Gary Russell Cut

by 5020 on Sep 20, 2008 1:57 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

Bumped from the FanPosts. As noted by 5020, the move proves Tomlin's commitment to bolstering the ST. With DeSean Jackson up next, not a bad idea. Still, tough luck for Russell. Just no room for him with a 1st round pick, and the 2nd leading rusher in the NFL since 2006. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Let's hope this adage rings true in Gary Russell's career. -Blitz-

The Pittsburgh Tribune is reporting that RB Gary Russell has been cut to make room for LB Patrick Bailey. Bailey was a "special teams stand out during preseason according to the coaching staff.

With Donovan Woods still nursing an injury this move was made to give the team another ST athlete and shows Tomlin's commitment to getting better play from the ST. That surely has been the case in the first 2 weeks but it is a long season.

I think that if Russell does not get picked up (by a division or conference foe looking for insight into the Steelers playbook) he will be back in a Steelers uni. He's a good player that is 5th best out of 5 RB.I know there are some HUGE 33 fans on the site. Looking for their reaction.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_589281.html

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Liked the guy...

and always thought that he could do really good. I hope he comes back to us somehow.

I know it was only preseason stuff mostly, but he really ran hard and forward, bowling over guys in his way. Hopefully he won’t go to another div team…or worse the Pats.

I’ve got to say though, that keeping a focsus on ST is a good idea. We don’t need a let down in that category and currently this was the right position to trim to get Bailey back on the roster.

Can someone refresh us on Bailey’s preseason performance?

by SCSteeler on Sep 20, 2008 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bailey

Very good on special teams. thats why he made the Practice Squad. He is also like 6-4 and fast. This guy is going to be a good special teams player. Mark my words.

Also, I really liked Russell too. He is eligible for the PS so I hope they just swap the two positions. (Bailey to active roster, Russell to PS). I would take Russell over Mewelde Moore any day.

by steelcitykid on Sep 20, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh ... scooped!

Well, there goes my adopted Steeler. I was really looking forward to seeing him run this year, but we have plenty of RBs and there are enough acceptable replacements in free agency to cover his place in a jam. Not a big loss to the team really, since he wasn’t high on the RB totem pole, and he wasn’t returning kick offs; but I was still hoping he would have some trade value.

Maybe the Bears will pick him up. They don’t seem to want to run (the other) Adrian Peterson, even though he did some good work last year.

by betelgeuse on Sep 20, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs