On the Steelers: Veteran Hills among final cuts
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Only one real veteran found himself among the final five cuts Saturday by the Steelers, who again found room on their 53-man roster for a group of young players, especially on defense.
Offensive lineman Tony Hills, a fourth-round draft choice in 2008, started two preseason games at right guard but lost that job to Doug Legursky, who will open the season there. Hills previously played tackle but did not play much of it in his previous three seasons.
The others cut were cornerback Crezdon Butler, punter Jeremy Kapinos, tight end John Gilmore and rookie defensive end Jarrett Crittenton.
Their 53-man roster isn't necessarily the one that will open the season Sept. 11 in Baltimore as the Steelers and other teams peruse the many players cut loose the past two days. They also can begin signing players to their practice squad, so many of those released could return to them in that capacity.
If they make no more moves, it means they have added six rookies to their roster, four on defense -- their top five draft picks plus undrafted free-agent tight end Weslye Saunders. This was supposed to be a tough year for rookies to make a roster, especially undrafted rookies, because of the lockout and the lack of preparation time with their new teams. Saunders had additional long odds because he did not play last season for violating NCAA rules. But he steadily improved as training camp wore on and excelled as a pass receiver.
Butler was a fifth-round draft pick in 2010. He returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown in the third preseason game but was burned badly on a 41-yard touchdown pass Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.
Kapinos filled in for Daniel Sepulveda starting in December after a knee injury and gave him some competition for the job this summer. Gilmore, who played at Penn State, was signed as a free agent early in training camp but lost out to Saunders for the third tight end spot. Crittenton is an undrafted rookie.
First Published September 4, 2011 12:00 am
