Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

[steelblood]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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.

I agree with your logic, but our special teams are better with Madison. There is some empirical evidence to back that up. It would be hard for this staff to cut him.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

Cutting Batch or Lefty would be the easy choice if it was short term. Neither would have to pass through the waiver system and by "hand shake & nod" they would be retained.

The problem here is this, more than likely, will be for 8 weeks or more. Even with Keisel healthy, they need another. Interesting thing is if Battle, Madison, or a LB go down...No shuffle would have to be made. Don't forget, they have another roster decision in two weeks with Chris Scott. Although his will be easier because they can put him on IR if so desired or release/sign to PS.

I honestly don't think Gibson, Dwyer, or Butler clear waivers. There are teams looking for those positions. Battle makes the most sense between the lines but not financially. Steelers are on the hook for his contract & his signing bonus. However, he makes some sense since there is a body behind him. Brown would be active gameday and although Battle is a solid ST player I think the team is better with both Sanders & Brown active. Madison's numbers are more appealing but I would grade Madison out as the better ST player. I have been watching the 2 since they are ST roster spots and add very little position value.

Which brings me to my choice. Hills came to my mind too while I thought about this. He showed improvement this year but I believe he has many factors working against him. He is in the last year of his deal. There is no CBA in place and a threat of a lockout, but even if there was...I'm not sure he would be a priority. By league rules, he is PS eligible. McClendon coming up will open a spot. Hills doesn't have much position flexibilty. Essex & J Scott gives them swing tackles. Adams injury doesn't look long term and Essex is healthy enough to dress. Even if Adams doesn't play Sunday, Foster & Essex could dress. And the biggest reason, the Steelers are carrying 54 on the roster and number #54 is practicing full. They have 2 weeks remaining (I believe) to carry #54 and he is an OL. C Scott's roster exemption gives the Steelers more time and flexibilty.

If I'm making this call, I'm releasing Tony Hills, promoting McClendon from the PS. If Hills clears waivers, I sign him to the PS. When a decision has to be make on C Scott, things might change and the decision could be obvious. But for now, I'm using the system.

[steelblood]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

Cutting Batch or Lefty would be the easy choice if it was short term. Neither would have to pass through the waiver system and by "hand shake & nod" they would be retained.

The problem here is this, more than likely, will be for 8 weeks or more. Even with Keisel healthy, they need another. Interesting thing is if Battle, Madison, or a LB go down...No shuffle would have to be made. Don't forget, they have another roster decision in two weeks with Chris Scott. Although his will be easier because they can put him on IR if so desired or release/sign to PS.

I honestly don't think Gibson, Dwyer, or Butler clear waivers. There are teams looking for those positions. Battle makes the most sense between the lines but not financially. Steelers are on the hook for his contract & his signing bonus. However, he makes some sense since there is a body behind him. Brown would be active gameday and although Battle is a solid ST player I think the team is better with both Sanders & Brown active. Madison's numbers are more appealing but I would grade Madison out as the better ST player. I have been watching the 2 since they are ST roster spots and add very little position value.

Which brings me to my choice. Hills came to my mind too while I thought about this. He showed improvement this year but I believe he has many factors working against him. He is in the last year of his deal. There is no CBA in place and a threat of a lockout, but even if there was...I'm not sure he would be a priority. By league rules, he is PS eligible. McClendon coming up will open a spot. Hills doesn't have much position flexibilty. Essex & J Scott gives them swing tackles. Adams injury doesn't look long term and Essex is healthy enough to dress. Even if Adams doesn't play Sunday, Foster & Essex could dress. And the biggest reason, the Steelers are carrying 54 on the roster and number #54 is practicing full. They have 2 weeks remaining (I believe) to carry #54 and he is an OL. C Scott's roster exemption gives the Steelers more time and flexibilty.

If I'm making this call, I'm releasing Tony Hills, promoting McClendon from the PS. If Hills clears waivers, I sign him to the PS. When a decision has to be make on C Scott, things might change and the decision could be obvious. But for now, I'm using the system.

You are hired!

Nice job.

[Oviedo]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

Cutting Batch or Lefty would be the easy choice if it was short term. Neither would have to pass through the waiver system and by "hand shake & nod" they would be retained.

The problem here is this, more than likely, will be for 8 weeks or more. Even with Keisel healthy, they need another. Interesting thing is if Battle, Madison, or a LB go down...No shuffle would have to be made. Don't forget, they have another roster decision in two weeks with Chris Scott. Although his will be easier because they can put him on IR if so desired or release/sign to PS.

I honestly don't think Gibson, Dwyer, or Butler clear waivers. There are teams looking for those positions. Battle makes the most sense between the lines but not financially. Steelers are on the hook for his contract & his signing bonus. However, he makes some sense since there is a body behind him. Brown would be active gameday and although Battle is a solid ST player I think the team is better with both Sanders & Brown active. Madison's numbers are more appealing but I would grade Madison out as the better ST player. I have been watching the 2 since they are ST roster spots and add very little position value.

Which brings me to my choice. Hills came to my mind too while I thought about this. He showed improvement this year but I believe he has many factors working against him. He is in the last year of his deal. There is no CBA in place and a threat of a lockout, but even if there was...I'm not sure he would be a priority. By league rules, he is PS eligible. McClendon coming up will open a spot. Hills doesn't have much position flexibilty. Essex & J Scott gives them swing tackles. Adams injury doesn't look long term and Essex is healthy enough to dress. Even if Adams doesn't play Sunday, Foster & Essex could dress. And the biggest reason, the Steelers are carrying 54 on the roster and number #54 is practicing full. They have 2 weeks remaining (I believe) to carry #54 and he is an OL. C Scott's roster exemption gives the Steelers more time and flexibilty.

If I'm making this call, I'm releasing Tony Hills, promoting McClendon from the PS. If Hills clears waivers, I sign him to the PS. When a decision has to be make on C Scott, things might change and the decision could be obvious. But for now, I'm using the system.

Great analysis and I'd have no problem with cutting Hills and trying to get him on the PS. I'd still be totally OK with cutting Madison though.

No way I even consider for a second Dwyer, Gibson or Butler.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

First choice is Batch. He isn't going anywhere if he is cut, who else would want him when you have guys like Jeff Garcia, Daunte Culpepper, and Josh McCown playing in the UFL. As much as we love CB here, he has not played much in many years and he was never that great to start with. He has no value outside of Pittsburgh, and only because he knows our offense so well.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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]

Re: Tough roster decision looming for Steelers

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