Matt Spaeth has signed.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Maybe Spaeth will be a decent TE for us...this is the second positive review I have seen on Spaeth...

If there was a positive at the position it was Matt Spaeth. Signed as chiefly a blocker, Spaeth was PFF’s seventh-rated tight end and caught six of the nine passes thrown to him, one for a score (vs. Minnesota). Spaeth played fewer than half the snaps (430) of Davis (980) but graded out as the top run-blocking tight end in the NFL.

[URL]http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/bears-talk/bears-te-free-agency-preview[/URL]

[Vader]

And Miller missed 2 more games two years later and Spaeth did nothing. Two decent games in 6 years isn't much to go on. If you look at those two decent games ALL of his catches are run in the middle of the field and turn around catches. He was playing against a zone defense and just sat down. That's why he averages 7.2 YPC while Miller averages 11.5. That's over 4 more YPC for Miller. He isn't a very good blocker either. With this OL Miller has to stay in and help block more. You need TEs that can block or the play calling becomes predictable. Just like when the Steelers would bring in Rainey. It fooled no one.

Spaeth is camp fodder and a depth signing nothing more. The Steelers do this every year. They bring in players that bring depth and it allows them to pick the BAP in the draft instead of focusing on needs.

[Sugar]

Spaeth is camp fodder and a depth signing nothing more. The Steelers do this every year. They bring in players that bring depth and it allows them to pick the BAP in the draft instead of focusing on needs.

This= $$

Who knows, maybe he beats out Paulson? Either way, I don't think the team is relying on him to be "the man."

[Rara]

You know how sad Madden is? In order for me to get Spaeth back onto the Steelers...I had to trade a 3rd round pick and some scrub left guard to get him in my second season of career mode. What. the. ****.

[supersteeler]

The Steelers are just employing a backup plan which makes sense, the real plan is.......Eifert

[Oviedo]

Maybe Spaeth will be a decent TE for us...this is the second positive review I have seen on Spaeth...

If there was a positive at the position it was Matt Spaeth. Signed as chiefly a blocker, Spaeth was PFF’s seventh-rated tight end and caught six of the nine passes thrown to him, one for a score (vs. Minnesota). Spaeth played fewer than half the snaps (430) of Davis (980) but graded out as the top run-blocking tight end in the NFL.

[URL]http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/bears-talk/bears-te-free-agency-preview[/URL]

Spaeth was never as bad as many wanted to make him out to be but he became a whipping boy for Arians problem offense. The relaity is that he was under utilized and was open a lot but never thrown to. He also did a decent job whenever filling in for Miller. He is a far better TE than anyone we have on the roster right now not named Heath Miller so signing him is a very good move on the part of the front office.

[Oviedo]

The Steelers are just employing a backup plan which makes sense, the real plan is.......Eifert

I really hope so. Spaeth is a stop gap but Eifert would be the TE of the future. He would be an excellent pick.

[Chadman]

I really hope so. Spaeth is a stop gap but Eifert would be the TE of the future. He would be an excellent pick.

Unless the Steelers are planning on moving on from Heath Miller soon, it would seem unlikely they employ 2 high priced TE's..

[Slapstick]

Unless the Steelers are planning on moving on from Heath Miller soon, it would seem unlikely they employ 2 high priced TE's..

Miller's contract expires after the 2014 season...

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Just read that Spaeth hasn't actually been signed yet...he's slated to take a physical tomorrow.

[DukieBoy]

Just read that Spaeth hasn't actually been signed yet...he's slated to take a physical tomorrow.

Will that include a urine test? (Couldn't resist). Actually, Spaeth was an excellent receiving TE up here at the U of Minnesota. I think he was underutilized relative to his talents in the Arians offense. Sounds like his run-blocking has improved, too. Could be a good addition.

[hawaiiansteel]

Will that include a urine test? (Couldn't resist).

good one!

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Heard he failed his urine test...seems he emptied his bladder in the parking lot, so there was nothing to put in the cup...

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

These signings (Johnson, Spaeth,etc.) are nothing to get excited or frustrated about. They are just cheap "fillers" for camp & preseason. They will be drafting a TE. If Johnson or Spaeth can't work their way up teh depth chart they will be cut with minimal-no dead money. Same happens with draft choices.

Plan may be Spaeth, Paulson, & Rookie. Miller starts on PUP...Give him time to heal.