My 53

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

The sticker there is that cutting DJ would leave us with one TE for the first quarter of the season...and Paulson cant block too well. An honest evaluation reveals DJ is far ahead of Paulson in that regard. Doesn't mean he wont get cut when Miller and Spaeth return though. I know, I know, Im not a big fan either...

You are spot on there. Some of the position flexibility may allow the Steelers to bring in another TE and get him up to speed but D Johnson right now is best case scenario. The long term injuries at several positions will make things difficult and the Steelers may lose a young talent trying to sneak him on the PS.

[Oviedo]

I know many aren't fans and I do believe he could be upgraded but the Steelers situation dictates he has to be here. I'm carry 4 TEs but only 2 can get on the field. They have to carry Spaeth onto the 53 if they want to IR him with designation. Johnson is here because he has been in the system. Just signing a TE off the street doesn't put him on the field right away unless his name is Pope. I'm sure some of you just threw up in your mouth.

I'd take Pope over David Johnson without hesitation.

[Oviedo]

The sticker there is that cutting DJ would leave us with one TE for the first quarter of the season...and Paulson cant block too well. An honest evaluation reveals DJ is far ahead of Paulson in that regard. Doesn't mean he wont get cut when Miller and Spaeth return though. I know, I know, Im not a big fan either...

You got Beachum as your "blocking TE" as we have seen in the preseason.

[phillyesq]

I'd take Pope over David Johnson without hesitation.

I'm not a David Johnson fan at all, but I'd take him over Pope.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I'd take Pope over David Johnson without hesitation.

You may get your wish. Depending on who is out there after final cuts...You may get to see who is better because they may both be here if/after they IR Spaeth with the designation to return. At this point of the season and given the situation...It could be about "best fit". Pope can practice & play week 1. I would like someone other than both D Johnson & Pope but that may be the reality of it.

[Rara]

QB (3): Roethlisberger, Gradkowski, Jones
RB (5): Redman, Dwyer, Howling, Jones, Bell
FB (1): Johnson
WR (5): Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Wheaton, Moye/Brown
TE (4): Miller, Spaeth, Johnson, Paulson
OL (8.): Adams, Foster, Pouncey, DeCastro, Gilbert, Beachum, Long, Malecki
DL (7): Keisel, Hood, Heyward, Woods, McLendon, Ta'amu, Arnfelt
LB (8.): Woodley, Timmons, Foote, Worilds, Jones, Carter, McFadden, Williams
CB (5): Taylor, Allen, Gay, Brown, Hawthorne
S (4): Polamalu, Clark, Golden, Thomas
Spec (3): Sushi, Butler, Warren

PS
LB Baxter
LB Garvin
OL Hubbard
WR Dunn
WR Brown/Moye
RB Alexander
DB
DL

Pup
Spence

IR
Burress
King
Embernate
Cheadle
Van Dyke
Williams

With no injuries in Carolina game...I see this as the 53 they carry into week 1.

They may carry 5 RBs if the status of Bell looks later than sooner. Trade value of a RB will go up as injuries happen and injuries could happen on the Steelers roster before Bell returns.

I think they keep one of Moye or Brown on 53 unless someone contacts them with a "panic" compensation for Cotchery trade. There may be a curve here if something happens at the RB & TE spot. They may try and tuck away both Moye & Brown on the PS and leave Dunn on 53. I have my own opinion here and that would be to try and trade Cotchery. He is the vet presence but I think Wheaton needs to get on the field ahead of him. You make Moye or Brown your #4 and the other to the PS. You keep Dunn on the 53 because he can play ST and he looks to be really close to doing something in the return game to make a difference in a game. Just my opinion.

If the report is good on Miller to return to starting line-up before week 4, I think they carry Miller & Spaeth on 53. Then the Steelers have the option of designating Spaeth to IR with return. Spaeth may just go to IR if his timetable doesn't look good and/or if they really like someone on the waiver wire.

They release Whimper & carry long so Whimper's salary isn't guaranteed. They may look to waiver wire for some depth and that may push Long to PS. Whimper will always be there to pick up after week 1 imo.

DL speaks for itself. I think they keep Ta'amu & Arnfelt because of their upside shown. The other 5 alone give you 5 DEs & 3 NTs so they have a luxury.

LB is difficult. They are going to let some talent leave. Rolle loses out on numbers because of the RB & TE heavy depth chart with injuries. I think they will fear Williams being snatched up trying to sneak him on PS. They will try & tuck away Baxter & Garvin on PS. Both have shown tremendous upside but need development. Wilson & Rolle showed enough to make this team but they are deep & talented.

I think one of the DBs that don't make the 53 (Green, D Smith, Victorian) may make PS or it may be an outside body. Cromartie-Smith gets lost in numbers. Golden & Thomas are already ahead of him imo and Golden & Thomas have shown they could man-up in the slot so they give you a 6th CB.

ST looks to be easy. No competition for 2 of them. The arrow on Butler & Moorman are pointing in two different directions and Moorman hasn't shown he still has enough in the tank to separate himself from Butler.

Nice analysis, dude!

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

You got Beachum as your "blocking TE" as we have seen in the preseason.

Situational football... yes. But there is a reason why you don't see that utilized more around the league or in levels HS & above. Between the 20's...You aren't seeing any DC account for him. A good DC would fire blitz the LB anytime he ended up in man on a OL reporting. So in run situation you are ok because offensively he is accounted for. But in pass...You just gave them a reason to send +1. So having Beachum in at TE on a running play may be the closest thing to Miller we have blocking but it would hurt them in PA or anytime they want to pass out of 22 personnel.