Steelers Release DT Anthony Gray - Roster Down To 83

by Neal Coolong on Aug 30, 2011 8:12 AM EDT in Steelers Roster

The Steelers have released rookie free agent DT Anthony Gray, per his announcement via Twitter, Tuesday morning.

Gray was one of the rookie free agents many were expecting to perform well in camp. Coming out of Southern Mississippi, the Steelers were reportedly excited by his 39 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press at the Combine.

There was some speculation Gray's development this year may have been enough to release veteran NT Chris Hoke.

Gray is another release from the highly skilled rookie free agent class in the last three days. TE Miguel Chavis was waived/injured Saturday, and they released TE Vaughn Charlton, CB Kevin Dockery and WRs Eric Greenwood and Kenneth Moore. RB Baron Batch was placed on the Steelers injured-reserve list.

Gray had two tackles in three preseason games.

The move put the Steelers roster down to 83, with three more cuts pending to be in compliance with the league's deadline of 4 p.m. ET today to trim rosters to 80.

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This one shocks me. there had to be better people to get rid of then him

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by seton hall and steelers on Aug 30, 2011 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah

you would have thought he’d at least survive the 1st cut, right?

by HandsofSweed on Aug 30, 2011 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Didn't really shock me...

After watching the games he didn’t stand out against the third string opponents he was facing. McLendon did stand out in all three games and can play both the NT and DE and Hoke isn’t going anywhere. To me this just mean they can’t make a decision at the other positions like LBs and DBs yet so they want one more game to see how the lower level guys play and they don’t want to cut O-linemen so becuase they need someone to play against Carolina, Guys like Ivy, Atkins, Carter for the LB/ST, Cortez Allen,Warren, Butler, and Lewis for the DBs. The you also have the battle for the 6th WR/ST spot and the last linemen spots between Foster, C Scott, and Essiex. Basically we knew who are NTs were going to be Big Sack, Hoke and McLendon why create more tape for Gray if they do want him on the PS.

by Steel34D on Aug 30, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

They did him a favor....

Someone will pick him up.

Letting him go this early increases his chances of landing on someone else’s roster.

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Aug 30, 2011 8:41 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

That's what I think

But that sucks, because who knows what he could develop into. I guess this clearly shows Steve McLendon is #7 on the DL.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I had hopes as well.

Does this mean we target a NT in the draft next year?

"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)

"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 30, 2011 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

hope so

I beleive we will draft a NT with our first round draft pick next year. That way we would have 3 first round picks as our front 3 for the future.

by steeler fever on Aug 30, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Mitchell doesn't really like the young'uns!

He much prefers experience…see how long Eason lasted. We don’t know what Gray could develop into…I hope that the coaches and FO do. We’ll find out when it is time to pull together the PS. The next couple of weeks will be very intriguing with the cutdowns and roster adjustments. Remember there are 10 extra players per team…and the move from 90 to 53 is really condensed. We will be awash in FA’s from everywhere! And who knows whom the FO has their eyes on?

"He has the best ability, which is availability." - Mike Tomlin
"You can't make the club from the tub." - Mike Tomlin
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Aug 30, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m hoping we look at some veteran OLBs

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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

How are we for cap space?

How many vets can we afford? Do we need to cut a vet to sign a vet?

"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 30, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know anymore. The deal with Timmons and signing of Essex got me lost in the cap. I think we are about 2-3 million under.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you are correct, but...

who do you cut? Carter? Or do you go w/9 LB’s? And if so…who then do you cut? I’ve been thinking we go w/7 Dl’s, but maybe only 6?

"He has the best ability, which is availability." - Mike Tomlin
"You can't make the club from the tub." - Mike Tomlin
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Aug 30, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Just got a tweet that said Atkins is now ahead of Carter. If I signed a veteran OLB, he’d probably replace Carter or Atkins.

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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s really interesting, because I have been thinking that Ivy was ahead…even though he is really an ILB. I wonder what the tweet is based upon…as Atkins didn’t get as near as many snaps against the Iggles and not so many against the Falcons considering he got Carter’s as well? I guess we’ll see next week, huh?

"He has the best ability, which is availability." - Mike Tomlin
"You can't make the club from the tub." - Mike Tomlin
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Aug 30, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Not sure

The tweet is from Lolley, and his view is usually spot on.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

been that way for a while I thought based on the prelim depth charts

Atkins has been 2nd team opposite Worlids. Carter IIRC was backing up Worlids on the third team.

by Steely McSmash on Aug 30, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

lolley's words, not mine

“Baraka Atkins takes over no. 2 lolb spot behind Woodley”

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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

read that too

Atkins played pretty damn good last game, and wasn’t bad before either. Granted, that’s against reserves, but he definitely showed more than Carter.

by Simonsen on Aug 30, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

WHY

You don’t think Harrison is going to perform well? What’s your reasoning? We have two Pro Bowl Calib

by steeler fever on Aug 31, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Because Harrison’s back is screwed up. He is not 100% and hasn’t been close this preseason. If he has to sit out any time, Worilds cannot hold his own at the position.

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by John Stephens on Aug 31, 2011 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

KC could use more depth at NT.

Worth a shot?

Bleed Chiefs

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I still hope he is signed to the practice squad

Most of us assumed he would be cut at some point, but maybe we will get a chance to see him back. If the Steelers lose him, they will need to invest a pick at the NT position this year or next.

by Michael Uhlhorn on Aug 30, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

My take -

Gray may be too slow and not explosive enough at the LoS. I only saw him once and for a couple plays, and he’s tough to move, but he’s also not blowing things up. Big Snack takes up space and two linemen on almost every play because he can blow things up. Gray may be able to develop that ability, but at this point he’s a liability on the field.

Gray is (generously, perhaps) listed at 5’11"; he may clear waivers on that basis alone.

My heros have always been Steelers...

by wozzle on Aug 30, 2011 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

Can’t believe they let Gray walk, unless it is a ploy to make sure no one would want to snatch him up, since he was an early cut. Don’t be surprised to see him signed to the PS, after final cuts are made. Sneaky, Sneaky.

by SteelCityRoller on Aug 30, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

These were my initial thoughts as well

by whogastim on Aug 30, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

He seems pretty dejected about it on Twitter.

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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

Just got this email too after commenting on his FB psot

“Betty White also commented on Anthony Gray’s status.”

Betty White is a fan of Gray, too.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Funny

Maybe we can make him another Redman/Superman if we pick him up again for the PS. I’ll join that club if it happens. Imagine – two on one team. Metropolis/Pittsburgh will be safe forever.

by Allen F on Aug 30, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

HAHAHAHA!!!

Betty White is a fan of Gray, too.

"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVACUjHn6yU

by Steel Spike on Aug 30, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

CFL

I hope some of these young fellows give the CFL a shot. It can be a great place to get experience while being paid a living salary (they won’t get rich but it pays the bills). If they do they will have to give it their best because the CFL is lot tougher than college ball even if it isn’t the NFL. I have seen a lot of guys come up here thinking they will own the league just to be cut within a couple of weeks because they weren’t in shape or weren’t taking it seriously.

"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 30, 2011 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

How's your guy Fantuz doing with the Bears?

….talking about the CFL and all that…..is Andy gonna be a Monster of the Midway?

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Aug 30, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like he is on bubble

and it is about to pop. He doesn’t seem to be getting reps in preseason from what little I have been able to glean.

"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 31, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Hate to see Gray cut

I kind of saw it coming because he was hardly getting any snaps. I think that one of the things he needs to work on is getting a release form his blockers. Also he needs to learn to use his hands better in a swim move, keep driving his legs and keep in pursuit of off tackle plays. A little more James Harrisonlike aggressiveness could also be added to that mix. Hope we get him back for the practice squad. I think that he is loaded with potential, and being mentored by Casey would be invaluable to him. With that compact body and brute strength, I think that he is the perfect size for NT.

by Allen F on Aug 30, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

maybe

he wasn’t that good?

I was really pulling for him but he barely played at all. Just not cutting it mentally or attitude wise is my guess. No way he makes the PS if he doesn’t make the top 80 on the roster.

by Steely McSmash on Aug 30, 2011 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

I do not think attitude was a problem.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Aug 30, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed!

I think many of us were pulling for him…for lots of reasons…but I agree that if you don’t make the 80-man, you aren’t likely to make the PS…excepting for those on IR (Batch) or possibly waived/injured (Chavis).

"He has the best ability, which is availability." - Mike Tomlin
"You can't make the club from the tub." - Mike Tomlin
"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Aug 30, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

It doesn't look good for him - but I will still be pulling for him to get to the PS

He just needs to know how to channel that strength and not give up. He was the strongest man on the squad. He has to keep active, in shape and study and learn. “Hang in there Kid”.

by Allen F on Aug 31, 2011 12:01 AM EDT reply actions