Who will be a surprise cut?

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

There are quite a few players who are considered to be automatic on everybody's 53 man list. But could there be one cut that shocks us all?

Obviously players like Ben, Harrison, etc. are not going anywhere, but who might not make it?

Okay, I'll go first...and it is a big one:

Deshea Townsend

He turns 34 one week today.

Salary for '09 is $1.8M. He is in the last year of his contract.

Will be a nickel back at best.

We have two '09 draft picks who we want to get onto the roster without exposing them to the PS.

We have Ratliff as the needed "veteran presence" so that the kids will not be forced into a starting position if a starter goes down.

Ratliff and Lewis have both looked good this summer while Burnett has shown flashes and both he and Lewis can play ST.

While he has been practicing at FS, if he is not needed at CB will he really be kept for a position that he has never played? Ratliff can also be the vet corner who can cover at FS if needed.

While he is still the most cerebral CB we have, he no longer has the speed to keep up with the slot guys, nor the height to jump with the bigger outside guys.

I love what he has contributed to the team over the years, but I think that he is past his prime. Ideally I would like to see him retire and enter the coaching ranks. He understands the position and has had a solid career with limited physical talent. Often those are the guys who make the best coaches.

Next.......

[Oviedo]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

Kirschke would be my bet. Carey Davis would be my second choice.

I don't see Deshea leaving with our lack of depth at Safety, however this will be his last season.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

Kirschke would be my bet. Carey Davis would be my second choice.

I don't see Deshea leaving with our lack of depth at Safety, however this will be his last season.

I agree with you O, but I was going more for shock value. I have seen a few 53's that had Kirschke getting cut so that would not be a huge shock - especially after drafting Ziggy to be the third DE in the rotation. And cutting Carey Davis is something that it seems every Steelers fan is wishing for every year since he arrived.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

Bruce Davis ( although that wouldn't be a huge surprise).

[Starlifter]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

deshea has lost a little speed, but his experience and leadership make up for that - just ask tony romo. you are correct that if he is cut it will have high shock value but I don't see it. I agree with Kirsche as the most likely 'surprise'. Too bad though, he's been a dependable guy and always plays solid.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

Kirschke would be my bet. Carey Davis would be my second choice.

I don't see Deshea leaving with our lack of depth at Safety, however this will be his last season.

Ditto. Throw in Madison as the #3.

[pfelix73]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

I'd be totally shocked if.... McHugh were cut...... Then again, maybe not.

[Oviedo]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

Kirschke would be my bet. Carey Davis would be my second choice.

I don't see Deshea leaving with our lack of depth at Safety, however this will be his last season.

Ditto. Throw in Madison as the #3.

I would not be surprised to see Madison go. He is a luxury that we can't afford and Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett can grow into the gunner role. As a DB, Madison could not cover anything if it was a blanket on his own bed. He is absolutely horrible.

[phillyesq]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

I don't believe it for a second, but the worst rumor/speculation I've seen on a surprise cut is Hampton.

[url]http://www.postgameheroes.com/?p=7487[/url]

I think the most realistic surprise cut is Townsend or Kirshke. Maybe McDonald if they choose to use Logan as the fifth wr, but I really doubt it.

If Stapelton was still healthy, I would say that Hartwig had a chance of getting axed, but on a team with SB aspirations, i don't think you can go w/ Legursky/Shipley at center.

[Jooser]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

I'd thought going into camp that McDonald would beat out the rookie Wallace. But, Tomlin really likes what he's seeing out of this kid, so I'd say McDonald will be my surprise cut.

[Jigawatts]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

Kirschke would be my bet. Carey Davis would be my second choice.

I don't see Deshea leaving with our lack of depth at Safety, however this will be his last season.

I agree Kirsche is gone to make room for Stephan Logan. Logan's got to take someones
spot, and I think Kirsches will do.

I don't believe it for a second, but the worst rumor/speculation I've seen on a surprise cut is Hampton.

I guess this wouldn't be all to shocking since Keisel re-upped a few days ago and
Hampton looks to be the odd man out after this season, but I wouldn't expect
them to cut him before the season starts. That's not the way the Steelers do
business with their vets.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

I agree Kirsche is gone to make room for Stephan Logan. Logan's got to take someones spot, and I think Kirsches will do.

I don't think Logan, at 5'7" 185 lbs will hold up very long in Kirschke's spot in the defensive line rotation, though.

I guess this wouldn't be all to shocking since Keisel re-upped a few days ago and Hampton looks to be the odd man out after this season, but I wouldn't expect them to cut him before the season starts. That's not the way the Steelers do
business with their vets.

They did cut Porter and Foote before their contracts were up, though. However, I don't see them doing that with Hampton either.

[Jigawatts]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

I agree Kirsche is gone to make room for Stephan Logan. Logan's got to take someones spot, and I think Kirsches will do.

I don't think Logan, at 5'7" 185 lbs will hold up very long in Kirschke's spot in the defensive line rotation, though.

I guess this wouldn't be all to shocking since Keisel re-upped a few days ago and Hampton looks to be the odd man out after this season, but I wouldn't expect them to cut him before the season starts. That's not the way the Steelers do
business with their vets.

They did cut Porter and Foote before their contracts were up, though. However, I don't see them doing that with Hampton either.

They did both of them favors.

[Jigawatts]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

and you know what I mean about Logan you bastage.

[Oviedo]

Re: Who will be a surprise cut?

I agree Kirsche is gone to make room for Stephan Logan. Logan's got to take someones spot, and I think Kirsches will do.

I don't think Logan, at 5'7" 185 lbs will hold up very long in Kirschke's spot in the defensive line rotation, though.

I guess this wouldn't be all to shocking since Keisel re-upped a few days ago and Hampton looks to be the odd man out after this season, but I wouldn't expect them to cut him before the season starts. That's not the way the Steelers do
business with their vets.

They did cut Porter and Foote before their contracts were up, though. However, I don't see them doing that with Hampton either.

I really think the Steelers are banking on no CBA next year to solve some of these problems. With no CBA it is an uncapped year and if correct they can franchise one player and I think either two or three transition players. That essentially means they can buy another year to groom replacements and still keep Hampton, FWP, Clark and Reed. No CBA also means that Colon will be a RFA not and UFA because he won't have six years of service.

If this plays out like I think it may then we keep the core together for 2010 and still can bring in both Hampton's and Clark's replacements and essentially redshirt them.