Pittsburgh Steelers Cuts: Tracking Players Dropped from 2011 Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a roster full of talent, which will make it all the more difficult this week as the team tries to get first under the 80-man roster limit on Tuesday and then under the final 53-man limit at the end of the week.

There are some hard cuts to make and some tough calls at certain positions.

Here's a look at five veteran players who should be cleaning out their lockers before Week One practices begin. Also, there's some what to watch for items as teams start trimming the fat.

1. William Gay, CB

Position Issues

Gay is at a position that, once starters Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden are healthy, will be pretty well stocked with or without him. The team has two rookies in Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen. Neither are going to be cut. Keenan Lewis has come on strong before getting banged up against Atlanta. Crezdon Butler has also shown progress. There's a chance that the team's long-standing woes at corner might be close to ending.

Performance

Bad is a good word for it. Gay had a golden opportunity when the team's starters were hurt to step in and show he could be a consistent player. He failed spectacularly at it. It was so bad during the Falcons game Saturday night that Matt Ryan was almost exclusively throwing at whoever he was covering.

Gay doesn't really project as much of a talent. He's had too many chances to impress and has never been much of a player. It's time to move on and go with youth and talent.

2. Tyler Grisham, WR

Position Issues

Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders (who's back at practice) and Antonio Brown are assured of roster spots. That leaves two open spots for several receivers to fight over. The team is looking for someone tall like Wes Lyons. They love the special teams work of Arnaz Battle. Jerricho Cotchery looks like a natural with this offense. Grisham has been in the mix before and he's there again.

Performance

You can't argue too much with it. He's done well in limited spots. He's caught two passes for 15 yards so far and figures to get a long look in the last preseason game if the team doesn't decide they can cut him before that.

The problem he's facing is that he's just not special in this collection. All of the players above bring something to the table that the team needs, especially Lyons with that 6'8" height (Grisham is 5'11"). He's easily expendable. The good news is that he might catch on with another team.

3. Chris Hoke, DT

Position Analysis

Casey Hampton is the starter. Steve McClendon has currently played his way into the role of top backup and he has the versatility to slide outside for a few snaps in the unlikely event that the team's four defensive ends are all unavailable at the same time. There's not much call for more than two defensive tackles, especially since Hampton rarely misses games.

Performance

Hoke has been around a long time and is a fan favorite. He'd be among the most difficult cuts the team has made in recent years. He's a hard worker and a steady performer. The problem is that his age is working against him. Big guys don't usually hold up as long. McClendon is a lot younger and has more upside right now.

Hoke will find another team if he's sent packing. Teams are always looking for good defensive linemen. His time in Pittsburgh might just finally be up.

4. Jeremy Kapinos, P

Position Issues

Kapinos is in a battle with Daniel Sepulveda, who's healthy again. Surprisingly, what originally seemed like a battle between a so-so journeyman and a injury-prone question mark has developed into one of the hotter stories of camp. The team can only keep one punter, however. They need to make a choice between the two guys.

Performance

He and Sepulveda have battled to a draw. The team is giving Kapinos every chance to win the job or to showcase his skills, but in the end, I feel like this job is Sepulveda's to lose. He has a stronger leg and looks very good so far.

I would bet that someone will sign whichever guy the Steelers cut. I just think it's going to be Kapinos that gets sent out at the end of the day. He might go before the team plays the preseason finale or he might get one more game. If he gets one more game, this gets a lot more interesting.

5. Kyle Jolly, OT

Position Issues

The team is thin here, but they've got a ton of bodies in camp. Right now, Willie Colon owns the right side and the left has become a battle between rookie Marcus Gilbert and veteran Jonathan Scott. I get the feeling the team will scour the waiver wire for someone else with experience. There's a host of guys behind them, lots of them with versatility to move around the line.

Performance

Jolly has mostly spent time with back-ups and guys who aren't going to make it. He probably won't either. They aren't going to part with Scott or Gilbert. Ramon Foster might be in play at tackle now since Tony Hills has really carved out a nice job at guard. Trai Essex has experience there too. Jolly, like Tyler Grisham, just doesn't really have much going for him right now even though he's been around the team for a couple years.

What to Watch for on Cut Days

1. Quarterback Options

Byron Leftwich will go to injured reserve soon. There's no clear consensus on Charlie Batch or Dennis Dixon as the primary back-up. That could mean the team looks into acquiring someone from the outside. I still think they might be shopping Dixon to teams like Miami. He's got more upside than Chad Henne or Matt Moore.

2. Practice Squad Possibilities

Watch out for guys getting cut that the team might try to bring back for their practice squad. They'll likely want an offensive lineman or two and maybe even a quarterback.

3. Other Cuts

Everybody is saying goodbye to players right now. Some interesting names are bound to end up floating up. One of those guys coming to Pittsburgh, especially along the offensive line, could drastically alter the team's cut lists.