Steelers Roster Moves Continue: Isaiah Green Returns via the Practice Squad

No one will accuse Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert of taking a "Set it and forget it" attitude to the composition to the Steelers 2013 Roster.

Per NFL rules, the Steelers cut down their roster to 22 players on Saturday. But that was hardly the final 53, as the Steelers went to the waiver wire not once, not twice, but three times, adding guard/center Cody Wallace, punter Zoltan Mesko, and cornerback Antwon Blake to their active roster.

They also placed Matt Spaeth on their injured reserve designated return list, which in turn led them to sign linebacker Terrance Martin from their practice squad.

With the exception of Wallace, all of these moves are aimed at shoring up a special teams until which was an glaring liability in preseason.

Practice squad move by @Steelers -- CB Devin Smith is off and CB Isaiah Green is added
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) September 4, 2013

This shuffling with the regular season is having a spill over effect on the practice squad, which continues today as the Steelers said goodbye to practice squad star cornerback Devin Smith and replaced him with cornerback Isaiah Green.

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Steelers Place Matt Spaeth in Injured Reserve; Sign LB Terrance Garvin to Take His Slot

As expected the Pittsburgh Steelers placed tight end Matt Spaeth on the injured reserved return designation list. The move allows Spaeth to return to the team at some point after the 8th game of the season. Matt Spaeth returned to the Steelers in free agency, and was their number 1 tight end due to Heath Miller’s injury.

• However Spaeth injured his lisfranc during training camp.

This is the second year in a row that the Steelers have used such a designation prior to having used it on David DeCastro last year. DeCastro was placed on IR before the Steelers opener vs. Denver, and returned to action for the Steelers loss vs. Dallas.

If the decision to place Spaeth on IR was a not a surprise, the other roster decisions the Steelers made perhaps were. Some had suspected that the Steelers would fill the roster spot with linebacker Marshall McFadden, whom they cut earlier this week.

• The Steelers did fill the slot with a linebacker, but it was Terrance Garvin, whom they signed from their practice squad.

To fill the remaining practice squad slot the Steelers did not opt for either candidate, being McFadden or offensive lineman John Malecki, (update/editor's note, Malecki has no practice squad eligibility) but signed wide receiver Kashif Moore.

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Alan Baxter, Brian Arnfelt Lead Steelers Practice Squad Signings

The Steelers 2013 off season is officially at a close. After cutting Jonathan Dwyer along with 22 other players and finalizing their regular season roster, Pittsburgh announced their practice squad signings. In keeping with the times, they did it via Twitter:

The @steelers announce 8-man practice squad: C. Hubbard, J. Long, A. Alexander, B. Arnfelt, A. Baxter, T. Garvin, D. Smith, J. Brown.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) September 1, 2013

For those of you not adept at initials, the full names and positions are as follows:

Chris Hubbard, Offensive Lineman
Joe Long, Offensive Tackle
Alvester Alexander, Running Back
Brian Arnfelt, Defense Line
Alan Baxter, Outside Linebacker
Terence Garvin, Outside Linebacker
Devin Smith, Defensive back
Justin Brown, Wide Reciever

There are a few names missing from the list. Marshall McFadden had practice squad eligibility was not asked back. Neither did Alameda Ta'amu. Cornerback Terry Hawthorne who was a 5th round draft pick did not get an invitation to return either.

A quick word to the wise - the composition of the practice squad changes frequently throughout the season, and could well change before the Steelers 2013 opener vs. Tennessee, should a name unexpectedly become available.

While practice squad players are on the fringes of any NFL roster, players like James Harrison, Steve McLendon, Chris Hoke, and Ramon Foster all did apprenticeships on the Steelers practice squad.

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Steelers Release James Harrison

In a move that was as anticipated as it is being lamented, the Pittsburgh Steelers have cut former NFL Defensive Player of the year James Harrison.

At issue were James Harrison’s salary, his age, and his health. At 34 James Harrison was scheduled to make salaries in the range of 6 to 7 million dollars a year, and was eating up the a large chunk of the Steelers salary cap.

The Steelers attempted to reach a deal with James Harrison, who in fact was willing to take a reduced salary, but as Ed Bouchette reported in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the two sides could not find a middle ground.

James Harrison joined the Steelers in 2002 and is perhaps the best example of Kevin Colbert’s uncanny ability to find rookie free agents who blossom into stars.

It took several years for Harrison to develop, and he spent time on going on and off the Steelers practice squad. At one point the Baltimore Ravens had him, only to release him. But Harrison broke the starting line up in 2007, after that succeeded in breaking the hearts of quarterbacks.

It’s Now or Never Time for Worilds

Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert denied that the team was in transition, but that claim is made more dubious. Salary cap considerations aside, the Steelers chances of getting Lombardi Number Seven in 2013 were far, far better with James Harrison on board.

But the Steelers have salary cap issues, and Kevin Colbert indicated that they were reaching the limit of their ability to perpetually restructure player contracts.

With Harrison out, management is embracing youth, much like it did in 1996 when they let Kevin Greene go in favor of Jason Gildon. Whle Jason Gildon was a quality player, Kevin Greene outplayed him in stints in San Francisco and Carolina over the next few years.

• Now they’re doing similar experiment with another Jason.

The Steelers drafted Jason Worilds the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Worilds played little in 2010, looked rather unimpressive in a few starts in 2011, but improved somewhat in 2012.

• For better or for worse, the Steelers will now find out what they really have in Worilds. 

Jason Worilds may develop into a quality NFL starter. He might grow into a Clark Haggans or even Jason Gildon type player.

But in replacing James Harrison, Jason Worilds very, very big shoes to fill.

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Steelers Place Chris Carter on IR, Sign Marshall McFadden from Practice Squad, Add Ta'amu

During the Steelers 2011 training camp, Pittsburgh Post Gazette columnist Gerry DuLac predicted a number of times that then rookie linebacker Chris Carter would eventually prove to be the steal of the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Steelers had selected Carter in the draft’s 6th round, and he not only made the team, but saw playing time during the season. Big things were expected of Carter coming into 2011, as he saw spot duty in place of James Harrison.

Carter did OK in that capacity, but showed he still had a lot of room for growth. Now Carter, unfortunately will have to wait his chance for 2013 to grow, as the Steelers put him in injured reserve, ending his season.

To take his place, the Steelers signed linebacker Marshall McFadden from their practice squad. McFadden did not play during his rookie year, but the Steelers signed him in early 2012, and he lasted through training camp, and eventually landed a spot o the practice squad.

To take his place on the practice squad, the Steelers resigned one of their 2012 7th round picks, tight end Jamie McCoy.

Alameda Ta’amu Returns, but.... 

Earlier this week the Steelers waived troubled 4th round pick Alameda Ta’amu to make roster room for wide receiver David Gilreath who played vs. the Chiefs in place of injured Antonio Brown.

As expected, Alameda Ta’amu cleared waivers and as expected the Steelers resigned him, but to the practice squad. Ta’amu is of course facing a host of felony charges for a drunken rampage which he is alleged to have made on the South Side.

When Antonio Brown returns to health, it David Gilreath is almost certain headed back to the practice squad. It will be interesting to see if Ta'amu returns to the active roster.

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Steelers Cut Alameda Ta'amu Sign David Gilreath

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a slightly surprising roster move ahead of their Monday Night Football game at Heinz Field vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Steelers cut one-time Casey Hampton heir apparent, 4th round draft pick Alameda Ta'amu and used his roster spot to activate wide receiver David Gilreath from the practice squad.

The injury that Antonio Brown suffered in the Steelers victory over the New York Giants will keep him out of the Chief's game, and leaves the Steelers without their number 2 receiver. While Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders filled in admirably for Brown, the simple math reveals that the only 4 wide receivers healthy remain on their active roster.

David Gilreath is in his second year in the NFL, having spent time with the Chargers, Colts and Bills during the 2011 season. He caught on during the Steelers 2012 off season and impressed in training camp. Gilreath's preseason game vs. the Colts was a particularly strong outing for the young receiver  but he could not reproduce his success in subsequent outings and Gilreath found himself on the Steelers practice squad.

Farewell to Alameda Ta'amu?

The move to cut Ta'amu amounts to a minor surprise. Alameda Ta'amu is facing DWI, disorderly coduct and a battery of other felony charges for leading the police an an extended chase through the South Side. The Steelers did suspend him for 2 games, and took a lot of public criticism for not cutting him outright.

Clearly, the Steelers do not fear losing him via the waiver wire.

In all likelihood, Ta'amu will be resigned either to the active roster or practice squad once Brown returns to full health. But clearly this young rookie is regarded as expendable at this point.

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Steelers Signal Special Teams Shake Up, Activate Cromartie-Smith

With Maurkice Pouncey returning to the line up, the Steelers waived offensive lineman John Malecki. So much was expected, just as it is expected that John Malecki will return to the practice squad.

But the Steelers made another move which is more interesting by activating another practice squad player, namely safety Damon Cromartie-Smith.

That move likely signals that corner back Marcus Van Dyke is headed for the bench. The Steelers picked up Van Dyke off of waivers just before the season, and he’s largely played special teams. While did distinguished himself in early weeks, lately he’s been drawing attention to himself for the wrong reason – namely penalties.

In Antonio Brown and Chris Rainey the Steelers have two players capable of doing damage as return men. But neither player has been able to work up any momentum because every time they get a good return, it ends in a penalty. Mike Tomlin vowed to bench the responsible parties....

• ....and while Van Dyke has not been the only offender, he has been a repeat offender.

Damon Cromartie-Smith spent the first 12 games of the Steelers 2011 season on the practice squad, but was activated for the final four due to injuries. He didn’t play much in the secondary, but did help out on specials teams.

Expect to see Cromarti-Smith covering kicks Sunday afternoon while Van Dyke watches in street clothes.

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Steelers Suspend Alameda Ta’amu, Resign Crobin Bryant

The Pittsburgh Steelers made two roster moves today. One was expected, the other came as somewhat of a surprise.

The Steelers first move was to suspend Alameda Ta’amu for two games following Ta'amu's arrest for drunk driving and fleeing police. While the move was expected, it did open the door to potential controversy.

After the Steelers shipped Santonio Holmes off to the New York Jets for his transgressions, they put the rest of the locker room on notice that anyone else who ran afoul of the law would be out.

A two game suspension is a real punishment, but pales in comparison to the threat of the waiver wire, especially when you consider that Ta’amu was basically a project.

Steelers Sign Lineman

Ta’amu had not dressed for a game, so he’ll hardly be missed this weekend vs. Cincinnati. However, the Steelers almost certainly will be without the services of Marcus Gilbert and Marukice Pouncey, both of whom were injured in the loss to Tennessee.

A roster move on the offensive line was widely expected, and still may materialize.

However, that has yet to happen, as the Steelers resigned defensive lineman Corbin Bryant.

Corbin Byrant played on the practice squad of the Steelers throughout 2011, but Bryant was activated when Aaron Smith went on IR, and he played in the Steelers victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Byrant had a strong training camp, joining Steve McLendon, LaMarr Woodley, and Chris Carter as the only defenders to register a sack during preseason. It was a mild surprise that Bryant did not make the team’s practice squad.

The move to sign him to the active roster is somewhat puzzling, given that he takes the roster spot of a man who never dressed. But it also suggests, at least potentially, that Mike Tomlin is not happy with the performance of the defensive line in general, and might at least be interested in seeing what Bryant can do.

Practice Squad Moves

Possibly anticipating their next move, the Steelers signed Jaques McClendon to their practice squad, and waived 7th round pick Jamie McCoy to make room for him.

Observers have speculated that the Steelers will activate offensive lineman John Malecki from their practice squad for the Bengals game to shore up a unit at which they are dangerously thin.

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Gilreath, Clemons, and Cromartie-Smith Headline Steelers Practice Squad - Jerrod Jackson Left Off...

Having cut their roster to 53 men, the Pittsburgh Steelers completed their eight man practice squad, which includes:

John Malecki, offensive linemen
Ryan Lee, offensive lineman
David Gilreath, wide receiver
Toney Clemons, wide receiver
Jamie McCoy, tight end
Marshall McFadden, linebacker
Damon Cromartie-Smith, safety
Josh Victorian, cornerback

Conspicious by their absence are defensive lineman Corbin Bryant - who saw active service with the Steelers last year, running back DeJuan Harris, and of course quarterback Jerrod Jackson. Each of these men either looked sharp in preseason. However, the Steelers practice squad picks closely mirror the areas of need on their depth chart.

For the first time in recent memory, the Steelers are only carrying 5 wide receivers on their active roster, explaining the presence of preseason star David Gilreath and 7th round draft pick Toney Clemons.

As the Steelers current and past experiences have aptly demonstraited, you can never have too many offensive lineman familiar with your system, hence the presence of Malecki and Lee.

The Steelers are likewise thin at cornerback, likely explaining Josh Victorian's presence, and Damon Cromartie-Smith gives the Steelers options at safety.

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Steelers Sign Ivy, Grisham, & 6 Others to Practice Squad

The Steelers filled out their practice squad by signing rookie running back John Clay, tight end Jamie McCoy, offensive tackle Trevis Turner, and Guard John Malecki. Tyler Grisham will return to the practice squad for a third season.



On defense the Steelers added defensive lineman Corbin Byrant, linebacker Mortty Ivy and Defensive back Da’Mon Cromartie Smith.



Conspicuous by his absences was Keith Williams, the team’s 6th round pick in the 2011NFL draft. Very early in camp Williams had been discussed as a possible starter at guard, but faded as training camp and preseason wore on.



Tony Hills was not brought back, but numerous reports have confirmed that the Steelers attempt to switch him to guard amounted to the 2008 4th round draft pick’s final chance to carve out a role for himself on the team. A rough ending for someone whom Jim Wexell, writing in Steelers Digest, once hailed as the "next John Jackson."



The Steelers did lose Crezdon Butler, Pittsburgh’s 5th round pick in the 2010 NFL draft, whom they certainly would have wanted to add to the practice squad. Butler however was signed by Pittsburgh West, aka the Arizona Cardinals, where former Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton is defensive coordinator.



Speculation remains that the Steelers might continue to tinker with their roster. Weslye Saunders made the roster and many are already saying he could be another in a long line of Kevin Colbert's undrafted rookie free agent coups.



Saunders, however, is much more of a pass catcher than run blocker, and the Steelers not only expect their tight ends to block, but would also like to free David Johnson to line up in the backfield as an H-Back.



The smart money says the Steelers sight tight with Saunders.



There has also been speculation that either Max Starks or Flozell Adams will get a call on September 12th. when the Steelers can sign them to their roster without being forced to pay them for the entire season.



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