Roster cut-down

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the Steelers have released 15 players including rookie kicker Daniel Hrapmann who had been very good throughout preseason.

The Steelers, along with all the other teams in the NFL, have until 9:00PM (EDT) on August 31 to reduce their respective rosters to 53 players.  The following day, beginning at 12:00PM (EDT) teams can begin to populate their respective practice squads.

Preseason Impressions: Steelers @ Carolina

Was there ever a professional sporting event in which both teams were more inclined to forfeit to avoid playing at all? Jake Delhomme, perfectly well (physically), didn't play. Willy Parker, perfectly well (physically), stood behind Dan Kreider for a single play, watched Mr. Kreider take the handoff, and stood on the sideline for the rest of the evening.

The question then is, how to evaluate such a contest? With the deadline for roster cuts just hours away here's one take on who distinguished themselves and who did not.

Winners
1. Tyrone Carter: His spot on the roster was already solidified, but last night's performance only enhanced and solidified his position on the depth chart. Mr. Carter led the team in tackles, recovered a fumble (though as you will see shortly, not everyone sees that as a matter of skill) and was the only Steelers player to make it into the end zone.

2. William Gay: Sometimes being lucky is better than being good. The good folks at Football Outsiders believe that "[s]tripping the ball is a skill. Holding onto the ball is a skill. Pouncing on the ball as it is bouncing all over the place is not a skill." However true that is, when a player is fighting for his spot on the roster of 53 coming up with a turnover in the final preseason game is an extraordinarily good thing.

3. Mike Lorello: Whether or not he played well enough to stick, or even warrant a spot on the practice squad remains to be seen, but if he doesn't it won't be because of his performance Thursday evening. He was the defender on two passes (one complete, one incomplete), had two tackles, one assist, and two special teams tackles.

4. Gary Russell: It's tough to choose a standout offensive player after an evening when the offense mustered four field goals (unless of course the field goal kicker was the player be applauded), but following a lackluster first half (4 carries, 1 yard) Mr. Russell bounced back in the second half (albeit against defenders who were third or fourth on the Carolina depth chart) for 61 yards on 17 carries.

5. Willie Reid: After being called out by Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic and his head coach for doing a poor job on punt returns during the preseason, Mr. Reid had a 30-yard return, and averaged 9.8 yards on four returns.

Losers
1. Chukky Okobi: He played for a great deal of the game, and didn't perform especially well. This was an opportunity to back up his stated belief that he is one of the 53 best players on the Pittsburgh roster -- we are not convinced.

2. Brian St. Pierre: Came out of the game with an injured toe. An injured toe. Really. Fighting for spot on the roster and he couldn't tough it out? Of course his 3-for-10 passing performance didn't exactly leave anyone wanting more.

3,4, & 5. Matt Spaeth, Jonathan Dekker, Cody Boyd: The top two tight ends on the depth chart sat out the game, and none of the backups caught a ball. Or blocked especially well. Playbooks please!

Epilogue
The Steelers finished the preseason with a 4-1 record. The last time they played five preseason games (1997) they were 5-0, and finished the regular season with an 11-5 record. That season they went on to the AFC Championship game, losing to Denver 24-21.

This preseason's record is the best the Steelers have had since 2001, when the team was 3-1. That squad went 13-3 in the regular season, and lost in the AFC Championship game to New England, 24-17.

Chukky's Campaign

"Mike Webster was chosen for nine Pro Bowls at this position for the Steelers. Dermontti Dawson made it for seven. Jeff Hartings was an All-Pro there. Chukky Okobi understands what being Pittsburgh's starting center means, not only in the past but now.

That's why he will be so disappointed -- no, make that angry -- if he isn't."

So begins an article from today's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that leaves us shaking on our heads. Rather than earning the starting center position by effective play on the field, this article makes it appear that Mr. Okkobi has been forced to campaign for the position:

" 'I started camp as No. 1 ... but, right now, it seems to be the same (backup) role I've had . . . I've worked really hard this offseason -- look at me, I think I look pretty good -- but whatever happens, happens . . . I missed a bunch of days with an injury and obviously it didn't help my cause any, but I think when I've been in there I've played really, really well . . . [t]his is the NFL and you're trying to get the best 53, and I'm definitely in the top 53 of the guys in this locker room'."

Rrrrriiiiiiggggghhhhtttttt.

If that's the case then why is it that everyone with even a passing interest in the Steelers understands that the possibility of being cut (and, according to Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette, then picked up by the Arizona Cardinals -- or perhaps by Cleveland where LeCharles Bentley has landed on the Physically Unable to Perform list) is a distinct one? Mr. Okkobi has performed poorly this preseason, and if any of the other centers in camp had risen to the challenge Mr. Okkobi would probably be on his way to Phoenix already.

More Cutdown Insights

The good folks at Pro Football Weekly offer up this information regarding the impending roster cutdowns (emphasis added):

"Plenty of intrigue surrounds how the Steelers will structure their RB and FB depth chart. At running back, Willie Parker and Najeh Davenport are secure in the top two spots, but the battle for positioning thereafter bears watching. Undrafted free-agent RB Gary Russell’s strong play in training camp and preseason looks to have secured him a spot on the roster. Another surprising newcomer, FB Carey Davis, also looks like a lock to make the team, according to a source close to the club. What’s more, he appears to have pushed veteran Dan Kreider to the bench, despite Kreider's role as an integral part of the Steelers’ power-running game in past seasons. Davis is simply a better fit in offensive coordinator Bruce Arians’ scheme. However, Kreider's rugged style of play is such an asset as the weather gets colder that he will have a chance to make the roster as a reserve. The status of backup RB Verron Haynes is also up in the air. Haynes is not especially big, quick or fast, and he’s coming off a knee injury, but he’s useful on special teams. The burning question, the way we hear it, is whether both Haynes and Kreider will survive the final cuts."

If this item was from anybody else I would completely discount the idea that Dan Kreider is in danger of being moved aside. However, given PFW's unshakable credibility this situation obviously bears watching.

Who's In, Who's Out?

With cut-down day looming large on the horizon -- the Steelers have to cut 22 players Saturday morning -- here are the players who on Thursday will be playing for a roster spot:

1. Dallas Baker (WR): Needs a miracle, though at 6'3", 206 lbs he may warrant a spot on the practice squad.


2. Cody Boyd (TE): At 6'8", 264 lbs it's a pity he can't play offensive tackle.


3. Marquis Cooper (LB): He and Cody Boyd have both worn #48 this preseason giving rise to the question is this the "Curse of Matt Cushing?"


4. Carey Davis (RB)
   
5. Gary Russell (RB)
   
6. Verron Haynes (RB): These guys are all very similar, but the numbers would seem to indicate that at least one, and probably two, of them is going to be on the outside looking in.
   


7. Jon Dekker (TE): A favorite of Bill Cowher's. Unfortunately for him Mr. Cowher is now at home in North Carolina.
   


8. John Kuhn (FB): A crowd favorite who, because he was active for eight games last season, is not eligible for the practice squad.
   


9. William Gay (CB): His crushing hit, delivered during the Hall of Fame game, got everyone's attention. However, not much has happened for this young man since.


10. Jovon Johnson (CB): The memory of his fumble recovery and return for a touchdown may help lessen the sting of being one of the Steelers' final cuts.


11. Mike Lorello (S): He has played well in spurts and has contributed on special teams, but being buried on the depth chart behind Troy Polamalu and Tyrone Carter means Mr. Lorello will be looking for work come Saturday afternoon.


12. Grant Mason (S): Finds himself behind Ryan Clark and Anthony Smith on the depth chart.
    


13. Darnell Stapleton (C): Whatever else happens, at least one center on the depth chart will be cut.


14. Brandon Torrey (OT): With the way that the Steelers' tackles have struggled in the preseason, the Eagles' game not withstanding, the fact that Mr. Torrey hasn't played speaks volumes.


15. Scott Paxson (NT): Limited work in camp, simply did not do enough to supplant anyone else.


16. Ryan McBean (DE): Ditto.


17. Gerran Walker (WR): Given his history of injuries in college, and his inability to block effectively, it's a credit to his work ethic that he wasn't cut already.


18. Ron Stanley (LB): Has had a good, not great, camp both on the field and as a special teams player. May be a Practice Squad invitee.


19. Cameron Stephenson (G): Simply has not distinguished himself.


20. Bryan Randall (QB): Very limited play may be a prelude to the Practice Squad.


21. Brian St. Pierre (QB): Had a reasonably good camp, but it seems unlikely that the Steelers will be willing to carry three quarterbacks -- at least early in the season.


22. Matt Spaeth (TE): A big disappointment, may not be worthy of even a spot on the Practice Squad.


23. Jason Capizzi (OT): Has had a good camp and will either be claimed on waivers or added to the Practice Squad. The only reason Mr. Capizzi will be the odd man out is because of the uncertainty at center.


24. Marvin Philip (C): This preseason was a great opportunity for Mr. Philip to show himself capable of at least being the backup to Sean Mahan. Mr. Philip didn't step up. As a result the Steelers will keep experienced, if ineffectual, Chukky Okobi for at least one more season.

Once cut players clear waivers a maximum of eight can be added to the team's Practice Squad.

First Cuts are Announced

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the Steelers have cut ten players from their roster, including former Pitt star and NFL veteran Kevan Barlow.

The others being released are:

Mike Barr (P)
Larry Croom (RB)
Eric Fowler (WR)
Connor Hughes (K)
Derrick Jones (DE)
Richard Koonce (LB)
Donovan Raiola (C)
Jared Retkofsky (Long Snapper)
Dan Sheldon (WR)

All NFL teams have until 11:00AM this Saturday to reduce their roster to 53 players. After those cuts are made players can be added to the Practice Squad.

A quick check of the roster, as listed on steelers.com shows 75 players remaining.