Pick 53, version 2.0:
Since version 1, we�ve seen 3 games and the Steelers have cut 13 players.� They�ll move 3 more by Tuesday, and then drop to the final 53 on August 31.� My guess is that set will include:
(3) QB:� Maddox, Batch and St. Pierre.�
This is, and has always been, a no�brainer.
(5) RB/FB:� Zereoue, Bettis, Verron Haynes, Dante Brown and Dan Kreider.�
Fu is a goner, IMO.� The Bus is a backup now; therefore, 2 drivers aren�t required.� So, JT Walls isn�t going to make it; the rook cap may preclude his inclusion on the practice squad but more than likely the people�s choice, Wes Ours, will be available.
(5) WR:�� Ward, Spike, ARE, Chris Doering and Lee Mays.�
None of the rookie UFDA has stepped up; that concussion 1st year man Khori Ivy suffered Thursday (courtesy of Charlie Batch) probably has terminated his challenge.
(3) TE:� Reimersma, Breuner and Tuman.�
If the Steelers really have an urge for a backup FB, Matt Cushing has some kind of chance to unseat Tuman; however, Tuman is far better in the 2 TE sets.� Also, cutting Jerame loads some dead money on the cap while cutting Cushing is (nearly) cost-free (25K).�
(4) OT:� Smith, Ross, Fordham and Nkwenti.�
If the Steelers can make a deal for a legit RT, then they can cut Ross but this is not a likely scenario.
(6) Interior O-linemen:� Faneca, Hartings, Simmons, Okobi, Vincent and Calvin Collins.�
����������� Health issues require keeping 6; common sense suggests Collins get some pre-season work at OC.
That�s (26) O-side; figure (3) returning specialists (Reed, Schneck and Miller) leaving (24) on defense.
(6) D-linemen:� Smith, KVO, Bailey and Keisel, DE; Hampton and David Upchurch, NT.
Kendrick Clancy is the 2nd team NT now but, IMO, Clancy is doesn�t fit the bill.� Issa, Hoke and Upchurch are the 3rd team guys; IMO, Upchurch has shown the most upside.� The Steelers typically activated just (5) D-linemen last season and the nickel, as co-base, will further de-emphasize the position.� The PS could clear 380K de-activating Upchurch rather than Clancy on game days.�
(9) LB:� Porter, Gildon, Haggans, Zo, and Harrison, OLB; Bell, Farrior, Kriewaldt and Foote, ILB.
Zo and Harrison have flashed in pre-season; so has Kriewaldt, positively against the Eagles, negatively against Dallas.� Terrence Robinson showed a bit against the Eagles too; however, if the Steelers do keep Brown and Upchurch, the rook cap probably precludes their retaining Robinson too.� Foote hasn�t shown anything at all but by default he�s a keeper for one more season.
(9) DB:� Scott, Washington, Townsend, Taylor and Poteat, CB; Alexander, Logan, Polamalu and Hope, S.
The only battle is Iwuoma and
Poteat.� Coverage-wise, it�s a push;
we�ve seen what Poteat can�t do but while Chidi is a quality ST coverage
player, he doesn�t have the stature to play effectively, even in the
packages.� IMO, Hank has the edge, based
on his status as #2 punt returner.� That
said, the best-case scenario is that the Steelers are showcasing Poteat�s
return ability with the hope of trading him out.� Still, that leaves Iwuoma and, quite obviously, the Steelers
should be scouring the waiver wire for a better option at CB.
Cap implications:
Cutting Fu and keeping Brown clears 505K; cutting Clancy and keeping Upchurch clears 380K; cutting Kurpeikis and keeping Harrison clears 150K; that�s 1.035M.� The Steelers are now about 570K under, with these moves, they�d have some shot at (1) vet FA even while retaining 750K-1M for season expenses.� Figure some residual between Chris Hoke and the new #53 as additional and, well, there you go.
Downstream:
- This is a thin roster and having just 5 draft picks last spring didn�t help.� It�s questionable what Fu, Clancy and Poteat could bring in trade, but it�s a question worth asking.
- It is not obvious that a quality starter at either RT or FS is on the roster.� There�s a lack of vet depth at CB too.� However, it�s highly unlikely that the waiver wire will have any dream team members on-board.� One guy who could help is Pittsburgh�s own Big Cat Williams.� Williams is a FA and it�s time, probably past time, to give the big man a call.