Cyphon25
09-04-2015, 07:24 AM
So a lot of people make a 53 based on what they think the Steelers will do. I always like to make one (and see other people's) based on what they themselves would do in a position of power:
QB (3) - Ben, Vick, Murphy
First 2 are obvious. My reasoning behind Murphy is simply because I don't disagree with having a third on the roster but the spot should make sense. I think regardless of who you have there that isn't Charlie Batch you aren't expecting a win. You can't get much worse than Landry Jones so why not keep Murphy who can at least move around and potentially make something happen even without being the best passer? On top of that he gives you added depth at receiver for free from this spot. Practicing as a QB gives him knowledge of routes and what not so he won't be behind the curve in that regard either.
RB (4) - Bell, Williams, Johnson, Free Agent
Again, pretty standard except for cutting Archer and to a further extent Harris. Archer sucks and that is all there is to it. He will rarely ever get to return a kick and when he does it has rarely looked promising, he has been a shitty punt catcher and his value as an RB is next to none. And by next to none I would say -1 or -2. He is a gimmick player in an offense that is the furthest thing from needing a gimmick player. Chris Rainey was better. There I said it.
I say they find a cheap solid veteran in free agency and give him the 3rd/4th spot. Still not sure why we couldn't hand the ball to Will Johnson in an emergency.
TE (3) - Miller, Spaeth, James
Duh.
WR (5) - Brown, Wheaton, Bryant, DHB, Coates
Not a fan of the Coates draft pick but it isn't like we can go back that far lol. Anyway, I go this route while counting Murphy as an emergency 6th. Some don't like DHB because he drops balls but the same can be said about Coates and Bryant. Granted Bryant makes up for it by having 600 TD's and 10000 yards but DHB gives you special teams value and good blocking.
OL (8) - Beachum, Foster, Wallace, Gilbert, Decastro, Villanueva, Legursky, Hubbard/FA
The way these guys go down we should probably keep about 11 of them active but there ain't enough good ones. It is a pretty clear cut choice at this point. Can't say I follow the OL too closely so I bolded Hubbards name because I am not sure if you keep him or replace him with a free agent. Only place I am really unsure of anything.
DL (5) - Tuitt, McClendon, Heyward, Thomas, McCullers
I know a lot of you would get rid of Thomas but I think he has looked a lot better. I heard something about him having some off the field issues last year and he was new to the system. Not saying he should be starting but I am comfortable with him having a spot role now.
ILB (5) - Shazier, Timmons, Spence, Williams, Garvin
Duh.
OLB (5) - Harrison, Jones, Dupree, Moats, H. Jones
We need answers here bad from some of these guys. I go with Howard Jones over Chickillo because he flashes better and I think it is easier to teach up consistency than it is to find something special about a guy. Chickillo has been solid but doesn't peak like Jones does.
CB (6) - Gay, Allen, Grant, Blake, Boykin, Fogg
Like OLB I think this is another place we have to find answers so I keep the guys with promise. Webb may look better overall now but Fogg has that special knack for finding the ball and this defense desperately needs turnovers. Both guys will likely get beat in coverage so why not take the one more likely to make up for it with some INT's?
S (6) - Thomas, Mitchell, Allen, Golden, Ventrone, Dangerfield
This position is the most desperate. I don't know that I trust a single one of these guys. Never thought I would say this but Allen is probably our most reliable safety as we sit here today. The only thing to really add is that we should probably keep an eye on free agency for a solid veteran if one pops up.
ST (3) - Scobee, Berry, Warren
Only thing to say here is that I don't think it is a tough decision between Berry and Wing. Berry has out kicked the best we have seen from Wing. How exactly does that equate to a tough decision?
QB (3) - Ben, Vick, Murphy
First 2 are obvious. My reasoning behind Murphy is simply because I don't disagree with having a third on the roster but the spot should make sense. I think regardless of who you have there that isn't Charlie Batch you aren't expecting a win. You can't get much worse than Landry Jones so why not keep Murphy who can at least move around and potentially make something happen even without being the best passer? On top of that he gives you added depth at receiver for free from this spot. Practicing as a QB gives him knowledge of routes and what not so he won't be behind the curve in that regard either.
RB (4) - Bell, Williams, Johnson, Free Agent
Again, pretty standard except for cutting Archer and to a further extent Harris. Archer sucks and that is all there is to it. He will rarely ever get to return a kick and when he does it has rarely looked promising, he has been a shitty punt catcher and his value as an RB is next to none. And by next to none I would say -1 or -2. He is a gimmick player in an offense that is the furthest thing from needing a gimmick player. Chris Rainey was better. There I said it.
I say they find a cheap solid veteran in free agency and give him the 3rd/4th spot. Still not sure why we couldn't hand the ball to Will Johnson in an emergency.
TE (3) - Miller, Spaeth, James
Duh.
WR (5) - Brown, Wheaton, Bryant, DHB, Coates
Not a fan of the Coates draft pick but it isn't like we can go back that far lol. Anyway, I go this route while counting Murphy as an emergency 6th. Some don't like DHB because he drops balls but the same can be said about Coates and Bryant. Granted Bryant makes up for it by having 600 TD's and 10000 yards but DHB gives you special teams value and good blocking.
OL (8) - Beachum, Foster, Wallace, Gilbert, Decastro, Villanueva, Legursky, Hubbard/FA
The way these guys go down we should probably keep about 11 of them active but there ain't enough good ones. It is a pretty clear cut choice at this point. Can't say I follow the OL too closely so I bolded Hubbards name because I am not sure if you keep him or replace him with a free agent. Only place I am really unsure of anything.
DL (5) - Tuitt, McClendon, Heyward, Thomas, McCullers
I know a lot of you would get rid of Thomas but I think he has looked a lot better. I heard something about him having some off the field issues last year and he was new to the system. Not saying he should be starting but I am comfortable with him having a spot role now.
ILB (5) - Shazier, Timmons, Spence, Williams, Garvin
Duh.
OLB (5) - Harrison, Jones, Dupree, Moats, H. Jones
We need answers here bad from some of these guys. I go with Howard Jones over Chickillo because he flashes better and I think it is easier to teach up consistency than it is to find something special about a guy. Chickillo has been solid but doesn't peak like Jones does.
CB (6) - Gay, Allen, Grant, Blake, Boykin, Fogg
Like OLB I think this is another place we have to find answers so I keep the guys with promise. Webb may look better overall now but Fogg has that special knack for finding the ball and this defense desperately needs turnovers. Both guys will likely get beat in coverage so why not take the one more likely to make up for it with some INT's?
S (6) - Thomas, Mitchell, Allen, Golden, Ventrone, Dangerfield
This position is the most desperate. I don't know that I trust a single one of these guys. Never thought I would say this but Allen is probably our most reliable safety as we sit here today. The only thing to really add is that we should probably keep an eye on free agency for a solid veteran if one pops up.
ST (3) - Scobee, Berry, Warren
Only thing to say here is that I don't think it is a tough decision between Berry and Wing. Berry has out kicked the best we have seen from Wing. How exactly does that equate to a tough decision?