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My much too early final 53 -pre training camp - post draft edition.

slashsteel

Thank you for everything Franco, R I P.
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Pittsburgh
Starters designated with an *

Offense

*Quarterback (3)

Ben Roethlisberger - Doesn't have to force the ball, and should be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
Mason Rudolph - This is the year he moves up a spot
Joshua Dobbs -Should still have a decent preseason,

On the outside looking in:Brogan Roback

Running Back (3)

*James Conner- Will remain the starter
Jaylen Samuels - Inspector gadget shouldn't be forgotten
Benny Snell Jr - I snell a good rotation possibility and maybe more

On the outside looking in: Trey Edmunds,Ralph Webb,Malik Williams,Trevon McMillan

Fullback (1): Roosevelt Nix - Rock Steady

Wide Receiver (6)

*JuJu Smith-Schuster- The team MVP sits atop the list.
*Donte Moncrief- It should be his job to lose
James Washington- His play dictates if Juju moves inside, or out.
Diontae Johnson- So let's see what we got.
Ryan Switzer- The Switz army knife is good to have handy.
Eli Rogers- Benefits from three WRs being shown the door.

On the outside looking in: Trey Griffey,Ka’Raun White,Tevin Jones,Diontae Spencer

Tight End (3)

*Vance McDonald- Get out the way,boom.
Xavier Grimble- Will he be the X factor or be Xed out.
Zach Gentry- Tall,athletic,raw.

On the outside looking in Kevin Rader,Christian Scotland-Williamson,Trevor Wood

Offensive Line (9)

*Maurkice Pouncey- Still on top of his game.
*David DeCastro- Developed quite nicely.
*Ramon Foster- Old reliable resigned for one last hurrah.
*Alejandro Villanueva- A mountain of a man.
*Chukwuma Okorafor- Has the talent to take the job, and I expect him to.
Matt Feiler- If Chuk sidesteps, Matt will be there to take the lead.
Jerald Hawkins- Can he stay healthy?
B.J. Finney- Solid backup, that could be starting sooner than later.
Zach Banner- Riding that bubble.

On the outside looking in: Derwin Grey,R.J. Prince,Patrick Morris,J.C. Hassenauer,Garrett Brumfield,Fred Johnson


Defense

Defensive Line (5)

*Cameron Heyward-The old man on duty.
*Stephon Tuitt- Can he stay healthy?
Javon Hargrave- Starter worthy.
Tyson Alualu- Semi surprised he was resigned.
Isaiah Buggs- Will be a decent rotational player.

On the outside looking in: Daniel McCullers,Lavon Hooks,Conor Sheehy,Winston Craig,Casey Sayles,Jay Hayes,Chris Nelson.

Outside Linebacker (5)

*T.J. Watt- Turn down for Watt !
*Bud Dupree- Improved, but not the player many envisioned.
Anthony Chickillo- A ok backup, that could be upgraded.
Ola Adeniyi- They seem to like him.
Sutton Smith- I think his special teams potential will help him stick.

On the outside looking in: Keion Adams,J.T. Jones

Inside Linebacker (5)

*Vince Williams- Bince is the last man standing!
*Devin Bush- A tape-worm - he will start.
Mark Barron- Might as well be a starter he will be on the field a lot in a S / LBer hybrid role.
Tyler Matakevich- Dirty red should thank his special teams stars.
Ulysees Gilbert III- Speaking of special teams I hear a few spots came open.

Ryan Shazier (PUP)

On the outside looking in: Robert Spillane,Tegray Scales

Cornerback (6)

*Joe Haden- The top corner, who should be extended. Colbert can you hear me calling?
*Steven Nelson- Signed to stabilize the position opposite of Joe, so don't be haden on him just.........yet.
Mike Hilton- A try hard player, sometimes good. Sometimes not so good.
Cameron Sutton- Too one step forward, two steps back.
Justin Layne- A diamond in the rough?
Artie Burns- Might stick in his last year if Sens isn't resigned. Unless they like Big Dan better..........

On the outside looking in: ,Brian Allen,Herb Waters,Marcelis Branch,Kam Kelly,Jack Tocho,Alexander Myers

Safety (4)

*Sean Davis- A ok FS, there is better, there is worse.
*Terrell Edmunds- Let us see that second year jump, Kris Kross.
Jordan Dangerfield- A tryhard fringe player... Coach you better pray Davis stays healthy.
Marcus Allen- Will be a rotated in at SS, maybe.

On the outside looking in: Dravon Askew-Henry,P.J. Locke

Specialists

Placekicker (1)

*Mathew Wright- The Wright man for the job, yeah I am wishful thinking.

On the outside looking in: Chris Boswell,Matt McCrane

Punter (1)

*Jordan Berry- He isn't as bad as some think, ok he may stink.

On the outside looking in: Ian Berryman.

Long Snapper (1)

Kameron Canaday- Let's get snappin.

On the outside looking in: Trevor Wood
 
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Regarding Burns.. Don't forget the "we cant admit a mistake " factor,,,, helps his chances

Regarding OT. Not sure with the playing time Feiler got last year, he wont be the RT starter.

otherwise ,, agreed.
 
Regarding Burns.. Don't forget the "we cant admit a mistake " factor,,,, helps his chances

Regarding OT. Not sure with the playing time Feiler got last year, he wont be the RT starter.

otherwise ,, agreed.

Yeah Burns is probably on his way out but might be cheap enough to keep him as a backup if they can turn him around in camp. probably a big if for right now.

They already stated that RT spot will be open for competition, and Oko was talked up so much you would think by natural progression he would be a serious contender to start. Either or I love there is solid competition at the position.
 
Agree with the majority of your line up
Possible changes
Matt Feiler starting at RT
Ian Berryman takes over as our Punter I think he has better hang time, is better at aiming to either side of the field to pin returners and is a good PK Holder
Chris Boswell somehow gets his confidence back and remains as Kicker I know last year was a disaster but he has more years of success on the resume and longer range than the other guys. They gave him a contract based on those years so I think the team will give him a chance to continue as long as he performs in training camp. The leash will be shorter during the season if things dive off again.
 
As I look at that roster, I have a hard time finding 53 guys worth making it right now. That's a good sign for the fringe draft picks and UDFAs. If Burns picks up where he left off, he's gone. I also hope Boswell has his head in place and is ready to go.
 
Starters designated with an *

Offense

*Quarterback (3)

Ben Roethlisberger - Doesn't have to force the ball, and should be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
Mason Rudolph - This is the year he moves up a spot

Mason should be taking second string snaps half way through TC, SHOULD also get significant pre-season time


Joshua Dobbs -Should still have a decent preseason,

On the outside looking in:Brogan Roback

Running Back (3)

*James Conner- Will remain the starter
Jaylen Samuels - Inspector gadget shouldn't be forgotten
Will get to see if last year's small sample is for real, I think it is.
Benny Snell Jr - I snell a good rotation possibility and maybe more
If our coach didn't run the wheels off, we'd have both SNELL & Conner at the end for Post season play
On the outside looking in: Trey Edmunds,Ralph Webb,Malik Williams,Trevon McMillan

Fullback (1): Roosevelt Nix - Rock Steady

Wide Receiver (6)

*JuJu Smith-Schuster- The team MVP sits atop the list.
I think JuJu is grounded enough to fly...................
*Donte Moncrief- It should be his job to lose
Definately and he best bring it because we have hungry below him.......
James Washington- His play dictates if Juju moves inside, or out.
HUNGRY who needs to bring it..
Diontae Johnson- So let's see what we got.
Ryan Switzer- The Switz army knife is good to have handy.
Eli Rogers- Benefits from three WRs being shown the door.
VERY correct

On the outside looking in: Trey Griffey,Ka’Raun White,Tevin Jones,Diontae Spencer

Tight End (3)

*Vance McDonald- Get out the way,boom.
Xavier Grimble- Will he be the X factor or be Xed out.
Zach Gentry- Tall,athletic,raw.

On the outside looking in Kevin Rader,Christian Scotland-Williamson,Trevor Wood

Offensive Line (9)

*Maurkice Pouncey- Still on top of his game.
*David DeCastro- Developed quite nicely.
*Ramon Foster- Old reliable resigned for one last hurrah.
*Alejandro Villanueva- A mountain of a man.
*Chukwuma Okorafor- Has the talent to take the job, and I expect him to.
Matt Feiler- If Chuk sidesteps, Matt will be there to take the lead.
Jerald Hawkins- Can he stay healthy?
B.J. Finney- Solid backup, that could be starting sooner than later.
Zach Banner- Riding that bubble.

On the outside looking in: Derwin Grey,R.J. Prince,Patrick Morris,J.C. Hassenauer,Garrett Brumfield,Fred Johnson


Defense

Defensive Line (5)

*Cameron Heyward-The old man on duty.
*Stephon Tuitt- Can he stay healthy?
Javon Hargrave- Starter worthy.
Tyson Alualu- Semi surprised he was resigned.
Isaiah Buggs- Will be a decent rotational player.
This is the year BIG Dan is put out to pasture,.....or I mean McDonalds............

On the outside looking in: Daniel McCullers,Lavon Hooks,Conor Sheehy,Winston Craig,Casey Sayles,Jay Hayes,Chris Nelson.

Outside Linebacker (5)

*T.J. Watt- Turn down for Watt !
*Bud Dupree- Improved, but not the player many envisioned.
As many wish he could elevate, I see him playing his best year to date.

Anthony Chickillo- A ok backup, that could be upgraded.
Ola Adeniyi- They seem to like him.
I think he over-take chick

Sutton Smith- I think his special teams potential will help him stick.

On the outside looking in: Keion Adams,J.T. Jones

Inside Linebacker (5)

*Vince Williams- Bince is the last man standing!
*Devin Bush- A tape-worm - he will start.
Will start day one, no one to challenge him
Mark Barron- Might as well be a starter he will be on the field a lot in a S / LBer hybrid role.
Tyler Matakevich- Dirty red should thank his special teams stars.
Special teams is ONLY reason he will make roster

Ulysees Gilbert III- Speaking of special teams I hear a few spots came open.

Ryan Shazier (PUP)
Blessings his way, for that matter everybody's way
On the outside looking in: Robert Spillane,Tegray Scales

Cornerback (6)

*Joe Haden- The top corner, who should be extended. Colbert can you hear me calling?
*Steven Nelson- Signed to stabilize the position opposite of Joe, so don't be haden on him just.........yet.
Mike Hilton- A try hard player, sometimes good. Sometimes not so good.
Cameron Sutton- Too one step forward, two steps back.
Justin Layne- A diamond in the rough?
Will find out if he is steel of the draft, I think he will do very well
Artie Burns- Might stick in his last year if Sens isn't resigned. Unless they like Big Dan better..........
Get back to who you are and NOT what you hope to be.............
On the outside looking in: ,Brian Allen,Herb Waters,Marcelis Branch,Kam Kelly,Jack Tocho,Alexander Myers

Safety (4)

*Sean Davis- A ok FS, there is better, there is worse.
*Terrell Edmunds- Let us see that second year jump, Kris Kross.
Jordan Dangerfield- A tryhard fringe player... Coach you better pray Davis stays healthy.
Marcus Allen- Will be a rotated in at SS, maybe.

On the outside looking in: Dravon Askew-Henry,P.J. Locke

Specialists

Placekicker (1)

*Mathew Wright- The Wright man for the job, yeah I am wishful thinking.
Tough call because if Boz shows well, can you really trust him??????
On the outside looking in: Chris Boswell,Matt McCrane

Punter (1)

*Jordan Berry- He isn't as bad as some think, ok he may stink.
I don't think Berry makes it
On the outside looking in: Ian Berryman.

Long Snapper (1)

Kameron Canaday- Let's get snappin.

On the outside looking in: Trevor Wood




Slash, EXCELLENT write up for an early prediction, thanks for the work and great knowledge you put into it.




Salute the nation
 
Dirty Red probably gets on with his life's work. Too many late round, fresh-faced draftees. Although, all he does is block kicks.

I also am excited to see the battle at RT. Chukes is a player, but Feiler looked good and should improve...win/win.
 
Dirty Red probably gets on with his life's work. Too many late round, fresh-faced draftees. Although, all he does is block kicks.

I also am excited to see the battle at RT. Chukes is a player, but Feiler looked good and should improve...win/win.

He is a tackling machine. Especially on Special Teams. At least that is my impression from watching games
 
I like most of these picks.. one question from me -

Does anybody see Vince going to the bench? If Barron and bush show out, that could be a very speedy lineup. Obviously he would still have a huge role, but could we see those 2 starting over Vince?
 
nice job slash. looking at how thin we are at tightend, they have to pick someone else up or trade for someone right?
 
nice job slash. looking at how thin we are at tightend, they have to pick someone else up or trade for someone right?

I was thinking final cuts IF one of those backups didn't shine in preseason. Now if god forbid Mcdonald gets nicked up in the mean time, it wouldn't shock me to see a trade....
 
I like most of these picks.. one question from me -

Does anybody see Vince going to the bench? If Barron and bush show out, that could be a very speedy lineup. Obviously he would still have a huge role, but could we see those 2 starting over Vince?

I think they still start him and will work Barron into that hybrid role. Fans have been trying to get rid of Bince for years.. But not sure that will come to pass just yet. Always a possibility in passing downs he leaves the field though. I think you would see this before the latter.
 
I think they still start him and will work Barron into that hybrid role. Fans have been trying to get rid of Bince for years.. But not sure that will come to pass just yet. Always a possibility in passing downs he leaves the field though. I think you would see this before the latter.
I don't think that's what we. Got Barron for. Maybe to compete with Vince. But not that hybrid safety role that burnett played last year.

From an article when Barron was traded from bucs to Rams.

"He hasn't been particularly good in coverage or against the run, but Barron now has a fresh start in a new system -- his third in as many seasons -- under Jeff Fisher".

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...aw3Ne4B_KV1af7haWW8d-4c0&ust=1557157814560359
 
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Pretty accurate. Burns and Bos would have to show me they deserve to start/kick or they are both gone. I wouldn't give Burns the Uncle Jarvis treatment. If I am unwilling to resign a first round pick he simply does not deserve to have a roster spot
 
Pretty accurate. Burns and Bos would have to show me they deserve to start/kick or they are both gone. I wouldn't give Burns the Uncle Jarvis treatment. If I am unwilling to resign a first round pick he simply does not deserve to have a roster spot
Burns was denied his fifth year option, so these people claiming the FO can't admit a mistake are just stuck on last season. He was demoted, then benched... They also understand that he's cheap, and still only 24, has all the physical tools. He played well before, can he regain that form? There is literally no reason to cut him right now. We have two starters, we have our nickel. I'm not ready to just kick him to the curb, I'm sure as hell glad we didn't kick Ike to the curb when he was sucking early on...

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Burns was denied his fifth year option, so these people claiming the FO can't admit a mistake are just stuck on last season. He was demoted, then benched... They also understand that he's cheap, and still only 24, has all the physical tools. He played well before, can he regain that form? There is literally no reason to cut him right now. We have two starters, we have our nickel. I'm not ready to just kick him to the curb, I'm sure as hell glad we didn't kick Ike to the curb when he was sucking early on...

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No no he can come to camp. It would be idiotic to not to bring him back. Cost the same to cut him after or very little less. But if he can't show that he is a starter you are interested in giving a contract to he is cut. Depth isn't a failed first rounder. Maybe for a different place. Depth is an Anthony Chickillo. Sutton is depth.
 
No no he can come to camp. It would be idiotic to not to bring him back. Cost the same to cut him after or very little less. But if he can't show that he is a starter you are interested in giving a contract to he is cut. Depth isn't a failed first rounder. Maybe for a different place. Depth is an Anthony Chickillo. Sutton is depth.



Sask, I hear yaz but also know you don't cut him just because he hasn't beat everyone out for the starting position. What if he can't beat out Nelson but seems to be better than our draft choice rookie????? I say you keep him if he is better than the last guy CUT. Obviously future makes a difference but we are in it to win it now and if Burns is on the team due to his merit of play, then so be it. Keep him just on potential alone........HELL NO, but keep him on his CURRENT merit of play............yes, provided it is better than last man cut).




Salute the nation
 
Looks pretty spot on

Maybe around that 53rd man lose Gilbert to ps and add a 6th DL (shade tree or Sayles)

Also have to expect the addition of a Safety to the roster at some point. When Dangerfield is your best depth the position needs addressed, unless Allen makes a leap to become the primary backup.
 
I don't think that's what we. Got Barron for. Maybe to compete with Vince. But not that hybrid safety role that burnett played last year.

From an article when Barron was traded from bucs to Rams.

"He hasn't been particularly good in coverage or against the run, but Barron now has a fresh start in a new system -- his third in as many seasons -- under Jeff Fisher".

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...aw3Ne4B_KV1af7haWW8d-4c0&ust=1557157814560359
Hard to tell with Barron where he will ultimately end up. With him and Bush new to the D the might be shuffling players to find the right fit.

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I think Grimble could go depending on who gets cut from other teams. If Artie Burned is under pressure to perform, he won't get better, he'll crack and do worse.
 
Sask, I hear yaz but also know you don't cut him just because he hasn't beat everyone out for the starting position. What if he can't beat out Nelson but seems to be better than our draft choice rookie????? I say you keep him if he is better than the last guy CUT. Obviously future makes a difference but we are in it to win it now and if Burns is on the team due to his merit of play, then so be it. Keep him just on potential alone........HELL NO, but keep him on his CURRENT merit of play............yes, provided it is better than last man cut).




Salute the nation

There will be 32 bubble cuts at Corner. At least 18 of them will be a better situation then bringing back Artie Burns as a backup. And that is if no one on the roster isn't better suited to that role.
 
There will be 32 bubble cuts at Corner. At least 18 of them will be a better situation then bringing back Artie Burns as a backup. And that is if no one on the roster isn't better suited to that role.
I am a little surprised they didn't want Sens back as a backup.

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I am a little surprised they didn't want Sens back as a backup.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Steeler Nation mobile app

In a heartbeat over Burns. I didn't think he hurt them much at all. At points he was solid.
Now Sensebaugh is a backup. He can spot start, play a sub package. No lack of confidence.
 
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