Here & Gone: Pittsburgh’s latest roster cuts

By Kyle Chrise  |   Thursday, August 28, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

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The Steelers are one step closer to their final roster after cutting it down to 76 players this week. Here's a look at who's still in black and gold and who's long gone.

Gone - Quarterback Mike Potts

Potts came to camp to compete with fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon for the third quarterback spot on the roster. Dixon has either met or exceeded some of his expectations so far and is proving his worth to the team. Plus, there's a whole other quarterback situation (see: Charlie Batch) that made the release of Potts obvious and necessary.

Here - Charlie Batch

Batch's broken collarbone, Dixon's performance and the signing of Byron Leftwich all seem to indicate that Batch will be cut. But head coach Mike Tomlin hasn't yet ruled out keeping four quarterbacks. If Batch does make the final roster, it will be a testament to his skills as a mentor and an extra coach.

Gone - Returner/receiver Jeremy Bloom

Bloom was one of more than a half-dozen players fighting to return punts and kicks for the Steelers this season. If he was as good as he was at the University of Colorado, he may have landed the spot. But Bloom never bloomed. At least he'll always have skiing and modeling.

Here - Willie Reid, Eddie Drummond, Micah Rucker

Reid has failed to live up to his expectations as a return specialist in his first two NFL seasons. At times, he's been plain bad. Despite that, he recently flashed some solid skills as a receiver in last week's game against the Vikings, snagging five catches for 55 yards (including two in crucial spots).

Drummond earned a trip to Hawaii in 2004 with his returning skills. If the season started today, he might be the starter back there (albeit barely). The fact that Pittsburgh is seriously considering letting Santonio Homes return punts shows that no other candidate has seriously emerged and the only other option is risking their most dynamic receiver to unnecessary injury.

Rucker is a 6-foot-6 undrafted free agent who believes the Steelers may keep anywhere from six to seven wreceivers on the final roster. That might be the only way he makes the team. Rucker doesn't have elite speed, but he has been able to create space from defenders. However, he's more known for his misses this preseason than his successes. He bobbled a ball on a crucial play along the sidelines with less than two minutes left against the Bills, and on the very last play of that same game, he wasn't able to hang onto a Hail Mary pass that hit his hands. It's big plays like those that could have jetted him above Reid and Dallas Baker for that last WR spot. He has one chance left to prove himself on Thursday.

Gone - Defensive end Martavius Prince

Prince was an undrafted rookie from Southern Mississippi who was named Conference USA's top run-stuffing nose tackle by the Sporting News last season. At times during training camp drills, he looked quick and showed good mobility, but the coaches were obviously looking for more; evidence: They signed veteran Orpheus Roye earlier this month.

Here - Ryan McBean, Orpheus Roye

McBean hasn't played great, but he hasn't been miserable either. His work ethic is said to be exceptional, and young blood is seriously lacking along the defensive line. The Steelers may give him a chance to develop and keep him on this year's squad.

The 35-year-old Roye was drafted by the Steelers back in 1996 and played with the team until he left for the Browns in 2000. Tomlin thinks of Roye as a professional who knows how to play the game. If Roye stays healthy, his experience should be enough to keep him in Pittsburgh.

Gone - Tight end Cody Boyd

The Steelers cut Boyd a day after having arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. He had a good shot at becoming the Steelers' third tight end, but he just couldn't overcome this injury in time.

Here - Dezmond Sherrod and Lee Vickers

Sherrod is a rookie, Vickers is in his second year; neither player has really stood out as a solid tight end. However, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Tomlin say they'd like to have three tight ends. Maybe here's where Pittsburgh saves Batch's roster spot: Let backup right tackle Max Starks play the third tight end position. He did it at times last season, and it would make better use of all that money he's making as Pittsburgh's richest backup.

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!</i>">Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!
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About Kyle Chrise

Like a modern-day Moses, Kyle was found drifting down the Monongahela River, wrapped in a Terrible Towel, next to what was then Three Rivers Stadium. Found and raised by the stadium's grounds crew, Chrise lived and breathed Steelers football. As a youngster, he earned the trust of new head coach ...
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