Kreider's days numbered?

know how I feel about this.  I like Dan, mainly because of his blocking and that he has been a mainstay on this team for a while now.  I know he has no pass catching skills, but hes a good blocker, and it sucks that he might not even make the team.  But if someone can come in and out play him, well, then I guess they deserve a shot.  One thing I never liked about Cowher was apparent dislike of playing rookies much their first season.  I hated the way he would hold onto a mediocre vet(read: dewayne washington) instead of playing a rookie.

Gentleman, this is my final 53-man squad for the season. I welcome all comments and thoughts. Here goes:

 3 Quarterbacks - Roethlisberger, Batch, St. Pierre. I'll take these 3 over any other team's situation in the NFL right now. There aren't enough good QBs in the league for each team to have one good starter. The Steelers have two good QBs and a 3rd who could get the job done in a pinch. And besides, if St. Pierre has to play this season, then we're done anyway.

5 Running backs - Parker, Davenport, Davis, Haynes, Russell -Our first curve ball on the roster under Tomlin. Tomlin and his staff believe that the FB duties can be split between Davis and Haynes, who both can catch, block, run and play special teams. The only thing Kreider can do is block, and that is about it. Plus, the team would save close to $1 million by letting Kreider go. This way, Tomlin keeps his best blitz pick-up and 3rd down back, Haynes, and he can have 4 RBs active on game day that can do everything -- block, run, catch, and play special teams. If it turns out they need a traditional blocker in the backfield afterall, then John Kuhn is on the practice squad and ready for duty.

5 Wide Receivers -  Ward, Holmes, Wilson, Reid, W. Young - This is my five, but I think Tomlin will keep Nate Washington over Walter Young and could possibly keep all six. Nate had a much better game against the Skins than the previous two games, but the guy really seems like he doesn't want to get hit when he goes over the middle. Young doesn't flinch going over the middle and offers much better size and hands. As I said before, Tomlin could keep six, but I think it might be more important to keep an extra OL and DL.  

3 Tight Ends - Miller, Spaeth, Tuman - Yes, Spaeth hasn't done much. But you don't cut third-round picks unless they totally stink out the joint. He'll have a redshirt year.

10 Offensive Lineman - Smith, Fanacea, Mahan, Simmons, Colon, Starks, Essex, Kemeatou, M. Philip, Jason Capizzi - This is a big decision for the team. Whether to carry 9 or 10 OL, and more importantly, whether to keep Capizzi or try to stick him on the practice squad (don't do it, just keep him). If Philips looks good these next 2 games, then Okobi will be gone. Do you think the tight Rooneys will pay $2 million for a backup center that can't play guard as well? I don't. Capizzi has impressed coaches but is viewed as more of a pratice squad player because of inexperience right now. However, if he plays lights out the next couple of games (and he will get plenty of playing time, I'm told), he could make this roster. I think Essex has made this team because of Starks lead-footed tryout at LT. The team's season could come down to how this unit plays.  

7 Defensive Lineman - Smith, Hampton, Kiesel, Kirschke, Hoke, Eason, McBean - I've been told by at least two Steelers beat writers that the team will keep seven defensive lineman. The reason is because of Kirschke's troublesome back and that they think McBean isn't ready now, but will be in a couple of years. Eason will be insurance for Kirschke and McBean wouldn't make it to the practice squad. By keeping 7 DL, it could cause my boy Capizzi a roster spot.  

8 linebackers - J. Harrison, Farrior, Foote, Haggans, Woodley, A. Harrison, Kriewaldt, Timmons - A. Harrison is the eighth LB because of his ability to rush the passer (I still haven't seen him actually sack the QB yet) and play special teams. A lot of you don't like Kriewaldt, but until someone better knocks him off the team, he'll be here.  

9 defensive backs - Taylor, Palomula, Townsend, Clark, A. Smith, McFadden, Carter, Gay, Coclough - Coclough has done what I thought he couldn't do -- show something in the preseason to make this team. Gay has probably been the most impressive corner in preseason. He has had good position on a lot of deep balls against him, which have killed our corners for years. I know there is a Chidi contingent out there, but would you keep him over St. Pierre, Young, McBean or Capizzi? Also, where has Chidi been on special teams in the preseason? A. Harrison, Gay and Carey Davis have made all of the special teams tackles.

3 specialists - Warren, Sepulvada, Reed - Sepulvada was worth whatever they gave up in the draft and more. The good thing is he will only get better. Our special teams should be much better this year with Tomlin playing starters, Sepulvada and a healthy Willie Reid.

I have to give a thumps up to Tomlin for one thing so far that you wouldn't have seen from Cowher: an admittance that a player can't do something. I give Tomlin credit for limiting the Max Starks experiment at LT to the two games, and now taking a look at Essex and Capizzi there. Cowher would have stuck out his chin and keep marching Starks out there until something bad happened. And Starks would have been this year's Ricardo Coclough -- being put in a position by the coaching staff to fail and doing just that, through no fault of his own. Coclough just can't catch punts and Starks just doesn't have the feet and quickness to play LT. Face it and move on. Cowher wouldn't have.

This is my 53. With this team, I also save the Rooneys about $3 million by releasing Okobi and Kreider. What do you guys think?