FanPost

Roster Projections (thinking outside of the box for a second)

With two preseason games in the can it would appear that the Steelers have reason to be hopeful. It’s shaping up, so far, as a very promising season with lots of young talent (some of which came out of nowhere) with very few significant injuries.

And oh by the way, I’m sticking with my five bold predictions:

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1. Pittsburgh returns to top 5 defensive status.

2. Sack totals exceed 50 coming close to 60, but no one individual has particularly gaudy numbers; total forced fumbles and picks will exceed 40.

3. We will enter the 4th quarter in at least 10 games with the lead.

4. Our season record will be 11 and 5, and we will take AFC North once again.

5. The combination of Moats, and a rookie linebacker (not named Shazier) that turns heads this season, allows the Steelers to let Worilds walk in free agency next year.

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I think this year the coaching staff does some interesting things personnel wise with the final 53. Here’s my take:

Quarterbacks (2 perhaps 3)

· Ben Rothlisberger

· Bruce Gradkowski

· TBD maybe

Look for Landry to head for the practice squad (if he stays with the team at all). It’s also possible they scour the waiver wire for that third stringer and ditch Landry altogether. If they can’t find that third stringer? Landry is on the practice squad. If they can? I think the Landry experiment is done.

Running Backs (3)

· Le’Veon Bell

· LeGarrette Blount

· Dri Archer

I’m not counting Will Johnson here. I think one of the guys currently on the roster (perhaps Josh Harris???) ends up on the practice squad.

Wide Receivers (5)

· Antonio Brown

· Markus Wheaton

· Lance Moore

· Justin Brown

· Martavis Bryant

Tomlin and company did the something interesting with Manny and Antonio their first year. Each one was vying for the privilege of suiting up for a game. Remember? If I’m not mistaken, most times Manny won. It’s a lot like what they do with thoroughbred horses. They keep them in the stables 22 hours a day. By the time they get out? They’re more than ready to run. So I think they do the same thing with their fourth rounder this year: Count on Bryant not dressing for most games.

Tight Ends (3)

· Heath Miller

· Matt Spaeth

· Will Johnson

I just don’t see David Paulson or Michael Palmer being worth a roster spot given what they’ve contributed thus far. Will Johnson proved that he can block and catch. And don’t forget the experiment last year with Mike Adams on the field as a blocking tight end for a couple plays. All that said? I see Johnson counted as a tight end and either Branchflower or Waters (or perhaps both) on the practice squad.

Offensive Linemen (9)

· Maurkice Pouncey

· David DeCastro

· Ramon Foster

· Marcus Gilbert

· Kelvin Beachum

· Mike Adams

· Cody Wallace

· Guy Whimper

· Wesley Johnson

Given their history with injury? I just don’t see them giving up Guy ‘Abdallah the Butcher’ Whimper this year. Johnson is a project that they’re not likely to try to sneak through waivers. Remember there are only so many 6’7" 320 pound people on the planet. I think ‘Chicken Nuggets’ (Elkins) ends up on the practice squad as well.

Defensive Line (7)

· Cameron Heyward

· Cam Thomas

· Steve McLendon

· Stephon Tuitt

· Daniel McCullers

· Hebron Fangupo

· Josh Mauro

Why? Because McCullers isn’t quite ready for prime time and McClendon is more defensive end than he is nose tackle. Look for McClendon in two down lineman sets in the final two preseason games. That will be a strong indication that they intend him to play elsewhere. So from the above I can put Thomas, Fangupo, or McCullers on the nose; Heyward and Tuitt remain permanent fixtures at the ends, with Thomas and McLendon seeing significant time there. Mauro is the "project" that will play in emergencies.

Linebackers (10)

· Lawrence Timmons

· Ryan Shazier

· Jason Worilds

· Jarvis Jones

· Vince Williams

· Arthur Moats

· Sean Spence

· Terence Garvin

· Howard Jones

· Vic So’oto

We have an embarrassment of riches which we will take full advantage of. The combinations that we can field from the above will likely confuse even the likes of the great leader Peyton Manning (because let’s face it, if it isn’t on film he probably doesn’t know what to do with it). I think So’oto has made a case for himself. Look for him to run with the ones this week. As much as I thought/hoped otherwise it looks like Chris Carter is going to be looking for employment elsewhere. Look for Zumwalt to head for the practice squad.

Cornerbacks (5 perhaps 6)

· Ike Taylor

· Cortez Allen

· William Gay

· Antwon Blake

· Brice McCain

· Shaq Richardson maybe

Where is Mel Blount when you need him??? We will need a stout pass rush this year because if there’s any weakness on the squad it’s at the corners. There doesn’t appear to be a shutdown corner in the bunch. The much maligned Gay could supplant Allen if Cortez doesn’t step up. If they locate a third string quarterback then Shaq goes to the practice squad. If they don’t then Shaq could end up on the 53.

Safeties (4)

· Troy Polamalu

· Mike Mitchell

· Shamarko Thomas

· Robert Golden

I don’t think they’re going to retain Will Allen and I think he’s gone in the first round of cuts as a courtesy (it gives him time to find a home elsewhere). Dangerfield goes to the practice squad.

Specialists (4)

· Shaun Suisham

· Brad Wing

· Greg Warren

· Luke Ingram

So … either three quarterbacks and five cornerbacks, or two quarterbacks and six cornerbacks.


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