Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith Rounds Out Steelers 2011 Practice Squad
by Neal Coolong on Sep 4, 2011 2:03 PM EDT
in Steelers Roster
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PrintSteelers Digest is reporting S Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith has been signed to the Steelers Practice Squad.
He joins WR Tyler Grisham, OL John Malecki, DT Corbin Bryant, RB John Clay, OT Trevis Turner, LB Mortty Ivy and TE Jamie McCoy, solidifying the Steelers practice squad for the 2011 season.
There are some surprising non-signings, which was expected, given the depth of the Steelers roster at the start of training camp.
CB Donovan Warren caught the attention of Steelers fans this preseason, and WR Wes Lyons' size made him an intriguing prospect. WR Armand Robinson received some positive praise as well.
OG Keith Williams, the team's sixth round pick this season, was said to have made good progress throughout camp. Same for DT Anthony Gray.
It was definitely a difficult cut to 53, and choosing eight of the younger guys for the practice squad was probably just as difficult. Players get moved around frequently, and we may not have seen the last of a few of these guys.
Did the Steelers select the eight players you thought they would?
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Wonder where Wes Lyons will end up
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by seton hall and steelers on Sep 4, 2011 2:08 PM EDT reply actions
Dunno
…but writing another one of these may make my head explode.
I liked what I saw in Lyons, and I think Turner’s a good project kind of guy. My guess for most likely to make the PS was Clay, and it’s hard to turn Grisham away. I didn’t think Bryant would be on there over Gray.
Lyon's route running is weak
And he never got enough separation… it’s not enough to be big, you have to get open and catch the damn ball (Sweed).
speak of the devil
I was hoping for a DB to get signed, DCS is a good keep, although I would switch out Clay for another DB like Warren or Harris or another O Line, like Williams,
Williams
Does anyone know if he got hurt or something? I read nothing but great things about him, and OG isn’t exactly a solid future position on this team.
Position flexibility
Williams might be a pure guard, while I know Malecki can swing to center. That could explain it.
Malecki is a bit on the small side. This one surprises me a bit. Don’t doubt that we need a backup center/guard. just wondering if this is it, for now anyway.
I heard the "Big Legursky" is on the small side as well
But it makes sense, especially looking back to when and why they brought in Malecki.
Dorian Brooks was a UDFA last year that spent the season on the PS, and actually showed enough during his time to get elevated to the 53-man roster just for the Superbowl. He sat as an inactive during the game, but he still got picked out by the coaches for the call-up when they put Pouncey on IR right before the big game (I don’t think many people remember that this happened).
For whatever reason, Brooks just wasn’t feeling it this year, and left camp pretty early on – still haven’t heard from anyone who’s got the full explanation on it. Nonetheless, the coaching staff certainly had designs on Brooks as a depth C/G, and Malecki was brought in for the pretty explicit purposes of replacing Brooks and filling that need.
Yeah, I remember that
The only explanation I ever heard is he just quit. He didn’t want to go through it again. Pretty tough to do if your heart’s just not in it
wish we had gray too!
A man is innocent untill proven guilty...Even if it's Ben Roethlisberger!
'I rather have a German division in front of me than a French division behind me'..General George Patton
" I don't care if he has two horns and a tail, as long as he is anti-communist"..General Douglas MacArthur..
"The way to end our dependence on foreign oil is to keep our tires properly inflated"....B. Hussein Obama
"Government is not the solution to our problems, it is the cause of them" Ronald Wilson Reagan..40th President of the United States
Glad to see Clay make it.
RB, though deep with the Steelers, is an injury prone position. Having Clay as insurance is nice.
Would have liked to see Lyons over Grisham. Nothing personal just don’t see Grisham ever cracking the 53, whereas Lyons offers something none of the WR currently under contract doses; size.
With our depth, or lack thereof, at OLB I would think Atkins would be more valuable than McCoy, unless they see Ivy as an OLB.
Finally unless there is something we don’t know I would have liked to see Anthony Gray on the PS over either one of the OL or DCS who I also don’t see making the 53 any time soon. Gray could be groomed to become the starting NT by say 2013. Now look for the Steelers to draft a NT in the first 2 rounds next spring as I can’t see McClendon being an every down NT at only 280 lbs (that is 45lbs less than Hampton is you believe he only weighs 325lbs).
Grisham
Was on the 53 last year so I don’t think it’s such a stretch.
You guys need to let Anthony Gray go. If we was any good, he would have lasted past the first 10 cuts. I was psyched too that we picked him up, but it’s over. As you say NT is getting to be a bigger need, though I suspect Colbert will have some low grade FA insurance like he always does before the draft.
McLendon’s presence on the roster is a bit mystifying to me as well. He’s built like a DE and was added to the 53 last year when Aaron Smith went down so clearly they see him as a swing DL, much like Hoke. If Snack didn’t tweak his elbow, not sure McLendon makes the 53.
by Steely McSmash on Sep 4, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Wrong. Tomlin likes to rotate his DL a LOT more in hot weather....
….you will see three NTs play in the early games. There has been GREAT concern about the defense wearing down in the fourth quarter…which killed them two years ago. This year, the starting DL is not any younger, and the old defensive rotation will include more people and more rest.
That’s gonna be a change this year. Several beat writers have mentioned it the past two days.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
yeah
this makes sense. I think the most interesting thing about the PS and the cuts is, not only are people kept because of potential, but it is indicating things about the starters and how the coaching staff views the teams weaknesses.
"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 Sep 4, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Warren is a bit of a surprise – I doubt he makes anyone’s active roster so you’d think he’d take the chance to continue to develop in a zone based cover scheme (which, given his lack of speed, is pretty much the only scheme for his skill set). Still, i guess with Brown and Allen the Steelers felt like they had enough young, developmental CB’s for one roster. Maybe the Steelers just don’t see any upside with Warren (or he just doesn’t plan to be a PS guy).
Gray is no great surprise. They cut him early which almost always means they didn’t see the point of stringing him along any farther. It’s pretty wasteful to keep 4 guys for one position that is only on the field for 40% of the defensive snaps anyway. Bryant could make the 53 if the Steelers don’t resign Smith and Hood and Heyward continue to develop.
Keith Williams is a bit of a surprise though. Still the Steelers have great depth across the OL, they just don’t have a whole lot of great starters. The good thing about this is if someone goes down there’s usually not a huge drop-off to the backup. The bad news is the ceiling on your OL’s capability is usually pretty low.
by BluegrassSteeler on Sep 4, 2011 3:03 PM EDT reply actions
Dale Lolley's from the Sidelines link
mentions that he saw Keith Williams at the facility today. Wonder what happened there?
In today’s NFL, with all of these gun-slingers, I’m starting to think you can never have enough DB’s. I like the C-Smith addition, he’s getting close to making the team, but still would have liked to see Warren get picked up. I thought he made the team this year based upon what I saw of the games.
Maybe he's weighing his options?
Might be able to take Malecki’s place. Might have a higher ceiling.
by Steely McSmash on Sep 4, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
This I agree with.
Especially since Williams got a lot of good looks prior to the deadline for re-signing. I thought I had read that he was nasty, and the coaches liked that. Then “poof,” and there was no more about him to read.
I have to admit, I don’t recall seeing and/or hearing about Malecki at all. I’m still not sure that I know who he is.
Anyone know if Kyle Jolly has time left for the PS? His name I recall from the last few years, but didn’t see him re-signed; maybe ran out of eligible time?
Kyle Jolly
I think he was a UDFA last year, or maybe in 2009 at the earliest. I’m sure he has at least one year left of eligibility for the PS
More than likely he felt like he had better options to catch on somewhere else. Maybe they brought him in, told him what they thought, and Williams said thanks but no thanks.
True.
I’m not sure how the PS works in that regard, about the invitations (so to speak). If I’m a player, I would think I know why the invited me back in (PS) and would decline to show up/say no thanks over the phone….if I’m not interested. Guess it doesn’t really matter at this point.
Tyler Grisham
I feel somewhat vindicated with him making it.
Interesting to see that Turner made it too – I never really took the time to understand Mike’s man-crush on him, but he certainly saw something.
Im shocked that they did not sign Keith Williams and Warren to the squad
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by seton hall and steelers on Sep 4, 2011 3:45 PM EDT reply actions
Williams, Warren and Lyons all earned spots
Could Butler not be PS’ed?
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
He could have
But he didn’t clear waivers. Arizona picked him up and put him on their 53. If he wasn’t claimed, I’m sure the Steelers would ahve put him on their practice squad.
I called that
I took so much flak for saying AZ would claim one of our dumped CB’s. They got a good guy.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't think he would make it as far as AZ
Don’t the Panthers have first call?
"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 Sep 4, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Another team that would love castoffs of NE, PIT and BAL
I can’t wait to see the Panthers draft Andrew Luck with the #1 pick next year. (I don’t actually think this will happen, I just believe they will come to regret picking Newton).
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Im shocked that they did not sign Keith Williams and Warren to the squad
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by seton hall and steelers on Sep 4, 2011 3:45 PM EDT reply actions
Don't know why that posted twice
Also, this means we already have one bust from the 2011 NFL Draft
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by seton hall and steelers on Sep 4, 2011 3:45 PM EDT reply actions
It's a little early to start throwing around that conclusion
And I wouldn’t usually describe a 6th rounder not making it as a “bust”
If he never even makes the PS, I call it a wasted pick or a bust
I guess we can just call it a waste of a pick
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by seton hall and steelers on Sep 4, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe it's nitpicky
But I think there’s a difference between a bust and a wasted pick. A bust is a higher selection, a wasted pick is a lower round guy – like Williams, I guess.
I thought he had a legit shot of making the team. Maybe they felt he was more of a practice squad guy, and he declined that because he’s about to sign with someone else. In that case, he’d be a wasted pick, because we didn’t get anything from him except a training camp body.
It is a bust if one player behind him produces
Jerrell Powe – NT, KC
Greg Lloyd Jr. – ILB, PHI
Lee Ziemba – OT, CAR
All three of those players made teams and could have helped us (even just on PS). That right there means his pick was wasted (assuming he never comes back).
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Like Neal's post above, this is nitpicky
But my definition of bust requires a level of hype and expectations not being met. There was optimism with Williams, but I would hardly say that he was hyped and that we had serious expectations for him as a rookie 6th round project.
That isn't really the point though is it?
I don’t blame Colbert. And I’m not upset about it. But this isn’t baseball where you have 50+ rounds in a draft. You only get 7, and you should hope all of your picks work out in some way, or else you should have just traded away the pick to move up in another round.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Give me a break
Are you swearing that Powe, Lloyd Jr., and Ziemba all would’ve made our roster if they were in our camp instead? Are you absolutely sure?
The point is we have a veteran-heavy team, and it’s always going to be tough sledding for late rounders and UDFAs to break through.
you should hope all of your picks work out in some way
Yes, you should hope that they all do. But let’s also take a moment to reread the final paragraph in Cole’s excellent post here:
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/9/1/2396253/steelers-nfl-news-fantasy-football
Writing them off after mere months is overreacting just for the sake of overreacting. Get a grip and some patience.
You have an amazing ability to not see anyone's point but your own
It isn’t like busting on a first round pick, but you can still look at it as a waste.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I understand what you're trying to say
I just don’t buy your definition of a “bust” and I don’t dramatically label a first year late-rounder as one when it’s way too early to know how things are going to shake out.
Is it still a wasted 6th if he’s in our camp again next year? What if he does make the team down the road?
I’m just not jumping to conclusions that I might want to track back on later.
This whole convo started on the premise that...
“If he never even makes the PS, I call it a wasted pick or a bust
I guess we can just call it a waste of a pick” – Seton Hall
So based off of that, I think it is safe to say he is a bust. But obviously James Harrison came back and made the team. The argument is assuming he never comes back, not just based on this “setback.”
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I would be hesitant to call anything a bust...
if we unearth a UDFA or two from the same draft that get a spot on the roster. I am sure if you look at the probability of a 6th round pick making a Super Bowl participant the previous year, it would be quite miniscule.
Further, the point of bringing in ‘young blood’ is twofold: (1) find someone better, and/or (2) bring in competition to provide motivation for your other players to continue to develop. If Williams had beaten out Chris Scott, would Scott then be a bust, and then Williams to be a solid pick. Either term you use (bust or wasted pick) implies something not simply related to the player, but rather to the entire draft process of the organization. Similar to Butler, if we have success selecting a player (even be it from UDFA), it still chalks up as a win for the overall draft success of the organization.
Having said that, 2008 was clearly not a good draft.
"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.
to me
A bust is someone picked in the first 4 rounds who doesn’t make the team or who does make it and doesn’t produce results. ie Sweed
Players in Rounds 5-7 are a long shot to make the team and were just better long shots than the undrafted players they sign for the preseason. ie. Williams
by steeler fever on Sep 5, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
50-50 On the practice squad selections
I like offensive tackle Trevis Turner, guard John Malecki especially with the uncertainty of our OL. I like defensive lineman Corbin Bryant and defensive back Da’Mon Cromartie Smith. I’m ok with Morty Ivy, he deserved to be on the team but I must say I would have preferred Mario Harvey. He was hurt most of the time so I would like to see him healthy. What I absolutely don’t like is Tyler Grisham. Honestly, this guy is never going to play for the Steelers with the incredible youth and talent that is on the team at that position. This spot should have gone to Donovan Warren. This guy played his butt off the entire preseason. He deserved to be on the team more than Gay and McFadden. I’m ok with the Clay selection at RB however, I see the potential of Gray at NT being more of a priority right now than RB. Also, I’m intrigued with why the Steelers waited so long to cut Jarrett Crittenton. They must have saw something. Why not keep him instead of Jamie McCoy.
Let's look at the numbers for WRs and DBs
We have 6 WRs on the roster and one on the PS – 7 total, while there are 10 DBs on the roster and one on the PS – 11 total.
If we cut Grisham for Warren and make it a 2:1 differential (DBs:WRs), how does that breakdown for reps in practice? Granted I’m skewing the numbers a bit with the inclusion of the safeties, but they need coverage work too, so it’s not entirely without reason. Nonetheless, the question is: when you’re doing coverage work in practice, do you burn your receivers out trying to make up for that 2:1 ratio, or do some DBs just get left blowing in the wind without any real reps?
Now, you may say that I’m remiss for not including TEs with the WRs in this exercise – and there would be some merit to that. But a TE will often find himself matched up with a LB in coverage, so I wouldn’t be so keen on immediately opening that door just to try to even out the DB:WR ratio.
Turner, Smith, Bryant and Malecki i’m ok with (even though Malecki seems a bit small) I think that we will be looking for a NT in the draft next year. I’m with you on McCoy. Warren would have been a better selection. Clay seems like a longshot and not much different from what we already have on the roster.Ivy, i don’t know…… I’d like to see another OLB in waiting instead I think.
Suprised yes...
From the people they selected to go to the PS it would appear they are not placing them there to grow and possibly make the team in the future. But rather to be purely players to sub in for practice. The only real suprise to me was Grisham vs. Lyons. If we were gonna try to develop one or the other, Lyons seems to have much more upside to fulfill a niche for THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS.
Man I am getting fired up for the first game!
Agree
Don’t see any value that Grisham has for the team. Would have preferred Lyons. Also am not impressed with Malecki. His direct snaps are very weak and can throw off the timing for the QB. But, this should be easily remedied. I think that Bryant has a big upside. We still need a young NT. Hoke is not the answer to back Casey. He is adequate, but definitely not spectacular. And he is getting long in the tooth. McClendon is too light in the a$$, but is good at speed rushing.
Grisham's value to the team
is that if there’s a serious injury to one of the WRs he can step up and make a couple of catches and throw a few blocks downfield. Which is what he did last year.
by KiwiSteelerFan on Sep 4, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I definitely will not dog him
I want ALL of our selections to pan out. Am sure a few changes will take place in the next couple of weeks on many different rosters.
RB'a
Man do we have some depth this year at this position . But what happens next year when we have mendy, Moore, Dwyer,clay and batch . From what I heard about batch, he was a favorite to make the 53 before his injury . I hope he’s doing well and can make the team next year but man that puts a lot of competition into that spot for next year . I still which we could’ve signed Lyons as well . With a year on the PS he could’ve really bettered himself and possibly give us that big threat in the redzone
In Myron we Trust
by SteelTownKid08 on Sep 4, 2011 4:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Batch is a possible MeMo replacement
I think MeMo may be out of contract after this season anyway?
by KiwiSteelerFan on Sep 4, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah that’s a good point but it’s nice to have that veteran in there as well at times . And he’s always been reliable . I just hope batch is what everyone predicts he will be . Kid obviously has a lot of heart just by reading his blogs. I hope he really can contribute . I’d love to have that woodhead type running back that does a Lil bit of everything
In Myron we Trust
by SteelTownKid08 on Sep 4, 2011 5:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Redman
Also forgot Redman . How could I forget him lol
In Myron we Trust
by SteelTownKid08 on Sep 4, 2011 4:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Depressing reading Anthony Gray's facebook
I feel so bad for him
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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What did he say?
I was sad to see him go.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Sep 4, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I know recently he had something on there that his mom and brother got in a bad car accident. Then we cut him. So he just seems lost as to where his life is going.
"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 Sep 4, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Read it - Feel Bad Too.
Sounds like a real nice kid. Wish we could fit him into the PS later. I really think that he has “tons” of potential. I sent him a message letting him know that he has a lot of fans here. Don’t know if he will read it.
wes lyons
I would have loved to see wes lyons on the PS. I don’t get why he didn’t make it unless he signed with someone else? I can’t find that anywhere though :(
Good news is i don’t see us needing to draft any WR next year !
Gray
At one point it sure sounded like me may have a shot. The PS at least. I still think that we will draft for the NT position next year…unless another decent prospect is released. We can’t carry another on the 53 this year. I know that Gray was listed at 330lbs but just under 6 ft. I think that the bodytype for this position is evolving a bit. A bit taller at 6’3 to 6’4. Still 330 or so but more athletic. Sadly with everything going on in his life, as stated above, we don’t know his state of mind. It is a business.
If anybody knows him
and can reach out to him. Here is some advise, take some time to reflect. THen get back to work. Get on a UFL roster. Work hard and come back in the spring make an NFL roster. Many successful players did not make their 1st or even 2nd attempt. Keep your head up. Steeler Nation has your back.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 4, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
UFL or CFL
the important thing is to get out there and keep working hard. Take nothing for granted and don’t quit.
"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 Sep 4, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
ps roster
If another team wants to sign one of your practice squad players. They have to sign them to their 53 man roster.
The more I learn -The less I think I know! Just enjoy reading and sharing.
by steeler junky on Sep 4, 2011 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the team they are with might get a chance
to put him on their 53 as well, I’m honestly not sure how it works with players though, if they get to choose where they go or if they are forced to be on a particular teams roster by virtue of them being picked up.
For most guys it’s a no brainer because they’ll be getting a sizeable increase in pay but there is actually no set PS salary, there is a minimum, and that’s what most will get because it counts against the salary cap and it still pays a lot better then most 9 to 5 jobs. But there is (or at least there wasn’t in the old CBA) a maximum. I can remember one Patriots player, and I forget who it was, but the Pats loved him but didn’t have a roster spot for him so they did a deal to sign him to the practice squad but paid him the full rookie minimum salary as if he were on the 53 man roster.
by KiwiSteelerFan on Sep 4, 2011 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
IIRC- Sunny Harris a couple of years ago
Was offered the practice squad with the Steelers, but chose instead to take a PS offer from the Carolina Panthers, thinking he had a better chance at immediate playing time.
I just remember it because so many people here were baffled why he would do so.
"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.
They put him on the 53 man roster
He just did not get a hat and then was cut after a few weeks
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 5, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
John Clay and John Malecki seem such a waste and will most likely never contribute to this team. Would rather have Williams, Warren, Lyons, or Gray.
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Sep 4, 2011 6:41 PM EDT reply actions
Dunno about Malecki because I watched him very sparingly, but John Clay made some nice progression over the preseason. Good running and nice blitz pick up after some time. I bet a year on the PS makes him a much better player. I was a hater at first because of his 40 time, but he impressed me toward the end of camp.
Gray shocks me, unless they see a future in Steve McLendon. Then it makes sense. Warren I don’t get, at all.
"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 Sep 4, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Truth be told...
I saw Clay’s name go up, putting the PS at 7 guys, and I just wrote the Donovan Warren bit, cuz I didn’t think there was a chance he wasn’t gonna be on there. Figured for sure he’s the 8th guy.
There’s gotta be something behind that. I have a tough time believing he just flat-out didn’t do enough to earn an extended look, or eight other guys did much more than he did. Did he make a pass at Tomlin’s wife or something?
I saw Keith Williams was at the facility, so they may have made him an offer and he declined, but I never heard whether Warren was there.
His godfather, I think, is still a coach with the Jets. Maybe he just wanted to go back there if he was gonna be on the PS again.
Clay did progress well but....
given a full recovery by Baron Von Batch….I was seeing 2012 RB’s to be Mendy, Batch, Redman, and Dwyer….releasing Melwede.
I still see no future for Clay other than PS for 3 yrs.
Unless……they don’t plan on resigning Mendy for 2013 (hmmmmm)
Who knows what will happen with Batch. Keeping Dwyer on the roster is just a good move. Keep your options abundant.
"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 Sep 4, 2011 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
This
The coaches don’t know who will suffer career ending injuries or who will decide they want to leave or who will think that maybe Santonio was right in his choice of breakfast herbs on a far too regular basis or who will come into camp 30 lbs overweight.
They need to cover for what may go wrong.
"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 Sep 4, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn’t McLendon a bit to small to play NT? I think I’d feel better seeing a D-line of Smith Hood and Keisel if something were to happen to Big Snack and Hokey. Yes I know the standard is the standard and Tomlin doesn’t like compromising two positions but Hood is bigger and stronger than McLendon and takes up blocks better and collapses the pocket better, plus McLendon and heyward would still be DE back ups.
I’d feel good about Hood being an emergency NT in a pinch.
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Sep 5, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Nevermind PS.............Warren should be on the roster...
Gay should’ve been cut….could Warren have done any worse?….kid played his tail off…always around the ball…would’ve loved to see Gray and Harvey on the squad instead of Clay and McCoy….Harvey was a tackling machine in college with wide receiver speed…
Yes he could have
A second year player with no mini camp or offseason around the coaches should never be entrusted with a big job within a complicated defense. And what if the guy in front of him (BMac) goes down and he needs to step into a starter role? Not very wise.
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Sep 4, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
John Gilmore signed with the Saints
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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Remember it is a long season
Players come and go off the PS. With injuries (which hopefully will be few), players will be added to the the roster. Players who showed some, but not enough will be re-signed in January and will have a full off-season to prepare and learn the Steeler way. This year we are making a concerted run to bring Vince home where he belongs. There was not a lot of room for learning on the job.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 4, 2011 7:48 PM EDT reply actions
Tunch & Wolfe's game of "Better Or Not" ...
For all the practice squad worriers on here, don’t cry too much. The PS will be pretty much like a bus stop the rest of the year, players will be added and players will be released. What you see now won’t be likely what you will see in October. Just keep an open mind that the front office knows what it is doing. Now on to the central point of my post.
Let’s play a game that Tunch and Wolfe often play during their radio broadcast called “Better or Not,” when they talk about a team position group on the Steelers and whether it is better now than the previous season or not.
- Areas where I think the Steelers are better this year: QB, RB, WR, OL, K, DL.
- Areas where the Steelers are worse: Special Teams coverage (but that could be offset if Suisham can put more kicks deep into the endzone. Plus, Anthony Madison was a great special teams gunner and special teams player. Too many long returns this preseason.
- Areas where it’s too early to tell: LB (Deebo was a beast last year. Any dropoff in his play will be very noticeable & make this D vulnerable), DB (Can Ike and Troy repeat career years after each being a year older into their 30’s?). Also, can Keenan Lewis be effective as a starter when BMac gets the perpetual boo-boo that he gets every season and has to miss time? And can the kids – C. Brown and C. Allen – contribute anything this year, whether on special teams or in the nickle if needed this year?
Thoughts?
Better or not
- not sure if I agree with the QB position being better, certainly it is no worse, but off of such a small sample were many D’s are playing vanilla I just don’t know. I am very hopeful however.
-RB I think is basically the same with the exception that Dwyer looked a bit better, I don’t think he will see the field much however
-WR definitely better with more experience for the young guns and added experience of Cotchery
-OL undetermined I haven’t seen anything that makes me sure it is any better, once again hoping for it to improve
-K I would call even
-DL the additional youth will definitely help
-ST I don’t feel I have enough information on this group and how players were being rotated, they may be about where they were at the end of last season, which is a bit worrisome
-Agree on the to early to tell list.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Sep 4, 2011 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
That fact that Ben is here for the first 4 games makes the QB better. Isaac Redman came into camp in fantastic shape and looks amazing. Dwyer is almost certainly better than last year, so those two combined make the RB better. Another year for Pouncey under his belt, Colon if he plays as well as 2009 is an upgrade, and finally Scott came into camp noticeably bigger and more muscular, so I am optimistic he will be better. That makes the OL likely improved, particularly as long as they stay healthy.
I will
agree with the Ben argument, I wasn’t really looking at it like that and it makes sense. I feel that Lord Redman has improved and I hope that Arians can put them to the most use, but I think that the O line has a lot to do with the run game and I am not yet sure that it has improved, so I am still not sure about those two. Since this is on whether or not the position got better I will have to grudgingly admit that the RB seem stronger. I however haven’t seen enough out of the O line to say that it has gotten better, though if they can jell as a unit and (as you stated) stay healthy they could in fact be much improved. As I said I am hopefull.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Sep 5, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty disappointed to see Warren didn't make it
Would’ve loved to have him, but oh well.
"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still
Good With...Bad With
Good with: Malecki, McCoy, Ivy, and no dWarren(if he doesn’t sign elsewhere, he’ll be back)
Very Good with: Turner, Bryant, Cromartie-Smith(Does this mean insurance against being unable to sign Troy next season, or unwilling?)
Bad with: Grisham(if not wanting to groom 9 ft. Lyons, why not Armand Robinson?)
Clay(i get injury concern, just thought we left better “football players” go; at positions we may have to address in the next year or two: Harvey, Gray)
Very Bad with: guessing at rosters and practice squads…Coaches know what they’re doing, cannot WAIT for RavenDay!
my understanding and current opinion (I am sure it will change with time)
Malecki: Backs up c/g
Turner: backs up tackle
o-line is covered
DCS: backs up safeties and learns so he can challenge W. Allen next year for a spot. Maybe heir apparent to Clark
McCoy: I dunno. A safety net because Saunders may still be too raw but is too valuable to lose so maybe he does ST this year and spot duty when we have a big lead.
Bryant: D-line backup… I assume coaches view him as more game ready than Gray
Clay: The 5th best healthy RB. Looks like he could be groomed to be a FB or H-Back if Steelers want to swing that way but can still be used as RB if thing are bad.
Ivy: Farrior and Foote are not that young. He may be better prepared to play than any of the new LBs. If Harrison can’t go and if Worilds isn’t quite ready then Timmons or Sylvester will move outside and Ivy will move up into an inside spot. LB covered. Carter is too raw to be considered as a true backup and will just be ST for now.
Grisham: He can play now if needed.
On the 53 I see Carter, Saunders and Cortez Allen as guys who have a lot of upside but aren’t going to do anything more important than ST this year. C Scott may well be in this group as well. Carter, Saunders and Allen all needed to be protected because their high end is so high. The guys on the PS, not so much though most have upside and could probably develop enough to be on a 53 (some could argue Ivy has already).
Carter is our developmental OLB, Saunders our developmental TE and Cortez or developmental CB.
On the PS I see Clay, DCS, Ivy, McCoy and Bryant as guys who have upside and provide insurance. Malecki and Turner probably should be considered the same way. Grisham is the only one whom I view strictly as an insurance choice.
So, in recap I see as many as 12 developmental players out of a total of 61 (53+8). Although we would like to have carried more, I think that is damn good.
I also think I am rambling.
"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 Sep 4, 2011 11:27 PM EDT reply actions
former Pitt Panther Dorin Dickerson to workout for Steelers today...
too small for a TE at 6’2, 225-230, runs in the 4.40 range….but right size for H-back duties??
former 7th round pick in 2010 by the Texans, they tried to convert him to WR.
The only Steeler that didn’t practice on Sunday was Carter, still with his hammy. Nice to see all the guys getting healthy for Ravens Week!!!
There are 2 roles for PS players
1 – Be scout team for game day prep. For example, we have plenty of young CB’s to play scout but only 2 extra safeties. So if Troy and Clark get a day off, then Mundy and Allen have to get all of the reps on #1 defense. If they are nicked up, their is not a safety to run scout. Same with the OL which is thin. Malecki can take snaps at C or G. Williams is only a G.
When Williams stopped by they may have told him to practice snapping the ball, work on his errors and stay in touch.
2 – The second role is to be ready to move up to the 53 man roster. For a team that is experienced like the Steelers it is a balancing act as additions are not an upgrade like in Cleveland, but rather plugging holes as their will be injuries (hopefully few and far between).
Early in the season they could still call Williams or Warren back, but later it would be come more difficult unless they stay in shape.
The Steelers will bring players in for looks throughout the year to have a list incase of injuries. The injuries may or may not lead to changes in the 53 man roster but may lead to changes in the the PS in order to fill the needs of the scout team and to refresh some of their players they are trying to hold onto incase of injuries.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 5, 2011 10:10 AM EDT reply actions
They did under the old rules
you could dress 45 players and designated one additional as the 3rd QB. Under the new rules you can dress 46 players with no designation of the 3rd QB. No idea what they will do.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 5, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I hadn't thought of the scout team
"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 Sep 5, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Insurance and development
Disappointed in Lyons not making it after that incredible grab against Carolina. Guess the amount of work he would need doesn’t justify a spot based on our depth at WR this year but it sure would’ve been something to see him out there.Grisham knows the system and is a hard worker and tough—no brainer IMO.
Who do we have at S that can spell Troy and Clark? Read a previous post about Ivy but don’t know his physical attributes and perhaps he’s too green right now…
"My baby...my mechanical masterpiece. So nearly complete. So nearly perfect. If I only had a living brain."--Evil Scientist, Looney Toones, circa 1952
by SaratogaSteelerFan on Sep 5, 2011 3:42 PM EDT reply actions
Back up S - Mundy and Allen and
Cramarte-Smith in the PS. IMO that is why CS made the PS instead of an extra CB.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 5, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
WHY GRISHAM?
Not sure why we need a slow receiver who can’t get open. Really wish they would have kept Warren.
Grisham can run the scout team offense
That is the #1 priority of the PS. The FO must feel that he is a quicker study to help the team prepare for the next game.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 6, 2011 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions
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