FORMER STEELERS UPDATE (12/16/09)

I'm always interested in what's going on with former Steelers players. Unlike a lot of teams, most guys don't seem to leave the team disgruntled and badmouthing their time in Pittsburgh (didn't do much for Plax in the long run).

So, this thread, which I'll update as warranted, will contain news about guys who once wore the black and gold, with the most recent update in bold type. Also, Steeler roster moves will be added in the replies.

JASON CAPIZZI - Capizzi, an offensive tackle,  was an undrafted free agent  in 2007. Between 2007 and 2009, he has moved between practice squads, active rosters and injured reserve seven times (including three stints with Pittsburgh. He just finished playing in the new United Football League. He was signed to the Browns' practice squad on December 16, 2009.

MIKE REILLY - an undrafted free agent QB out of Central Washington in 2009, he was cut in camp. With ex-Louisville star Brian Brohm leaving the Packers practice squad to sign with the Buffalo Bills, the Packers replaced him with Reilly on November 19. Reilly was taken by the Rams on December 10 and put on the active roster.

VERRON HAYNES - Haynes was the Steelers third down back for several years, playing there from 2002 - 2007. He was out of football in 2008, and made the roster in camp. However, he didn't play, was cut in September, but re-signed a few days later. He's played in the last three games, catching 3 passes for a total of 20 yards.Haynes is from Georgia and was a Bulldog in college. Nice to see him playing in his home state.Haynes was cut by Atlanta on November 28. He was re-signed on November 30. And cut again on December 5. Yeesh.

ANTHONY MADISON - Madison, a special teams demon for the Steelers (2006 - 2008) was cut by the Browns on November 3, 2009. He's never started a game in his four year career, and I don't really remember him seeing much in the secondary. But the guy was a key part of the 2008 kick and punt coverage turnaround. The Browns, who can't score an offensive TD and just got rid of their GM, decided to dump Madison. Yet another example of how screwed up they are. I hope he lands somewhere. I like the guy.Too valuable to be unemployed for long, the Colts signed Madison on November 10. He was cut on December 1. The Steelers cut Corey Ivy to make room for Madison and signed him December 2. Welcome back!

DONAVAN WOODS - Woods, a surprising cut after only one week up from the practice squad (he certainly was at least as good as Patrick Bailey on ST), was signed to the Cowboys pracatice squad on November 30.

BYRON LEFTWICH - Tampa Bay placed Leftwich on IR (elbow) on November 24, so he's out for the year. Byron served well as a backup QB for the 2008 Steelers after besting Dante Culpepper in a tryout necessitated by Charlie Batch's season-ending injury in pre-season. Byron left to take on the Bucs starting job but was benched after only three weeks.

 KENDALL SIMMONS - Except for missing the entire 2004 season, the first round pick was a dependable starting guard from 2002 through 2007. He also overcame diabetes to be a Super Bowl champion. Simmons, who missed all but the first four games of 2008, was signed by New England in the pre-season, appeared in only one game and was cut on November 6.  Simmons was signed by the Bills on November 24. 

ORIEN HARRIS - Taken in the fourth round of the 2006 draft (only two picks after Willie Colon), the d-lineman has been with eight teams in four years (ten if you count three stints in Cincy). He's mostly a practice squadder. He was cut by Cincy on November 16 to open up a roster spot for has-been Larry Johnson. Harris was re-signed by the Bengals on November 24

CAMERON STEPHENSON - Stephenson was a fifth round pick in 2007: 15 picks before the Steelers took Wiliam Gay. He was cut and has spent time on the practice squads in Green Bay and New Orleans and he suited up for the Eagles for two games in 2008 but did not play. He had finished 2008 with Jacksonville, who just cut him on November 23.

ALLEN ROSSUM - On November 23, the Cowboys cut former Steelers return man (2007) Allen Rossum. Rossum, injured this year, started the season with the 49ers before being cut there. He's only had 8 returns all year. He averaged 23.8 ypr in Pittsburgh, including a 98 yarder for a TD. Current returner Stefan Logan is better, averaging 25.9 ypr.

ARNOLD HARRISON - Cut by the Steelers, he was almost immediately claimed by the Browns on November 18. That shouldn't be much of a surprise. I suspect he'll immediately be playing on special teams and may even see the field as a linebacker.

ANTHONY SMITH - The former third round pick from Syracuse played and talked his way out of the starting safety position now manned by Ryan Clark. The Steelers let him go after the 2008 season and he signed with the Packers, who cut him in camp.

He signed with the St. Louis Rams, but struggled with an achilles problem (no, he didn't run around fighting Trojans. That's Homer. The Iliad. Read a Book!)/ Tat last bit was from The Tick: one of the best cartoon shows ever.

Anyways,  the Rams just waived him and Jacksonville claimed him on November 6. I prefer Carter to Smith and don't think he was much of a loss. 

MIKE SCHNECK - Schneck was the Steelers' long-snapper from 1999 - 2004. He went on to Buffalo and has been with the Falcons since 2007. He went on season-ending IR with a (presumed) rib injury.

DEZMOND SHERROD - Sherrod was a rookie tight end who was on the Steelers practice squad in 2008. He was out of football this year, but signed with the Texans practice squad on November 4, 2009. It's safe to assume this move was triggered by stud tight end Owen Daniels going onto IR the same day.

MITCH BERGER - On October 26, 2009, the Broncos cut their punter (Brett Kern) and signed former Colorado Buffalo Mitch Berger. Berger, of course, lived the book Adventures in Punting en route to claiming a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in 2008. His services were not retained when the healthy Daniel Sepulveda returned. Berger's punting ranged between interesting and disastrous. In his first game (in which the undefeated Broncos were shellacked by Baltimore), he punted 8 times for a 38.4 yd average.

SEAN MAHAN - Tampa Bay cut Mahan, a classic center (classic in the sense he was built like one from the nineteen forties) on October 27, 2009. He started all 16 games for Pittsburgh in 2007. Mahan is listed at 6'-3", 301. He seemed smaller and struggled handling nose tackles all season long. He was replaced by Jeff Hartwig for 2007 and went back to Tampa Bay, where he had played from 2003 - 2006. He appeared in 12 games in 2008 (starting none) and had started 4 games in 2009.