Steelers Quick Hits: Including a Roster Move

by cgolden on Jul 24, 2008 12:56 PM EDT Comment 16 comments

The Steelers cut one player today, Matt Trannon a 6'6 wide reciever from Michigan State. Trannon broke a finger and missed most of the OTA's. Jim Wexell also reports that the Steelers offered Kevin Jones a one year deal for the league minimum but he chose the Bears instead.
Coach T is still optimistic that both Mendenhall and Sweed will be signed and in camp on time. Time is running out though considering that players report on Sunday and the first practice is on Monday. He also notes that FWP and Troy will be 100% on day one and shouldn't be limited in camp. If last year was any indication though, he'll probably give veterans like those two and Ward a handful of days off during camp.
Mike Prisuta thinks that Mendenhall's biggest role this year could be finishing games the way that The Bus used to. There's no doubt that the Steelers miss the 'grind it out style' that Bettis brought to the table but I wouldn't anoint a rookie with that label just yet especially since this offensive line doesn't compare favorably to the OL that Bettis ran behind.
One of BTSC's favorite writers, Dale Lolley breaks down Tomlin's pre-camp press conference (Here's a link to the entire transcript). He's not buying Tomlin's attempt to reassure fans/media about the current status of the defensive line. If Eason makes the final roster it'll be because either McBean (who's healthy and reportedly working his butt off at the facility) or UDFA, Clement failed. Tomlin also said that the team will keep an very close eye on Ryan Clark, but that right now he's back up to his playing weight and feeling great. Max Starks will start camp working at right tackle and no mention was made of Colon working elsewhere (although it's still a possibility). Foote will open camp as the starting ILB, but Timmons could already have won the ILB spot on passing downs.

At what point should we start to get worried about Mendy and Sweed not making it on time? Anyone encouraged by the defensive line or are they an accident waiting to happen?

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not too worried about mendy and sweed

i still feel pretty good about them signing in time and even if they hold out they aren’t going to be big contributors right away

by schnifin on Jul 24, 2008 12:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you mean

Kevin Jones chose the bears instead right?

* till next time wave those towels proud

by LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart on Jul 24, 2008 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good catch, corrected

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 24, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still not worried about 'em.

Apparently only 9 of 31 first rounders have signed so far, as of an hour ago.

by HinesField on Jul 24, 2008 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One more link

Apparently, our OT dilemma is solved:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft

Look at pick #19. Looks like we got the steal of the draft.

by BadMaafala on Jul 24, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Noticed that earlier

Somehow they’d had it like that since the draft w/out any fixing it. Maybe the Steelers need to petition the league for the rights to him.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 24, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha.

I love it when things come together like that.

by HinesField on Jul 24, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One quote I kinda liked from Tomlin:
“(Anthony) Smith is ready to rock and roll. He had his trials and ups and downs last year. But again, that’s in his rearview mirror. Hopefully his rearview mirror is smaller than his windshield. “

Interesting analogy. You check your rearview (unless it was broken off 4 years ago and you’ve been too lazy and cheap to fix it, aka me) but you focus on the road. I like it.

by Chicago Steeler on Jul 24, 2008 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

secondary

any word on whether townsend could possibly be moving to safety this year? with ike and mcfadden, there’s no room for him on the corners…maybe as a “crafty” nickel back, but william gay showed some promise last year. if clark isn’t healthy enough to play up to his previous level, i think i would rather see townsend getting reps that anthony smith…even if tomlin says he’s ready to “rock and roll.”

by NoCal-SteelCity on Jul 24, 2008 6:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LInebackers

I’m not too worried about the defensive line. Yes, it’s not the dominant force we’d like it to be but the real focus of this defense is going to be the linebackers. If Woodley and Timmons can bring the heat (and I think they can) along with Silverback and the uber reliable Farrior, then the ship will right itself and the defensive line will play a supporting role.

by Steev1705 on Jul 24, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

If the Linebackers can step up big like I think they can, then its going to make things easier on the D-Line. Look for the linebackers to be the key to this year’s defense. I hope Timmons is as good as advertised, he sounds like a stud. We know Woodley and Silverback are going to bring it every play, and Farrior is always reliable as well as the always steady Foote. Bruce Davis should be an interesting guy to watch this year although it sounds like he is for now a one-trick pony with no run stopping ability whatsoever. We shall she how he progresses..

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Jul 25, 2008 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So goes the DL, so goes the Steelers chances

Depth, Health & Age are the three key factors in determining the effectiveness of the defensive line for the Steelers in ‘08. Every starting player on the Steelers DL, including their backups, Kirscke and Eason, are age 30 and older. After them are two players with no game experience, Ryan McBean and rookie, Kyle Clement.

by Master Blaster on Jul 25, 2008 7:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget Hoke

Who’s older than Hampton. He’s still probably our best backup, though.

by BadMaafala on Jul 25, 2008 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its funny

How most people forget about Hoke (myself included) when they talk about our depth at D-line. He has done nothing but positive things in his role as a backup the past few seasons.

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Jul 25, 2008 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Health

would seem like the big issue to me. If healthy, it does not look like these guys are so old we’ll see them slip in effectiveness too much, but a serious injury to a starter or a few minor injuries could really expose our lack of depth here, and that would be fairly disastrous to our linebackers, and entire defense.

by tkired on Jul 25, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrap your mind around this...

Let’s say the worst possible things happen. Injury to Aaron Smith and injury to Keisel. What the heck do we do? I say if the backups just can’t get the job done and we are desperate we can go to a makeshift 4-3 with Hoke and Big Snack as the d-tackle’s with Lamarr Woodley and Bruce Davis as the d-end’s filling in when Mcbean and Clement get tired.

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Jul 25, 2008 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs