Spaeth released
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Steel Mike
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BethlehemSteel
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PITTSBURGH - The Steelers have released tight end Matt Spaeth with the designation of Failed Physical, the team announced today.
"Matt never fully recovered from knee surgery that occurred this past offseason, and he will not be ready to return to football activities at this time," said General Manager Kevin Colbert. "Matt played an integral role in our Super Bowl XLIII Championship run, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."
Spaeth was drafted by the Steelers in the third round (77th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. In 123 regular-season games, Spaeth totaled 55 receptions for 420 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns. He was a member of the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII Championship team.
To take Spaeth's spot on the 90-man roster, the Steelers signed rookie free agent tight end Mandel Dixon, listed as 6-foot-2, 231 pounds during his final season at Tulsa. Dixon was undrafted in 2016 and then a tryout participant for the Dallas Cowboys' rookie minicamp.
Following this move and the earlier retirement of Heath Miller, the Steelers will be without two of the three tight ends who were on the roster for the AFC Divisional Round Game in Denver last January. The only returning tight end is Jesse James, a second-year pro who was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
During the offseason, the Steelers signed Ladarius Green as an unrestricted free agent, and they brought back David Johnson after he was released by the San Diego Chargers. Xavier Grimble, who was signed to the Steelers' practice squad on Sept. 7, 2015 and spend the season there, also qualifies as a player with some experience with the team. Paul Lang, a sixth tight end on the current roster, was signed on June 7.
"Matt never fully recovered from knee surgery that occurred this past offseason, and he will not be ready to return to football activities at this time," said General Manager Kevin Colbert. "Matt played an integral role in our Super Bowl XLIII Championship run, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."
Spaeth was drafted by the Steelers in the third round (77th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. In 123 regular-season games, Spaeth totaled 55 receptions for 420 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns. He was a member of the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII Championship team.
To take Spaeth's spot on the 90-man roster, the Steelers signed rookie free agent tight end Mandel Dixon, listed as 6-foot-2, 231 pounds during his final season at Tulsa. Dixon was undrafted in 2016 and then a tryout participant for the Dallas Cowboys' rookie minicamp.
Following this move and the earlier retirement of Heath Miller, the Steelers will be without two of the three tight ends who were on the roster for the AFC Divisional Round Game in Denver last January. The only returning tight end is Jesse James, a second-year pro who was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
During the offseason, the Steelers signed Ladarius Green as an unrestricted free agent, and they brought back David Johnson after he was released by the San Diego Chargers. Xavier Grimble, who was signed to the Steelers' practice squad on Sept. 7, 2015 and spend the season there, also qualifies as a player with some experience with the team. Paul Lang, a sixth tight end on the current roster, was signed on June 7.
“We Do Not Care”........"I expect guys to make routine plays routinely"
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Legacy User
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Tough luck for Spaeth, but it was his time. James showed enough last year that he needs to be on the field as the #2 to continue his development. Spaeth was gonna barely play anyway.
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StillerInCT
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How are we going to replace those 2 receptions from last season? Obviously leaves us with a massive hole now.
"Work harder not smarter" - Mike Tomlin
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StillMadAtSlobber
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StillerInCT wrote:How are we going to replace those 2 receptions from last season? Obviously leaves us with a massive hole now.
Receptions? Receptions? We should be wondering who is going to replace the leadership void!!!!
Mike Tomlin: Bringing mediocrity to the 'Burgh for over a decade.
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Louis Lipps Service
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StillMadAtSlobber wrote:StillerInCT wrote:How are we going to replace those 2 receptions from last season? Obviously leaves us with a massive hole now.
Receptions? Receptions? We should be wondering who is going to replace the leadership void!!!!
IC isn't here anymore, so I'll do it.
Sign Hines Ward!!!!
Need that veteran leadership...
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Legacy User
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Devastating news. Loss of a vet. Leadership. Red zone threat.
Whoever ends up with his roster spot has very big shoes to fill.
As someone above stated, replacing his 2 catches for 10 yards, a 5 YPC average will not be an easy task.
I hope the signing of Green helps ease this terrible blow to our offense.
I know, I know. Stellar blocker.
Whoever ends up with his roster spot has very big shoes to fill.
As someone above stated, replacing his 2 catches for 10 yards, a 5 YPC average will not be an easy task.
I hope the signing of Green helps ease this terrible blow to our offense.
I know, I know. Stellar blocker.
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bradshaw2ben
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Xavier Grimble has gotten the vote of confidence.
Green, James, Grimble is pretty dang good.
Green, James, Grimble is pretty dang good.
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
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Thrillsseeker
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^^^hahahahahha I love you guys!
bradshaw2ben wrote:Xavier Grimble has gotten the vote of confidence.
Green, James, Grimble is pretty dang good.
Ooookay...
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bradshaw2ben
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Jobus Rum wrote:bradshaw2ben wrote:Xavier Grimble has gotten the vote of confidence.
Green, James, Grimble is pretty dang good.
Ooookay...
Green makes up for in receiving what he lacks in comparison as a blocker compared to 2015 Miller.
James is a clear upgrade as #2 TE over 2015 Spaeth.
Grimble is the talk of camp-- looks like he has done nothing but practice, study, and work out with James Harrison since he was signed.
I like the group, on paper.
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
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Steelafan77
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Spaeth had his usefulness while Miller was playing. Spaeth fulfilled his role well. Actually, did some good things when his number was called. Thanks for the contributions Matt.
Green makes up for in receiving what he lacks in comparison as a blocker compared to 2015 Miller.
IF the Steelers change what they do with their TEs, then Green will be a very solid fit.
James is a clear upgrade as #2 TE over 2015 Spaeth.
Sorry, but no! I know Spaeth was a whipping boy here, but he was very good at what he was asked to do. On the otherhand James, an average college player, has been very meh in his short NFL stint. A couple of catches and a down field block doesn't change that.
Grimble is the talk of camp-- looks like he has done nothing but practice, study, and work out with James Harrison since he was signed.
The infamous "talk of camp" champ! Of course by "camp", you mean running around in...no, check that...jogging around in shorts and tee shirts. What happens when the lights come on? We'll see...
I like the group, on paper.
B2B, you are one of the few guys here whose opinion I truly respect...I know you do your homework. But I could not disagree more regarding this TE group. Other than Green, its very underwhelming.
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Orangesteel
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Can someone post a highlight reel of Spaeth's best blocks? How many TDs did he have with us, like 4?
Best of luck, Matthew.
Best of luck, Matthew.
“Thoughts are a waste of time for me.” - Michael Pettaway Tomlin
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Legacy User
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greatful I don't have to watch the waste of spaith any longer..what a stiff!
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bradshaw2ben
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I wasn't a fan of James as #1 TE... but I really like him as #2. The reasons aren't what you talked about-- it was his pass pro, run-blocking at the point of attack, and his ability to do more than Spaeth as a receiver. At the time of the playoff game, he was already our #2, replacing Spaeth.
I'm probably never going to say James is better than 2007 Heath Miller, but he's much better than where Spaeth was in 2015.
The bar is low for #3 Steelers TE. Make some STs plays, take 2-3 snaps as an extra blocker when Rosie Nix is on the shelf or 10 snaps if one of the other two TEs is on the shelf. Grimble was a decent prospect coming out-- just needed to mature physically to play Steelers-style football. All I know about the shorts football is: every time I see video or photos from camp, he stands out to me. Latrobe will begin to tell the tale.
I'm probably never going to say James is better than 2007 Heath Miller, but he's much better than where Spaeth was in 2015.
The bar is low for #3 Steelers TE. Make some STs plays, take 2-3 snaps as an extra blocker when Rosie Nix is on the shelf or 10 snaps if one of the other two TEs is on the shelf. Grimble was a decent prospect coming out-- just needed to mature physically to play Steelers-style football. All I know about the shorts football is: every time I see video or photos from camp, he stands out to me. Latrobe will begin to tell the tale.
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
