Pittsburgh Steelers Win Preseason Finale Over Carolina Panthers, Final Roster Spot Decisions Only Made Murkier Thursday Night

But I don’t think Lewis is any better than Warren. So if that makes me crazy, then okay.

While it’s true cutting Sepulveda wouldn’t cause a long term cap hit, that’s not the full scope of his investment. Colbert and company took a lot of abuse for using a 4th round pick on a punter. Then they paid him several million dollars over the past few years to make him a part of this roster, only to see him repeatedly land on IR. So I think the investment he’s talking about is both reputational and past salary-wise- and for a punter, those investments have been significant. All other things being equal (and performance wise they appear to be), that kind of investment can save your roster spot.

of the argument it was good to see Allen’s potential finally and I hope he makes the roster. But I still want Warren to make it to the 53 also

If Donovan Warren can become the next Deshea, I’ll be one happy fan.

If Donovan Warren can be the next Deshea Townsend that would be awesome. Deshea was solid and it was more toward the end of his career that he has major problems.

I don’t believe the Steelers have ever won a Superbowl with a roster devoid of Nittany Lions.

Cut Gay. Please. At this point I’ll take youth and potential over proven failure

I think Gay’s camp/preseason performance was enough for him to be advised to look over his shoulder; his nickel job isn’t as secure as he may like. But cutting him not only forces a young player with basically zero experience into the nickel role, it means the fourth and fifth CBs have no experience either. Both starting CBs missed most of the preseason with injuries. Depth is important, and quality depth is highlighted by experience.

It’s not just on the field, either. It’s about preparation, the “right” film study, mental reps, etc. Having several guys who haven’t done that in a starting role is a lot riskier, in my opinion, than the value of keeping a young, potential guy in there.

I know people tend to want to choose the devil they don’t know (Butler, Allen, Brown) over the devil they do know, but they can’t let go of a veteran for a rookie in the secondary. I’ve said this before, William Gay is not the next coming of Champ Bailey, but he knows the defense and the secondary knows what they’re going to get out of him. You’ve got to keep him.

I think they’ll try to get Warren on the PS – he doesn’t have great speed and in my opinion, he’s best suited for the Steelers kind of defense. The Jets cut him twice too, and his godfather was/is a coach there, so it’s not as if there’s 100 percent certainty he’ll get picked up. From another team’s perspective, did he go enough to make their 53 man roster? That’s the question.

Dunno…I guess I can see Warren going either way, but I’d be surprised if Gay gets cut.

I heard Essucks actually played fairly well. But, the Panthers don’t have the best DL in the world.

Definitely a good problem to have. The thing we should all keep in mind is you get these kinds of good problems when you consistently focus on drafting well, and developing younger players. The core group is in place, and this preseason – and the last few – was about developing the younger guys. We’re stockpiling talent, especially when you get guys like Antonio Brown in the 6th round, and have great tryouts from undrafted guys like Donovan Warren.

The cut down to 53 won’t make or break this team, in my opinion, and yeah, there are going to be a few guys who will get released and catch on somewhere else. All that means is the guy we kept over him was determined to be a better player, a decision made by the same personnel group that has loaded this team past capacity with talent in the first place.

I trust their judgement. Super excited they find themselves in this spot though. Only good things can come from it.

I just am not sure that it will happen. I think Lyons could make it to PS, and the Steelers may not want to lose Battle. I trust in the FO though.

and I am not jealous of them for their jobs right now.

Even if Danny gets hurt and Kapinos is signed elsewhere, there will be plenty of serviceable Punters available. I would rather go with someone like Danny in hopes he can live up to his draft pick.

We are CRAZY deep on offense for the first time I can remember – I only wish that Batch was available too. But he can help us next year, this year is going to be exciting.

I think Battle might have played himself onto the roster in the last couple games. Pretty solid job all around. Strong call on McClendon over Hoke… maybe they find a way to keep both by cutting Will Allen or someone else.

Agreed on Saunders- his blocking has come on in leaps and bounds. The only other difficult call would be Chris Carter, given his inactivity the last couple games. Maybe Baraka Atkins sneaks on there, but all in all, I would be happy with that roster.

and I’m with you on your prayers regarding Gay being replaced.

So you didn’t end up keeping 4 STers? Haha

love the nicknames for our young receivers

I am not sold on W Allen making the 53 nor Ivy. I think Battle makes it and Warren.

Same with Swayze

As far as the 53rd guy, I think it needs to be Battle just on the numbers. He proved very consistent the last few games.

Definitely with you on Butler. Also not reading too much into the long TD. He was up in press coverage, did not redirect sufficiently, and the WR was faster. Seems like a ‘teachable moment’, especially given the desire to have Butler play more man-to-man around this forum.

I disagree on the Gay characterization, however. He might be inadequate, but from what other players on the roster do you know with certitude how they will play in the playoffs? We have Ike and B-Mac, that is it. Maybe one of the younger guys shows enough throughout the year, but that is not now. It seems, for better or worse, cutting Gay is a moot issue.

I think the choice of Battles vs. Bryant is the harder one. Both DL and WR have had, or do have, questions on durability.
Is Sanders foot ok, or will it linger? Cotchery is a good safety policy, however, Battles I thought played well for much of the preseason.
DL we know there are questions with Mr. Smith, and while Hoke has been terrific in giving Casey a breather, it sure would be nice to have some extra young players – who looked the part – in the mix. Plenty of games last year that had me concerned with the lack of gameday active DL spots (Titans in that heat was one that comes to mind).

Our RBs could be scary good, like our WR are now, with the addition of Batch and the maturing of Dwyer. Even Memo has looked good this preseason (from what I saw of him) and we may have a minor dilemma. We can worry about that when we get there though. Things will happen between now and then.

you just don’t

but he also saved a touchdown on the play, IIRC. Every CB is going to get burned at some point, it happens. What is important is how they react to the play they just gave up. Did they learn from it and come back stronger, or did they let it get in their head and make them overcautious the next play. I think he learned from it.

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MarkKaboly_Trib Mark Kaboly
#Steelers cutt Clay, Johnson, Robinson, Lyons, Grisham, McCoy, Miller, Turner, Maloecki, Jolly, Williams

I don’t want Pouncey running down and trying to make tackles on punts. Snapping the ball isn’t the only part of the job