Possible roster moves for Miami game.

[Stosh-67]

The mounting injuries on this team are creating difficult situations as far as depth, game day inactives and actual balancing the 53 man roster.

Already ruled out for Sunday in Miami are;
Marcus Gilbert (ankle), Cameron Heyward (hamstring), Shamarko Thomas (groin), Cody Wallace (knee), Markus Wheaton (shoulder), and linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee). That will be 6 out of the 7 game day inactives for tomorrow. Who will be the 7th?

Inactives players from last week who are expected to play are Eli Rogers, Robert Golden, Justin Gilbert and FB Roosevelt Nix.

One of the players who could be the 7th inactive is Coates. Im hearing he also has a fracture in one of his fingers on same hand with laceration/ stiches. If Coates can't go and Will Wheaton ruled out, they are left at WR with AB, DHB and back from injury Rogers, who certainly may not be 100% and last a full 60 minutes. That being said......do they make a roster move, as its rumored Cobi Hamilton may be promoted from the practice squad.

If so, who gets cut? Can they really roll with 3 WRs and use Lev Bell as a receiver with Dwill in the backfield.

Will we see a more run heavy 2 TEs and FB sets against a porrous run defense?

With Nix back, will it be DJ or Grimble?
Don't think they are cutting a TE with Hubbard starting again at RT and needing help.
Probably Toussaint......since he has slim to no chance of seeing a football...let alone game day hat behind Bell and Dwill with Nix as emergency ball carrier. Plus if Frenchy gets cut...if need be....little Williams is right there for promotion next week. When I say Little Will, or LilWil ....I am not referencing his waist or appetite but being Vinces little brother.

Stevie Johnson? Probably not another special teamer with Shamarko out.
Does someone get IRd for the season? Wallace?

If Coates is a go, I would assume Toussaint would be the 7th inactive.

Thoughts.

[Legacy User]

I think one of a couple things will happen. In no particular order.

1. The Steelers roll with 3 true WRs
2. Tousaint is cut
3. Dupree is IRd
4. A LBer is inactive

[DP39]

The mounting injuries on this team are creating difficult situations as far as depth, game day inactives and actual balancing the 53 man roster.

Already ruled out for Sunday in Miami are;
Marcus Gilbert (ankle), Cameron Heyward (hamstring), Shamarko Thomas (groin), Cody Wallace (knee), Markus Wheaton (shoulder), and linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee). That will be 6 out of the 7 game day inactives for tomorrow. Who will be the 7th?

Inactives players from last week who are expected to play are Eli Rogers, Robert Golden, Justin Gilbert and FB Roosevelt Nix.

One of the players who could be the 7th inactive is Coates. Im hearing he also has a fracture in one of his fingers on same hand with laceration/ stiches. If Coates can't go and Will Wheaton ruled out, they are left at WR with AB, DHB and back from injury Rogers, who certainly may not be 100% and last a full 60 minutes. That being said......do they make a roster move, as its rumored Cobi Hamilton may be promoted from the practice squad.

If so, who gets cut? Can they really roll with 3 WRs and use Lev Bell as a receiver with Dwill in the backfield.

Will we see a more run heavy 2 TEs and FB sets against a porrous run defense?

With Nix back, will it be DJ or Grimble?
Don't think they are cutting a TE with Hubbard starting again at RT and needing help.
Probably Toussaint......since he has slim to no chance of seeing a football...let alone game day hat behind Bell and Dwill with Nix as emergency ball carrier. Plus if Frenchy gets cut...if need be....little Williams is right there for promotion next week. When I say Little Will, or LilWil ....I am not referencing his waist or appetite but being Vinces little brother.

Stevie Johnson? Probably not another special teamer with Shamarko out.
Does someone get IRd for the season? Wallace?

If Coates is a go, I would assume Toussaint would be the 7th inactive.

Thoughts.

Good questions Stosh. My guess is the bolded. I say this because....this is a green-light spot for Le'Veon's first blowup game against a Miami defense that has been bludgeoned by DeMarco Murray/Derrick Henry (34-175), Isaiah Crowell/Duke Johnson (25-148), and LeGarrette Blount (29-123-1). As the Dolphins have no running game or defense and therefore can't sustain offense, they rank dead last in time of possession (24:38) -- by nearly two full minutes -- and have allowed a league-high 180 run plays to opponents.

I think this is a classic Ben-Bell-AB game with a few other sprinkled in. I think the O line eats big time on Sunday. Maybe two TDs each for AB and Bell with the Outlaw getting another.
With the addition of LilWill, as you say, Toussaint could be the guy. ILB Johnson is the other imo.

[Legacy User]

The DWill and KWill situations are related imo btw. DWill is a FA in March and he is going to be able to command more coin. The Steelers presumptively must sign Bell and AB. If DWill demands too much he will be gone, in steps KWill at presumably a much better number.

That said, it wouldnt surprise me if KWill is kept under wraps this season to avoid a situation where DWill and KWill both have impressive recent tape to jack up their FA dollars. The last thing the Steelers want is both DWill and KWill gone imo.

Optimally ive got to think they are hoping to be able to roll with 4 at RB next year and beyond being Bell DWill KWill Nix.

[Stosh-67]

Dwill will be 34 come April. I can not see many teams looking to pay big money or multiple years.
Or commit to him a starting spot or a promise of many carries.
You can count on one hand the number of running backs that had big or productive seasons after turning 32, let alone 34.

His contract with the Steelers is 2 years and $4 million for his age 32 and 33 football seasons. Can not see him getting a bigger contract at 34 and or 35.

Think he found his final home here Pittsburgh. He knows the situation with Bell can put him right behind Ben again as well as LilWills issues. Secondly, what a nice spot to be in if Bell stays the line and Dwill continues to extend his career with $2 million dollar contracts with light loads.

And after all, his teammates love him and his fans sing to him at camp.

The Steelers have the most tenatively deep stable of RBs in the NFL.
Hence, you have to bring him back in 2017.

[tbsteel]

Coates will play, just has to deal with some pain and swelling. Kaboly has already said he's playing.

I expect lots of shotgun since I don't think the crowd will be much of a factor. Tons of three wide with Rogers in the slot, mixing in Bell split out wide. Don't think the Dolphins are going to dictate what offense we run. Until teams can show they can stop what we're doing with Bell now, I see no reason to change it up.

[Scunge]

I see the Steelers doing nothing, no need to cut somebody to bring on a practice squad player.

In terms of contracts with either Williams, I don't think either is going anywhere. DeAngelo is having the time of his life, he is in the perfect time, perfect place, and perfect organization for a player in the twilight of his career. You just can't pick a better situation and DeAngelo knows this, I imagine the Steelers may offer him another contract but it won't be for much more than what he makes now.

Karlos Williams is not going anywhere, he has not accrued enough time to be a true free agent. He is in the same boat as Ross Cockrell. We did not draft him but signed him in his second NFL season and it was only a one year deal. After that deal was up, Ross was not able to just shop his services to the highest bidder. No, the Steelers still had the rights to him, he was an exclusive rights free agent. It will be the same with Karlos Williams. The Steelers can tender him an offer next season for the league minimum and the player is bound to the team, simple as that.

Also, I keep reading how people think Bryant has only one year left and that next season he will be playing for a big pay day. Not so, that year long suspension does not count as a year tolled on his contract. He still has two years left with the Steelers. Bryant, if he can keep himself clean, is still under contract for 2017 and 2018.

[DP39]

I see the Steelers doing nothing, no need to cut somebody to bring on a practice squad player.

In terms of contracts with either Williams, I don't think either is going anywhere. DeAngelo is having the time of his life, he is in the perfect time, perfect place, and perfect organization for a player in the twilight of his career. You just can't pick a better situation and DeAngelo knows this, I imagine the Steelers may offer him another contract but it won't be for much more than what he makes now.

Karlos Williams is not going anywhere, he has not accrued enough time to be a true free agent. He is in the same boat as Ross Cockrell. We did not draft him but signed him in his second NFL season and it was only a one year deal. After that deal was up, Ross was not able to just shop his services to the highest bidder. No, the Steelers still had the rights to him, he was an exclusive rights free agent. It will be the same with Karlos Williams. The Steelers can tender him an offer next season for the league minimum and the player is bound to the team, simple as that.

Also, I keep reading how people think Bryant has only one year left and that next season he will be playing for a big pay day. Not so, that year long suspension does not count as a year tolled on his contract. He still has two years left with the Steelers. Bryant, if he can keep himself clean, is still under contract for 2017 and 2018.

Scrunge, all great points I knew as well. Just hadn't put them in a post....thanks for doing so! Yes, both Williams as well as Bryant are going nowhere as they'll all be playing for the Steelers next year (or two) or nowhere at all imo. Now, Jarvis and Wheaton are another story all together....

[Orangesteel]

Markus Wheaton isn't helping his FA value. That guy is a whimp.

[955876]

Bryant, if he can keep himself clean, is still under contract for 2017 and 2018.

Really really hoping Ben gets a couple seasons with AB, Coates, Bryant, and Bell as core offensive weapons. With guys like the two Williams RBs, Rodgers, Green, Grimble, the outlaw etc rounding out the offense.

Tough to defend all that

[BethlehemSteel]

Coates prob gonna be out

http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2016/1 ... j-shabazz/

[Legacy User]

Need to get Eli involved and use da tight ends.

And pound da bawl

[Defense]

Hey Stosh... Good write up and makes sense.

I firmly believe that the Steelers have something far more devious with the injuries going on; REST

All things being equal, even short handed we should beat Miami, and even a loss wouldn't be that devastating.
With New England coming to town, a head to head win will be far more important to us than beating Miami.

That said, I think we are playing it safe and purposely keeping a select amount of play-makers out of tomorrows game.

If I'm right or wrong, not sure. But next weeks active roster should tell the story....willing to bet we all the sudden are a lot more healthy.

[Legacy User]

Markus Wheaton isn't helping his FA value. That guy is a whimp.

I think we're going to find out that his shoulder has been pretty jacked up. He's been up and down but never simply bad.

Hell, I hope the Steelers can keep him on the cheap.

[BethlehemSteel]

Sammie Coates - WR - Steelers
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette doesn't expect Sammie Coates (questionable, hand) to play in Week 6 against the Dolphins.

Coates was trending towards playing, but he's on the doubtful side after Pittsburgh added WR Cobi Hamilton from the practice squad. The Steelers can afford to rest him against Miami's barely-there secondary. Eli Rogers will start if Coates is held out.
Source: Gerry Dulac on Twitter Oct 15 - 7:21 PM

[Scunge]

So, they add Cobi Hamilton to the practice squad after all and cut CB Al-Hajj Shabazz. These moves always kill me, it is just musical chairs with these practice squad players. None of those practice squad players that are called up last very long.

I agree on Wheaton, he will have to settle for much lower money but I still think he is on his way out of town.

If anything, and people can laugh all they want, but Jarvis Jones, now he has been making himself some coin this year. No, he is not and never will be a good pass rusher, but he sure has come along at playing the run and in pass coverage. I can see a team willing to pay more for him than the Steelers in free agency. Honestly, he would be fine as a 4-3 OLB or even inside at ILB. He looks like the type that can play 10 years in the NFL and make a team happy. Our team is not happy, because when you spend the 17th overall pick and think you are getting a Von Miller, it is going to sting. It is sort of like Darius Hayward-Bey, he was taken too high in the first round by the Raiders and was deemed a bust, but the Steelers are happy to have him as a backup WR and core special teams player. JJ's problem is that if he were taken in round 4 or 5 like a Larry Foote or a Clark Haggans, then Steeler fans would have no complaints.

I felt like we would have a pretty good chance at getting some high compensation picks for once if Lawrence Timmons, Jarvis Jones, Markus Wheaton and Shmarko Thomas all left for free agency.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Coates to be active according to ESPN:

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1780 ... i-dolphins

[bradshaw2ben]

Coates to be active according to ESPN:

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1780 ... i-dolphins

excellent. Guessing Cobi is a nice safety net, with two injured WRs ahead of him... plus he can play specials.

[Old School Steeler]

So, they add Cobi Hamilton to the practice squad after all and cut CB Al-Hajj Shabazz. These moves always kill me, it is just musical chairs with these practice squad players. None of those practice squad players that are called up last very long.

I agree on Wheaton, he will have to settle for much lower money but I still think he is on his way out of town.

If anything, and people can laugh all they want, but Jarvis Jones, now he has been making himself some coin this year. No, he is not and never will be a good pass rusher, but he sure has come along at playing the run and in pass coverage. I can see a team willing to pay more for him than the Steelers in free agency. Honestly, he would be fine as a 4-3 OLB or even inside at ILB. He looks like the type that can play 10 years in the NFL and make a team happy. Our team is not happy, because when you spend the 17th overall pick and think you are getting a Von Miller, it is going to sting. It is sort of like Darius Hayward-Bey, he was taken too high in the first round by the Raiders and was deemed a bust, but the Steelers are happy to have him as a backup WR and core special teams player. JJ's problem is that if he were taken in round 4 or 5 like a Larry Foote or a Clark Haggans, then Steeler fans would have no complaints.

I felt like we would have a pretty good chance at getting some high compensation picks for once if Lawrence Timmons, Jarvis Jones, Markus Wheaton and Shmarko Thomas all left for free agency.

Hard to digest over valued commodities in any market, Jones in B&G will never justify his valuation. His decent game last week was more a reflection of the Jets as a bottom feeder. Chick will get lot of snaps in Miami, he may start, maybe make a few plays, get a sack.

[bradshaw2ben]

Jones is great when unblocked and uncovered/off the LOS. It's as if virtually every play he makes results from that situation. Not a great trait in an edge player.

[Legacy User]

If Coates is limited the healthiest skill queers are an interesting mix for Haley Ben to mess around with in the lab.

LBell
AB
DWill
Outlaw
X man

AB with two tights ala Pitta/Dickson with Bell as flanker/seem splitter and DWill at RB, pass pro and outlet.

That's a fun way to scrap the bottom of the barrel as opposed to "must have another WR". Even if said WR is an inferior talent to the noted five players. Following 3 wide WRs doctrine isn't always the wisest thing to do.

[Legacy User]

Coates damn well better play

[BethlehemSteel]

He's active

but i would have sit him

[Steelafan77]

He's active

but i would have sit him

I agree beth. I would only call Coates number if there is (God forbid) an injury in the position. Other wise He sits. Fractures are nothing to mess with. Stitches can tear out.