2012 Steelers 53 Man Roster Predictions

[Chidi29]

Just something to keep myself amused throughout camp. Like I've done in the past, my predictions for the 53 man roster and practice squad. It'll be updated the further we get into camp. Can't wait to evaluate some preseason games!

QB (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch

RB (5): Rashard Mendenhall, Issac Redman, Chris Rainey, Baron Batch, Jonathan Dwyer

FB (1): Will Johnson

WR (5): Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, Derrick Williams

TE (3): Heath Miller, Leonard Pope, David Paulson

OT (3): Max Starks, Mike Adams, Marcus Gilbert

OG (4): Willie Colon, Trai Essex, Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster

C (1): Maurkice Pouncey

DE (4): Brett Keisel, Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward, Corbin Bryant

NT (3): Casey Hampton, Steve McClendon, Alameda Ta'amu

OLB (3): James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, Chris Carter, Jason Worilds

ILB (5): Lawrence Timmons, Larry Foote, Stevenson Sylvester, Brandon Johnson, Marshall McFadden

CB (4): Ike Taylor, Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen, Curtis Brown

FS (3): Ryan Clark, Robert Golden, Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith

SS (2): Troy Polamalu, Ryan Mundy

K (1): Shaun Suisham

P: (1) Drew Butler

LS (1): Greg Warren

Total: 53

Practice Squad


WR: Toney Clemons
DL: Jake Stoller
LB: Adrian Robinson
OG: John Malecki, Kelvin Beachum
QB: Jerrod Johnson
CB: Josh Victorian, Terrence Frederick

Reserved/Suspended
Wes Saunders

Injured Reserve
Mortty Ivy
David DeCastro
Sean Spence

-------------

Updated 8/11

Took David Johnson off after torn ACL.
Added Jonathan Dwyer to 53. Moved John Clay off of it and put on practice squad.
Added Walter McFadden.
Added Drew Butler to 53. Cut Jeremy Kapinos.
Added Adrian Robinson to practice squad. Cut Ryan Baker.

Updated 8/22

Added FB Will Johnson to 53.
Added Jamie McCoy, took off David Paulson.
Took Rashard Mendenhall and Casey Hampton off PUP and onto 53.
Removed Kelvin Beachum from 53.
Placed Jason Worilds on PUP List.
Took John Clay off practice squad.
Added David Paulson, Kelvin Beachum to practice squad.
Took Al Woods off practice squad, added Kade Weston.
Added Morty Ivy to 53. Cut Walter McFadden, placed on practice squad.

Updated 8/26

Cut Toney Clemons, put on PS.
Put DeCastro, Ivy on IR.
Added David Gilreath to the 53.
Cut Jamie McCoy after he was cut.
Added David Paulson to 53.
Took Walter McFadden, Kade Weston off PS. Added Josh Victorian and Mike Blanc.
Added Marquize Maze to PS.
Added Robert Golden (DCS or Golden could be cut after Week 1)
Took Blanc of PS, added Jake Stoller.

Updated 8/31

Took Jason Worilds off PUP, put on 53.
Cut David Gilreath, added Derrick Williams to 53.
Cut Al Woods.
Placed Sean Spence on IR.
Added Marshall McFadden to 53. Could just be temp until Sly comes back.
Cut Frederick from the 53, put on PS.
Cut Maze from PS.

[Galax Steeler]

So are you thinking that Dwyer is going to be the odd man out? I thought he might have a chance to make it.

[Animal Mother]

Dude, I don't have time to read 53 roster predictions. Just make it one prediction.

[7willBheaven]

First of all Chidi...you have 55 guys listed on the team...while your numbers inside ()'s add up...for the OLB's you have 3, but 4 listed and ILB you have 4 but 5 listed.

Now as far as my thoughts on your roster...

I see Dwyer being RB #4 not Clay.

I'm not so sure they keep 6 WRs...Maze could go to PS...as Rainey can play a 6th WR if needed...but if Maze wows then sure.

You're cutting Legursky? I know Essex can play C...but thats interesting...not so sure with that decision.

If Hampton is on the PUP at the beginning of the season...I see them only keeping 2 NTs possibly...but I could be wrong.

Brandon Johnson could make the team but right now I see him on the outside looking in...and W. McFadden...could but a cut also.

Will Allen...while I'd be fine with cutting him as I think Cro-Smith does just as good as him on ST...I have a hard time thinking they'd cut Allen...but in the end I think it'd for the better if they did. They could easily keep 5 S's and 5 CB's this year too.

Kapinos could be in for a little battle with Butler...but who knows. I think Butler has a better chance to beat Kapinos than the other K has to beat Suisham.

I read Al Woods cannot go in a PS at this point he is not eligible.

[Psycho Ward 86]

no way does Clay make it over Dwyer. Clay is just not cut out for the NFL. he's just not tough and dynamic enough. He played last year exactly like he did in college. Who the heck is Kade Weston by the way

[Chidi29]

First of all Chidi...you have 55 guys listed on the team...while your numbers inside ()'s add up...for the OLB's you have 3, but 4 listed and ILB you have 4 but 5 listed.

Now as far as my thoughts on your roster...

I see Dwyer being RB #4 not Clay.

I'm not so sure they keep 6 WRs...Maze could go to PS...as Rainey can play a 6th WR if needed...but if Maze wows then sure.

You're cutting Legursky? I know Essex can play C...but thats interesting...not so sure with that decision.

If Hampton is on the PUP at the beginning of the season...I see them only keeping 2 NTs possibly...but I could be wrong.

Brandon Johnson could make the team but right now I see him on the outside looking in...and W. McFadden...could but a cut also.

Will Allen...while I'd be fine with cutting him as I think Cro-Smith does just as good as him on ST...I have a hard time thinking they'd cut Allen...but in the end I think it'd for the better if they did. They could easily keep 5 S's and 5 CB's this year too.

Kapinos could be in for a little battle with Butler...but who knows. I think Butler has a better chance to beat Kapinos than the other K has to beat Suisham.

I read Al Woods cannot go in a PS at this point he is not eligible.

Well, I guess that's why I shouldn't type these things up at one in the morning. Took Maze and McFadden off.

Dwyer and Clay are pretty similar to me. Big backs with weight concerns without a special quality who are slightly overvalued by fans. I just went with Clay because his pass protection can't be any worse than Dwyer's. It's subject to change and a trube camp battle.

With all the talent added to the line, it's time to cut some of the fat. Legursky's ability to play three positions is not the unique quality that got him a job. That's become the norm on this line, especially now that Essex could play center. So it comes down to ability. And Legursky has already hit his ceiling and it isn't very pretty.

Weston would probably be an inactive but the depth is nice especially when you're dealing with on the whole, a young DL (Weston himself being young). Don't know if we'll carry 6 DL. He'd get moved to the PS when Hampton comes off.

Always great to have a veteran with a lot of experence on special teams. A Keyaron Fox or Clint Kriedwalt from the Cowher days.

Allen was practically non-existant last year and just muddled around on special teams. Mundy has been around long enough and is the backup and both safety spots. Time to get fresh legs on the roster. Smith has some experience on kick coverage, too.

Sure, Butler could challenge. But I imagine Kapinos is the guy right now and Butler will have to earn it. So if we see Butler start booming them in the preseason (offenses will sputter so he'll have chances), this could change. This roster is not set in stone by any means.

Hmm..didn't know that about Woods.

[Chidi29]

no way does Clay make it over Dwyer. Clay is just not cut out for the NFL. he's just not tough and dynamic enough. He played last year exactly like he did in college. Who the heck is Kade Weston by the way

I wouldn't call Dwyer "dynamic" either. And at least Clay isn't coming off injury. Though Dwyer passed the run test so that's something.

Weston is a second year kid out of Georgia. Think he was with New England last year. Good amount of bulk and I liked him the limited tape I saw.

[ALLD]

Dennis Dixon and Limas Sweed! Brett Favre too!!!

[zulater]

No way Legurskey gets cut. And Foster is the next guy up if a guard goes down.

Essex is history, he will be an early cut.

[zulater]

no way does Clay make it over Dwyer. Clay is just not cut out for the NFL. he's just not tough and dynamic enough. He played last year exactly like he did in college. Who the heck is Kade Weston by the way

Agree.

[Chidi29]

No way Legurskey gets cut. And Foster is the next guy up if a guard goes down.

Essex is history, he will be an early cut.

I haven't forgotten about our bet.

Essex can play anywhere on the line. On a Tomlin team, that usually only dresses 7 on gameday, that is huge.

[zulater]

I haven't forgotten about our bet.

Essex can play anywhere on the line. On a Tomlin team, that usually only dresses 7 on gameday, that is huge.

Yeah he can play anywhere on the line. Just not very good.

With Starks, Legurskey, Foster, and Colon there's plenty of versatility along the line with guys that can actually play.

[Chidi29]

Yeah he can play anywhere on the line. Just not very good.

With Starks, Legurskey, Foster, and Colon there's plenty of versatility along the line with guys that can actually play.

Legursky isn't exactly Dirt Dawson either.

Essex is still unique because he plays all five. And has Sunday experience at them all.

[Nadroj 20]

I'm not sure that I can say Dwyer is above and beyond Clay so I agree that one can be a toss up.

[zulater]

Legursky isn't exactly Dirt Dawson either.

Essex is still unique because he plays all five. And has Sunday experience at them all.

Career wise I think his most extensive "Sunday experience" is chilling on the inactive list.

[Chidi29]

I'm not sure that I can say Dwyer is above and beyond Clay so I agree that one can be a toss up.

Don't know where that sentiment comes from either. Neither have proven much of anything. Both have one memorable run in their career.

[Count Steeler]

Good work Chidi. I'm rooting for Kelvin Beachum as well. Would be nice if Clemons has a good game or 2 early and puts extra pressure on Wallace.

[7willBheaven]

By the way Chidi...the real Chidi is interning apparently...

http://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/s...66099040542720

And as a side note I'm on your side with Essex...I don't get all the hate on him...he hasn't been a superstar, but in most cases he has been dependable and played well MOST of the time...not great, but well.

[Chidi29]

By the way Chidi...the real Chidi is interning apparently...

http://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/s...66099040542720

And as a side note I'm on your side with Essex...I don't get all the hate on him...he hasn't been a superstar, but in most cases he has been dependable and played well MOST of the time...not great, but well.

I heard about that the other day...friend who attends SVC is working as in intern. From what he told me, Chidi is scouting. I know that the past couple years, he was back at his alma mater Cal working with student athletes on matters outside of the football field.

Essex isn't that good and I wouldn't trust him if he had to start for any length of time but again, versatility is so key anywhere. Especially along the offensive line (which, fingers crossed, is bound to suffer injuries again this year).

[Chidi29]

Good work Chidi. I'm rooting for Kelvin Beachum as well. Would be nice if Clemons has a good game or 2 early and puts extra pressure on Wallace.

Beachum sounds like a really smart kid who picked up the playbook fast in the way Pouncey did. He'll get reps at guard and I think he could play LT. The report coming out was that he was too short, but he has 33 inch arms which is fine for the position. If anything, the "lack" of height just helps him in the leverage war.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Im going to take Legursky over Essex as well. i cant even remember the last time Essex played center for us. Legursky has shown that he can fill the center spot competently, and he is definitely a better guard. 2009, Essex starting all year at right guard? Remember that? Seriously fellas, dont get me started lol. Legursky's lack of length shows up when he plays guard, a position that doesnt require length as much as OT, so im sure Essex has the definite edge there, but 2/3 is still an advantage to me. If our O-line gets banged up to shreds again, and for some reason we need a tackle behind Starks, Adams, and Gilbert...I say Foster would suffice. Essex is just too damn soft no matter where he plays. We have plenty of guards either way, and i think 4 tackles/flex tackles is enough (starks, adams, gilbert, foster). Hell if we need more depth behind that because of injuries, Colon can always swing back out. He's been unappreciated out there at right tackle, more than satisfactory, with or without the false start penalties everyone jokes about.

As for Dwyer vs. Clay. Totally agree that neither are very dynamic, but Clay is clearly inferior to Dwyer in terms of agility, speed, and yards after contact. And of the two, only Dwyer can be crowned a one hit wonder if he fails here on out. Clay isnt even good enough to hold that title. A 10 yard TD run against the last ranked run defense in the league? not what i would call a memorable run. Maybe for Clay..

[Chidi29]

Im going to take Legursky over Essex as well. i cant even remember the last time Essex played center for us. Legursky has shown that he can fill the center spot competently, and he is definitely a better guard. 2009, Essex starting all year at right guard? Remember that? Seriously fellas, dont get me started lol. Legursky's lack of length shows up when he plays guard, a position that doesnt require length as much as OT, so im sure Essex has the definite edge there, but 2/3 is still an advantage to me. If our O-line gets banged up to shreds again, and for some reason we need a tackle behind Starks, Adams, and Gilbert...I say Foster would suffice. Essex is just too damn soft no matter where he plays. We have plenty of guards either way, and i think 4 tackles/flex tackles is enough (starks, adams, gilbert, foster). Hell if we need more depth behind that because of injuries, Colon can always swing back out. He's been unappreciated out there at right tackle, more than satisfactory, with or without the false start penalties everyone jokes about.

As for Dwyer vs. Clay. Totally agree that neither are very dynamic, but Clay is clearly inferior to Dwyer in terms of agility, speed, and yards after contact. And of the two, only Dwyer can be crowned a one hit wonder if he fails here on out. Clay isnt even good enough to hold that title. A 10 yard TD run against the last ranked run defense in the league? not what i would call a memorable run. Maybe for Clay..

Essex has one start. Last year vs Jacksonville. Got a lot of praise from Tomlin for it, I'm surprised you don't remember it. And I'm sure he's gotten a lot of practice reps there last year and will continue this season.

Neither Essex nor Legursky are starting caliber. Maybe you think otherwise about Doug but to me, he's just a backup. So what becomes a deciding factor? Versatility. We have a guy that fits Tomlin's gameday mindset perfectly. Dress 7 lineman. Those two backups obviously have to be versatile. So doesn't it make sense to hang onto a guy that can be "plug 'n play" anywhere? So you have Essex who can do something no other lineman on the team can. Most of the other backups can play two or three positions. Foster can play both guard spots and right tackle in a pinch (He's gotten a few snaps there in game and did it at Tennessee. Even played LT there and got practice reps at C). Beachum will learn guard and have LT and guard under his belt (possibly center too). If Starks goes to the bench, he could play both tackle spots.

So then it comes down to talent. And I love Doug's lunch-pail attitude that makes him a true lineman. He's earned everything he's gotten. Nothing was given to him as a UDFA who doesn't have your typical lineman mold. But his run blocking is just average and his pass protection is the worst on the team. The bar on the offensive line has been raised both in posiion flexibilty (required across the board) and talent. He can't last forever.

I don't think we can make much of a determination about what Dwyer and Clay can bring to the table. Sample size just too small. Better man in camp wins, simple as that.

[LLT]

QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch

RB: Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, Baron Batch, Chris Rainey (John Clay on practice squad/ Mendenhall on PUP)

FB: David Johnson

TE: Heath Miller, Leonard Pope, David Paulson....(Suspended: Weslye Saunders)

WR: Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, Toney Clemons

OT: Marcus Gilbert, Mike Adams, Trai Essex, Max Starks (Essex...OT/OG....Chris Scott also has a chance to make the roster)

OG: Willie Colon, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky....(Outside chance that Kelvin Beachum makes the final roster, but I have him on the practice squad as of now.)

OC: Maurkice Pouncey

DE: Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Cameron Heyward, Corbin Bryant

DT: Steve McLendon, Alameda Ta’amu, Kade Weston…..(Hampton starting season on PUP….Al Woods or Kade Weston on the roster until he returns)

OLB: James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, Jason Worilds, Chris Carter

ILB: Lawrence Timmons, Larry Foote, Stevenson Sylvester, Sean Spence, Brandon Johnson

CB: Ike Taylor, Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen, Curtis Brown, Terrence Frederick

Safety: Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Ryan Mundy, Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith....(Will Allen or Myron Rolle may be on the roster for the first game since Clark won’t play in Denver)

Kicker: Shaun Suisham

Punter: Drew Butler

LS: Greg Warren

PS:
LB: Morty Ivy,
RB: John Clay
OG: Kelvin Beachum
OG: John Malecki
CB: Terry Carter
TE: Jamie McCoy (David Paulson gets this slot when Saunders comes back from suspension)
QB: Jerrod Johnson
S: Myron Rolle

[Chidi29]

Slight updates to the roster after one week of play.

[Chidi29]

Updated.

[zulater]

You still clinging to the fantasy that Essex will make it and Legursky wont?

I hear that Legurskey might be used as a fullback in goal line situations once the season starts.

[Chidi29]

You still clinging to the fantasy that Essex will make it and Legursky wont?

I hear that Legurskey might be used as a fullback in goal line situations once the season starts.

I'm trying but Kelvin Beachum didn't make it easy on me.

[steelreserve]

I don't think there's any way Legursky is cut. They're not going to carry only 8 linemen; that's injury suicide considering how often those guys are beat up. Two guys end up with stupid little injuries like sprained ankles or groin pulls at the same time, and you're screwed. And you just cut a player who was better than any of the backups who are still available.

Far more likely one of those marginal linebackers ends up on the practice squad or cut. There are a lot of them who haven't seen any meaningful action, and I doubt Worilds is going to miss the entire first 6 weeks of the season either for that matter. I'd also say carrying 3 guys who can ONLY play NT would be a rarity unless we also expect McClendon could serve as the fourth-string DE in a pinch, which would be bad news for Bryant.

Or, maybe we only carry 4 RBs and there's a battle between Batch and Dwyer. But I bet that roster spot comes out of something other than OL.

[86WARD]

Intend to agree and with how "injury prone" Pouncey has been, Legurskybis a solid back up center. He's a guy that has talent to back up in multiple positions. He should be on the roster.

[Chidi29]

I don't think there's any way Legursky is cut. They're not going to carry only 8 linemen; that's injury suicide considering how often those guys are beat up. Two guys end up with stupid little injuries like sprained ankles or groin pulls at the same time, and you're screwed. And you just cut a player who was better than any of the backups who are still available.

Far more likely one of those marginal linebackers ends up on the practice squad or cut. There are a lot of them who haven't seen any meaningful action, and I doubt Worilds is going to miss the entire first 6 weeks of the season either for that matter. I'd also say carrying 3 guys who can ONLY play NT would be a rarity unless we also expect McClendon could serve as the fourth-string DE in a pinch, which would be bad news for Bryant.

Or, maybe we only carry 4 RBs and there's a battle between Batch and Dwyer. But I bet that roster spot comes out of something other than OL.

I did stick with nine for awhile because that's what they carried last year but we only carry seven active on gameday. So even if guys get hurt during the game, we're not going to have four backup lineman. And I have two on the PS so if we need to call someone up during the week, we can.

Those linebackers offer a lot of special teams value, huge when you're looking for players to round out your roster. I didn't think Worilds was going to miss this much time so nothing would surprise me at this point. Haven't heard a peep about him being close to coming back. And with the injury to Sly and not wanting to move Timmons back to OLB, we need a little more depth there.

So which NT aren't you carrying? You're cutting Ta'amu? Not a chance.