Preseason Finale and cuts/options

[Born2Steel]

One week to go before the steelers have to decide on 53 players to put on the roster and who makes the PS and who gets the handshake and thanks for your time.

A few positions still contain some interesting discussion angles...

QB - Obviously Ben is your week 1-SB starter. My opinion is Rudolph has clearly won the backup role over Dobbs and Hodges. My issue with Dobbs has ALWAYS been his short to intermediate throws where he routinely throws high, inaccurate passes. But damn he sure throws a pretty deep ball. And his mobility to extend plays or simple tuck and run is top notch too. Then there's Hodges who is insanely accurate in the short to intermediate range passes, but we have no idea what his deep balls look like, not really. Hodges also has mobility and escapability just not on par with Dobbs. My thinking is why not let these 2 QBs battle it out for the 3rd QB role in the 4th preseason game this week? Let one start and play the entire 1st half. Then the other plays the entire 2nd half. One earns a roster spot and the other to the PS. Both Dobbs and Hodges are eligible for the PS. Maybe one gets poached but we're talking about the 4th string QB here.

WR - The Steelers most likely keep 6 on the 53. JuJu, Wash, Moncreif, Johnson are the definite locks. Eli and Switzer are not so sure thing locks. And Spencer, Holton, Jones, and Griffey are battling for either a 6th WR spot or a PS spot. I would like to see these 6 WRs play with Dobbs and Hodges(see QB above) in this 4th preseason game to allow players to separate themselves. 3 will have a role with the Steelers, 3 are walking. I say put the ball into their control some and let's see who can step up.

Backup LBs and ST - What seems to be the deciding factor for keeping backup LBs is their ability to play ST. Looks to me that Watt, Dupree, Bush, and VW have their roles nailed down. Let the rest play D and ST in the 4th preseason game to establish the rest of the pecking order.

Bottom line is; who cares who wins these battles. The point is to field the best team with the best players. The ONLY way to cut through these tough decisions is to let the fringe players battle it out on the field. The score of the game does not matter. The incumbent vs new guy does not matter. Either the guy is a good enough player to win his spot when the heat is on or he becomes some other team's problem.

[polamalubeast]

I hope Skipper will stay with the steelers...

The steelers need to keep the best players and keep the players with the most potential .... We know that Chickillo is just an average backup at best!...The argument for Chickillo is the special teams, but our special teams were garbage last year (27th in DVOA), so it's not as if his players make our special team elite!...The special teams are the easiest unit to learn ... I do not understand why Skipper did not have a playing time in the special team yesterday!

And for the WR position, I changed my mind for Spencer after yesterday's game...I do not think he's good enough to keep him...

He did nothing as WR in the preseason .... I think he'll be in the practice squad if the steelers can.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

One week to go before the steelers have to decide on 53 players to put on the roster and who makes the PS and who gets the handshake and thanks for your time.

A few positions still contain some interesting discussion angles...

QB - Obviously Ben is your week 1-SB starter. My opinion is Rudolph has clearly won the backup role over Dobbs and Hodges. My issue with Dobbs has ALWAYS been his short to intermediate throws where he routinely throws high, inaccurate passes. But damn he sure throws a pretty deep ball. And his mobility to extend plays or simple tuck and run is top notch too. Then there's Hodges who is insanely accurate in the short to intermediate range passes, but we have no idea what his deep balls look like, not really. Hodges also has mobility and escapability just not on par with Dobbs. My thinking is why not let these 2 QBs battle it out for the 3rd QB role in the 4th preseason game this week? Let one start and play the entire 1st half. Then the other plays the entire 2nd half. One earns a roster spot and the other to the PS. Both Dobbs and Hodges are eligible for the PS. Maybe one gets poached but we're talking about the 4th string QB here.

WR - The Steelers most likely keep 6 on the 53. JuJu, Wash, Moncreif, Johnson are the definite locks. Eli and Switzer are not so sure thing locks. And Spencer, Holton, Jones, and Griffey are battling for either a 6th WR spot or a PS spot. I would like to see these 6 WRs play with Dobbs and Hodges(see QB above) in this 4th preseason game to allow players to separate themselves. 3 will have a role with the Steelers, 3 are walking. I say put the ball into their control some and let's see who can step up.

Backup LBs and ST - What seems to be the deciding factor for keeping backup LBs is their ability to play ST. Looks to me that Watt, Dupree, Bush, and VW have their roles nailed down. Let the rest play D and ST in the 4th preseason game to establish the rest of the pecking order.

Bottom line is; who cares who wins these battles. The point is to field the best team with the best players. The ONLY way to cut through these tough decisions is to let the fringe players battle it out on the field. The score of the game does not matter. The incumbent vs new guy does not matter. Either the guy is a good enough player to win his spot when the heat is on or he becomes some other team's problem.

I agree about the QB's and as I said in the game day thread. Far as I'm concern Rudolph lock up the 2 spot and wouldn't even play him this week. Yep let Hodges and Dobbs both have a half each and would actually let Hodges start the first half since we didn't get a look at him starting a game.

- - - Updated - - -

I hope Skipper will stay with the steelers...

The steelers need to keep the best players and keep the players with the most potential .... We know that Chickillo is just an average backup at best!...The argument for Chickillo is the special teams, but our special teams were garbage last year (27th in DVOA), so it's not as if his players make our special team elite!...The special teams are the easiest unit to learn ... I do not understand why Skipper did not have a playing time in the special team yesterday!

And for the WR position, I changed my mind for Spencer after yesterday's game...I do not think he's good enough to keep him...

He did nothing as WR in the preseason .... I think he'll be in the practice squad if the steelers can.

Spencer had a nice 20 some yard wr reverse run when they was interviewing JUJU.You could hear the crowd going ahh and got to love that speed him brings.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Also about Spencer and think he is what the Steelers wanted Archer to be and Spencer doesn't go down on the first bump.

[hawaiiansteeler]

whoever the Steelers cut, as soon as they announce it I'll be ready to tell them what they did wrong...

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

whoever the Steelers cut, as soon as they announce it I'll be ready to tell them what they did wrong...

I will support whatever decision the Steelers make. Actually may agree with it and they listen to me when I suggested they should draft Watt and then this year Snell.

[hawaiiansteeler]

I will support whatever decision the Steelers make. Actually may agree with it and they listen to me when I suggested they should draft Watt and then this year Snell.

ten years ago I suggested to the Steelers that they should draft Rob Gronkowski, instead they selected Ziggy Hood.

can you imagine a two TE formation of Rob Gronkowski and Heath Miller?

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

ten years ago I suggested to the Steelers that they should draft Rob Gronkowski, instead they selected Ziggy Hood.

can you imagine a two TE formation of Rob Gronkowski and Heath Miller?

Damn that would have been cool.

[polamalubeast]

ten years ago I suggested to the Steelers that they should draft Rob Gronkowski, instead they selected Ziggy Hood.

can you imagine a two TE formation of Rob Gronkowski and Heath Miller?

Not in the same draft...Hood was in 2009,Gronk was in 2010....Gronk had been drafted 42nd in 2010 and 10 pick later the Steelers drafted Jason Worilds who is still for me a WTF pick since it was not a need at this time.

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...2010/draft.htm

[BlackAndGold]

Skipper >> 6th WR, Artie Burns.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Skipper >> 6th WR, Artie Burns.

Skipper's weakness is he doesn't cover kicks and punts...

[BlackAndGold]

Skipper's weakness is he doesn't cover kicks and punts...

Yes I know, I've been on record talking about the importance of special teams abilty for players that is on the lower end of the depth charts(All the time I spent defending DHB smh) but what will the 6th WR do? Swtizer alone will offer anything Rogers/Spencer can do, Holton has not done enough from what I've seen. Burns was fooled by a fair catch on a punt return and lost the ball which went in the end zone(Can't fix stupid with that guy)

Hopefully they put Skipper out there to prove himself but there is a place for him, special teams play or not. Rather see a young impressive pass rusher on the team than a inactive 6th WR that also can't cover on ST's or someone like Artie Burns who does nothing well.

[teegre]

Skipper >> 6th WR, Artie Burns.

I don’t know about that.

Burns has looked good, and he’s been playing against the first-string offenses. Skipper has been wreaking havoc, but honestly, it’s against “practice-squad level” competition.

[BlackAndGold]

I don’t know about that.

Burns has looked good, and he’s been playing against the first-string offenses. Skipper has been wreaking havoc, but honestly, it’s against “practice-squad level” competition.

Burns has done well but we've seen this story. He knows how to preform when the games don't count.

Practice squad level or not Skipper is out there producing, just like Ola last season(whom btw didn't play on special teams). He's beating tackles with rip moves, destroying tight ends.

[teegre]

Burns has done well but we've seen this story. He knows how to preform when the games don't count.

Practice squad level or not Skipper is out there producing, just like Ola last season(whom btw didn't play on special teams). He's beating tackles with rip moves, destroying tight ends.

No disagreement about Skipper playing well.

I just do not feel that Burns is the player that the Steelers should cut in order to keep him. Cut someone else. Because, if it does indeed come down to those two, I’m keeping Burns.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

No disagreement about Skipper playing well.

I just do not feel that Burns is the player that the Steelers should cut in order to keep him. Cut someone else. Because, if it does indeed come down to those two, I’m keeping Burns.

I was a guy in Burns draft year that only thought he was worthy of a R3-R5 selection. I don't think he has shown yet to be a competent starter. But, I agree with you and the reason why is that I think he has looked good in the preseason, the possible coaching of Teryl Austin may be part of that or the 4th year maturity in the league.

Skipper is playing well in the time that he gets, but I would also like to see him against some of the 1's and 2's, not just making big plays late in the game against guys that wont be on an NFL roster in a couple weeks. Maybe keep 3 RB, 8 O line and get Skipper on the roster that way. Not by cutting the #5 CB.

[polamalubeast]

[Mojouw]

It comes down to Chickillo vs. Skipper. The other roster spots are not going to shift to keep another OLB in my opinion. Tomlin and company like a deep and varied roster set-up.

The case for Chickillo is special teams and veteran savvy. The case for Tupac is that he just dominates back-ups and looks to have the foundation to build on to get better against starting caliber players.

I think anyone who has read my posts over the years knows that in my role as "fantasy gm" I will always pick the younger, high upside player, over the established mid-tier veteran. I'm heartless that way.

I say let's start the hype train for Tupac and Marcus Allen 2.0 pushing Chickfilet and Dangerfield off the 53 man roster.

[Born2Steel]

Dobbs to start then Rudolph to finish the first half. I think Tomlin actually read my suggestion and once he was done laughing at it he started singing, “This is how we do it”. Maybe we will see Hodges for the entire 2nd half.

[polamalubeast]

I am not alone who don't understand why Kipper is not playing in the special team ....

[polamalubeast]

[polamalubeast]

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

This is so true. Josh Mauro is the only guy I can think of that recently wasn't on the 53 and got poached from the Steelers.

[Mojouw]

Get Skipper on the roster by cutting Chickillo. I know he just resigned, but he isn't as necessary now because Alphabet Soup and Tupac have shown they can be capable back-ups/rotational pass rushers.

Plus, like someone else said, how important can his special teams contributions really be? The Steelers were still ranked really low.

[polamalubeast]

Get Skipper on the roster by cutting Chickillo. I know he just resigned, but he isn't as necessary now because Alphabet Soup and Tupac have shown they can be capable back-ups/rotational pass rushers.

Plus, like someone else said, how important can his special teams contributions really be? The Steelers were still ranked really low.

Yeah,27th last year in DVOA in special team last year for the steelers.

[GoSlash27]

The LB situation really pains me. We have some really good rookies this year, and not enough room for all of them. Perhaps we should keep them and try to wrangle a deal for better TE and secondary options?

[FrancoLambert]

I’d take a gamble on Tupac and Alphabet Soup over Chickillo from what I’ve seen.
Really, has Chickillo displayed any big play ability at all?

[polamalubeast]

I’d take a gamble on Tupac and Alphabet Soup over Chickillo from what I’ve seen.
Really, has Chickillo displayed any big play ability at all?

No and he is nothing special on the special team..

[hawaiiansteeler]

No and he is nothing special on the special team..

New England offered Chickillo a 2 year $8 million contract that we matched. he must have some redeeming qualities...

[HollywoodSteel]

New England offered Chickillo a 2 year $8 million contract that we matched. he must have some redeeming qualities...

Obviously NE only did that because they knew we’d match and then be committed to him. That way they could scoop whatever rookie phenom we’d inevitably cut as a result.

Once again, NE is playing three dimensional roller chess while we’re playing poop-chutes and ladders.