"You've heard people brag about 'being in the zone'. They don't know what the Hell being in the zone is about. I played in the NFL for 15 years and I was only in the zone that one time." - "Mean" Joe Greene on the 1974 playoff victory over Oakland
Maybe something besides his play in preseason is why Skipper was skipped over. We may never know.
I dont know why some think Skipper is such a great player, a polarizing figure that the Steeler need to have on the roster? He is a training camp hero, a Kevin Fogg, Marcus Tucker, Daryl Richardson. Sure he showed some promise against 3rd string Offensive players, but they can likely get him or another similar player as a UDFA next season. Even with Samuels back, they cut Edmunds and are free to sign him if they want. Its not like the rest of the NFL is rushing out to pick up Tuzar Skipper, because they think he is the missing link to winning games.
I'm burning my Skipper jersey!
Or perhaps a John Kuhn, Isaac Redman, or Hines Ward? Or more recently a 'Duck' Hodges? Some training camp heroes actually *do* pan out after all, and you don't know which category Skipper falls into. IMO if you have someone that whoops wholesale ass in the preseason on your team, you should at least give that guy a shot when you have a need at that position.
"You've heard people brag about 'being in the zone'. They don't know what the Hell being in the zone is about. I played in the NFL for 15 years and I was only in the zone that one time." - "Mean" Joe Greene on the 1974 playoff victory over Oakland
Might be scheme fit and roster construction. They are going to have to carry a 3rd QB now, either on the PS or the 53 man roster. That is one less spot for a developmental OLB.
They are going to also carry more RBs to help the rookie QBs not be terrible. Another roster spot that you can not give to a developmental OLB.
Couple those restrictions with the fact that if I remember correctly, Skipper doesn't really play in space. So he doesn't exactly fit with the current version of the "run and hit" defense we are seeing from the Steelers in 2019.
Plus a waiver claim would've meant he had to be on the 53 man roster. For reasons above, he doesn't fit there. I don't think they can give a roster spot to a player they have no plans of dressing. That job is already taken by Donte Moncrief!
So PS -- I guess? I thought they would sign him there, but I guess they are not interested in a developmental OLB with one trick in his bag right now.
The official symbol of the 2019 Steelers roster is a revolving door
Stiller Nation be like
This includes me.
"You've heard people brag about 'being in the zone'. They don't know what the Hell being in the zone is about. I played in the NFL for 15 years and I was only in the zone that one time." - "Mean" Joe Greene on the 1974 playoff victory over Oakland
I doubt he ever sees the field but I'm glad he's back.
I'm glad he made it back.
It was always the plan to sign him back when they released him, but the path back to the team was much longer than anticipated.