Final 5 Cuts Made - Steelers Now at 53-Man Roster Limit

[fansince'76]

The five players released today include cornerback Crezdon Butler, offensive lineman Tony Hills, tight end John Gilmore, punter Jeremy Kapinos and defensive lineman Jarrett Crittenton.

http://www.steelers.com/news/article...f-9c3f00e538f2

[KeiselPower99]

Surprised Butler was cut but he didn't show enough to keep his spot. They had a real tough decision at punter but Sepulveda showed enough.

[fansince'76]

Someone's gonna get a pretty decent punter in Kapinos. Hope Sep stays healthy, because I don't think Kapinos is going to remain available for long.

[43Hitman]

Im really surprised about Kapinos. I thought he had outperformed Sep all the way.

[BigNastyDefense]

Someone's gonna get a pretty decent punter in Kapinos. Hope Sep stays healthy, because I don't think Kapinos is going to remain available for long.

Hell, he might be signed by the Browns asap. They lost their punter to a torn ACL in training camp.

[HollywoodSteel]

Wow, Hills sure took a nose dive from starting guard to being cut. I doubt anyone will pick him up so he'll still be around if we sustain an injury. I am surprised about Butler though. Does anyone know if he was active in too many games last year to be on PS?

[Pittsburgh43]

Really glad Wes Saunders made the team.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Really glad Wes Saunders made the team.

me too. i love upside, a little too much sometimes ill admit, but he could turn into something else.

really surprised on the otherhand to see the COMBINATION of Donovan Warren/Crezdon Butler getting cut. I guess it's another "upside" thing seeing how they got cut and Cortez Allen made it. I have a hard time believing Tony Hills went from potential starting guard to a roster casualty as well. Very strange...especially after all the love he was getting from the coaching staff...

[X-Terminator]

Im really surprised about Kapinos. I thought he had outperformed Sep all the way.

I thought so too, but that's the way it goes. It wasn't like Sep was terrible, though - I thought he did a good job in his own right coming off major knee surgery.

[Psycho Ward 86]

3 ACL tears for Sepulveda correct? how many of them were on his punting knee?

[43Hitman]

I thought so too, but that's the way it goes. It wasn't like Sep was terrible, though - I thought he did a good job in his own right coming off major knee surgery.

Those knee's worry me though. If I had to choose between a younger guy that punts just as far, if not farther than Sep, and is as accurate with healthy knee's, I'm taking the younger healthier guy.

I'm not bashing Sep, I like him fine, just color me confused with this move.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I'm surprised about Hills and Butler. Not sure how someone goes from being talked about as the starting RG to getting cut. I don't know what happened to Butler but I'm tired of seeing us continually drafting CBs that can't play in the NFL. Seems like our scouts aren't doing a very good job. Yea, these guys aren't high draft picks but we should be able to at least find a dependable nickleback in the 3rd or 4th round.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Those knee's worry me though. If I had to choose between a younger guy that punts just as far, if not farther than Sep, and is as accurate with healthy knee's, I'm taking the younger healthier guy.

I'm not bashing Sep, I like him fine, just color me confused with this move.

Agreed. Kapinos out-punted Sep by quite a bit in the preseason. The move doesn't make any sense.

[GBMelBlount]

Im really surprised about Kapinos. I thought he had outperformed Sep all the way.

Agreed. Plus with Seps injury history...

[Edman]

Keeping Sep makes no sense especially when Kapinos outplayed him all preseason. Butler is young and raw and we'll probably see him on the PS. Seeing Warren cut is disappointing as well. Hills has been mediocre all his time here and looks like he didn't seize his starting opportunity.

Oh well, Secondary is still a problem that the Steelers weren't able to fix this year. Another year of China Doll BMac, and Useless Gay getting burned in the secondary. Hope Troy doesn't get hurt.

Glad Wes Saunders made the team.

[suitanim]

Really surprised at Hills. I guess he couldn't unseat the existing starting guards. I thought he played really well in the preseason. Gotta think Essex's flexibility is what did him in.

Also wonder about Warren. He seemed to be coming along nicely.

Do you think William Gay has "pictures" of Tomlin or something? How does this guy keep making the roster?

[Steeldude]

i am not surprised at hills being cut. he should have been cut last year. he has shown no promise at all since he arrived. it says a lot about a player who couldn't beat out essex or j. scott

[Count Steeler]

Keeping Sep is an answer to HTG's prayers. Surprised Hills fell so far from grace.

[86WARD]

Not surprised they kept Saunders. Not surprised they kept the good luck charm. Tony Hills cut? WTF? His camp was strong! Little surprised at Butler but not as much as I am at Hills...

[suitanim]

It came down to Essex being able to play every OL position, I think. Hopefully the line stays healthy, they build some rapport, and it doesn't end up mattering.

[Moose]

It's a shame we couldn't keep BOTH--Sep. and Kapino's. I like Sep. alot, and I like how he can pretty well target where to put the ball, but his knee's worry the hell out of me and it would be nice to know that we would have had Kapino there just in case needed.

[LLT]

Those knee's worry me though. If I had to choose between a younger guy that punts just as far, if not farther than Sep, and is as accurate with healthy knee's, I'm taking the younger healthier guy.

I'm not bashing Sep, I like him fine, just color me confused with this move.

I think I understand where the FO is coming from. They have seen enough of both Sep and Kapinos OUTSIDE of the preseason to not have to make their decision based on those 4 games alone.

Dont forget that Sep was the #7 overall punter in the league when he got hurt last year. From that point of view Sep is the better option based on "body of work".

[7willBheaven]

Not surprised about some of these...but am especially about Hills. Like most of you said from starting RG and having a good camp to being cut? Something odd there...especially keeping C Scott over him when Scott did start strong but then kind of went downhill. I'm sure the coaches know what they're doing though. I'm going to assume Legursky is the new starting RG? Butler would be my next surprise cut...they decided to keep 7 DL instead of 6...which meant someone had to go...and they felt it was Butler (and not say Battle)...I like the kids potential...and i really hope he makes it to the PS. Sep versus Kapinos...they were fairly neck and neck I think...and I personally favor Sep...but the injuries (to his plant leg for the person who asked) are worrisome...heres to a healthy year for Sep.

[sactownsteeler]

I am glad Saunders made the team I think he will see the field and will be a huge upgrade over Spaeth! Suprised about Butler, Warren and Hills and keeping Battle. Kick offs arent a big deal anymore and I think one of the CB's could've replaced him and added some depth in our weakest area. Keeping C Scott over Hills was a big surprise because he seemed like he finally was making plays and I havent seen much from Scott that would make him a keeper but then again I am not a coach nor a scout so I am sure they saw a lot that I didnt.
Didnt care which punter we kept Sep is nice because he can tackle if he needs to and is athletic back there but he is also a risk with injuries.....

[Burghfan58]

Agreed. Kapinos out-punted Sep by quite a bit in the preseason. The move doesn't make any sense.

Plus I'm sure Sep counts a lot more against the cap as well.

[LLT]

Wow, Hills sure took a nose dive from starting guard to being cut. I doubt anyone will pick him up so he'll still be around if we sustain an injury. I am surprised about Butler though. Does anyone know if he was active in too many games last year to be on PS?

Of course all rookies are elgible for the PS..but to answer your question, here are the ALL the players (besides rooks) who are still elgible:

CB- Crezdon Butler
K- Swayze Butler
S- Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith
WR- Tyler Grisham
LB- Mortty Ivy
RB- James Johnson
OT- Kyle Jolly
WR- Wes Lyons
OG- John Malecki
LB- Chris McCoy
TE- Jamie McCoy
DT- Steve McLendon
OT- Chris Scott
CB- Donovan Warren

[7willBheaven]

Of course all rookies are elgible for the PS..but to answer your question, here are the ALL the players (besides rooks) who are still elgible:

CB- Crezdon Butler
K- Swayze Butler
S- Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith
WR- Tyler Grisham
LB- Mortty Ivy
RB- James Johnson
OT- Kyle Jolly
WR- Wes Lyons
OG- John Malecki
LB- Chris McCoy
TE- Jamie McCoy
DT- Steve McLendon
OT- Chris Scott
CB- Donovan Warren

I'm assuming you're just naming all players eligible...as C Scott and McLendon made the team...

Out of that list though Id like Butler, Cro-Smith, Warren, and Ivy for sure...and Williams from this years draft....and a WR between Lyons and Grisham...and I dunno the rest, haha.

[X-Terminator]

I understand why people preferred Kapinos over Sep, but when healthy, Sep is one of the better punters in the league. The key, though, is when healthy. His knees are definitely a concern since he's blown out both of them in his career and on his plant leg twice. Kapinos will not be unemployed for long, you would think.

Of course all rookies are elgible for the PS..but to answer your question, here are the ALL the players (besides rooks) who are still elgible:

CB- Crezdon Butler
K- Swayze Butler
S- Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith
WR- Tyler Grisham
LB- Mortty Ivy
RB- James Johnson
OT- Kyle Jolly
WR- Wes Lyons
OG- John Malecki
LB- Chris McCoy
TE- Jamie McCoy
DT- Steve McLendon
OT- Chris Scott
CB- Donovan Warren

I'm guessing a few of them will be New York Giants by tomorrow evening.

[stillers4me]

Sep is still here!! Thank you thank you !!

I'm very excited for Wes Saunders. I've followed him on Twitter since the day he got the call from the Steelers and I can honestly say I've never seen anyone more excited and more driven with the opportunity to become a Steeler! Not only did he work hard to earn this spot but he seems to be a very good, Steelers kind of young man.

[zulater]

Sorry but I didn't see it the way many of you did with Tony Hills. I think they gave him every shot you could give a guy, plus one, and he just proved to be incapable in the end. Stopgap is the best word that will ever be used to describe Hills play in the NFL. Personally I think his release was two years overdue.


Jason Worldis has inherited his roster spot as the least deserving Steeler on an NFL roster, I'll wager he'll be joining Tony at the end of next summer.

I'm glad Chris Hope made the final roster though