It never comes as a surprise to see veteran players around the NFL get cut during training camp. If a team can save money by employing a younger player who performs at a similar level then why not go that route?
Our eyes in the sky in Latrobe told me today that three veterans of the Pittsburgh Steelers may find themselves in just such a position. Matt Spaeth, Will Johnson and William Gay could be released during the preseason if they’re younger and cheaper counterparts continue to excel.
Let me break down the reasons why each guy could, and I stress, could be in trouble.
Matt Spaeth – The Steelers are very pleased so far with both Jesse James and Cameron Clear. The deciding factor will be run blocking. If both, especially James, can hold their own in that capacity then that makes Spaeth expendable.
James has shown better receiving capability that first thought and Clear has caught several TD passes the last couple of days in scrimmages.
Will Johnson – Roosevelt Nix, who I thought would push Johnson yet still be on the practice squad, is impressing the Steelers with his blocking. Where it has been the most noticeable has been in the red zone where Nix has blown open some very nice holes.
While the Steelers need more than just blocking from their fullback, it has to be hard for them to dismiss Nix’s chances. Their struggles in red zone being the biggest reason.
William Gay – This is easily the biggest projection we are taking because many view Gay as the best all-around corner the Steelers have right now. So why might he be sent packing before the regular season hits? He’s in the final year of his contract and will be 31 years old next season. He’ll want a big contract and I don’t see the Steelers giving him one.
The Steelers are very pleased with the play of both Doran Grant and Kevin Fogg and they are also confident that Senquez Golson will be back this season. Throw in the fact that they seem to like newly acquired Brandon Boykin on the outside and there ya go. That said, I still think Gay sticks with the Steelers for the 2015 season.
Don’t be surprised if he slides back into the slot while Boykin and Cortez Allen man the outside spots. With the threat of more cover-2, that helps both Boykin and Allen in those positions.
For now, these three guys are on my radar but that doesn’t mean other vets won’t get there. With a long way to go in camp, there’s plenty of time.
20 comments
What? There is no way spaeth isnt making the team. They are not happy with Clear and he came into camp out of shape. How does that make him a favorite? He has been out of gas numerous times and pulled off the field. Unless Clear drastically improves, he wont even make the practice squad.
James is really starting to come on though.
As I said, the preseason games will determine whether Spaeth stays or not. I can tell you that while Clear has had his struggles, they really like him. They actually had him in for a pre-draft visit. James will definitely make the team, I agree.
Yeah. Clearly Cam Clear no pun intended) is struggling and having an awful camp. http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/8801436-74/practice-steelers-camp#axzz3i9ed5viO
You are an idiot.
Appreciate your thoughtful and creative response!
That isn’t a very JamesH-like response. I have to wonder if someone hijacked his handle. Don’t get me wrong. He may think you an idiot, or your premise idiotic. He is just usually more inclined to make a compelling counter argument.
Meh… I’ve been called worse. LoL
I don’t think there’s a chance in hell that Spaeth gets cut either. He’s too good at run blocking. It may be his bread and butter, but when someone is that good at something he tends to stay employed. Heath was not nearly as good a blocker as years past in 2014.
I think Will Johnson is replaceable, but don’t know how much TE Roosevelt Nix can play. I know they like Nix, but am unsure about his receiving ability.
I also don’t see how they can possibly cut Willie Gay. He is only scheduled to make $1.5M in 2015.
By comparison, (speaking to cash payments here, not cap #s), Cortez Allen will make $5.6M (not at least converting the roster bonus to a per game 46 man active roster bonus really was idiotic), Senquez Golson will collect $1.604M, Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin will both make $1.542M on RFA deals. Gay is actually the 5th best compensated CB on the roster and is a better option than his cheaper alternatives in Doran Grant, BW Webb, Kevin Fogg and Jordan Sullen.
As I wrote, I don’t think Gay goes anywhere. I bring him up because I honestly don’t think people understand just where this defense is headed. Gay is not a C2 guy and if they head there as much as it sounds then he might be expendable.
As for Spaeth, I prefaced his release by saying that the verdict on James and Clear is going to be the preseason games.
In regards to FB, if Nix can block and open holes I want him over WJ who catches like four balls a season.
Given their lack of depth at CB, I just don’t see them getting rid of Gay. I mean they kept Cortez and he hasn’t produced in 2 years. That should tell us exactly how thin and how little confidence the Steelers had in the defensive backfield coming into the season.
test
I could see Spaeth going. He didn’t have much to offer to begin with and he seems to have left that in Chicago. I don’t know what Cameron Clear one of the commenters is talking about, The one I’ve seen looks mean and lean. Will Johnson is also a good receiver so unless this new guy can do that too, he should be safe. And you have to be drinking hallucination juice if that William Gay is going anywhere. If anything Cortez Allen is the one on the block. Guess who’s behind him at right CB, Brandon Boykin. It’s the ridiculously overpaid Allen’s last chance to show he belongs in the NFL. I’m looking for him to crash and burn in preseason and we have Boykin, Gay outside and Antwan Blake in the slot.
That was: ‘if you think’ that William Gay is going anywhere.
Cortez is safe because of what they have invested in him. Paying him $3M in March guaranteed him at least 1 more year. They should have cut him or turned his bonus and most of his salary into incentives. We’re stuck with him.
I’m not JAMESH either. Just wanted to demonstrate how easy it is to fake a comment when one lacks the originality to come up with their own moniker.
If Gay is the best all-around corner the Steelers have, they are in deep, deep trouble. The pick sixes he had last year were gifts.
Again, as I pointed out in the article, Gay will most likely hang on for 2015 simply because he’s the most experienced of the CBs. I am however suggesting it isn’t impossible for him to be cut loose. If the team really does go more C2 and if the young guys come around then why keep him?
I think you are reading the William Gay situation totally wrong. He’s a return Steeler, remember? He’s tested free agency didn’t like it and came back. I don’t think he’s looking to score a big contract. He wants to be part of winning franchise. He likes being back home. He’s also playing the best football of his career and likes being in the position of mentoring the younger players. William Gay is a Steeler for life. And I’ll say something else. He’s not the best CB on the Steelers, Brandon Boykin is.
Thus far in Pittsburgh Brandon Boykin has had a few nice practices. Why don’t we let him actually demonstrate something on the field in games before we start throwing around superlatives about him being the best anything.
I think your list is fairly accurate, Gay’s play has been up and down his entire career. And if Johnson or Spaeth were not to show up before kick-off they wouldn’t be missed.