Pittsburgh Steelers: Short Takes On The Current Roster
By Harv Aronson
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberge (7) throws the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Most likely, not much will change with the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ roster between now and the start of training camp at the end of July.
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However, by opening day in September, instead of the team having its current 92 player makeup, only 53 men will have survived this summer at St. Vincent’s college and be ready for the 2015 season.
A handful of others will make up the practice squad. Before the mini-camps and OTAs begin, what follows is a brief synopsis of all 92 men who are currently under contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mike Adams (OT). Adams continues to hang around doing just enough to save himself a spot on the roster.
Cortez Allen (CB). Allen will be clinging to a starting job in training camp hoping one of the new young bucks doesn’t blow by him replacing Ike Taylor.
Will Allen (S). Special packages is the key word for Allen.
Dri Archer (WR/RB). Make-or-break season. A bust in 2014, he’s got one training camp to prove he is NFL ready.
Kelvin Beachum (T/G). A very pleasant surprise, continues to improve.
Le’Veon Bell (RB). Superstar. Enough said.
Jordan Berry (P). Can he break a Wing?
Antwon Blake (CB). Impressive at times last season, will be vying for a bigger role and possibly as a starter.
Rob Blanchflower (TE). Injured last year, must prove he was worthy of being drafted this year.
Tajh Boyd (QB). Intriguing athlete, will battle Landry Jones for #3.
Antonio Brown (WR). Superstar #2.
Martavis Bryant (WR). Thrilled Steelers Nation last season once he got in the lineup. Rising star.
Brelan Chancellor (WR). Undrafted last year, Chargers signed and released him. Has his work cut out for him making this squad.
Anthony Chickillo (DE). Will put up a good battle at St. Vincent’s. Practice squad for sure.
Cameron Clear (TE). Too much competition, wont’ make this team.
Sammie Coates (WR). Has skills but is up against a talented field.
Matt Conrath (DE). Hung around as a St. Louis Ram but chances are slim he’ll be hanging around in the ‘Burgh.
Nigel Crawford-Kinney (DT). May open a few eyes this Summer but probably not enough to keep around permanently.
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Jordan Dangerfield (S). Dangerfield is in danger of not making this team.
Alden Darby (S). Darby will face stiff competition in training camp and at best will be a practice squad addition.
Dominique Davis (DE). How many undrafteds can make the team? Not many.
David DeCastro (G). Becoming one of the best guards in the NFL.
Miles Dieffenbach (G). Four guards vying to be a backup. Miles has a chance.
Reese Dismukes (G). Diffenbach faces a tough challenge from Dismukes.
Bud Dupree (OLB). HUGE expectations here.
Michael Egnew (TE). Crowded competition but Egnew has experience edge after Miller and Spaeth.
B.J. Finney (C). Unless he’s better than Cody Wallace, pink slip coming.
Kevin Fogg (CB). Steelers biggest area of need will be looking for best available.
Ramon Foster (G). Solid guard firmly planted as starter.
Terence Garvin (LB). Garvin has been competent backup, probably just a tad off being a starter.
William Gay (CB). Great 2014, will age catch up to him?
Clifton Geathers (DE). Brought in because of injuries last season, gets a chance to stay with the team.
Marcus Gilbert (T). Evolving into a very good tackle.
Robert Golden (S). He has a golden opportunity to compete for Troy’s vacancy.
Senquez Golson (CB). Undersized but believed he can play in the NFL.
C.J. Goodwin (WR). Too much talent ahead of him.
Bruce Gradkowski (QB). The “new” Charlie Batch.
Doran Grant (CB). See Kevin Fogg.
Shayon Green (LB). In above his head.
Josh Harris (RB). When Le’Veon Bell went down in the last game of the season, Mike Tomlin didn’t have confidence in Harris and brought in Ben Tate.
James Harrison (LB). ONE MORE YEAR!
Brandon Hartson (LS). Knock Greg Warren from the top spot? Nope.
Ethan Hemer (DE). With eight players vying for a role at this position, Hemer is probably one of the odd men out.
Cameron Heyward (DE). Gets better every season.
Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR). Surprising that he’s still around given his offensive production last season.
Gerod Holliman (FS). Holliman has as good a shot at being a backup as the rest of the competition.
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Chris Hubbard (G). It’s the battle to back up Foster and DeCastro.
Jesse James (TE). Will the gunslinger make the team?
Will Johnson (FB). The team’s only true fullback, he’s here to stay for now.
Howard Jones (LB). Jones has been impressive but not quite good enough to start.
Jarvis Jones (LB). Make or break season?
Landry Jones (QB). Not so impressive in prior pre-season games.
Joe Kruger (DL). See Ethan Hemer.
Shawn Lemon (LB). This guy hopes he is not a lemon.
Richie Leone (P). Three punters on the roster, Wing hopes the other two go.
Isaiah Lewis (S). Will take part in the most fierce competition this summer.
Daniel McCullers (DL). Mammoth man will push McClendon again for playing time.
Steve McLendon (NT). See McCullers.
Heath Miller (TE). Stud. Enough said.
Mike Mitchell (S). One more chance in the ‘Burgh, it better be much improved over 2014.
Arthur Moats (LB). Moats goes into St. Vincent’s as a starter but will he hold the job?
Tyler Murphy (WR). Could be a dark horse to make the team.
Roosevelt Nix (RB). Practice squad at best.
Maurkice Pouncey (C). One of the best in the NFL. Praying for another healthy season.
Bradon Prate (DE). Small defensive lineman which might cost him.
Collin Rahrig (G). See Chris Hubbard.
Ben Roethlisberger (QB). A Steeler for life.
Eli Rogers (WR). Smallish rookie will have to impress this Summer.
Ross Scheuerman (RB). Small school hopeful.
Ryan Shazier (LB). Sophomore season BETTER be injury free.
Matt Spaeth (TE). Solidly has #2 role locked up.
Sean Spence (LB). Finally getting to play a full season in 2014, he impressed. Time to improve on that.
Shaun Suisham (K). Not going anywhere. One of the league’s best.
Cam Thomas (DT). Huge disappointment as a first-time Steeler last season, battled with Mike Mitchell as the team’s biggest free agent bust.
Shamarko Thomas (S). Thomas is being given the opportunity to replace Troy. Can he do it?
Lawrence Timmons (LB). The current defensive leader.
Stephon Tuitt (DE). Started coming on strong late last season will be one of the most intriguing players in 2015.
Dyk Van (T). Great height…great ability?
Ross Ventrone (S). Superb special teams player but has always struggled to get quality playing time in the secondary.
Alejandro Villanueva (OL). A bit light for a 6’9” offensive lineman so has work cut out for him.
Cody Wallace (C/G). Wallace has been excellent in relief will be tough for anyone to knock him out of the backup role.
Leterrius Walton (DT). Has good size (6’5”, 319). , will find about abilities in training camp.
Greg Warren (LS). Warren approaches his 12th season and still is one of the NFL’s best.
L’Damian Washington (WR). Has good height (6’4”). and Big Ben loves the tall receivers.
B.W. Webb (CB). A decent corner in a crowded field.
Markus Wheaton (WR). What was thought of him in his rookie season developed in his sophomore year.
Kevin Whimpey (T). Could be the strongest man on the team for now.
Ian Wild (S). Will Mike Tomlin be wild about Wild?
DeAngelo Williams (RB). Outstanding addition to the backfield if he is healthy and signed at the right time with Le’Veon Bell out the first three games.
Vince Williams (LB). Always impressive, could see more playing time this season.
Brad Wing (P). Did a decent job in 2014 but apparently not enough as two more punters were brought in to compete.
Jordan Zumwalt (LB). Missed all of his rookie season with an injury, the man with a high motor now has a chance to show what he can do if he stays healthy.
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