My Final 53 Man Roster

by seton hall and steelers on Sep 2, 2011 11:48 AM EDT

I have made quite a few changes since the last time I made a 53 man roster guess. I think a few players played themselves onto the roster over the past two weeks, the only problem is that no one really played themselves off the roster. That makes it incredibly tough to make a prediction since nothing is set in stone since we have so much depth and talent. But I guess that's a good problem to have.

QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Dennis Dixon, Charlie Batch (3)

Explanation: With Byron Leftwich going down for the year, this is self explanatory.

RB: Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, Mewelde Moore, Jonathan Dwyer (7)

Explanation: Similar to QB, once Baron Batch got hurt, this was all but set in stone

WR: Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, Wes Lyons (13)

Explanation: My first surprise pick comes in the form of Wes Lyons. The dude is a great redzone threat and also has some impressive speed. With the kickoffs being moved up and the fact that we already have a few special teams studs, Battle's value is not as high as it was last year.

TE: Heath Miller, David Johnson, Weslye Saunders (16)

Explanation: Miller and Johnson were locks all preseason but the battle was between Gilmore and Saunders for the 3rd spot. I think with Saunders potential and actual performance in the 4th pre-season game, he will make it simply due to his upside.

LT: Jonathan Scott, Marcus Gilbert (18)

Explanation: This has been set in stone for a while. I really don't want Scott to get hurt because I don't want to thrust Gilbert into action this year.

LG: Chris Kemoautu, Ramon Foster (20)

Explanation: Kemo will be our starter whether it frustrates us or not. Foster is a pretty good backup guard to have on your roster.

C: Maurkice Pouncey, Trai Essex (22)

Explanation: Pouncey is a stud and Essex is #2 since Legursky will be our starting RG. Essex can play any position on the OL and for that reason alone he will make the roster. He actually looked very good vs. the Panthers yesterday.

RG: Doug Legursky, Tony Hills (24)

Explanation: Legursky played well enough to win the job and I am looking forward to seeing him get a chance to play. He was awesome in the Super Bowl last year at center and hopefully he is the same at RG this year. Hills is versatile as he can backup multiple positions.

RT: Willie Colon, Tony Hills (25)

Explanation: Colon has been a lock ever since we resigned him. I think Hills will be the backup over Gilbert and Essex because he will be the only one who can practice solely on the right side whereas Essex and Gilbert will be practicing on the left or center of the line.

LE: Aaron Smith, Ziggy Hood (27)

Explanation: This one has been obvious all year. I think we end up rotating Hood in for passing situations as he is a much better pass rusher.

NT: Casey Hampton, Steve McClendon (29)

Explanation: My second surprise pick. I think McClendon has the potential to replace Hampton and quite frankly, he has been better than Hoke in the preseason. Also, McClendon can play the DE position in a pinch.

RE: Brett Keisel, Cameron Heyward (31)

Explanation: Like the situation at LE, I think there will be a rotation here to keep Keisel fresh. Probably a 80-20 rotation.

LOLB: LaMarr Woodley, Baraka Atkins (33)

Explanation: I have Atkins as our 2nd LOLB over Carter because I think Atkins is more ready to actually play on defense.

LILB: James Farrior, Stevenson Sylvester (35)

Explanation: Sylvester will play a little bit at LILB to keep Farrior fresh. Probably about a 90-10 split. Sylvester is also our best ST player and is one of the big reasons we can cut Battle.

RILB: Lawrence Timmons, Larry Foote (37)

Explanation: Timmons is a beast and Foote is a phenomenal ST player. I don't think Harvey can make the squad due to a log jam at CB.

ROLB: James Harrison, Jason Worilds (39)

Explanation: This is pretty easy. Lets just hope Harrison can get back to form for next Sunday afternoon.

CB: Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden, Donovan Warren, Credzon Butler, Keenan Lewis, Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen (46)

Explanation: I think we are going to cut Gay. I think Warren and Butler are able to Gay's job just as well, if not better and both offer more upside. Allen and Brown can both be ST gunners which will make them more valuable than Gay as well.

FS: Ryan Clark, Ryan Mundy (48)

Explanation: This is an easy decision. Mundy looks like he could be the future replacement for Clark.

SS: Troy Polamalu, Ryan Mundy, Will Allen (50)

Explanation: I think Mundy will be the top backup at both safety spots. Allen is on the roster because of his ST abilities.

K: Shaun Suisham (51)

P: Daniel Sepulveda (52)

LS: Greg Warren (53)

Explanations: Suisham is safe. I think Sepulveda is a better punter than Kapinos despite the injury risk. However, we will keep Kapinos as #1 on Colbert's speed dial. And, I really wish a position player could LS so we could keep one more of our great young players but it isn't that easy as Deebo has shown. Therefore, Warren makes the roster.

That is my final 53 for the Steelers. Here are the 8 men on the practice squad.

Chris Carter, Keith Williams, ~~Morty Ivy~~, John Clay, Tyler Gresham, Corbin Bryant, Mario Harvey, Damon Cromartie-Smith, Trevis Turner

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Comments

Good work

Probably my ‘ideal’ roster, though not the one I think they will go with. As mentioned elsewhere, Tomlin values consistency from his depth players. For that reason, I think both Battle and Gay make it over Lyons and Warren. We have a lot of potential at each of those positions (WR and CB), what we lack is a surefire backup that will know his responsibility in case of injury or incompetence.

Pretty much the same logic applies for why I think Baraka Atkins makes it over Chris Carter, and there we are in agreement.

Very well done though.

"It's football the way it's meant to be played. That's who Pittsburgh is, and that's who Pittsburgh has always been."

-- so says Rex Ryan.

by sctx109 on Sep 2, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

Will they keep an extra OLB?

With James Harrison’s back problems, I think they may keep an extra OLB. If we keep an extra OLB, what position gets reduced? WR, CB?

Looked at Redskin site and Thadeus Gibson might be on the outside looking in. If so do we pick him up?

by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 2, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Nope...

Failed at San Francisco and Washington??? WTF! What makes him look better than Atkins, Ivy, or even Harvey? Becaus ehe was drafted 4th? We sometimes make mistakes there.

"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 Sep 2, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Because the coaches suck in SF and Washington?

How many games have they won in the past decade?

by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 2, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Because Keith Butler works here

Not there.

by barnerburner on Sep 2, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Possibly

When the 49ers cut him, 3 teams put in claims on the waiver wire – Washington, Chicago, and us. Unfortunately the only team we’re going to be ahead of if there are multiple waiver claims is Green Bay.

by barnerburner on Sep 2, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

That is exactly the team I was drafting

So I can’t complain about the picks. I think that team gives us the best chance to win.

by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 2, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Gay

Although I understand multiple opinions that Butler and Warren will perform similar to Gay if not better, I am also apprehensive of cutting Gay for them. The simple reason being the Steelers want to win a SB within the next 1-2 years and they cannot afford to have too many inexperienced DBs.

"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."
- Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).

by Han on Sep 2, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

Sensible picks

Lyons and McClendon are reasonable surprise picks because each guy brings youth and some pretty unique capabilities to the table.

by Billy52 on Sep 2, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

practice squad

I like your 53 man roster, would love if it turned out that way. I think for the practice squad though they definitely try to keep Clay, afaik they almost always have one running back on there and Clay has looked pretty good against backups. One of the three linebackers (my guess is Harvey) has to make room. Also, I am not sure if Grisham is still eligible for the PS, if he isn’t, either Chris Scott makes it or a leftover wide receiver from another team.

Aside from that though, great job!

by Simonsen on Sep 2, 2011 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Yea if Grisham is not then I would put C.Scott there

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by seton hall and steelers on Sep 2, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Morty Ivy was just released. I put John Clay in his spot on the PS

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by seton hall and steelers on Sep 2, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Tough for Ivy and others

Imagine being drafted by the steelers, working hard all camp, but knowing all but one slot is probably locked up. Then you get cut. How many teams will pick you up over guys they have who know THEIR system and are ready to play? Being a pro is not just how good you are, but where and when you start out. Battle is another one who is just up against numbers. He played well enough to make most teams. But WR is a position that is crowded on many teams and he may have had his last chance unless Tomlin keeps him for his experience. With Cotchery here, that is in doubt.

by pittsburghdad6 on Sep 2, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Nice roster-

Could definitely live with it! McClendon has been a nice surpise indeed…

by crosby87 on Sep 2, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Gay, Lyons, Warren

Gay- I don’t like Gay either but I would be SHOCKED if he got cut because they love him covering the slot for some reason and its pretty obvious they aren’t ready for anyone else to take that spot

Lyons- Won’t make the team because he won’t contribute much on special teams. IMO, thats either Battle or no one.

Warren- Is an interesting case and there has been a lot made of him but he just isn’t quick enough to play against top receivers and doesn’t have the upside that some of hte other guys do.

by dunkuntou on Sep 2, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

Offensive line addition

With how poorly some of these guys have played I wouldn’t be surpised to see the Steelers add an offensive linemen from another team. Obviously, that might not come until early next week but the depth is just terrible

by dunkuntou on Sep 2, 2011 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Wes Lyons doesn’t seem to play very physical. He’s good at adjusting to the ball, but I think better corners would just muscle him off the ball.

I like the Warren over Gay pick, but I didn’t see much from Atkins, but I’ve heard they like him better.

by Phantaskippy on Sep 2, 2011 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Gah

Looks like they cut Lyons, Warren, Atkins and Cromartie-Smith, looks like all the vets are safe again.

by Phantaskippy on Sep 2, 2011 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

As far as I know...

-They have to be released from the active roster before they can be signed to practice squad.
-I haven’t heard to the contrary, so I think there are only 7 PS slots; and I think its only open to first and second year players…but I could be very wrong, (I’m good at wrong)

Really surprised they kept only 9 OL, and didn’t use that open spot for D.Warren, D.Cromartie-Smith, or C. Bryant…although, I suppose that spot was used for Cortez Allen, who I would have picked over D.Warren; but, I thought they both should have headed to the PS. Who knows what Kevin Colbert has planned for the first few weeks of the season.

by SteelCityRoller on Sep 2, 2011 9:24 PM EDT reply actions