TE Matt Spaeth released with failed physical designation

[RuthlessBurgher]

Spaeth released; Dixon added at TE
Posted 18 minutes ago

The Steelers have released TE Matt Spaeth and have signed rookie free agent TE Mandel Dixon.

PITTSBURGH – The Steelers have released tight end Matt Spaeth with the designation of Failed Physical, the team announced today.

“Matt never fully recovered from knee surgery that occurred this past offseason, and he will not be ready to return to football activities at this time,” said General Manager Kevin Colbert. “Matt played an integral role in our Super Bowl XLIII Championship run, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Spaeth was drafted by the Steelers in the third round (77th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. In 123 regular-season games, Spaeth totaled 55 receptions for 420 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns. He was a member of the Steelers’ Super Bowl XLIII Championship team.

To take Spaeth’s spot on the 90-man roster, the Steelers signed rookie free agent tight end Mandel Dixon, listed as 6-foot-2, 231 pounds during his final season at Tulsa. Dixon was undrafted in 2016 and then a tryout participant for the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie minicamp.

Following this move and the earlier retirement of Heath Miller, the Steelers will be without two of the three tight ends who were on the roster for the AFC Divisional Round Game in Denver last January. The only returning tight end is Jess James, a second-year pro who was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

During the offseason, the Steelers signed Ladarius Green as an unrestricted free agent, and they brought back David Johnson after he was released by the San Diego Chargers. Xavier Grimble, who was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad on Sept. 7, 2015 and spend the season there, also qualifies as a player with some experience with the team. Paul Lang, a sixth tight end on the current roster, was signed on June 7.



[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Spaeth-released-Dixon-added-at-TE/53cb04cd-3df5-48db-b532-d03844cf1ce3[/URL]

[Oviedo]

That will stir some things up and open some opportunities given that Green will also be unlikely ready for the start of camp

[phillyesq]

Unless Spaeth recovers before the season starts, it looks like David Johnson is likely to be on the roster. Even if Grimble really flashes in camp, I can't see the Steelers having a roster where 2 of 3 TEs are more big WRs than blockers.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Yeah, David Johnson likely re-claims his old role, most recently performed by Will Johnson, as a TE3/H-back/FB hybrid type (to Ovie's dismay...he liked David Johnson back then about as much as he likes Jarvis Jones now).

Green takes Heath's TE1 role (with more dynamic route running capabilities, but not the same degree of blocking acumen).

James takes Spaeth's TE2 role (also with more pass catching ability but less blocking ability).

As philly said, Grimble (more receiver than blocker) would normally be a strong consideration for a spot on the final 53, if we weren't already going through a blocking downgrade a TE1 and TE2...so the TE3 spot will most likely go to David Johnson instead (more blocker than receiver). It doesn't hurt that Grimble still has practice squad eligibility.

[Oviedo]

Yeah, David Johnson likely re-claims his old role, most recently performed by Will Johnson, as a TE3/H-back/FB hybrid type (to Ovie's dismay...he liked David Johnson back then about as much as he likes Jarvis Jones now).

Green takes Heath's TE1 role (with more dynamic route running capabilities, but not the same degree of blocking acumen).

James takes Spaeth's TE2 role (also with more pass catching ability but less blocking ability).

As philly said, Grimble (more receiver than blocker) would normally be a strong consideration for a spot on the final 53, if we weren't already going through a blocking downgrade a TE1 and TE2...so the TE3 spot will most likely go to David Johnson instead (more blocker than receiver). It doesn't hurt that Grimble still has practice squad eligibility.

I'm sure Johnson will be as spectacularly mediocre now as he was then. He isn't that good a blocker and not close to being as good as Spaeth. Maybe Big V becomes our hybrid OT/TE3. Good way to save a roster spot.

[SteelCrazy]

Im with OV hoping Johnson doesnt "re-claim" his old position. Ever since the wiff heard around the world in SB 45, I can barely tolerate him.

[Rara]

#WasteofSpeath

[Ghost]

I'm sure Johnson will be as spectacularly mediocre now as he was then. He isn't that good a blocker and not close to being as good as Spaeth. Maybe Big V becomes our hybrid OT/TE3. Good way to save a roster spot.

I'm with you. Not close to Spaeth. And mediocre is being kind.