Darnell Stapleton to go on IR

Jim Wexell is reporting via Twitter that Darnell Stapleton just told reporters he will be going on IR.

If so, as Wexell notes, Doug Legursky is all but guaranteed a roster spot.

It's a busy news day for the Steelers, with reports this AM that Brett Keisel is close to signing a 5 year extension (reported in this fanpost by SteelCage).

over 2 years ago syrsteelerfan 19 comments 0 recs |

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haha, beat me to it by about a minute.

I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!

by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Aug 31, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

Time for Urbik to step up

by Freddyd on Aug 31, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh. I think this makes Doug Legursky our top IOL backup.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Aug 31, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

Essex

Starting now? Urbik primary back up on interior?

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 31, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

I’m pretty sure Essex starting has been the plan since Stapler had the surgery. He came to play this season and I think he’s a better option anyway. We have too many overweight non-athletes on our OL.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Aug 31, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

What does this do to the OLine?

Another year, another “developing” OLine? This can’t be a good thing . . .

by sylvansteeler on Aug 31, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

Our OL is run like the Pirates.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Aug 31, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

No, not really

Essex would probably have won the starting RG job regardless of Stapleton’s condition. All in all, we just lost some reliable depth. But Legursky seems to be more than capable of stepping in if someone goes down. Quite frankly, he was probably the most expendable of our 22 starters.

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte

by LV Steelers Fan on Aug 31, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

OL Projection

With this breaking news we get a clearer picture of the final OL group. My two cents :
-Starks, Colon, Hills
-Kemo, Essex, Foster, Urbik
-Hartwig, Legurski (Shipley if they keep 10)
Foster (G/T) and Legurski (C/G) can be the swing players on game day.

by Steelfrog on Aug 31, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Keisel, Steelers Ink 5-Year Deal ...

It’s Done! Here it is:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09243/994487-100.stm

What the D. Stapleton going on IR means for this team is that D. Legursky is now your primary C/G backup with A.Q. Shipley going to the practice squad. This opens up a roster spot on the OL for Legursky to be the swing G/C on game day.

I believe that J. Capizzi will be that other swing lineman. I now think the backup OL to make this squad are: Capizzi, R. Foster, Urbik, D. Legursky, T. Hills (If they keep only 9, then I think that spot could come down between T. Hills and Capizzi).

Foster won’t be active on game days because he can’t play LT and has played most LG the whole preseason. Capizzi offers the best position flexibility among the group.

by datruth4life on Aug 31, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

coaches put parquet in before cappizzi

saturday, and he didnt play much. i actually don’t think he’s gonna make the roster, but i’d like to see it happen

by syrsteelerfan on Aug 31, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

BMF, this actually might work in the Steelers favor because ...

Both Essex and Legursky are better players than Stapleton. I don’t know if you’ve watched the preseason, but Essex has looked good starting at RG and Legursky has more than held his own playing center and guard (the botched snap to Batch during the Skins game notwithstanding). Neither have been ran over in the backfield like Stapleton usually is and are much stronger at the point of attack.

I don’t think losing Stapleton for the year is a cripping blow. He’ll be back next year to compete with Legursky, A.Q. Shipley and whomever they might draft or sign in free agency to be the starting center. Hartwig won’t be back.

Dale Lolley said he expects the team to put S. McHugh on the IR as well, so that will open up a spot for D. Johnson.

by datruth4life on Aug 31, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

I’m happy about Essex, and I think he’s looked good, but I don’t see how losing a capable (if not great) OL is a plus. Stapleton may be a marginal starter, but Legursky is a marginal backup. He looked like a bodybuilder in the first 2 games – strong, slow, and dumb – and he got away with at least 2 or 3 blatant holding penalties. Stapleton was okay with a chance to improve in his second year starting. It’s not a crippling blow, but his loss means that one or 2 minor injuries on the line would be crippling.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Aug 31, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Only at tackle

An injury to Kemo would be a blessing IMO. Stapleton is still young and might get better but in Legursky, Foster and Urbik I think they have three better backup guards than Stapleton. Too early to say if any of them will be great but I think we’re headed in the right direction. The problem is at tackle. Max has not looked good so far and there is no depth.

by steeler.lifer on Aug 31, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you just say that 2 UDFA rookies and a disappointing 3rd round rookie would be better than they guy we just signed to a $20M contract? I’m not in love with Kemo at all – in fact I wanted us to let him leave – but I don’t see how a disappointing pick and overachieving UDFA’s are the answer. Wasn’t that what Stapleton was?

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Aug 31, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I would disagree that Urbik has been disappointing. He has played quite well after a rude awakening at training camp. Perhaps it was hyperbole to suggest an injury to Kemo would be a blessing because obviously it’s better to have everyone healthy. But I don’t think it would be much of a downgrade right out of the gate if Legursky took over from him.. We would at least eliminate the bone-headed mistakes that Kemo, now in his fifth year, is still making. Halfway through the year Legursky might even be an upgrade, or Foster or Urbik could find their way to LG. Kemo is destined to be a highly paid backup, much like Starks was at the start of last year, playing behind someone with less physical talent but more consistency. I don’t see much downside to that happening sooner rather than later.

by steeler.lifer on Aug 31, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions