Nine signed to offseason roster

[Pittsburgh]

Steelers sign nine to offseason roster
Thursday, January 07, 2010
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers have signed nine players to their offseason roster, including seven members of their 2009 practice squad and former defensive tackle Scott Paxson.

However, one of the players not signed is former Penn State and Moon High School center A.Q. Shipley, who was on the practice squad.

The practice-squad members signed to the offseason roster are RBs Justin Vincent and Isaac Redman, TE Eugene Bright, WR Jason Chery, S Tuff Harris, DT Steve McCLendon and CB Trae Williams.

Paxson, who spent time on the active roster and practice squad between 2006-2008, was signed along with K Piotr Czech, who was cut in training camp last summer.

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[steelblood]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

How was Czech on kickoffs? Does anyone remember?

[Oviedo]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

I guess signing Czech is an insurance policy in case Reed has another mental lapse. Or is a signal that the organization made it's offer to the "frat boy" and he rejected him so don't expect a second one?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

Interesting that T-Rex Shipley is not on that list. Hopefully that means that they are satisfied with the progress of Legursky and Urbik and the rehab of Stapleton.

Trae Williams was an interesting late season pickup to be a CB prospect, and we should get the same Frank the Tank vs. Redzone Redman showdown in camp this year. With Reed an UFA, having Czech as insurance gives the team a bit of leverage in negotiations.

[Pittsburgh]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

How was Czech on kickoffs? Does anyone remember?

He was booting them deep with no problem in that Buffalo preseason game. Overall, I thought he was impressive. If Reed is unwilling to take the Steelers offer, I would have no problem having him as our kicker.

Unfortunately and according to many in Steelers nation, Jeff Reed is the only FG kicker in the country who can kick FG's at Heinz Field, so we must sign him at all cost. On a related note, the Rooney's are currently dipping into the field of cryonic freezing when it comes to Jeff Reed.

[Oviedo]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

How was Czech on kickoffs? Does anyone remember?

He was booting them deep with no problem in that Buffalo preseason game. I thought he was impressive. If Reed is unwilling to take the Steelers offer, I would have no problem having him as our kicker.

Unfortunately and according to many in Steelers nation, Jeff Reed is the only FG kicker in the country who can kick FG's at Heinz Field, so we must sign him at all cost. On a related note, the Rooney's are currently dipping into the field of cryonic freezing when it comes to Jeff Reed.

Maybe Reed is the best kicker at Heinz field because he kicks there more than any other kicker in the league, e.g. 8 games per season versus 1 per season. I don't buy the Reed is special train of thought just because Kris Brown wasn't a good kicker and Reed was better.

[Pittsburgh]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

I don't buy the Reed is special train of thought just because Kris Brown wasn't a good kicker and Reed was better.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one.

[phillyesq]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

I guess signing Czech is an insurance policy in case Reed has another mental lapse. Or is a signal that the organization made it's offer to the "frat boy" and he rejected him so don't expect a second one?

I don't think this means anything except that Czech will be a camp leg next spring. If I recall, he missed at least one very easy and makeable FG in the preseason.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

I still don't see the fascination with Vincent.

[Oviedo]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

I still don't see the fascination with Vincent.

He does what a practice squad player should do...tackling dummy at the running back position. He has a skill set where he can act as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. Don't want Mendy, FWP or Mdwelde being tackling dummies for the first team defense.

However, I'm sure our WR love to play against the "first" team defense. Great confidence builder and probably greatly aided Mike Wallace's development and conficence.

[Pittsburgh]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

If I recall, he missed at least one very easy and makeable FG in the preseason.

He made a 44 yarder to seal the deal against the Cards and a 41 yarder against the Redskins. In the Bills game, he made a 34 yarder and booted his first two kickoffs 70 yards deep with returns to the 17 and 18.

He missed a 36 yarder against the Cards and a 40 yarder just right against the Bills.

[phillyesq]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

If I recall, he missed at least one very easy and makeable FG in the preseason.

He made a 44 yarder to seal the deal against the Cards and a 41 yarder against the Redskins. In the Bills game, he made a 34 yarder and booted his first two kickoffs 70 yards deep with returns to the 17 and 18.

He missed a 36 yarder against the Cards and a 40 yarder just right against the Bills.

Did he have very strong winds behind him on the kickoffs in the Bills game, or am I completely wrong on that?

[Pittsburgh]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

Did he have very strong winds behind him on the kickoffs in the Bills game, or am I completely wrong on that?

That I do not recall. I just recall seeing something from Czech that I hardly ever see from Jeff Reed, a kickoff going past the 25 yard line.

[steelblood]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

I reallly want better kickoffs next season. FGs are really important, but I think I'd take a guy who missed 3-5 more than Reed would if that guy could get a lot of touchbacks and make life easier for our coverage teams. I think the points lost on the FGs would at least be a wash if we can eliminate most of the kickoff return TDs (was it 5 this season?)

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Nine signed to offseason roster

Did he have very strong winds behind him on the kickoffs in the Bills game, or am I completely wrong on that?

That I do not recall. I just recall seeing something from Czech that I hardly ever see from Jeff Reed, a kickoff going past the 25 yard line.

I thought it was odd that Reed's leg finally showed up in the last game in Miami with a touchback that went 6-7 yards deep in the endzone, and another kick that was 2-3 yards deep in the endzone that their return guy brought out (but I think our coverage team tackled him around the 18 yard line in that instance).