Time to cut the roster again after busy day for Steelers
There was plenty going on with the Steelers on Wednesday, even though it was a travel day for the team as it headed off to Charlotte, N.C., for its final preseason game with the Carolina Panthers.
First up was Antonio Brown’s new contract. Actually, it’s not really a new contract, but a re-worked deal just like last year. It was assumed this was going to have to happen after the Steelers moved $2 million of his salary from this season to last year to placate the league’s best wideout.
Brown went from being the 27th-best compensated receiver this year to being ninth. That’s still not what he will want when they extend him next offseason, but it’s a good show of faith by the team.
Brown will now earn $10.25 million this season, which should make him happy.
• Next up was the team’s claiming off waivers quarterback Zach Mettenberg and subsequent placing of oft-injured vet Bruce Gradkowski on injured reserve.
I’ve always liked Mettenberger, even though he was 0-10 as a starter in Tennessee. He didn’t have a lot to work with in terms of receivers with the Titans, and though he reportedly didn’t look great this spring in San Diego, he still has upside.
Mettenberger also is signed for 2017 at just $690,000, which will give the Steelers a backup plan for next season should Landry Jones decide to move on or if the team decides to move on from him.
In the meantime, Gradkowski, who has a severe hamstring tear, can still hang around as a veteran sounding board for Ben Roethlisberger.
• Finally, the league cleared linebacker James Harrison in the Al-Jazeera America report issue. I know, huge shock.
With all of that being said, here’s how I now see the roster breaking down heading into the Carolina game with final roster cuts due Saturday at 4 p.m.
Quarterbacks (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger has completed 60 percent of his 345 career passes for 2,347 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Jones has thrown 55 career passes, completing 58 percent, with three touchdowns and four picks. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mettenberger kept as the No. 2 next season and Jones allowed to leave as a free agent.
Running backs (4): This hasn’t changed from my last roster. It will be DeAngelo Williams, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Daryl Richardson and fullback Roosevelt Nix. Le’Veon Bell will go on the suspended list.
Wide receivers (5): No changes here, either. Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Eli Rogers, Sammie Coates and Darrius Heyward-Bey are a solid group.
Tight ends (3): Jesse James, David Johnson and Xavier Grimble. This is just not a dynamic group, though Grimble showed more than he had in the previous game at New Orleans both as a receiver and blocker. The Steelers need Ladarius Green to get healthy. He won’t be eligible to return until after Week 6.
Offensive line (9): With Jerald Hawkins placed on injured reserve earlier this week, B.J. Finney likely gets a roster spot along with starters Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Marcus Gilbert. The other backups are Ryan Harris, Cody Wallace and Chris Hubbard. I wouldn’t mind seeing another offensive tackle here, though. Hubbard is not a viable option to play tackle.
Defensive line (6): Cameron Heyward, Daniel McCullers, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave and Ricardo Mathews remain locks. The final spot goes to L.T. Walton or Caushaud Lyons. I’m going with Walton this week.
Linebackers (11): Eleven linebackers? Yep. Jarvis Jones, Bud Dupree, Ryan Shazier, Lawrence Timmons, Vince Williams, James Harrison and Arthur Moats are locks. L.J. Fort is as well. Steven Johnson will probably make it as a special teamer and Anthony Chickillo as well. That means it comes down to Travis Feeney or Tyler Matakevich. We’ll give the spot to Matakevich but I have my doubts that the speedy Feeney will clear waivers to make it onto the practice squad.
Defensive backs (9): Corners William Gay, Ross Cockrell, Doran Grant, Al-Haji Shabazz and Artie Burns make it along with safeties Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, Sean Davis and Shamarko Thomas. Shabazz has flashed in the games, which matters. He also has safety size (6-2, 200) and corner skills. The Steelers have several hybrid guys in Davis and Grant, as well. I still think they’ll be scanning the waiver wire here.
Specialists (3): Punter Jordan Berry, placekicker Chris Boswell and long snapper Greg Warren.