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Steelers 53-man roster
By the Tribune-Review
Sunday, August 31, 2008

A position-by-position look at the Steelers' 53-man roster that was finalized Saturday, including a look at the 25 players remaining from the team's Super Bowl XL squad:

Quarterback (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon.

Quick hit: Charlie Batch was odd-man out after suffering broken collarbone. Coaching staff likes Dixon's upsid

Super Bowl XL holdover: Roethlisberger

Running back (4): Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, Gary Russell.

Quick hit: Parker remains the starter but won't be a workhorse as in previous seasons. Moore is designated third-down back.

Super Bowl XL holdover: Parker

Fullback (1): Carey Davis.

Quick hit: Fullback not a big part of Steelers offense, but Davis is a special teams stalwart.

Super Bowl XL holdover: None

Wide receiver (5): Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed, Dallas Baker.

Quick hit: Baker beat out Willie Reid for fifth receiver vacancy. Sweed not playing up to second-round draft status.

Super Bowl XL holdovers: Ward, Washington

Tight end (2): Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth.

Quick hit: Team rolling the dice with only two tight ends. Could sign another TE off waivers.

Super Bowl XL holdover: Miller

Offensive line (10): Marvel Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Kendall Simmons, Willie Colon, Sean Mahan, Max Starks, Trai Essex, Darnell Stapleton, Tony Hills.

Quick hit: Mahan must develop new role after Hartwig beat him out at center. Hills not expected to contribute as rookie.

Super Bowl XL holdovers: Smith, Kemoeatu, Simmons, Starks, Essex

Defensive end (5): Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel, Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason, Orpheus Roye.

Quick hit: Starters are fine, but lack of depth could prove troublesome. Ryan McBean a gamble at DE that never paid off.

Super Bowl XL holdovers: Smith, Keisel, Kirschke

Nose tackle (2): Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke.

Quick hit: Hampton has regained form after missing two weeks of training camp because of lack of conditioning.

Super Bowl XL holdovers: Hampton, Hoke

Outside linebacker (5): James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, Bruce Davis, Andre Frazier, Donovan Woods.

Quick hit: Harrison and Woodley will provide bulk of outside pass rush. Woods may have won job with strong performance in final preseason game.

Super Bowl XL holdover: Harrison

Inside linebacker (4): James Farrior, Larry Foote, Lawrence Timmons, Keyaron Fox.

Quick hit: Timmons will push incumbent Foote for playing time. Fox coming on as Farrior's backup.

Super Bowl XL holdovers: Farrior, Foote

Cornerback (5): Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden, William Gay, Anthony Madison.

Quick hit: Madison hangs around for another season because of special teams contributions. McFadden entrenched as nickel back.

Super Bowl XL holdovers: Taylor, Townsend, McFadden

Safety (4): Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Anthony Smith, Tyrone Carter.

Quick hit: Carter still a step slow but necessary insurance behind Polamalu.

Super Bowl XL holdovers: Polamalu, Carter

Kicker (1): Jeff Reed.

Quick hit: Reed nailed 11-of-13 field goals in preseason, including a pair of game winners in closing seconds.

Super Bowl XL holdover: Reed

Punter (1): Mitch Berger.

Quick hit: Berger out-kicked Paul Ernster in final preseason game.

Super Bowl XL holdover: None

Long-snapper (1): Greg Warren

Quick hit: No one has come close to taking Warren's job.

Super Bowl XL holdover: Warren