Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Thursday.
The Kickoff
It is very possible that by the time I finish this sentence the Pittsburgh Steelers will have made a roster move. Then again, they may not do anything. After releasing their initial 53-man roster Tuesday, they were able to sign a number of the guys who they had released to the Practice Squad on Wednesday. If there are any “shocking” developments from this week so far it’s likely the fact they still haven’t addressed the number two wide receiver position. I wouldn’t call the selection of guys that came available this week “bountiful” by any stretch but there were some potential targets. It doesn’t look that way any longer as most of those guys have latched on with other teams already. Does that mean a trade is coming? Maybe but I’m not really feeling it right now.
The Practice Squad (for now)
Defensive Back (5): Beanie Bishop, Sebastian Castro, D’Shawn Jamison, James Pierre, Daryl Porter
Defensive Line (2): Kyler Baugh, DeMarvin Leal
Linebacker (1): Julius Welschof
Offensive Line (2): Dylan Cook, Steven Jones
Running Back (2): Lew Nichols, Trey Sermon
Tight End (1): JJ Galbreath
Wide Receiver (3): Max Hurleman, Ke’Shawn Williams, Robert Woods
The Surprises
Donte Kent, the seventh round pick from Central Michigan, didn’t even play in the preseason. Yet, made the active roster… Carson Bruener is a classic example of a guy who made the roster on sheer effort and potential. I had him pegged for the PS with Mark Robinson sticking around… Chuck Clark being cut was surprising too. The roster has just three safeties on it right now. You’ll also notice that Robinson hasn’t joined the Steelers’ PS. As of right now anyway.
Note: Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN, the Steelers will place Kent and QB Will Howard on IR. They will then bring back S Chuck Clark and G Max Scharmping.
The Podcast
Episode 436 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc airs tonight at 10pmET. We will go head first into this roster, the Practice Squad and much more! Casey Kasem returns with what is certain to be one hell of an appearance.
Final Word on Pickett
I couldn’t help but to throw some thoughts out there regarding former first round pick Kenny Pickett. He’s now with his fourth team in four seasons which doesn’t look good for him or the Steelers.
More Overseas Games?
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said recently that he would like to take the seven international games already on the schedule for this year and expand that to as many as 16. The majority of fans don’t want this to happen. The majority of players don’t want this to happen either. The only ones that do are the only ones that matter – the owners. If you didn’t realize this league wasn’t about money and money only then I don’t know what to tell you. International games suck and nothing will change my mind of this.
Random Reads
The Steelers are off for the next four days and then will return on Labor Day (Monday) to prepare for the NY Jets. And yes, they’ll get their traditional players’ day off on Tuesday as well… Dan Graziano of ESPN published an article in which he has a potential surprise for each team. His surprise for the Steelers is that they’ll use a lot of tight ends. Wow. Way to go out on a limb Dan…. I’ll take Notre Dame, Ohio State and Clemson in the three big games this weekend… I hear Skip Bayless is making a comeback. Why? He’s unwatchable… Seeing as the Steelers were steamrolled by Baltimore the last time we saw them, its’ fitting we open with the Jets. They will have one of the better rushing attacks in the League with Braelon Allen and Breece Hall… Have a safe and great Labor Day Weekend everyone.
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