Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers 53-Man Roster

For those of you that do not know, the man in the picture is Kevin Colbert. As much as people like to think Mike Tomlin is the final decision maker for the Steelers, Colbert has the final say.

Sure, he takes the things that Tomlin has to say into consideration, but the way the Steelers are run, the "buck" stops at Colbert.

The Black and Gold win and lose with the decisions Kevin Colbert makes, and in the last four years, there are two more Lombardis in the trophy case because this man knows what he is doing.

With that being said, the next day or so, is going to be the busiest time of the year for Mr. Colbert, shaping the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers to make another run at another Lombardi trophy, and expanding the one trophy lead on the Cowboys and Redskins.

Here are my predictions of how the 53-man roster will play out, with 45 players on the active roster, and with eight men on the practice squad.

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger.  This is the easiest offensive position to fill. There is no question that Big Ben is the man for the Steelers, and that the Steelers will go as far as Roethlisberger will take them.

Charlie Batch. One of the best back up QB's in the NFL. Batch could start on some teams, but chooses to be the back up / mentor on the Steelers side lines.

Dennis Dixon. Dixon will enter his second season as the number three man on the depth chart. There is no chance that the Steelers would even consider placing him on the practice squad, because another team would take him on day one. He would not even clear the waver wire.

Running Back

One of the hardest positions to predict on the offense because of the glut of talent on the team right now.

Willie Parker. Entering the final year of his contract, Parker is probably going to be the starter on opening day against the Titans. Parker has shown in his limited time in the preseason that he still has the blazing speed that he had as a rookie.

Rashard Mendenhall. In his second season after being the Steelers top selection in the 2008 draft, Mendenhall is getting another chance to prove himself after an average at best preseason. Unless he can learn to hit the holes harder than he has, he could be in his final year as a Steeler.

Isaac Redman. As surprise number one, Redman makes the roster based on his amazing goal line plowing ability. Pittsburgh has shown that they are willing to take a chance on an undrafted player (Willie Parker, James Harrison) and the risk has payed off greatly. Redman will one day be the featured back in Pittsburgh, as long as he gets the time to develop.

Mewelde Moore. In my opinion, one of the best third down backs in the NFL. Decent speed, better than average hands, and a knack for finding the first down marker when needed.

Practice Squad - Frank Summers. A hamstring injury limited Summers chances during the preseason, but there is potential for Summers to eventually turn into a decent running back.

Fullback

Carey Davis. Davis has earned the right to be the lead blocker for whoever is running behind him. He can also carry the ball and has decent hands out of the back field.

Wide Receiver.

Hines Ward. Without question, Ward is again going to be a threat on the field, catching or blocking. Ward is a one of a kind player, and will once again be leading the Steelers WR corp.

Santonio Holmes. The 2008 Super Bowl MVP may take over the number one WR position from Ward this year. Holmes did not play a lot in the final preseason games, but was it really necessary for him to?  Mike Tomlin had to see what the young guys could do, so he gave Holmes some much needed rest.

Limas Sweed. Other than a few drops that should have been catches, Sweed has started to show some flashes of greatness. In the games against the Bills and Redskins, Sweed made some very tough catches, in traffic.  When Holmes was not playing, Sweed got the start in his place, assuring that he is the Steelers number three.

Mike Wallace. This kid is FAST. Being able to learn from the above mentioned players (Hines Ward especially), Wallace can develop into a future super star, like Ward did. He is learning to block like Ward, and is playing with intensity. Is he ready to go against the number one corners in the league? Not yet, but in the four wide sets, Wallace will be matched up against the dime back, which is normally a back up safety.

Stefan Logan. (Surprise No. 2). After again showing his amazing ability in the return game, there is no question that Logan is going to be on the active roster come week one. There is really no room at running back, but in the game against the Carolina Panthers, Logan took some reps at WR.

He had a reverse, and almost had another catch. Again, the Steelers do not use a five-wide set very often, but when they do, Logan can more than fill the position.

Tight End

Heath Miller. Miller just resigned with the Steelers, and it was one of the best moves the Steelers made this off season. Miller is Ben Roethlisbergers safety valve. He can catch, he can block, and he can run with the ball. If given more of an opportunity, Miller could be the best tight end in the NFL.

Sean McHugh. McHugh will be placed on IR, ending his season, while keeping him on the roster (this is speculation. There is no fact to this, and it is simply my opinion that this is what is going to happen).

Matt Spaeth. Spaeth is spared by the decision to put McHugh on IR. Spaeth will have one more season to prove he is worthy to be the top back up to Miller.

David Johnson. In his rookie preseason, Johnson showed that he can play tight end and full back, which is why he will be kept on the roster.

Practice squad - Dezmond Sherrod. Shows potential, but not enough to make the roster yet. Sherrod and Johnson could swap places on roster and practice squad.

Tackle

Max Starks. After signing a five year contract extension in the off season, there is no question that Starks is going to be the starter against the Titans.

Willie Colon. Although he still needs work, Colon will get the start opposite of Starks.

Tony Hills. Not because of how great he played, but because no one else stepped up to take the position away from him.

Guard

Chris Kemoeatu. The other offensive linemen that was resigned the offseason by the Steelers. Kemoeatu will again start next to Max Starks to protect Big Bens blind side.

Trai Essex. With the loss of Darnell Stapleton, Essex is going to have a chance to start at guard. If he struggles early, don't be shocked to see rookie Kraig Urbik moved into the line up.

Kraig Urbik. As a third round pick, the Steelers would like to give Urbik the chance to learn from the sidelines for a year. With the offensive line not being the strongest unit on the team, Urbik will be forced to learn on the job if there are any injuries or players that struggle.

Practice squad - Jeremy Parquet. As with Tony Hills, he will make the team due to lack of quality depth.

Center

Justin Hartwig. Semi reliable center. With his only real competition being a seventh round rookie, he has time to improve or he will eventually lose his job.

Practice squad - A.Q. Shipley. Played a lot better than most thought he would in preseason. With some experience, he could develop into a solid starter.

Nose Guard

Casey Hampton. Entering the final year of his contract, Hampton is the anchor of the Steelers 3-4 defense.

Chris Hoke. A very reliable back up to Hampton. Also plays very well in the nickle and dime packages.

Defensive End

Aaron Smith. The definition of what a Steelers defensive lineman is. Hard nosed, but clean player. Does exactly what the Steelers need him to do, tie up blockers, so the line backers can make the plays.

Brett Keisel. After signing a four year contract extension, Keisel, who many, me included, thought would be in his last year as a Steeler, will help ease the transition for rookie first round pick, Ziggy Hood.

Ziggy Hood. Played well for a rookie in the preseason. As a first round pick, there is no chance he will not be on the team.

Travis Kirschke. A valuable back up, will have to hold off Ziggy Hood for playing time in the Steelers defensive line rotation.

Practice Squad - Ra'Shon Harris. Showed flashes of ability in the preseason, but not ready to take playing time away from the vets. Will have a chance to move up to the team if there are any injuries.

Linebackers

James Harrison. The reigning Defensive MVP of the NFL. With a new contract in tow, Harrison is going to be a beast again this year.

LaMarr Woodley. Plays his best in the big games. In his second year as a starter, will improve from last year, which could make him one of the best OLB's in the NFL.

James Farrior. The captain of the defense, Farrior is getting older, but still has a ton of ability.

Lawrence Timmons. Takes over for Larry Foote. Bigger, faster, and stronger, he is an upgrade at the position.

Keyaron Fox. Has earned the role of top ILB back up. Fox had a monster preseason, and is proving he is able to become the Steelers next great LB no one has ever heard of.

Patrick Bailey. After becoming the Steelers rookie of the year in 2008, Bailey earns himself a roster spot. Played well enough in the preseason that he will not only contribute on special teams, but could earn some playing time on regular downs.

Practice squad - Donovan Woods. Very little playing time in 2008 due to a position change coming out of college. Seems to have picked up the system, and is starting to understand what it is like to be a Steelers Linebacker.

Practice squad - Arnold Harrison. Tons of potential, but not ready to take over a roster spot.

Corner

Ike Taylor. One of the best shut down corners in the NFL. Gets no where near the credit he deserves because he can not catch the ball. Takes the other teams best WR out of the game most of the time.

William Gay. Enters his first year as a starter, taking over for Bryant McFadden. Will draw the number two receiver, and will do a good job against him.

Keiwan Ratliff. Fantastic nickle back, that can play safety if necessary. Takes over position many thought would go to Deshea Townsend.

Keenan Lewis. Though he will need more time before becoming a starter, can handle nickle and dime duties if necessary. The Steelers will not put him on the practice squad, because he would be immediately taken by another team.

Practice squad - Joe Burnett. Has shown he can become a player in the NFL, just not ready to do it yet. Will have a year on the practice squad to develop into a possible contributor.

Safety

Troy Polamalu. Without question, one of the premier players in the NFL. Polamalu is not really a safety, but there is not a specific title that fits the skill set that Polamalu has. Blitz, cover, tackle, rush, what ever it is the Steelers ask him to do, he does it well. That is what makes him the best in the game.

Ryan Clark. Entering his last year of his contract, Clark is trying to earn an extension. If he can keep from injuring himself while trying to kill opposing receivers, he very well may retire with the Steelers.

Ryan Mundy. The local boy earns a spot on the Steelers roster. Mundy has shown he has learned the system, and is becoming a solid player. If Mundy can find his way on to the field for some playing time, the Steelers may not even consider keeping Clark next off season.

Punter

Daniel Sepulveda. With many booming punts this preseason, Sepulveda will make the Steelers special teams a strength instead of a weakness.

Kicker

Jeff Reed. Mr. Automatic as Hines Ward calls him, will enter the 2009 season trying to earn a contract extension. As hard as it is to kick in Heinz Field, Reed has shown he has the ability to do so.

Long Snapper

Greg Warren. Against the Giants in 2008, the real value of the long snapper was realized by the Steelers. Warren will get the nod in 2009.