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Steelers Notebook: Colbert quietly team's 1st GM
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The Steelers make known their big promotions by saying nothing. They have done that again through their usual means of merely changing a title in their media guide.
Kevin Colbert has been promoted to general manager by the team, becoming the first to hold that title in Steelers history. He held the title of director of football operations since he was hired in 2000, a title Tom Donahoe also held as his predecessor.
The team has had three presidents -- Art Rooney Sr., Dan Rooney and now Art Rooney II -- but never a general manager. The Steelers have had player personnel directors and director of football operations, but never a general manager. Years ago, Dan Rooney was asked why he did not have a general manager as many NFL teams had and he responded, "Because I am the general manager."
That title was never used, however, until now and it was merely slipped into their 2011 media guide, which is available only in digital version at the moment on the team's website.
There also is no elaboration as to the promotion, merely a title change for Colbert and a line in his biography that he is in "his first year as the team's general manager." That is the same way the Steelers announced that Art Rooney II had succeeded his father Dan as team president, and the same way they announced that Dan Rooney had succeeded his father Art Sr. as team president.
Colbert, 54, has directed the Steelers scouting and player personnel moves since he joined them Feb. 15, 2000, from the Detroit Lions as their pro scouting director for 10 years. He also was a college scout for the Miami Dolphins after getting his start as a scout with BLESTO under its director Jack Butler, one of two seniors nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
A Pittsburgh native, Colbert graduated from North Catholic High School and Robert Morris University.
Five players were waived and rookie running back Baron Batch was placed on the team's injured reserve list Sunday as the Steelers pare their roster to get to the mandatory 80-player limit.
Released were tight end Vaughn Charlton, cornerback Kevin Dockery, wide receiver Eric Greenwood, wide receiver Kenneth Moore and tight end Miguel Chavis, who was waived/injured after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle Saturday night against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Steelers need to cut four more players by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Batch, a seventh-round draft choice, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee at practice at training camp several weeks ago.
First Published August 29, 2011 12:00 am
