Predicting The Steelers Opening Roster (Part 1)

• The Steelers' first training camp is over and position battles are getting intense as the summer heat rolls on. Week one is getting closer and the roster cuts are looming over the team. Their is a position battle at almost ever spot on the Steelers roster and no roster space will go to waste with the vast amount of talent at camp for the Steelers. From finding Ben Roethlisberger's replacement for the first part of the season to setting the depth at corner the upcoming preseason games are as important as ever. This is my prediction to how the Steelers'  roster will look like when they suit up against the Atlanta Falcons.

Quarterbacks

Starter- Byron Leftwich

Backup- Dennis Dixon

3rd String- Charlie Batch

Without Ben on the roster there will be room for all three of the rest of their QBs. Tomlin has tried to keep insecurity to a minimum by giving Leftwich the job since he has come aboard. Even though Dixon is the fan favorite, there are very few indications that Dixon will start over Leftwich without an injury or a complete meltdown. Batch is more of a coach and less of a player. It's unclear where he will go after Ben returns but he might be better of grabbing a clipboard for future employment. than returning as a backup. And there need not be any concern of a controversy after Ben returns, all indications from Tomlin indicate that Ben will be the starter no matter what.

Running Backs

Starter- Rashard Mendenhall

Backup-  Mewelde Moore

3rd String-  Issac Redman

Fullback-  Frank Summers

Cut- Jonathan Dwyer, Justin Vincent, Dwyane Wright

Even with Mendenhall's fumble problems coming back this summer the Steelers are poised to have a better running game this fall. Mendenhall quietly put up a decent 1,000 yard season last year and with the QB situation there is little to speculate that he couldn't replicate that again. Moore won't put up big numbers on the ground but he is a good backup and a receiving threat, even though Mendenhall has taken away his 3rd down back status. Redman has looked good and finally has gotten praise from the coaches and looks like a lock to take the fine RB spot. Frank the Tank has come around on his blocking and could be a fullback and short yardage back. The coaches would like to keep Vincent on the roster or they wouldn't have brought him back for a third season. Vincent could be scooped up by another team and Wright is a journeyman who was once a 4th round pick as a running back who was insurance at fullback. Dwyer is a project and the Steelers have limited space for those this season and he could be shoved out.

Wide Receivers

Starter- Hines Ward

Starter- Mike Wallace

Slot Receiver-  Antwaan Randle El

Backup- Emmanuel Sanders

Backup- Antonio Brown

Cut- Arnaz Battle, Tyler Grisham, Isaiah Williams, Brandon London

With Holmes long gone the Steelers are ready to through a couple receivers in the fire. With Ward and Randle El leading the way I wouldn't be surprised if they went with three young receivers to fill out the position. Wallace is expect to fill big shoes and Randle El will be there to help him in his natural position in the slot. Sanders has looked better than expected and could be called upon as a extra threat when Ben returns. Brown will probably win the battle between Battle, Logan, Grisham, and himself because of his double threat as a returner. But Battle could fight the hardest for his special teams help and veteran leadership.

Tight End

Starter- Heath Miller

Backup- Matt Spaeth

3rd String- David Johnson

Cut- Sean McHugh, Eugene Bright

Heath Miller has been an outstanding tight end since being given the starting job in his first game five seasons ago. Miller is overlooked as one of the best tight ends in the game but he put up big time numbers last year. Now with out Holmes, Miller will be called upon more as a receiver. And with Ben missing the first part of the season Miller will also be used as a extra blocker to boost the running game. Miller better be ready for a workout because he is going to be one of the biggest parts of the offense. Behind him it is a three way battle for the next two spots. Spaeth is a tall pass catcher who has never shown the skills that won him the John Mackey Award and caught him 47 passes his last season. But with more emphasis on the running game Spaeth might be used as a pass catcher while Miller blocks. Both Johnson and McHugh are more of H-Backs and could be used as a lead blocker if necessary. Johnson may have the edge because of McHugh's injury that kept him out last year and he was a find by Tomlin. But if Spaeth continues to disappoint than he might be the odd man out.

Tackle

Left Tackle- Max Starks

Right Tackle- Flozell Adams

Backup- Tony Hills

Backup- Jonathan Scott

Cut- Adrian Jones, Kyle Jolly

Tackle is another position that is filling a hole left by Willie Colon. Colon was good on the right side and seeing how the line fares when he's not there might get him some points with the fans. But Flozell Adams is not just any replacement, he's a 6'-7" monster of a replacement. Adams might be better at the right side since he struggled on the blind side late in his career. Starks isn't all that small himself and has worked for a long time to be a good left tackle. Behind them Scott was brought in from the disaster that was the Bills offensive line last year to backup. Hills has been a backup for the past couple years and might be expected to make a move by next year to push for time. Hills looked good in preseason but an injury or soft play by Adams could throw him in to see how good he really is. Also Foster could see time there and take up a spot if Pouncey or Hartwig moves to Guard.

Guard

Left Guard- Chris Kemoeatu

Right Guard- Trai Essex

Backup- Ramon Foster

Backup- Kraig Urbik

Cut- Dorian Brooks

Kemoeatu has been a good run blocker on the left side since joining the lineup, which will be used more than ever this season. Who will be his opposite on the other side is still up for debate. Right now the position is will wait to see who wins the starting center job. Pouncey will most likely take over if he losses the Center battle, but if he wins will Hartwig do the same. if not the favorite now is Essex, a converted tackle who was the starter there last season. Foster is a second year man who is a favorite of the coaching staff and could see time at every spot but center. Urbik was a third round pick last year that has been M.I.A. since being drafted but could be a starter down the road.

Center

Starter- Markice Pouncey

Backup- Justin Hartwig

Cut- Doug Legursky

One of the hottest position battles going on right now for the Steelers is at Center and the results of the Lions game have only made it more interesting. Hartwig was considered the starter for this year ever since Pouncey was drafted since he was going to play on Right Guard his first year. But the Steelers were caught off guard by Pouncey's ability to read the defense and have started to play him with the first team offense. But Hartwig is just not going to roll over and give in. The battle at center might go on into the season and if either of the two move to guard then Legursky will be an early option to be the backup at center. Legursky is best known for his short play as a short yardage fullback and beating out A.Q. Shipley for the backup job last season.

Defensive End

Left End- Aaron Smith

Right End- Brett Keisel

2nd String- Ziggy Hood

Backup- Sonny Harris

Backup- Doug Worthington

Cut- Nick Eason

The Steelers and their fans are most happy to see the return of Aaron Smith than anyone else, next to Troy Polamalu. The last time the Steelers had a healthy Aaron Smith anchoring the defensive line, they had the number one defense. With Keisel on the other side and Ziggy backing each of them up, the D-Line could be at its strongest since the 05 season. The Steelers have a tough choice of whether to go with the seasoned veteran in Eason or with the youngster Sonny Harris  Worthington might make the team because of his ability to play inside as well as outside.

Nose Tackle

Starter- Casey Hampton

Backup- Chris Hoke

3rd String- Doug Worthington

Cut- Steve McLendon, Scott Paxton

Casey Hampton is back for another season of plugging the middle of the line and he is happy to have his partner Aaron Smith next to him while he does it. The Hampton-Hoke combination at the Nose Tackle is headed into its 7th season and just like most of those seasons there is no future tackle behind them on the depth chart. Worthington is raw and most likely more of an End than a Tackle but he is big enough to play some on the inside. Paxton keeps coming back and McLendon has looked good in the preseason at times as well. But the Steelers don't normally keep three tackles and Worthington might make it for his ability on the outside more than anything.

Outside Linebacker

Right Outside Linebacker- James Harrison

Left Outside Linebacker- LaMarr Woodley

Backup- Jason Worilds

Backup- Thaddeus Gibson

Cut- Patrick Bailey

The Steelers had one major goal this offseason with their defense, stock up. The Steelers downfall last year was injuries and the lack of depth behind their starters. They lucked out at the OLB spot with their depth because Woodley was healthy and Harrison would come out even with his injuries. They were uncharacteristicly thin behind their starters with Frazier and Bailey being the second string. The Steelers brought in two young projects with Worilds and Gibson to help the position in the future. Worilds is set to make the team with his draft status but Gibson isn't set in stone to make it, but Bruce Davis even lasted a year. Bailey is the other option and him making the team will be based on special teams, and he is our best guy at doing that. The Steelers have had past disappointment at this position in the draft in recent history. But the Steelers probably thought one of the two will at least make it.

Inside Linebacker

Starter- James Farrior

Starter- Lawrence Timmons

Backup- Larry Foote

Backup- Keyaron Fox

Backup- Stevenson Sylvester

Cut- Brandon Renkart, Renauld Williams

The inside linebackers group that was part of the number one defense is back and ready to put the Steelers defense back on top. All four of the backers could be starters in the defense and they might all get some time on the field. Farrior looked slower last year with the inability to play the whole game, but with Foote spelling him this year the 4th quarter defense should improve. Fox showed he could start if needed last year but is mainly used for his special teams. Sylvester is going to have to beat out Baily for a spot if the Steelers even keep this many linebackers. Renkart and Williams are both unknowns who stand little chance but are P.S. prospects.

Cornerback

Starter- Ike Taylor

Starter- Bryant McFadden

Nickleback- Keenan Lewis

Backup- William Gay

Backup- Joe Burnett

Backup- Crezdon Butler

Cut- Anthony Madison, David Pittman

The goat of the Steelers team was the secondary and especially the cornerbacks. Ike Taylor is a good cover corner who is glorified by his stone hands that overshadows his decent play. Once again another starting tandem from their 08 defense is reunited again for this year. McFadden has struggled in the desert since leaving and both he and the Steelers are happy to have him back. After the two of them there is an open race to who takes the nickle and dime spots. Gay failed as a starter last year but had excelled as a nickle back in 08. Burnett amazed last year and overshadowed Lewis, even though he was a higher pick. But Lewis had come on strong this preseason and is poised to fight for a starting job. And behind all of these veterans is the inspiring rookie Crezdon Butler. Butler has looked good and could make the team over the special teams ace Anthony Madison and his chance to play safety might put him over the edge.

Safety

Free Safety- Ryan Clark

Strong Safety- Troy Polamalu

Backup- Will Allen

Backup- Ryan Mundy

Cut- Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith, Justin Thornton

The ace of the Steelers' defense is back and ready to wreck havoc on opposing teams yet again. Troy Polamalu is ready to regain his form that put him among the top safeties in the league. Clark didn't look as good with Polamalu out of the lineup but he will be back to his regular duties when he is back. For depth they brought in Allen to compensate for Tyrone Carter's absence. Mundy is back for a third season and the local kid is looking to make the team for his second season. Smith and Thornton have been fighting a spot but they both might be shoved out of the lineup unless they impress on special teams.

Special Teams

Kicker- Jeff Reed

Punter- Daniel Sepulveda

Long Snapper- Greg Warren

Kick Off- Daniel Sepulveda

Returner- Antonio Brown

Backup- Antwaan Randle El

Cut- Stefan Logan

Reed and Sepulveda have been the stong points of their special teams unit that has struggled in past years. Sepulveda should look better and provide a more physical attack with tackling that he showed early on and in college with his knee fully healthy. Warren has been often injured but is solid as a snapper since his rookie year. Randle El is the easy choice as a return guy because of some of the magic he showed there early in his career. But he may have lost a step and might not see time at all. Brown could beat out Logan if only for his ability to play receiver even if Logan had a good average as a returner.

Practice Squad

Jonathan Dwyer

Tyler Grisham

Eugene Bright

Kyle Jolly

Steve McLendon

Brandon Renkart

Da'Mon Cromarte-Smith

Justin Thornton

Suspended- Ben Roethlisberger

Jonathan Dwyer has been some what disappointing even for a sixth round pick. But if his name doesn't pluck him off to a different team he could replace Justin Vincent as the scout team running back. Grisham was liked by the coaches until a big drop last season but him back in the cellar. Bright has looked decent but stands little chance. McLendon could eventually make the team and either Smith or Thornton, if they both go to the practice squad, might find their way to the roster by late season. Not much has to be said about Ben's suspension except for that all indications show that he will only miss 4 games.