Onward we go with our player by player look at the Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Free Agents. we are breaking them down one by one and look ahead to their pending 2012 free agency situation. The first part of this series I am focusing on the restricted free agents and this is the fourth player in that series. In this free agent analysis we will have a look at guard Ramon Foster. Player: Ramon Foster Position: Guard Experience: 3 Years Free Agent Status: Restricted 2011 Salary Cap Hit: $527,668.00 2011 Season Breakdown: Foster did not own a starting spot on the offensive line out of Read more [...]

Onward we go with our player by player breakdown of the 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers free agents. We are still looking at the restricted group and next up is offensive lineman Doug Legursky. Player: Doug Legursky Position: Guard/Center Experience: 3 Years Free Agent Status: Restricted 2011 Salary Cap Hit: $525,000.00 2011 Season Breakdown: Legursky was a very busy guy in 2011 for the Steelers. He started the season as the starting right guard after getting the job late in the preseason as Chris Scott, Tony Hills and Ramon Foster failed to nail it down. He started the first three games Read more [...]

I mentioned prior to the season starting that the Steelers right guard spot could be in flux this season and already Ramon Foster is making a strong push to reclaim the spot he held for most of 2010. Foster was inactive week 1 against the Ravens, but started at left guard against the Seahawks with Chris Kemoeatu sidelined with a knee problem. Foster had a great game against the lowly Seahawks and was the Steelers best lineman Sunday according to my weekly offensive line breakdown. Foster could indeed start at left guard again Sunday night against the Colts if Kemoeatu is still sidelined. What Read more [...]

It was not pretty to watch several times, but below is the offensive line and blocking report for the Steelers 35-7 loss on Sunday to the Ravens. The Ravens defensive front might be one of the best in the league and they are solid at holding the point of attack against the run that allows the linebackers to make plays. They kept heavy pressure on passing downs and disguised blitzes and stunts very well. Here we go with a player by player breakdown from week 1 and their grades. TOTAL POSPLAYER PLAYSGOOD BAD% GOOD LT Jonathan Scott 614615 75% LG Chris Kemoeatu 615110 84% C Read more [...]

Here we go with week 1 of the 2011 season and what a way to begin it. There is never a great time to play the Baltimore Ravens, but if there were, it would be week 1 with all of the changes that the Ravens have made coming out of a lockout that resulted in missed mini-camps and OTA sessions. The Steelers only have 7 new players on the roster with 6 of them being rookies. After a slow start in week 1 of the preseason against the Redskins, the Steelers really came together quickly on both sides of the ball and look very prepared to start the season with a bang. As I do every week of the season, here Read more [...]

Here we go with week 1 of the 2011 season as the Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens Sunday at Baltimore. The final injury report has been released for the week and we will take a stab at the possible 7 players who will be inactive and will not dress on Sunday. This season teams may dress 46 players instead of 45 like they have done in the past as there is no emergency quarterback rule now. You either dress a 3rd QB or you don't. Here we go with this week's projected inactives and why. Remember that the official list of inactives are not turned in until 90 minutes before kick-off. QB Dennis Read more [...]

It did not take Tony Hills long to find work after getting released by the Steelers on Saturday as the Broncos signed the former fourth-round draft pick to a 2-year contract today according to reports. Hills was competing for the starting right guard spot with the Steelers just a few weeks ago as he started there against the Eagles and Falcons in the preseason. The Steelers ultimately settled on Doug Legursky for the spot and Hills was made expendable. There is no early word on what position on the line the Broncos best see Hills as a fit, but left tackle surely can not be an option as he has Read more [...]

The Steelers final cuts are in and overall none are a huge surprise in my opinion. Crezdon Butler might be the one that most are scratching their head about, but he certainly was on the bubble. The Steelers stuck to their recent history of keeping six cornerbacks and when Cortez Allen finally hit the field Thursday night against the Panthers, he showed glimpses of why they drafted him. Butler had an easy interception return against the Falcons for a touchdown and while it was a splash play, it was an easy play to make and it was not enough for him to keep his job. Had he had the offseason mini-camps Read more [...]

The final preseason game is now complete and now it is time to trim the roster down to 53 players for the final time this offseason. I have been all over the map in the previous versions of my final roster prediction and it is easy to understand why when you watch each preseason game 10 times each as you see new things every time through. It is easy to fall in love with certain players from game to game and it will cloud your judgment along the way. Enough with the setup, here is my final Steelers 2011 53 man roster prediction and the reasoning behind it. Heading into tonight several had Read more [...]

The Steelers close out their 2011 preseason tonight as they take on the Panthers on the road in Charlotte. The Steelers had another strong showing last week against the Falcons and tonight is the last chance for a few players to make a big enough impression to make the team or the practice squad. Do not look for many of the starters to play tonight as this game will be used to look at the bubble players mostly. There still will be a few things to watch for though in the most meaningless game of the preseason. As I do every week, here are my 7 things to watch for tonight against the Panthers. Bronco Read more [...]

The latest depth chart released by the Steelers today has Doug Legursky listed as the starting right guard and Tony Hills listed as his backup. The early word is Legursky will start there Thursday night against the Panthers and Trai Essex could make his first start at center if the Steelers choose to let Maurkice Pouncey sit out with his dinged up ankle. Essex reportedly took first team reps on Monday at practice with Legursky to his right and will indeed play there at some point against the Panthers. The Steelers have had a revolving door at the right guard since camp started as both Chris Read more [...]

Season 2, Episode 11 of The Terrible Podcast is up and David Todd and I spend most of out time reviewing the Steelers 34-16 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons. This will be the formula we will use during the season and these are the podcasts we like doing the most--analyzing the play on the field. But first, we start with the news that Kevin Colbert has a new title. Call him whatever you like, Colbert has few peers in the business and this is more formality that anything. We also review the early cuts (no surprises) and the injury report. How will the Steelers deal with broken left arm Read more [...]

With the third preseason game in the books it is now time to break down the performance of the offensive line and blocking by the offense as I do every week. As a whole the offensive line looked good and here is a breakdown by player. Marcus Gilbert - Gilbert made is first start of the preseason with Jonathan Scott out with a knee injury and he did not disappoint as he scored well against the likes of John Abraham, Jonathan Babineaux and Ray Edwards. Gilbert was not flawless though as he did allow an early pressure that lead to a sack of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Gilbert was worried about Read more [...]

The Steelers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-16 in their 3rd preseason game of the 2011 season Saturday night at Heinz Field. The game got off to a fast start as Antonio Brown returned the opening kick-off 51 yards to mid-field. The Falcons were penalized for a horse collar tackle on the play so the Steelers started their first possession on the Falcons 35-yard line. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit tight end David Johnson on the first two plays for 17 yards each to set the Steelers up at first and goal on the Falcons 1-yard line and Rashard Mendenhall punched it in on the next play. Inside linebacker Read more [...]

The Steelers take on the Falcons Saturday night at Heinz Field in their third preseason game of the 2011 season. The Steelers rebounded last week against the Eagles after a dismal performance against the Redskins and will look to build on the showing they made last. This will be the last game for 10 roster hopefuls as the first wave of cuts will be made Sunday or Monday as they cut down to 80 players. A few questions still linger as far as the 53 man roster goes. As I do every week, here are my 7 things to watch for tonight. Rookie Blind Side - Rookie left tackle Marcus Gilbert will likely get Read more [...]