Denver and Carolina, Dwyer has certainly made the backfield situation interesting.
Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman were locks already, so Mewelde Moore, Frank Summers, and Dwyer were basically battling it out for two spots.
Dwyer now has done enough to ensure that he would not pass through waivers if cut with the intent to put him on the practice squad. That, combined with some excellent production late in the preseason, will likely put him on the roster.
Now, Dwyer will likely be called on in short yardage situations and will be used to spell Mendenhall in what is expected to be a much more run-heavy offense.
IN: Mewelde Moore, RB
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Moore was written off by many analysts, including myself, after doing little to justify a roster spot in comparison to Isaac Redman.
Against the Carolina Panthers, however, Moore reminded us of just how valuable he can be as a niche player.
Moore will never be considered a great running back, but he can gain yards if used properly. He also is extremely good at being a receiving threat out of the backfield, particularly on screen passes. Since the Steelers traditionally employ the screen in key situations, Moore will be invaluable.
It was only one game, but with several veterans, one game is usually all that is needed to justify their position.
Moore's addition to the list means that, after starter Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman will play fullback and spell Mendenhall, Jonathan Dwyer will be used in short yardage and as another option to Redman, and Moore will resume his duties as the third down back.
OUT: Frank Summers, RB/FB
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With Moore and Dwyer in, Frank Summers will likely be the odd man out.
He's not particularly effective as a runner, being more accustomed to use as a blocking back. The Steelers do not employ a traditional fullback in their offensive system, so they need someone with more of a hybrid background.
Isaac Redman can and has lined up at fullback this preseason, so he will likely be employed in that role when not being used at tailback. This makes Summers expendable.
Summers has made the choice more difficult by improving his questionable blocking skills and being the sort of high-effort player that Coach Mike Tomlin loves.
The Steelers will likely make every effort to keep Summers on the practice squad, but I believe he's shown enough during this preseason to be picked up by another team in need of quality backfield depth.
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IN: Emmanuel Sanders, WR
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With fellow rookie Antonio Brown already likely to have sewn up a roster spot, the onus was on Emmanuel Sanders to prove he also belongs in a crowded wide receiving corps.
Sanders made an impressive diving grab, ran crisp routes, and showed growth from the mistakes he made late in the Denver game. All of those should place him firmly on the roster when the season opens.
While Sanders isn't likely to be used in a return situations, he has definitely proved he could be an effective fourth receiver. His speed compares well with Mike Wallace's and, if he continues to improve his routes and ball security, he will likely become a favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger.
OUT: Arnaz Battle, WR
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Battle was another veteran addition that was supposed to provide depth at receiver and steady special teams play.
He was effective on special teams but made no impact at receiver.
With the emergence of Brown and Sanders making him expendable, Battle will likely be looking for work soon. The Steelers wouldn't be able to sneak either rookie through waivers and will not keep seven receivers for any reason.
Battle could latch on somewhere, but it will likely not be until someone is injured or a special teams unit needs a good tackler.
OUT: Justing Hartwig, C/OG
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Before camp, Hartwig was supposed to be the team's starting center, with heralded rookie Maurkice Pouncey learning from the guard position and from the sidelines.
It quickly became apparent, however, that Pouncey was going to unseat the veteran.
Worse for Hartwig, the more often Pouncey supplanted him in the rotation, the worse Hartwig played. He did get a look at guard, but was not effective in that position either.
Despite some hiccups in last night's game, Pouncey will be starting from day one. He's a better blocker than Hartwig. In a division with several Pro Bowl caliber nose tackles and interior defensive linemen, that will help a great deal with the Steelers' offense.
With a high salary and the effectiveness of youngster Doug Legursky, Hartwig is another veteran who likely won't suit up for the regular season opener against Atlanta. He will, like Foote, catch on with another team in need of injury relief or better line play.
OUT: Larry Foote, LB
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The Steelers waxed nostalgic this offseason, bringing back some familiar faces to plug leaks. One of those was Larry Foote.
It seems that, during his year in Detroit, Foote lost his effectiveness as a run stuffer and pass defender.
One of the themes of Foote's preseason campaign has been missed tackles. He's been seen running past running backs, flailing after missed chances to tackle, and also getting beaten by slot receivers and tight ends.
With the play of Jason Worilds, Keyaron Fox, and Stevenson Sylvester, Foote's days in black and gold are likely over. The younger group, all of whom are expected to make the roster, have far outperformed him. That's not good news for the veteran.
Foote will no doubt catch on with another team, but he is likely best suited now to part time duty and special teams packages, where he is still effective.
IN: Stevenson Sylvester, LB
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Sylvester was expected to contribute as a special teams ace in his first season. After one of the better preseason efforts on the team, Sylvester might see some time in defensive packages and also might have squeezed a veteran off the roster.
Of the linebackers drafted by the Steelers, his name seems to be the one of the tips of everyone's tongue.
His play on special teams, where he is very nearly a kamikaze, he has made an impact. In late game situations, he's also been effective as a blitzing linebacker. His speed and sure hands have certainly made him an asset.
Sylvester looks like a possible future star on a team that is considered among the best at raising good linebackers. It will be interesting to see how he's utilized this season.
IN: Crezdon Butler, CB
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Butler was drafted with the intent that he could supplant incumbent backups Joe Burnett or Keenan Lewis.
He's done just that, playing himself into the third or fourth spot on the cornerback depth chart.
Last night he displayed some vicious hitting and effective pass defense, although he did have a small hiccup where he ran past a receiver who he thought he'd stopped cold.
Butler won't be expected to start, but he could eventually push William Gay for time in the nickel and dime packages. He's also likely pushed someone off the roster. His speed, sure handed tackles, and upside as a blitzing corner (which Dick LeBeau utilizes often) make him a future potential starter.
OUT: Joe Burnett, CB
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Burnett was in trouble when Crezdon Butler was drafted. He was finished when he was kept off the field in favor of Butler and Keenan Lewis during the preseason.
Burnett has some upside, but he's become the victim of a depth chart that is unexpectedly deep. He can likely sneak through waivers and return on the practice squad, but the chances of him making the active roster are slim.
Anthony Madison is too good on special teams, so Burnett will have to go and, hopefully, return for another chance next season.
ALSO IN
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FLOZELL ADAMS, RT: Adams has been increasingly effective as he's learned the system. Last night, he looked good against speedy pass rushers and was good at opening holes for the team's running game. He's a lock now.
PATRICK BAILEY, OLB: Bailey was on the bubble with the emergence of the team's rookie class, but he's been solid on special teams and as a backup on the outside. Last night, he looked extremely effective at James Harrison's spot and, with the departure of Andre Frazier, should be the primary backup outside.
JASON WORILDS, LB: Worilds arrived injured, but quickly has made an impression as a good linebacker and particularly effective run stuffer. He should spend the year learning behind James Farrier and Lawrence Timmons and, with luck, will move up to start when Farrior hangs up his spikes.
ALSO OUT
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DAVID JOHNSON, TE/FB: Johnson is a victim of the overcrowded backfield. If the team chooses to keep Sean McHugh, their previous halfback, Johnson is surely gone. If not, they can certainly employ Isaac Redman at fullback and don't necessarily need a natural tight end for their jumbo packages.
STEFAN LOGAN, KR/WR: Position flexibility is a rule in the NFL these days. Logan is a non-factor on offense. He also hasn't distinguished himself as a return man and has likely lost that job to a combination of Antonio Brown and/or Antwaan Randle El.
FINAL ROSTER
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Here's the projected final roster for the Pittsburgh Steelers, broken down in depth chart fashion:
Offense
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger (suspended 4-6 games), Dennis Dixon, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich (injured)
Running Backs
Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore (Third Down), Isaac Redman (RB/FB), Jonathan Dwyer
Wide Receivers
Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Antwaan Randle El, Emmanuel Sanders
Tight Ends
Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Sean McHugh (FB/HB)
Centers
Maurkice Pouncey, Doug Legursky, Greg Warren (LS)
Guards
Chris Kemoeatu, Trai Essex, Ramon Foster (G/T), Kraig Urbik
Tackles
Flozell Adams, Max Starks, Jonathan Scott
Defense
Defensive Ends
Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel, Ziggy Hood, Doug Worthington
Defensive Tackles
Casey Hampton (NT), Chris Hoke, Nick Eason
Outside Linebackers
James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, Patrick Bailey, Jason Worilds, Thaddeus Gibson
Inside Linebackers
James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, Keyaron Fox, Stevenson Sylvester
Cornerbacks
Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden, William Gay, Keenan Lewis, Crezdon Butler, Anthony Madison
Safeties
Troy Polamalu (SS), Ryan Clark (FS), Will Allen, Ryan Mundy
Specialists
Jeff Reed (K), Daniel Sepulveda (P)
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