Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

[RuthlessBurgher]

I wouldn't cut anybody. I like this team just the way it is, of course, with a healthy Aaron Smith. Lebeau is a creative guy. We've got a ton of linebackers in need of more playing time. I would let LaMarr Woodley rotate some at defensive end. He could do it. He played some DE in the superbowl during the last drive when he forced the fumble on Warner. Rotate Worilds and Gibson in at DE too. These guys were all DE's in college. Isn't this what position flexibility is all about. I'm very serious. I think this could be an effect way to remedy the lack of depth on the line until Smith hopefully can return.

There is a HUGE difference between playing DE in a 4-3 (which is what these guys did in college) and playing DE in a 3-4. There is a reason that we take 4-3 DE's and make them 3-4 OLB's and take 4-3 DT's and make them 3-4 DE's. Our 3-4 ends need to be in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. (with a +/- of 15 lbs. being an acceptable range) in order to be able to take on the double teams that our scheme requires. The only times Woodley, Worilds, or Gibson will be playing any DE for us will be in nickel and dime passing situations in a 4 man front where they can pin their ears back and rush the passer. None of those guys fit the description of what is required of a DE in our standard 3-4 set.

[phillyesq]

By league rules, he is PS eligible.

I saw one of the writers at the trib suggest the same thing. How can he still be PS eligible? He's been in the league for more than a few seasons. Doesn't that zap his eligibility? I'd have to imagine that he has been active for 9 games over that time.

[phillyesq]

I'll say it first...Anthony Madison. He may be consider "one of the best..." But when you are a "one of" that means there are others who can do the job too. Madison offers nothing as a position player on the field when every other name mentioned does.

No way do I cut and risk losing young players like Hills, Gibson, Dwyer or Butler to keep Madison.

Why Anthony Madison and not Battle? Battle similarly offers very little as a position player, and Madison is a better special teams player. Just look at the Steelers stats last year with Madison vs. without.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I'll say it first...Anthony Madison. He may be consider "one of the best..." But when you are a "one of" that means there are others who can do the job too. Madison offers nothing as a position player on the field when every other name mentioned does.

No way do I cut and risk losing young players like Hills, Gibson, Dwyer or Butler to keep Madison.

Why Anthony Madison and not Battle? Battle similarly offers very little as a position player, and Madison is a better special teams player. Just look at the Steelers stats last year with Madison vs. without.

Total amount of active games and never being on the PS. I think he is still eligible.

[Oviedo]

I'll say it first...Anthony Madison. He may be consider "one of the best..." But when you are a "one of" that means there are others who can do the job too. Madison offers nothing as a position player on the field when every other name mentioned does.

No way do I cut and risk losing young players like Hills, Gibson, Dwyer or Butler to keep Madison.

Why Anthony Madison and not Battle? Battle similarly offers very little as a position player, and Madison is a better special teams player. Just look at the Steelers stats last year with Madison vs. without.

Those teams did not have Will Allen, Arnez Battle, Sly Stevenson and jason Worilds. Big difference and you could lose Madison and still have a strong special teams roster.

[steelblood]

I'll say it first...Anthony Madison. He may be consider "one of the best..." But when you are a "one of" that means there are others who can do the job too. Madison offers nothing as a position player on the field when every other name mentioned does.

No way do I cut and risk losing young players like Hills, Gibson, Dwyer or Butler to keep Madison.

Why Anthony Madison and not Battle? Battle similarly offers very little as a position player, and Madison is a better special teams player. Just look at the Steelers stats last year with Madison vs. without.

Those teams did not have Will Allen, Arnez Battle, Sly Stevenson and jason Worilds. Big difference and you could lose Madison and still have a strong special teams roster.

Why not Battle? Do you see him as a superior special teams talent?

[phillyesq]

I'll say it first...Anthony Madison. He may be consider "one of the best..." But when you are a "one of" that means there are others who can do the job too. Madison offers nothing as a position player on the field when every other name mentioned does.

No way do I cut and risk losing young players like Hills, Gibson, Dwyer or Butler to keep Madison.

Why Anthony Madison and not Battle? Battle similarly offers very little as a position player, and Madison is a better special teams player. Just look at the Steelers stats last year with Madison vs. without.

Those teams did not have Will Allen, Arnez Battle, Sly Stevenson and jason Worilds. Big difference and you could lose Madison and still have a strong special teams roster.

Agreed, those guys are all an improvement over what we had last year. But how much does Battle offer in the receiving game? If he catches 5 passes, I'd be shocked.

Madison's special teams play is well regarded, and the coverage units have been very effective. Why mess with that to keep Battle?

[hawaiiansteel]

Why not Battle? Do you see him as a superior special teams talent?

what does Arnaz Battle have so far this season, two special teams tackles? sounds like he's replaceable to me!

[aggiebones]

I agree with Batch.
No team would sign him, so he'll be around of something happens to Ben or Lefty.
He's been rewarded for his services with extra weeks.

[pittpete]

Cut ARE, he brings nothing to the table IMHO.
8 receptions on the year..

I hope I have to eat my words, but I doubt it