Post Preseason Game Two 53

[Steelafan77]

QB
Ben Roethlisberger
Mason Rudolph
Josh Dobbs

No changes here. I have Rudolph as #2 behind Ben. Can't see them releasing/trading Dobbs so these are the QB's for the season. I think they try to find a way to retain Devlin Hodges on the practice squad but I believe he won't make it through waivers.

RB
James Conner
Jaylen Samuels
Benny Snell

No change here either. I can see a RB prospect making the practice squad after initial cuts to get to 53. There's your RB corps.

FB
Roosevelt Nix

No change here either. The Sutton Smith experiment hasn't worked out. Nix wasn't really ever in roster spot jeopardy so Nix is your FB 2019.

WR
JuJu Smith-Schuster
James Washington
Donte Moncrief
Diontae Johnson
Eli Rogers
Ryan Switzer

Nothing changed here. Although there are potentially a few WR's (Spence, Holton maybe Jones) that could still push for a roster spot I believe this is the WR corps 2019.

TE
Vance McDonald
Xavier Grimble
Zach Gentry

This group scares the hell out of me. If McDonald should go down for any length of time the offense will suffer a little without a decent TE. Grimble At Best is a #3 TE and Gentry is a rookie with some injury issue and little preseason experience. Depth is a real concern at this position. Wood with his position flexibility and Rader haven't done anything of note. Scotland-Williamson can't get on the field. He likely is returned to the practice squad another season.

OL
Alejandro Villanueva
Ramon Foster
Maurkice Pouncey
David DeCastro
Matt Feiler
B.J. Finney
Zach Banner
Chukwuma Okorafor
Fred Johnson

Nothing changed here. The usual suspects with a rookie making the squad. Fred Johnson is a very capable interior player. Doesn't have all that position flexibility the Steelers covet but he has proven he can play. Good mover in space, good footwork anchoring and is a mountain of a man. Banner has proven he can play inside and LT which is good for him bad for Hawkins. Okorafor is struggling in his first 2 games but still surpasses Hawkins simply by staying healthy enough to play. I think (almost) every backup player could start or has started. Solid group.

DL
Cameron Heyward
Stephon Tuitt
Javon Hargrave
Tyson Alualu
Isaiah Buggs
Dan McCullers

No changes here. Usual suspects here as well. Buggs makes the roster and is the newest DL player for 2019. I don't see them adding a 7th lineman.

Edge
T.J. Watt
Bud Dupree
Anthony Chickillo
Ola Adeniyi

Usual suspects here as well. No changes. Get well soon Adeniyi. Sutton Smith could've been mentioned here but has not played a down in preseason due to injury. Skipper has certainly separated himself from the scrub pack but there just isn't enough room for him on the 53 at this point. Practice Squader?

ILB
Devin Bush
Vince Williams
Mark Barron
Tyler Matakevich
Ulysees Gilbert III

Gilbert makes the squad in my 53 prediction. Especially should he continue to play well as he has these first couple games. Matakevich makes the squad as a primary ST'er with some defensive snaps mixed in here and there. Perhaps Spillane & Scales are practice squaders?

CB
Joe Haden
Steven Nelson
Mike Hilton
Justin Layne
Cameron Sutton
Artie Burns

Nothing changed here. Burns has ascended as a player that fell off the planet and put himself in a position to earn his spot on the 53. With no one really threatening him for that spot and his redemption 2019 campaign unfolding he has made my 53. B. Allen unfortunately hasn't separated himself enough. Personally, I think Allen would fit better as a safety. Just doesn't have that COD required to play CB. Layne has a red shirt season. Branch and Mathis are PS eligible if the Steelers decide they warrant a practice squad roster spot.

Safety
Terrell Edmunds
Sean Davis
Jordan Dangerfield
Kameron Kelly

Depth here is really another area of concern IMHO. While Dangerfield has proven his ability to come in, in a pinch and hold down the fort he isn't exactly a world beater. I understand you can't have an all pro at every position. That said I like the resume that Kelly has and what he's done on the field to prove he's not a paper tiger. I hope he continues to develop and add something to the corps as a backup.

Specialists
Chris Boswell
Jordan Berry
Kameron Canaday

I really had hope that Berryman would unseat Berry. IMHO Berry is far too inconsistent creating a sense of concern about him and his ability to positively affect field position. Canady's only competition is a TE/LS (Wood) and I haven't seen anything that indicated Wood has overtaken Canady.

As the roster sits now the practice squad may look something like...

DL Henry Mondeaux
OL Garrett Brumfield
OL Derwin Gray
LB Tuzar Skipper
LB Robert Spillane
LB Sutton Smith
QB Devlin Hodges
RB Trey Edmunds
SS Marcus Allen
FS P.J. Locke
TE Christian Scotland-Williamson
RS/WR Diontae Spencer


Tomlin post game 2 preseason...

Tomlin: “Position flexibility has to be an element of this thing, particularly when you're talking about adding quality depth. You can turn 53 men into 60 if you’ve got good position flexibility, and that’s what we strive to have.” https://www.steelers.com/news/back-home-again

[Jobu]

I think you pretty much nailed it, mainly because you’re being realistic. And by realistic, I mean Steelers/Tomlin realistic.
I think it’s possible they keep The Skipper and IR Ola.
And I’m not sure that Kameron Kelly has done anything in particular to secure a roster spot, but what are the other options? Marcus Allen?
I think safety and possibly TE are the two spots we could see a vet brought in after cuts.
I also believe that Tomlin is staying with Dobbs as the top backup to Ben.

[Ice]

It's a very Steelers roster, 77. Risk averse to the nth degree. Something they had better factor in is that the XFL (I know, but they're going to be paying cash money) is going to be raiding practice squads, as well as the usual other 31 suspects. I would imagine trying to sneak guys like Spencer, Hodges or Skipper on to the practice squad this year will be the equivalent of waving goodbye.

[blu]

That's a very realistic final roster although I hope Holton instead of Rogers as the 5th/6th wr & gunner on special teams.

[steelmann58]

I like your list also think the will look at the waiver wires for TE/S and possible trade with some depth we have at OL could be moved for help.

[K_C_]

What has Switzer done to show he deserves a roster spot?

[Stillchest]

What has Switzer done to show he deserves a roster spot?

Ummm...he bought ice cream for the team, been very complimentary towards the city of Pittsburgh, he likes Ben, and.. oh....he’s getting t shirts made with proceeds going towards charity.

What?!? That’s not enough??

[Donnie Brasco]

What has Switzer done to show he deserves a roster spot?

As someone pointed out above, this is a very risk averse roster projection and that is what Switzer is

To me I think it' comes down to Eli OR Switz (I don't think they'll keep both). I think Switz's return background is what pushes him to the roster.

[stillcajun]

Don't know if Matekavich spot is a lock. He's a major liability in coverage and cannot go sideline to sideline like Bush, Barron or even Gilbert. He's great on ST but is that enough on a team that now seems to favor speed. With Adenyi hurt, I believe that Skipper makes the squad. Don't believe Ola will be back by week 1 and I don't see ol Chickerino as being good enough quality depth wise.

[K_C_]

What has Switzer done to show he deserves a roster spot?

As someone pointed out above, this is a very risk averse roster projection and that is what Switzer is

To me I think it' comes down to Eli OR Switz (I don't think they'll keep both). I think Switz's return background is what pushes him to the roster.

Switzer doesn't "return" punts.

He "catches" them and stands there.

[COR-TEN]

Interesting take on Dobbs value :

https://steelersdepot.com/2019/08/study ... ade-value/

[Kodiak]

To me I think it' comes down to Eli OR Switz (I don't think they'll keep both). I think Switz's return background is what pushes him to the roster.

Dumb to keep both of them. There's really no point.

Switz makes the team as the returner, or not. But that job should go to Spencer.

[Donnie Brasco]

What has Switzer done to show he deserves a roster spot?

As someone pointed out above, this is a very risk averse roster projection and that is what Switzer is

To me I think it' comes down to Eli OR Switz (I don't think they'll keep both). I think Switz's return background is what pushes him to the roster.

Switzer doesn't "return" punts.

He "catches" them and stands there.

Point being, he's "safe" and Tomlin loves that shit

[Legacy User]

Don't know if Matekavich spot is a lock. He's a major liability in coverage and cannot go sideline to sideline like Bush, Barron or even Gilbert. He's great on ST but is that enough on a team that now seems to favor speed. With Adenyi hurt, I believe that Skipper makes the squad. Don't believe Ola will be back by week 1 and I don't see ol Chickerino as being good enough quality depth wise.

I want to root for the Skipper

And Maryann....

[tbsteel]

Interesting take on Dobbs value :

https://steelersdepot.com/2019/08/study ... ade-value/

I'd take a conditional 7th for Dobbs.

[Scunge]

My issue is the numbers at positions, is it the same old, same old, or do they change things up this season??

They kept 8 OL last season, why do they keep 9 this season?? Yeah, I love Banner and Fred Johnson and with them trading Marcus Gilbert and Ramon Foster up in age, they should keep both of these young players, but will they???

Last season they had what was it, 8 Linebackers to start the season?? Didn't they have just 3 OLBs with Ola on IR to start the season?? Do they keep 9?? 10 this year??? Why or why not?? I personally think that they finally have an assortment of very talented young linebackers and that they should keep 10.

The WR group to me seems to be ripe for some change. Long we kept 6 WRs but with the makeup of the current group, I don't see the need to keep 6 on the roster. If the team is going to up the amount/number of players at one position group, then they are going to have to subtract from another group.

I think they should go with 5 WRs, with all 5 being active each week, and then they go with somebody like Tevin Jones on the PS.

My 5 would be JuJu, James Washington, Donte Moncrief, Diontae Johnson and Ryan Switzer. If Eli Rogers was that 6th WR he would be deactivated each week. Eli is not a KR, he is not a good PR, 26 career punts, 3 muffs/fumbles, he is not a gunner. If they are going to keep a 6th WR it would almost HAVE to be Johnnie Holton because I don't see how Brian Allen makes the team this season.

Yes, Heyward Bey is gone and if you also cut Brian Allen at CB, then you have basically cut both of your gunners from last season. Who then would be the gunners that are replacing them this season??? Holton is probably the best gunner on the team right now, by a pretty wide margin. That position requires a bigger player with physicality who is also very fast. Holton checks all of those boxes. And Holton can be a KR, and he can be a deep threat. He offers more position flexibility then Eli 'Is it time to Fumble' Rogers.

I do think the time to trade Artie Burns for some value is right now. He has had a good/great camp, has played well in the preseason games and they might be able to do a one for one trade with some team for a TE or a Safety. If they dealt him then maybe Brian Allen does make the roster, or maybe they go with 5 CBs and use that extra spot for some other position group.

I also am getting an itchy vibe on Tyson Alualu, does he make the team?? I have been more impressed with Big Dan and Buggs and to me Alualu looks like he might be the one that is deactivated on game day. Just see him fading really fast before my eyes. His first season with us was pretty good, but last year was meh, and now I just see him in the way of better talent. Get him the hell out of there and allow Buggs and McCullers to play more. I would replace him with Henry Mondeaux.

Anyway, I think they shake things up for the final roster.

[Kodiak]

If I need a roster spot, I think Big Dan and 6 DL isn't all that necessary in today's NFL.

I really hope Hodges makes it, and I think they have to upgrade the return game with Spencer. I think it's a reasonable gamble to make room for Spencer, and then Scrunge makes a good point on Holton. No one is going to miss Eli or Switzer.

Although, I just don't know how you dress 6 receivers. But none of the top 4 receivers can be relied on to return punts.

[Scunge]

Well the most obvious solution to the return game is this:

Tomlin, take your head out of your ass and let a defensive player do it, namely, Cam Sutton!

In camp they have been doing this drill where the returners are all catching punts and they have to hold on to the football and then field another punt, and another, and another. They try and see how man balls they can hang on to while fielding more punts. I think Cam Sutton held on to 6 footballs.

In college, at Tennessee, Cam Sutton was a very good punt returner.

He had 46 punt returns for 657 yards, a 14.3 yard average and 3 TDs.

He was fearless and confident as a return man. I saw a number of big returns where the ball had bounced and was moving toward the end zone, and he ran back, snatched it as it was tumbling along and then ran it back 50 yards.

If Cam Sutton is your punt returner then the need for Switz or Eli Rogers becomes even more of a moot point. Also, Sutton is faster than both of them, ran a 4.49. He is active each week on defense, so it isn't like you have to wring your hands and worry about making an active spot for him on game day.

Same thing with Holton, he can be your KR, and he can be your deep threat WR, AND he can be your gunner.

Tomlin preaches position flexibility all the time and yet with Cam Sutton and Johnny Holton he has two players that prove that concept. Yet he won't give Sutton a chance as the PR and Holton may not make the team.

[Kodiak]

In college, at Tennessee, Cam Sutton was a very good punt returner.

Maybe that's the plan and they've just been giving the game reps to Spencer to see if he can make the team as a returner. The only other options at this point are Sutton or Switzer.

If you're going to keep a guy to basically just return punts, then it should be Spencer and not Switzer. But I like your idea better. Except Eli is still taking some 1st team reps, so I'm not sure they are comfortable yet with Johnson as the 4th receiver. I don't think they view Holton as receiver depth.

It's really not looking good for Holton, unfortunately.

[tunch]

Well the most obvious solution to the return game is this:

Tomlin, take your head out of your ass and let a defensive player do it, namely, Cam Sutton!

There's eight guys on the roster that can really run back a punt.

There's maybe two guys on the roster that are disciplined enough to not field a punt inside the 10.

Keep the guy that never does anything stupid.

[K_C_]

Any 53 that includes Switzer is fucking idiotic.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I don’t get all the concern with punt returning. I’d keep Switz and just lock it down. You can put it in the lock box and not have to worry about it all season. I personally think he will surprise us this year. He had a lot of shit going on last year. Cowboys, then Raiders, then Pittsburgh...that is some major stress to a journeyman! He is human, and relocating to another city or across country is a big deal. . He has beefed up, has a full training camp, Ben is comfortable with him etc. When you can put things in the lock box, you can go from the 300 level to the 400 level in other areas.

If punt returns were so damned important, why the hell wasn’t AB back there? World class athletes never get hit hard returning punts. Did you ever see Metcalf or Hester get their clocks cleaned on returns? No. Switz it is! Dude is an all weather steel trap for the football on returns, and get to the next level of proficiency on offense, and work on the gunners.

Tight Ends do not concern me. My only concern is that Gentry won’t get used enough...fast track his development! Keep the extra tackle just in case or add another full-back.

[Ice]

If Switz "beefed up" for this year, he must have been playing last year at 155.

[K_C_]

I don’t get all the concern with punt returning. I’d keep Switz and just lock it down. You can put it in the lock box and not have to worry about it all season. I personally think he will surprise us this year. He had a lot of shit going on last year. Cowboys, then Raiders, then Pittsburgh...that is some major stress to a journeyman! He is human, and relocating to another city or across country is a big deal. . He has beefed up, has a full training camp, Ben is comfortable with him etc. When you can put things in the lock box, you can go from the 300 level to the 400 level in other areas.

If punt returns were so damned important, why the hell wasn’t AB back there? World class athletes never get hit hard returning punts. Did you ever see Metcalf or Hester get their clocks cleaned on returns? No. Switz it is! Dude is an all weather steel trap for the football on returns, and get to the next level of proficiency on offense, and work on the gunners.

Tight Ends do not concern me. My only concern is that Gentry won’t get used enough...fast track his development! Keep the extra tackle just in case or add another full-back.

FUNNIEST FUCKING POST OF THE YEAR!!



Thanks!!

[LakecrestSteeler]

If Switz "beefed up" for this year, he must have been playing last year at 155.

He beefed up to 158!

[LakecrestSteeler]

I don’t get all the concern with punt returning. I’d keep Switz and just lock it down. You can put it in the lock box and not have to worry about it all season. I personally think he will surprise us this year. He had a lot of shit going on last year. Cowboys, then Raiders, then Pittsburgh...that is some major stress to a journeyman! He is human, and relocating to another city or across country is a big deal. . He has beefed up, has a full training camp, Ben is comfortable with him etc. When you can put things in the lock box, you can go from the 300 level to the 400 level in other areas.

If punt returns were so damned important, why the hell wasn’t AB back there? World class athletes never get hit hard returning punts. Did you ever see Metcalf or Hester get their clocks cleaned on returns? No. Switz it is! Dude is an all weather steel trap for the football on returns, and get to the next level of proficiency on offense, and work on the gunners.

Tight Ends do not concern me. My only concern is that Gentry won’t get used enough...fast track his development! Keep the extra tackle just in case or add another full-back.

FUNNIEST FUCKING POST OF THE YEAR!!



Thanks!!

We haven’t lost to the Patriots since he arrived! Coincidence?

[K_C_]

I don’t get all the concern with punt returning. I’d keep Switz and just lock it down. You can put it in the lock box and not have to worry about it all season. I personally think he will surprise us this year. He had a lot of shit going on last year. Cowboys, then Raiders, then Pittsburgh...that is some major stress to a journeyman! He is human, and relocating to another city or across country is a big deal. . He has beefed up, has a full training camp, Ben is comfortable with him etc. When you can put things in the lock box, you can go from the 300 level to the 400 level in other areas.

If punt returns were so damned important, why the hell wasn’t AB back there? World class athletes never get hit hard returning punts. Did you ever see Metcalf or Hester get their clocks cleaned on returns? No. Switz it is! Dude is an all weather steel trap for the football on returns, and get to the next level of proficiency on offense, and work on the gunners.

Tight Ends do not concern me. My only concern is that Gentry won’t get used enough...fast track his development! Keep the extra tackle just in case or add another full-back.

FUNNIEST FUCKING POST OF THE YEAR!!



Thanks!!

We haven’t lost to the Patriots since he arrived! Coincidence?

We also haven’t made the playoffs since he arrived.

[Kodiak]

Any 53 that includes Switzer is fucking idiotic.

Just wait until you see Switzer running routes on Sundays.....while Diontae Johnson stands on the sidelines in sweats because Prof. Tomlin isn't satisfied with his mastery of the playbook.

[Steelafan77]

Tomlin post game 2 preseason...

Tomlin: “Position flexibility has to be an element of this thing, particularly when you're talking about adding quality depth. You can turn 53 men into 60 if you’ve got good position flexibility, and that’s what we strive to have.” https://www.steelers.com/news/back-home-again

This statement right here is why I picked the players I picked. Most have abilities to play more positions than where they've been 'assigned'. Hilton was talking about it after the last preseason game. He has been getting reps in practice and preseason games at FS. Good. He looks comfortable there. He didn't get burned the rest of the night once he moved to FS. Whether that really has anything to do with or not is up for discussion.

Honestly, I rather Holton and Spencer made the roster over Switzer/Rogers. To me Switzer is JAG. He was traded for so the Steelers gotta try and get their worth outta him, I get it. Rogers is garbage. Allergic to contact and pass catching at times. Both Holton and Spencer offer you more contributing factors. As was stated above Holton is 3 players in one. Spencer is 2 players in one. Goes along the lines of that Tomlin quote from an interview.

Finney, Feiler, Banner all have position flexibility in their repertoire. Why I selected Banner over Hawkins. Okorafor can play either tackle spot and is more dependable at this point in his career than Hawkins. Banner plays both guard spots and both tackle spots. Sign him up. Johnson is an enormous fleet footed mountain of a man-child that can pull better than Foster and is about as strong if not stronger. He gets the spot cause if he hits the waiver wire he's gone.

I agree with Scunge on Alualu. I think his best years are far and away in his rearview mirror. I think he is kept on as vet presence, vet experience. I do not buy into MCcUllers coming along enough to replace Alualu. Buggs could have a shot. A long shot if he continues to develop and contribute, sure. I think Alualu stays too because of the 'just in case' scenario.

TE is woefully under talented. McDonald isn't what I would label as an 'ironman' due to the obvious. The Steelers have to get better quality depth at the back up #2 spot. Grimble is a huge gamble IMHO. Gentry may be underutilized but that's par for the course. The Steeler way.

This may be unpopular here but I say Keep Burns. Allow him to finish out his rookie contract and then see where this scenario leads. I think besides Sutton, Burns is the other outside corner talent behind Haden and Nelson. You wouldn't get nearly the same value that you spent drafting the guy. Hold on to him. 'Just in case'

Hodges is this years player crush for me. I think this guy has barely tapped into his potential. I think the Steelers need to find a way to keep him on the roster. 3 QB's is a lot already. I don't know how they do it. I hope they do.

Kam Kelly has that all coveted position flexibility. He can play safety SS or FS. He can play Corner. He started his career as a quarterback in high school. Converted to safety in college. Had a decent career there. A bit of a ballhawk. In the AAF he played WR then was moved to CB. Talent just doesn't grow on trees these days. He's learning a new system in the NFL. He was cut his first go around by the cryboys and never got a shot there as safety. He hasn't done anything to date? Just getting 1st team reps once Davis went out. Has Locke? Has Askew-Henry? Just saying...

The Steeler always do what they do. Why I'm never accurate with my mock drafts or even these things... labor of love I guess.

Side Note: My apologies for selecting Switzer as part of my 53 KC. Didn't mean to offend.

[Kodiak]

"position flexibility" is the calling card of the JAG. Being able to throw a football doesn't make you an NFL QB. I don't care how many positions a guy can play, I care how many positions he can play in the NFL. Holton plays one position. Spencer plays one position.

This team has maybe 4-5 guys who can play receiver in the NFL...Spencer, Switzer and Holton ain't one of 'em.