Good morning,
Let’s take a deeper look on this final day of August at some of the “final” Steelers cuts that were made Saturday, a day I had off and which Ray Fittipaldo covered in a fine manner. Remember, this roster can change between now and Sunday’s opener against the Browns.
--- I dare to say few predicted the final 53 correctly because of some of the quirks in those cuts. I did not write down a 53-man roster per se but did go over many I thought would be made and I too was fooled on a few.
--- One was Shaq Richardson. I figured the Steelers had so many issues at cornerback and there were no great ones among the young players, that they would put him on scholarship. When they picked BW Webb off waivers from the Cowboys, that was not a good sign for Richardson. So the Steelers think the Cowboys trash can turn into their treasure.
--- Shaq could still go on the practice squad today. With 10 spots available, nearly EVERYBODY with eligibility could go on their practice squad today.
--- Quarterback Landry Jones making it was not a surprise. I told you that on Friday, and I heard some really bad things about that from some of you.
--- Nine offensive linemen making it was not a surprise to me either. As I’ve written here, when new line coach Mike Munchak said he was lobbying to have nine instead of the normal eight, I figured Mike Tomlin would have to give him that. That is how much respect Munchak has among Tomlin and his staff.
--- I thought Guy Whimper might be one of those nine but Tomlin/Munchak opted for guard Chris Hubbard instead. That leaves Mike Adams as the only experienced backup tackle with rookie Wesley Johnson behind him, as well as guard and, unofficially, No. 3 center.
--- I predicted six wide receivers would make it and chose them correctly.
--- Rookie nose tackle Daniel McCullers making it was huge in many ways but it does not necessarily mean he will step in and play if something happens to Steve McLendon or his play falters. They could move Cam Thomas there. I wold suspect, in fact, that McCullers will not be active for games, at least in the early going.
--- Only eight linebackers on the team probably came as a surprise. Some speculation had them keeping as many as 10; I figured they would keep nine. They list only three outside linebackers on their depth chart, including backup Arthur Moats, but Terence Garvin can play inside or outside.
--- Three halfbacks were not a surprise. I learned early in camp they would only keep three, with fullback/tight end Will Johnson available to run the ball in an emergency. This also should alleviate any fears that either of Cheech & Chong is going to be suspended anytime soon, although readers here already should know that.
--- Johnson’s versatility also saved them a spot at tight end, where they kept four in recent years. They kept three this time with Johnson as the fourth if they need him.
--- Six rookies made the team and they were all draft picks. Not one undrafted rookie made it after all the speculation that several could. If they are not picked up elsewhere, many will go on the practice squad, including crowd favorites Josh Mauro and Howard Jones.
--- Greg Warren is the only long-snapper on the current roster and he is recuperating from surgery on his torn meniscus. Tomlin said last week that Warren has a shot to play against Cleveland. Look for the Steelers to put Bryce Davis on the practice squad today just in case they discover Warren cannot go against the Browns. Davis would then be signed, probably on Saturday, and someone would have to be let go at least for one game.
--- We all have come to view Mike Tomlin’s depth chart with some skepticism, so take this with that in mind: Cam Heyward is listed as the starting left defensive end with Cam Thomas as his backup, and rookie Stephon Tuitt is listed as the starting right defensive end with Brett Keisel as his backup.
--- Although they opened talks with cornerback Cortez Allen, it appears the Steelers are done with their contract talks for this year. They signed Marcus Gilbert and Sean Suisham to extensions after camp started. Jason Worilds is another who will again work on a one-year deal.
--- New year, another new punter. Say hello to Brad Wing. Adam Podlesh, on the did not report list, remains a possibility as he continues to be with his wife who his recovering from a difficult child birth. They do seem to like Wing, though.
First Published: April 6, 2016, 4:11 p.m.