The Steelers have to set their 53-man roster in two weeks. As such there is plenty that can happen when you take into account the specter of injuries and the fact that there are still two exhibition games for players to fight their way onto the roster –- or play their way off it.
That said, here is an early guess at what the 53-man roster will look like after final cuts.
QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon.
Skinny: Dixon and Charlie Batch are a coin flip right now.
RB: Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, Mewelde Moore and Jonathan Dwyer.
Skinny: Dwyer on more solid footing after inauspicious start to camp.
WR: Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders and Arnaz Battle.
Skinny: Have Battle here as a special teams player though that spot is still up for grabs.
TE: Heath Miller, David Johnson and John Gilmore.
Skinny: Johnson is a lock; same can’t be said yet of Gilmore.
OL: Jonathan Scott, Chris Kemoeatu, Maurkice Pouncey, Doug Legursky, Willie Colon, Ramon Foster, Tony Hills, Marcus Gilbert and Keith Williams.
Skinny: Chris Scott odd man out here — for now.
DL: Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, Ziggy Hood, Chris Hoke, Cameron Heyward and Steve McLendon.
Skinny: Hoke can play DE in a pinch, allowing Steelers to carry three NTs.
LB: LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison, Larry Foote, Stevenson Sylvester, Jason Worilds and Chris Carter.
Skinny: Carter on bubble; has to show more in final two preseason games.
CB: Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden, William Gay, Keenan Lewis, Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen.
Skinny: Could see the Steelers keeping a seventh cornerback if Allen has to take the equivalent of a redshirt season.
S: Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Ryan Mundy and Will Allen
Skinny: Steelers are set here.
K: Shaun Suisham.
P: Daniel Sepulveda.
LS: Greg Warren.
Skinny: No surprises here.
Thoughts?
can not see keeping battle with new kickoff rule. and would not keep gilmore as extra tight end. would look for another tight end. would rather see young rookie make roster instead of battle. would not keep mcclendon. couple other rookie lineman seem better fit for future.
We need to trade dennis dixon for a starting corner opposite ike taylor.
seems like Donavin Warren (#30) has been playing alot. I looked him up, he was a 3 year starter at Mich. fresh. soph &jr. nothing about his Sr year. Are you hearing anything about him?
Kevin,
Who is going to trade a starting corner for an unproven backup QB? I would say Jerry Jones is that stupid but he does not have a corner that I would want.
I was really surprised at the play of Keenan Lewis last night. He looked good and the interception he made is a play that BMac just doesn’t. It would be good if the steelers starting corners are Ike Taylor and Keenan Lewis. Both big corners and BMac is just brought in on nickel package.
You wouldn’t want the starting corner you would get for Dixon. Batch can be cut and I doubt that he would end up on another roster, I could be wrong. Cut Dixon, and 6 or 7 teams would pick him up. Trade him for a draft pick, try to get something better than the 5th that you spent to get him. I would give him up for a 4th next year or a 3rd the year following.
Would like to see Clay make the roster, but he should be practice squad material I suppose.
I agree with most of your predictions. I do, however, believe that Flozell Adams will be on the final roster. Either through injury, or poor play, one of the guys you name will be replaced by the Hotel.
Crezdon Butler will be on the final roster when all is said and done.
Butler over Mclendon, we are solid on the D-line.
i have my flip of the coin on batch staying, he is just too knowledgebl of this offense and can still play, he was better then dixon was last year
theres a flip on dixon and leftwich, with to me, leftwich beating dixon out for the back up,,, batch will be third string….
as for the game lastnight, i was with some guys watcing this at a local bar, and theres this constant crying that oh this is just a preseason game no one is playing hard or to thier capabilities, and then the bartender went to the roethlisberger misconduct thing, and called him the other name people have made up for him about the georgia incedent, and i was like shaking my head, ( he lost any tip money from at that point ), and then on the game i was like both teams are playing for jobs, so if u think they re taking plays at half speed then u need brief briefing on these games that no thay may not count in the standings, but to the individual player they do count in terms of making the 53 man roster, like coach these games don’t count wait til the real games count, then i will play my best, i promiss you that… really, is that the excuse the Dream team fan can dream of…. no the Steelers were outplayed last week against Washington, and well, this week they had something to prove to themselves, and went out and beat a team that barely got by the Ravens,,,, Vick should have been flagged for that knee tackle on T.P. lead with his head….
Your picks are pretty close to what I am thinking as well. There will be a number that the Steelers will try to get on the practice squad (John Clay, Donovan Warren, Baraka Atkins).
What about Max Starks vs. Flozell Adams? Starks is 28 or 29 while Adams is 35 or 36 and probably has just one year left in him.
Agree with all the moves except Keith Williams over Chris Scott he looked horrible last night!!! I would even say both will be gone and bring back Essex who is a valuable reserve at all spots!
With the new kick off rules I think keeping Battle would be a worthless luxury. Replace him with Weslye Saunders or another FA TE to be picked up later.The Steelers need a bonified receiving TE to back up Heath if he gets injured.
Same with McClendon Why keep a 3d NT. Put NT A. Grey on the practice squad like they did with McClendon at first and Keep a 9th LB Morty Ivy on the roster to groom, in case this is Farrior or Foote’s last season.
I agree T/G C. Scott going to te practice squad. I hope if Foster doesn’t improve. Either Keith Williams improves enough to take Fosters spot by mid season or The Steelers can get a better guard when the final cuts and waivers happen in two weeks.
And please let them cut Gay if the Steelers feel Lewis is worth keepin. Gay is not bad, but then he isn’t all that good either. The only thing Gay has going for him is experience with the Steelers defense.
Dixon should be the # 2 and Batch #3. Its excruciating watching Leftwich play, I’ve know idea why he is #2.
Leftwich showed Dixon exactly what he needs to be: A passer, due to his consistency in delivering a football. So many say stuff about Leftwich’s motion, but one thing can’t be denied: his ability to to repeat the motion along with a missle launcher type arm makes up for the slow start. The throws? On target, time after time.
Dixon doesn’t throw the ball the same on consecutive throws. One time he lets his shoulder drop. Another time his feet are messed up. Still another, he has no follow through with his hip turn. Result? His strike zone is one foot over the receivers head down to his ankles, and can be too far ahead or to far behind.
Batch is very accurate. Doesn’t have the gun Lefwhich does but he fully understands how important proper technique is to the ball getting to the target. Uses his feet great as he understands the importance of balance at the point of release.
I hope to see K.Lewis step up to start opposite Ike. Mcfadden got beat up last season and Gay is a garbage man. Lewis, and Brown could make for a younger secondary. It’s a long shot, but that’s we have as the Steelers refuse to take a corner higher than the 3rd round these days, much less sign one.
When Leftwich isn’t getting sacked. + I’ve seen plenty on in-accurate Leftwich passes.
The young corner D. Warren displayed more promise than Brown and Allen and just as much as Lewis with less time, thus, more upside. At this point, All we have is potential. If he progresses Saturday, he won’t last on the practice sqaud. Someone will sign him.
Batch should retire and come in as a QB coach. He understands the offense better than anyone and is Ben’s go to guy on the sidelines. He can help groom Dixon, and they seem to want Leftwich there. My concern is not a lot of depth on the o line. The backups looked alright last night, but we don’t want to rely on backups. Hopefully they resign Flozell Adams, I think the neck injury to Starks is far worse than they have said otherwise they would have kept him. Apparently other teams in the league feel the same way, otherwise he would have signed by now with someone. Teams are always looking for experienced left tackles. Our secondary is growing and getting better. It takes time to learn the Dick Lebuea(sp) way. I think we are a strong team again. If they were worried about the corners, they would have made a better effort to upgrade.
D. Warren did look pretty good last night. He was around the ball allot. Would be nice to see K.Lewis step it up this year. We could use him.
While a very solid list and I do agree with most of this, I have to say that Keith Williams will likely be cut and Chris Scott will make the active roster because I think Williams will clear waivers and be put on the practice squad. As for the CBs, I think Donovan Warren could make the team for the simple fact that he can play both CB and S. I also think Cortez Allen will clear waivers and make the practice squad as well. As for Arnaz Battle, I have to agree with some of the earlier posts. With the new kickoff rule, Battle’s role on the team as a special teams maven is no longer as important. Then again, we in the Steeler Nation know all about bad special teams (see 2009, 2001, 1993, among other seasons). That potential fear alone could get Battle a roster spot. As long as Battle is not asked to do much in the offense and he can prove he can still run down kicks and punts, I am all for him making the team.
I also think William Gay has to be cut but I have been saying it since the beginning of 2009 and it has not happened yet. Only thing Gay has over the young CBs (Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen, Crezdon Butler, Donovan Warren) is experience. We don’t know what we have in the the young CBs but we definitely do know what we got in Gay. Gay is a liability and I hope to see him get cut well before 9/11/11. I also hope to see Dennis Dixon get his wish and get traded to a place like Washington or Chicago. I also hope we do not have to go through the entire season with Shaun Suisham at kicker. Suisham is not very good and he will lose the Steelers at least one game.
Man, I think it’s hysterical what some people think we could get for a #3 QB who has shown absolutely nothing and might just get cut outright. Dixon for a starting CB? For a third AND fourth round pick? Who is insane enough to pay that for him? I’d be surprised if we could get our 5th rounder back.
Need to get back to Steeler Football. We need a heavy-duty running back who can gain yards up the middle consistently and wear down defenses, a-la Bettis & Harris. We need to make a trade for a CB and Offensive Line help, to get back to the Super Bowl before the defense gets to old.
QB (3) – - Big Ben, Byron, Dixon.
Comment: Batch is in the twilight of his career and Dixon has more upside.
RB (4) – - Mendy, Redman, Moore and Dwyer.
WR (6) – - Ward, Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Cochery, Grisham
Comment: Grisham steals a spot over Battle and Lyons. Battle has looked good receiving and has the inside track, but I think Tyler will come on strong when he gets some extended playing time week 4.
TE (3) – - Miller, Johnson, Wes Saunders
Comment: Saunders has more upside than Gilmore. Both are big guys with size, but I like Saunders youth and potential over Gilmore’s age.
OL (9) – - J. Scott, Kemo, Pouncey, Foster, Colon, Legersky, Gilbert, Hills, Williams
Comment: Wouldn’t mind them signing Flozell for insurance, but Hills and Gilbert will back-up at LT. LT has me nervous.
DL (6) – - Smith, Hampton, Keisel, Hood, Hoke, Heyward
Comment: Teams will try to throw on Pittsburgh and they will be in nickel or dime at least 55% of the time. I keep an extra LB over a 7th DL.
LB (9) – - Woodley, Farrior, Timmons, Harrison, Worlds, Sylvester, Foote, Carter, B. Atkins
Comment: Atkins could be the next James Harrison. He has grea size and potential. He needs time to learn the D and get comfortable.
CB (6) – - Taylor, Mc Fadden, Lewis, Brown, Butler, Allen
Comments: Gay is a liability. Lewis looked better and Butler and Allen have to get healthy.
FS/SS (4) – - Troy, Clark, Mundy, Cromartie-Smith
Comment: Mundy has stepped up his game and Cro-Smith provides speed youth and more ability than Allen. Lack of KOR’s will diminish Will Allen’s need for special teams.
K – - Suisham
P – - Sepulveda
LS – - Warren
Comment: I love Swayze Waters leg strength, but his lack of accurracy will keep Suisham on the roster. Missed FG’s last two games will doom Waters.
Keep Dixon, cut Leftwich
Keep young linebackers, let Foote move along
If Flozell is still in a frame of mind to play football, he should be re-signed
The cornerbacks are all pretty scary. Lord help us if Ike Taylor gets injured.
I see that as the only significant weakness. How the ESPN blogger picked the Ravens is beyond me. The black and gold are improved in every area this year except cornerbacks, and the Ravens just seem to have made a few sideways moves. Cant wait for week #1.
They should keep dixon and make batch a coach. then he will still be with the team if injuries happen.
Gay and McSadden can get the axe they both are garbage. Lewis should start opposite Ike. Batch should take over as OC and QB coach and Arians predictable a$$ can retire. M. Moore has done his time, Dwyer gets the nod. Kemoeatu for what its worth is expendable. Ryan Mundy should be the nickel and the rookies following his lead.
No mention of Wes Lyons? The coaches are apparently raving about him in camp, that he catches everything thrown his way. He had a TD last game that was called back because someone lined up wrong. And he’s 6’8″ which would be a nice addition to maybe the shortest group of WR in the league. They cut Limas Sweed, and Ben has been begging for a tall WR for years.
Just remember,Brown and Allen missed a lot of time already due to the lockout, so don’t expect them to contribute right away.
ike taylor need to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dam n steelers backup quarterbAcks sucks
We still have to cover punts so we still need Battle
The kickoffs are a joke anymore, they should just spot the ball at the twenty that would shorten the game plus save on all those bodies, may be even split some of that extra cash between the owners and players 45/54/1 the 1 would go to fines on all the legal hits the Steelers would be penalized for. Lol. We will name this fund, the Goodell Factor fund…
QB (3) – – Big Ben, Byron, Batch
RB (4) – – Mendy, Redman, Moore and Dwyer.
WR (6) – – Ward, Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Cochery
TE (3) – – Miller, Johnson, Wes Saunders, Gilmore
OL (9) – – J. Scott, Kemo, Pouncey, Foster, Colon, Legersky, Gilbert, Hills, Williams
DL (6) – – Smith, Hampton, Keisel, Hood, Hoke, Heyward
LB (9) – – Woodley, Farrior, Timmons, Harrison, Worlds, Sylvester, Foote, Carter, M. Ivy
CB (6) – – Taylor, Mc Fadden, Lewis, Brown, Butler, Warren
FS/SS (4) – – Troy, Clark, Mundy, Cromartie-Smith
K – – Suisham
P – – Sepulveda
LS – – Warren
iKE TALOR SUCKS, MCFADDEN SUCKS. GIVE LEWIS, BROWN, BULTER, WARREN A CHANCE YOUNGER AND BIGGER GREEN BAY HAD AFIELD DAY IN THE SUPER BOWL THAT JUST CANT HAPPEN AGAIN.M.IVY,CLAY NEED TO STAY HOPE THEY HANG ON TO THEM.GET RID OF BRYON LEFT.KEEP DIXON,BATCH.OL SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME CANT AFFORD BEN TO GET HURT.DL SMITH,KEISEL,HOKE WILL SURPRISE EVERYONE BECAUSE THERE TIME IS NEAR THE END.SPECIAL TEAMS CANT GIVE UP THE HOME RUN THAT REALLY HURTS.I KNOW PITT.HAS TO PLAY PERFECT BALL TO WIN i TRULY KNOW THEY CAN AGAINST THE SO CALLED DREAM TEAM THEY CONTROLD VICK DEF,CAME UP STRONG SO FANS STEELERS CAN PLAY PERFECT BALL BECAUSE THEY R 6-TIME CHAMPS.
QB (3) Roethlisberger, Leftwich, and Batch
–Dixon is trade bate since he will be a free agent next season anyway and even if the Steelers want to keep him he wants a chance to start elsewhere (his agent said as much this offseason)
RB (4) Mendenhall, Redman, Moore, and Dwyer
–All are locks if none get injured
FB (0) n/a
–Also a lock since Arians would rather spread the field or stuff a TE in the backfield
WR (7) Ward, Wallace, Saunders, Brown, Cotchery, Grisham, and Battle
–Battle had zero catches in 2010 and is considered a special teams stud but the wildcards here are Robinson and Lyons, either could make the team to start the season if Saunders isn’t ready. If Saunders doesn’t hit the PUP list the team will end up picking between everyone after Cotchery for the last two spots at WR
TE (3) Miller, Johnson, and Gilmore
–I believe that Miller and Johnson are locks but Gilmore is the odd man out if the Steelers trade Dixon to a team for a Spaeth like TE
OL (9) J. Scott, Kemoeatu, Pouncey, Foster, Colon, Hills, Legursky, Gilbert, and Williams
–The Steelers normally carry nine so I don’t see that changing this season and think that if anything changes it will be from injury and in that event C. Scott would make the team. If C. Scott is out I wouldn’t rule out a DB or special teams player as the return
DL (6) Smith, Hampton, Keisel, Hood, Hoke, and Heyward
–The Steelers could carry seven but I feel like McClendan is a luxury for the Steelers and the roster spot is too important on special teams with a player like Battle
LB (8) Woodley, Farrior, Timmons, Harrison, Worilds, Sylvester, Foote, and Carter
–Carter is raw but if Wallace could make the roster a few years back Carter can make it now. The upside here is far worth the spot since he could easily follow in the footsteps of Larry Foote and wind up starting at some point in the future since Farrior can’t play forever and injuries ALWAYS occur
CB (6) Taylor, McFadden, Gay, Lewis, Butler, and Brown
–If Brown is not ready he needs to be placed on IR and the Steelers need to look at Warren or outside the organization. It is hard to see Allen making the team this year since Gay and Lewis are not as good as they should be and Brown is an injured rookie
S (4) Polamalu, Clark, Mundy, and Allen
–This is set in stone however I would like to see Battle cut so the Steelers can finally move Lewis to FS where he will be better suited to play and play well behind Clark. This would allow the Steelers to add a veteran DB like Bodden, if they are cut late in camp while Allen remains a special teams ace, just without the stud Battle
ST (3) Suisham, Sepulveda, and Warren
–Set in stone and the way it should be. Suisham has the lowest chance of making it through an entire season here and that says a lot with the health history of the other two on this list
4 tight ends???? your crazy!!! theyll need another receiver steelers24_7
It was apparent Thursday night that the entire coaching staff loves Lyons. He ran great routes and even blocked down field. Unfortunately just no room. I followed him at WVU, tough kid,…a football player.
He will never make it to our Practice Squad. Cinny will pick-him up.
How about keep Lyons instead of Gilmore and use Hill.
steelers24_7
I like it, Time for the Steelers to add a decent 2 TE receiving package
I kinda like Clay aht of Wisconsin
I think that the steelers should cut moore .
I think redman and mendenhall have proven themselves.
Also i think that dixon will be better to keep in the long run.
Batch is the only vetern we need to backup.
Dixon may not be as consistent as leftwitch but he gets the job done with his athleticism.
I agree that we do need another receiving tight end. we could cut johnson and have Legursky play FB but that would reduce our line even more
another corner is paramount cause brady & aaron rodgers are going to spread them out and do the same thing they all the time shred them and they keep thinking they can blitz those two its not happening.
Steelers obviously have the best WR corp in the league and i love it
I dont like william gay. probably no reason for it, but i dont like him and i want him off the roster
We shall all grow!!!
I am worried that it will be Charlie Batch that is cut from the final roster, but I certainly hope that if that is the case, that the team offers him an assistant coaching position! He has been a great asset and role model, as well as teacher to the young QB’s, and has done so much for the City of Pittsburgh in general, he deserves that much from the team. The Rooney family loves Charlie, and he is a great example of what a Steeler is to be!!!
I was sad to hear that Hills got released, as the poor kid was trying hard to make the team, and trying to impress the coaches at his position, but due to injuries to 2 players, had to change positions in our last preseason game against Philly. I think he would have been a good player in the future.