Steelers Initial 53 Reaction

The Steelers cut their roster down to the mandatory 53-man squad today. The team has more moves to be made before they take the field against the Bills next weekend, but here’s a look at where they stand, what surprised me and where there’s work to be done.

Quarterback

Their group (3): Haskins, Roethlisberger, Rudolph.

My group (3): Haskins, Roethlisberger, Rudolph.

Analysis: No surprises here, especially after the team announced Josh Dobbs was heading to IR. Before you ask: no, Cam Newton will not be walking through that door. This is the unit you spent all camp working with and it doesn’t make sense to bring a guy in off the street and start from scratch.

Running Back

My group (5): Ballage, Harris, McFarland Jr., Snell Jr., Watt.

Their group (5): Ballage, Harris, McFarland Jr., Snell Jr., Watt.

Analysis: Lot of power runners in this RB room. Part of me thought they’d stick with Samuels over Snell – despite a collar-loosener of a preseason – to balance the speed/power distribution. Snell’s special teams acumen probably gave him the edge.

Tight End

My group (3): Ebron, Freiermuth, Gentry.

Their group (3): Ebron, Freiermuth, Gentry

Analysis: Freiermuth is a lethal redzone threat, but his contribution to the unit as a blocker made Kevin Rader obsolete. Look for him to resurface on the practice squad, but hope he doesn’t need to be elevated.

Wide Receiver

My group (5): D. Johnson, Claypool, McCloud, Smith-Schuster, Washington.

Their group (5): Claypool, D. Johnson, McCloud, Smith-Schuster, Washington

Analysis: Another group I nailed. McCloud makes this team largely due to Matthew Sexton taking a swan dive in the preseason finale. With the offensive firepower this team has, I don’t ever need to see him run a route.

Offensive Line

My group (9): Banner, Dotson, Green, Haeg, Hassenaeur, Moore Jr., Finney, Okorafor, Turner.

Their group (8): Banner, Dotson, Green, Haeg, Hassenauer, Moore Jr., Okorafor, Turner.

Analysis: The Finney loss was the surprise of cut-down day. So we have Dotson at the Left Guard, Turner at RG, and J.C. Hassenaeur backing up the entire interior of the offensive line? Haeg can play inside as well, but any way you slice it this is easily the thinnest group on the roster.

Defensive Line

My group (6): Alualu, Buggs, Heyward, Loudermilk, Tuitt, Wormley.

Their group (8): Alualu, Buggs, Davis, Heyward, Loudermilk, Mondeaux, Tuitt, Wormley.

Analysis: Talent warrants the unprecedented depth here. Buggs, Wormley and Davis all represented themselves well in the preseason. Loudermilk has shown flashes of the traits the team coveted enough to trade up in the draft to get him. For a man of 6’7”, though, he’s only 240 pounds. Expect a redshirt season from him while he bulks up. Mondeaux might be shuffled if the team adds another CB.

Inside Linebacker

My group (5): Allen, Bush, UG3, Johnson, Schobert.

Their group (6): Allen, Bush, UG3, B. Johnson, Schobert, Spillane.

Analysis: The unit may have benefited from Marcus Allen’s hamstring uncertainty. Spillane can stuff the run, but I hate seeing him in coverage. Let’s hope Keith Butler has given up on his Jackie Moon, “Everybody Cover Everybody” defense.

Outside Linebacker

My group (5): Highsmith, Ingram, Jones, Marsh, Watt,

Their group (4): Highsmith, Ingram III, Jones, Watt.

Analysis: DL is the deepest unit on the roster, this is the most talented. Highsmith and Ingram looked like monsters this preseason, and TJ Watt hasn’t stepped on the field yet. Jamir Jones was the Ola Adeniyi of a few preseasons ago; let’s hope his progression follows a different trajectory. Cassius Marsh is the odd man out; he didn’t do a ton in the preseason, but I thought they’d keep an extra guy here considering how much Keith Butler blitzes.

Corner Back

My group (5): Haden, Layne, Pierre, Maulet, Sutton.

Their group (4): Haden, Layne, Pierre, Sutton.

Analysis: Only 8 Defensive Backs on the roster. Nobody took the slot job by the throat in the preseason; look for the team to make an addition there before going up against Josh Allen and Cole Beasley.

Safeties

My group (4): Edmunds, Fitzpatrick, Killebrew, Norwood.

Their group (4): Edmunds, Fitzpatrick, Killebrew, Norwood.

Analysis: The only group on the defense I nailed. This is likely Terrell Edmunds’s final year as a Steeler; Miles Killebrew has primarily worked on special teams so the SS position will be a priority next offseason. Tre Norwood was a 7th rounder who played CB in college, and got some work as the slot corner against Carolina. He doesn’t seem to be the answer as a blitzer, and his ranginess and coverage ability make him ideal on the back end.

Specialists

My group (3): Boswell, Harvin, Canaday.

Their group (3): Boswell, Harvin III, Kuntz.

Analysis: Who was that Steelers punter from a few years ago with the arms? Daniel Sepulveda? Presley Harvin III is 5’11” and 263 pounds of “you better run your ass out of bounds.” Let’s hope he doesn’t have to use it too often. I thought the team would ride with Canaday, who acquitted himself nicely in camp after a down year. The Steelers stuck with Bos after his terrible 2019, and it paid off.

Strange But True:

Eight of the Steelers’ nine draft picks in 2021 made the initial 53-man roster. On top of that, at least three – if not four – of them will start Day One against Buffalo. Admittedly, they did limp into the draft with a roster full of holes and limited cap space to bring in reinforcements. You still have to tip your hat to Colbert & Co. for doing what they did with what they had.

Steelers 2021 Roster Prediction

Who’s in and who’s out?
Photo: Karl Roser

QB(3): Roethlisberger, Rudolph, Haskins

Rudolph not playing last night tells us he had the QB2 job locked up. Haskins and Dobbs were competing for the third spot. Neither guy took the job by the throat against the Panthers, but Dobbs’s injury may have made that decision for by default.

RB(5): Harris, McFarland Jr., Ballage, Snell Jr., Watt

Based on reports coming out of Steelers practices, the FB position was featured heavily in the early going. Trey Edmunds can back up Derek Watt, but he’ll clear waivers and can be stashed on the practice squad. Najee can be a three-down back, but I like McFarland on 3rd and long, and Ballage on 3rd and short. Benny Snell couldn’t get on the field in preseason, and didn’t do much against Carolina. But he’s good insurance against injury, and the room looks more rounded with him around.

TE(3): Ebron, Freiermuth, Gentry

Came down to Gentry v. Rader. Either could probably be carried on the practice squad. Freiermuth’s addition to the blocking game should make Rader’s contributions redundant.

WR(5): Smith-Schuster, D. Johnson, Claypool, Washington, McCloud

Matthew Sexton did his best to lose the returner job, putting two punts on the ground Friday against the Panthers. He also offers nothing offensively, and Ray-Ray McCloud showed an ability to be dynamic catching passes. With all the other weapons the Steelers have, let’s hope they don’t need him to run routes.

OL(9): Okorafor, Dotson, Green, Turner, Banner, Moore, Finney, Hassenaeur, Haeg

Coward isn’t quite ready yet, but neither was Zach Banner when he first showed up. I want to see what he can do practicing against NFL guys for a whole year, and he can be stashed. I gave his spot to an extra defensive lineman, as Tuitt insurance.

DL(6): Tuitt, Alualu, Heyward, Buggs, Wormley, Loudermilk

Tuitt is a bit of a question mark, but Cam Heyward isn’t worried, so neither am I. As a fan. But if I’m running a business I hope for sunshine and prepare for rain. I’d be shocked to see Loudermilk not make the 53, after the team traded up to get him.

ILB(5): Bush, Schobert, Gilbert III, Allen, Johnson

UG3 did enough in the preseason finale. Marcus Allen can provide emergency safety depth. All the good will Robert Spillane garnered by stuffing Derrick Henry at the goalline last year has evaporated by watching him in coverage this preseason.

OLB(5): Watt, Highsmith, Ingram, Jones, Marsh

Jamir Jones leapt over Cassius Marsh to go from emergency depth to a part of the pass rush rotation. Marsh could lose his spot to D-line depth (Carlos Davis) if Stephon Tuitt doesn’t trend upwards.

CB(5): Haden, Sutton, Pierre, Layne, Maulet

James Pierre showed a willingness and utility in run support in the preseason finale. His speed coming off the edge could be a devastating blitz if he gets a look at the Mike Hilton role. I also like his speed and size on the outside, and kicking Cam Sutton inside to the nickel. His football IQ should make it easier for him to step in and out of various roles.

S(4): Fitzpatrick, Edmunds, Killebrew, Norwood

Granted the Steelers had an extra game on the schedule, but Miles Killebrew led the entire NFL in tackles this preseason. Tre Norwood dropped at least 3 picks this preseason, and the Steelers are neither in the horse shoes nor the hand grenades business. On the other hand, a dropped pick is still a pass defended, and Norwood isn’t trying out to be a receiver.

Specialists(3): Boswell, Harvin III, Canaday

Harvin is already close enough to Berry to be able to compete for the job, but his room to grow is what gives him the edge. The long-snapper position is the one guy you never want showing up on tape, and Canaday made himself vulnerable by racking up a resume last season. Kuntz offers more in coverage but according to Alex Kozora’s charting Canaday has the quicker snap. Ask any kicker or punter in the NFL which they’d prefer in a long-snapper.

Steelers @ Panthers, 8/27/21 Game Recap

Mike Tomlin called the Steelers’ performance “junior varsity” after a dismal outing Friday against the Panthers.

Dwayne Haskins got the start and played the first half and the first drive of the second half, tallying 38 yards on 5-12 passing. He fumbled a snap that hit him right in the hands, and had an interception off a tipped pass thrown high and behind Derek Watt. There were flashes, though; on one play Haskins shed a blitzer like 2009 Ben. If Ray-Ray McCloud attacks some of those balls instead of waiting on them and letting DBs make plays, the first half may have looked a lot different.

Josh Dobbs wasn’t much better at the helm, finishing 6-11 for 35 yards. He did have a 12 yard run, but left the game with an injury (INC on the report card). Haskins re-entered and looked like a whole new man, going 4-4 for 70 yards. McCloud also found a new gear; he had 2 of those catches for 50 yards, and added a 5 yard run.

Helping his case to make the team is the fact that Matthew Sexton did everything he could to lose his job. Maybe he has sweet post-COVID travel plans we’re keeping him from, that’s the only reason I can think of for trying to field punts on the bounce, in traffic. Was he not paying attention when the Steelers played the Cowboys? I was surprised Tomlin let him back out there, and even more surprised when he dropped another punt. Why would he shoot himself in both feet?

Speaking of drops, Chase Claypool also had one early in this game. While you don’t like to see that, look on the bright side: Chase Claypool played in this game! It wasn’t long ago he had that scare in practice and we were talking about if he’d be ready for Buffalo. He also had an 11 yard jet sweep, and most importantly got out healthy. He’ll be ready for Buffalo.

Loudermilk grabs Grier by the Polamalus.
Photo: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

On the defensive side, there wasn’t much to smile about. Jamir Jones did have an excellent showing, leading the team with 8 total tackles, 2 QB hits and a sack (to be fair, if Mondeaux wasn’t held, he would have gotten at least half of Jones’s sack). Jones quickly went from a reserve LB whose path to the roster was via special teams, to a legitimate two-phase threat.

James Pierre was also strong in run defense; I wonder if the team has looked at him for the more physical slot corner role.

Tre Norwood dropped yet another pick, at least his third of this preseason. But Mike Tomlin coaches football – which is neither horse shoes nor hand grenades – so almost intercepting passes may not be good enough.

Already up 17-0, the Panthers’ received to open the second half. The word for what happened next was “efficient”: the last 4 plays went for 10+ yards, the last 3 went for 20+ en route to another TD.

As frustrated as they must have been in their defense, the coaches didn’t do many favors to the guys trying to keep their jobs. At one they point made the baffling decision to combat a 5-wide set with their base 3-4 defense. PJ Walker threw to a TE over the middle of the field who dropped the pass, but clearly the scouting report is out on Steelers linebackers in coverage.

Lamont Wade forced a fumble that was ruled down by contact on the field. Tomlin challenged, and it was ruled the runner did in fact fumble before going down. Huzzah, the Steelers win a challenge for once! Right? Not so fast. Ulysses Gilbert, trying to make the recovery, touched the ball with his right toe on the sideline, making the ball dead and returning possession to the Panthers. Steelers were charged a TO because they didn’t take possession, but they did overrule the down by contact and awarded Wade a FF. “The Steelers are challenging the ruling on the field that the runner was down by contact.”

Kam Canaday DNP tonight due to an illness, so it’s up to the team to decide if Christian Kuntz did enough to win the long snapper job. Chris Boswell contributed a 52 yard FG he sliced through the uprights, but missed an extra point on the team’s only TD. I’ll have to go back to the tape and see if a bad snap/hold influenced that.

Now for the battle you’ve been waiting for: the punters. Both entrants had 4 attempts; they must know how much I love consistent sample sizes. Jordan Berry averaged 43.8 yards per, narrowly edging out Presley Harvin’s 42.3. The team has said consistency is the most important trait for a punter; has Harvin’s streakiness been a turn-off?

FINAL SCORE: 34-9 Panthers. ON TO BUFFALO.

INJURY REPORT:

Marcus Allen, hamstring

Josh Dobbs, turf toe

Jaylen Samuels, seen leaving with Dobbs but Tomlin didn’t address it