Steelers veterans at risk
June 15, 2009
By Donald Starver
Recently, one of our readers asked us “which Steelers veteran is likely to lose his job in 2009?”. I answered the question in the comments section of one of our articles, but I thought the question was interesting enough to expound upon further.
The Steelers will convene for training camp on July 31, and competition will begin for roster spots. The Steelers brought in some veteran free agents, and they had an exceptional draft. Both factors mean that the roster is likely to undergo some changes.
As we look ahead to what is likely to happen in training camp, a couple of names come to mind who may be at risk.
The first name that comes to mind is Carey Davis. Davis has managed to maintain a roster position since 2007. However, going into 2009, the numbers may not work in Davis’ favor. Davis finds himself behind Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore, and Rashard Mendenhall on the depth chart. The Steelers drafted Frank Summers from UNLV, and he appears to be the Steelers’ short yardage back of the future.
To further compound Davis’ problems, he is officially listed as a fullback, and Steelers’ offensive coordinator Bruce Arians doesn’t really use the fullback position in his offensive scheme. Arians prefers to utilize an H-back as the primary blocker in the backfield. He has returning veteran Sean McHugh at that position, and has added promising rookie David Johnson from Arkansas State in the draft.
When you compare all of the players vying for time in the Steelers’ backfield, Carey Davis seems to be last in the pecking order. When the music stops, Davis is likely to find himself without a chair.
RB Carey Davis
The next Steelers player in the crosshairs is probably Trai Essex. Essex was drafted by the Steelers back in 2005. Former Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm seemed to have a lot of confidence in Essex. Essex never broke into the starting lineup, but he made himself valuable by learning to play multiple positions along the offensive line. “Position flexibility” is something that current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin clearly values. However, how long will the Steelers remain patient with a player who has not been able to break into the starting lineup despite playing for an offensive line that is often criticized for lacking talent?
In my opinion, the fact that Essex was not able to win Kendall Simmons’ starting position at right guard when Simmons went down with an injury, may have been the final nail in Essex’ coffin. Instead of winning Simmons’ position, Essex was beat out by undrafted free agent Darnell Stapleton.
With the addition of young talent like Kraig Urbik and A.Q. Shipley to the Steelers’ offensive line competition, Essex may finally find himself on the outside looking in.
Another Steeler player who may find himself on the endangered species list is Charlie Batch.
Batch is a quality backup quarterback who seems to embrace the backup role. Unlike Byron Leftwich, who openly proclaimed that he wanted to compete for a starting position, Batch seems content to be a backup. The fact that Batch is from the Pittsburgh area probably enhances his contentment.
Unfortunately, Batch has a young lion named Dennis Dixon challenging him for the #2 position. Dixon is a very talented young quarterback who might have won the Heisman Trophy had he not suffered a season-ending injury during his final year at Oregon.
If Dixon can show that he has mastered the playbook, he is likely to overtake Batch on the Steelers’ depth chart. If that happens, Batch’s career will likely be over. As a 12 year veteran, Batch doesn’t have much gas left in his tank. He makes too much money to be a viable #3 quarterback, so rather than retain him as the third quarterback on the roster, the Steelers would probably release him and develop Kevin McCabe or Mike Reilly to be #3.
Hopefully, Batch realizes that his future is completely in Dennis Dixon’s hands.
Another player who may find himself at risk is Tyrone Carter. Carter has always been small for the safety position. There are plenty of 5’9″ cornerbacks in the NFL, but you don’t find many safeties that size. Moreover, you don’t find many strong safeties who only weigh 195 lbs. Tyrone Carter falls into both categories. That can’t be a good thing.
Two factors may make Carter expendable. The first is the development (or lack thereof) of Ryan Mundy. Mundy is younger, taller, and heavier than Carter. If Mundy shows his potential in training camp, Carter will be sweating bullets.
The second factor that may make Carter expendable is Deshea Townsend’s ability to pick up the safety position. I have often said that Townsend would make a great free safety, and that moving to the position would help extend his career. Townsend is one of the most intelligent players on the Steelers’ roster. He has never been the fastest player on the field, or the most talented. However, Townsend is rarely out of position. That is the primary requirement of a free safety. Just ask Anthony Smith.
Tom Brady & Tyrone Carter
Two factors may save Carter. Firstly, Townsend is two years older than him. So age is on Carter’s side. The second is the fact that the Steelers just don’t have many safeties on the roster. Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, and Tyrone Carter are the only safeties on the Steelers’ roster with NFL experience. Thus, Tyrone Carter may be saved by the lack of viable competition.
The final veteran who may find himself at risk is Travis Kirschke. Kirschke is the oldest player on the Steelers’ roster. Despite not getting much playing time, Kirschke usually performs well when given the opportunity. He knows the defense, and does his job when called upon. Unfortunately, time waits for no man. The Steelers need to get younger at the defensive line positions. Kirschke will be 35 years old next season, and finding a young replacement for him will help the Steelers in the future.
So who do you fans think will NOT be on the Steelers’ roster when the season starts? Do you agree with our assessment? If not, why not? We’d love to hear your comments.
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Hey, thank you for the note. I liked your review
Here’s another question I would like to ask your opinion. Who do you think will make the final roster from this year’s UDFA?
The easy money is on Ramon Roster OT/OG (T.Essex’s spot)
My sleeper pick is Andy Schantz ILB.
A small-school spotlighted in Draft Digest mag.
thanks again for your time
1Do you think that the Ravens would give old#80 another shot?
2Or Bengals, or Browns?
I’m not sure I agree with all of this. I think Urbik will be a beast but I think Essex is safe. He has played both tackle spots, is relatively cheap, and isn’t needed to play Guard. He didn’t beat out Stapleton because he has never played Guard except for emergency situations. He is tackle and the starter the steelers had and have are better. We drafted Urbik to be a guard and he will replace Stapleton. Carter is safe because of his experience and as you said the steelers don’t have another strong safety. Mundy could do it and I like him,but he isn’t ready to step in. townsend is not a strong safety, but I would love to see him play free safety. Dennis Dixon is a long way from being a number 2 QB. I lIke him and wish that wasn’t the case, but he needs lots of work to play in the NFL.
3Great article on potential endangerd Steeler Species. I agree with your assessment. Does Willie Colon also fall into that catagory? Two critical holding penalties on long touchdown passes in addition to several false starts cost the Steelers a ball game or two if I recall correctly!
4Look for the Cardinals to swoop in and pick up our scraps…that’s Whisenhunt’s specialty.
5Dennis Dixon might be a great athelete but if Big Ben goes down, do we really feel that comfortable with him behind center? I don’t care if its only for a game or two, this kids MO will always be to run first before throwing. Will he check off all options before he takes off? He will be too predictable.
6Notjustasteelersfan,
I guess you realized that you were the one who prompted this article. Thanks for the idea.
I don’t know enough about the UDFA’s to give an intelligent response. However, I will be at training camp watching all of them. I will be blogging about what I see there, so stop back during training camp, and I will have some answers for you.
7I think Dennis Dixon has a lot of potential, but I still like Batch for another year. Remember why we have a Batch on the roster. He is the guy with games under his belt and he is a steady hand. He may not win games for the Steelers, but he probably will not lose them either. You must have that guy in this league. I think the competition on the OL is going to be great in training camp. By adding the two kids via the draft and a few others via free agency, it should be a improved OL this year. The Steelers have the luxury of not having to make their draft picks play this year. They can sit and watch. Other teams do not have this luxury. Sounds like another great year to be a Steeler fan!
8Atlanta Steelers Fan,
I understand your point, but I still think that Essex may be in trouble. Here’s why. You have stated that he is not a guard. So if Urbik beats out Stapleton, that would still leave Stapleton as the top backup at guard. Thus Essex would be #3 at that position. I believe that Tony Hills is going to assert himself this year in training camp. Remember, he was a All-American in college, and he played for a national champion. However, he suffered a season ending injury, and he is finally healthy. I believe he will pass Essex as backup tackle. In fact, I hope he will beat out Willie Colon, who I think is absolutely dreadful. That would leave Essex as the #3 backup at tackle too.
While his salary is reasonable, it is fairly high for a guy who is no better than #3 backup (even if he can play multiple positions).
9John Kriceri,
10Willie Colon is safe for now. However, any of my regular readers know that I think that Colon’s play is woefully inadequate. My hope would be that Tony Hills beats him out for the right tackle position. However, even is Hills does so, Colon will still be the top backup at tackle. He can also play guard, so he is not going anywhere.
Mike and Mark,
I agree with you in part about Dennis Dixon. However, Mike has obviously never seen Dennis Dixon play. He is a solid passer who threw for a great percentage. You are painting him with too broad a brush. You seem to lump all mobile quarterbacks into the same basket. That is not fair. Fran Tarkenton was very mobile. So was Steve Young. John Elway too. And what about Ben Roethlisberger? Dixon is a solid quarterback who can also run. He is not Michael Vick.
As far as Charlie Batch goes, I like him a lot. However, he is getting old. The only way for Dennis Dixon to get experience is to play. Just ask Matt Ryan.
Last year in training camp, the Steelers used Dennis Dixon in a wildcat package. The defense said that they could not stop him. They strongly recommended that the offense use the wildcat package in a real game. They felt that if the #1 defense in the NFL couldn’t stop him, then other teams had no chance.
11You’re welcome, anyway Doesn’t A.Q Shipley play LS as well as C?
12and any idea of the 7 other players who may be release before 7/31?
Tomlin said he wanted the team to be at 80 players for training camp.
Even if Dixon wins the #2 job I would expect them to retain Batch for two reasons. One, I don’t think Tomlin would be comfortable going with only a 2nd year guy and undrafted free agent behind Ben. Two, Batch as a 3rd QB would almost be a 2nd QB coach to help Ben and Dixon. The Cap difference between him and Reilly would only be about 500K and unless Reilly really impresses in camp they should be able to move him to the practice squad.
13By admin,
I’m sorry. you are right. Throwing passes in the Pac 10 against the likes of college vanilla defenses like Stanford and Oregon St. is just like throwing passes in the AFC North and the rest of the NFL. I must have been sleeping for the past couple of years. Dixon must have lit it up with his passing in the NFL since drafted. What game have you been watching?!?! You even said he would be used in wildcat formations which definitely focus on running the ball first with passing a second option. I won’t even mention the fact that you used Dixon and the likes of Tarkenton and Young in the same sentence. And by the way, Atlanta would not have the same success with a trouble free Vick as they had with Matt Ryan.
14Mike,
Who did Joe Flacco throw against in college? I’ll bet those defenses were a lot worse than what Dixon threw against in the PAC-10. Yet Flacco did quite well in the NFL. Or how about a guy named Ben Roethlisberger. I guess he played against amazing defenses in the powerhouse MAC conference. The Pac 10 is a very good league. They’re much better than…….the Big East.
The reason that I compared Dixon to the players that I did was to show that it is possible to be mobile and still be a good passer.
Let’s look at Dennis Dixon, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco as college seniors. Dixon lost the end of his season due to injury, but prior to the injury, he was ahead of both of them in the Heisman race. Matt Ryan’s QB rating as a senior was 127. Flacco’s was 144. Dixon’s was 161.
Ryan completed 59% of his passes. Flacco completed 63%. Dixon completed 68%.
Ryan threw 19 interceptions. Flacco threw 5. Dixon threw 4.
See my point? Dixon is a very good passer. He is not a run-first quarterback. He is a good passer who can also run.
In my opinion, you generalized Dixon, and the facts don’t bear out your generalization.
If Flacco and Ryan did well in the NFL, why wouldn’t Dixon, when he was the best passer of the 3 in college?
15John,
Great points. As I said, I like Batch a lot. I think the salary cap is going to determine his fate. See my comment to Mike to better understand why I think Dennis Dixon will be fine.
On a separate note, I got your e-mail. Great idea. Looks like your second byline is coming soon. Start writing, grasshopper.
16By admin,
I get your point that you can win with a mobile QB. If you want to compare past college QB’s, then why haven’t you mentioned Akili Smith or Joey Harrington, two QB’s that come from the same school as Dixon? As for Flacco and Ryan, I will grant you that they both had very successful rookie seasons but their styles are definitively different from Dixon. Both are dropback passers that are good athletes not great athletes that can throw a good looking pass. Give me one concrete piece of evidence outside of other success stories of other quarterbacks that support your theory about Dixon’s ability. Outside of training camp or a pre-season game, he hasn’t done anything. He hasn’t thrown a significant pass.I guess you and I will have to re-visit this topic in five years to see who will be right.
17Lastly, since when is the Heisman race the yardstick by which we measure a QB’s future success? Where do I start with that one? College stats bear no real meaning to the pro level. (See Texas Tech QBS, Okalahoma’s Jason White) Also, BC is in the ACC not the Big East.
Mike,
I see that we have a definite failure in our communications. Let me clarify a few things.
I mentioned Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan because they all were leading quarterbacks in college and came out at the same time. Two of the three (Flacco and Ryan) had success in the NFL, while one (Dixon) saw his final season ended by an injury. At the time of his injury, Dixon was rated higher than the other two by most scouting services. His passing statistics were also significantly better. That is why I compared the three. I don’t see what Joey Harrington or Akili Smith have to do with anything. Are you implying that all players who attend the same schools will have the same results? That would be a silly argument if you are. I guess I am missing your logic.
Of course Dixon hasn’t done anything in the NFL. He hasn’t played. Flacco and Ryan went to teams that needed a quarterback to start right away. Dixon went to a team with a guy named Ben Roethlisberger. Totally different situations.
I never said that the Heisman was how you measure a quarterback’s success. I simply mentioned that Dixon was a contemporary of Ryan and Flacco, and that he was ahead of them statistically, in most scouting reports, and in the Heisman race before his injury.
I never said that college stats mean that a player will have success at the pro level. I am probably much older than you are. I can site examples of quarterbacks from before you were born. I remember watching Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr. I watched Dan Marino play at Central Catholic H.S. I remember watching a prolific college passer name Neil Lomax obliterate college records, only to have a very average pro career. Believe me when I tell you that I know that college success doesn’t guarantee NFL success. I’ve been following this game for a very long time.
I did not say that Boston College was in the Big East. I know what conference BC is in. I mentioned the Big East because a certain school in Pittsburgh happens to play in that conference. I was pointing out that even Pitt plays in a conference that isn’t really that strong (even though they are a BCS conference).
I’ve noticed that you keep putting words in my mouth, or assuming things that I didn’t say. Please assume that I know what I am talking about, and only give me credit for saying things that I actually said. Thanks.
18Amen again,
Personally, some of them have “beginners luck” a lot of them don’t. It’s how they fit in the teams’ puzzle and can the handle the pressure at the next level.
19Admin,
Then why mention college stats as well as the Heisman? I’m not bringing them up. and yes QBs from the same system with as much hype that fail is at least worth noting.
You use college stats to support your claim but then you say you know college stats have no correlation to succes on the pro level. You mention the Heisman race as though it will support your claim but then you say all you meant was that he is a contempory of the other two? Sounds like spin doctoring to me. My age has nothing to do with this debate. My issue is that you said I obviously have never seen Dennis Dixon throw. If you are not Mel Kiper or Todd Mcshay then I don’t care if you suited up with Unitas. I am willing to bet that outside of the same scouting publications that I read, your knowledge of how well Dennis Dixon throws is no more impressive than any other fan.
If Pittsburgh does release Batch, I will root for Dixon. He is a Steeler. I am just not as convinced as you are to hand over the keys of the kingdom to an unproven QB that doesn’t fit our system. Coaches will make him beat them with his arm and I am not convinced he will. I am afraid that he will be nothing more than a gimmick. Believe me, if he is pressed into real game situation, I hope you will be right. I hope I will be wrong. Only time will tell. Let me put this baby to bed so we don’t bore the other fans.
20As a longtime Steelers fan, I welcome your article and I too look forward to how things will shake out at the end of training camp. When I look at the success the Steelers have had over the last several years, I have complete faith in the Steelers’ brain trust.
As far as the Dixon argument goes, I’m willing to trust the coaching staff’s opinion of Dixon’s abilities and future potential. Not all Heisman winners were successful NFL quarterbacks but I do recall successful NFL QBs such as Roger Staubach, Jim Plunkett, Carson Palmer and Vinnie Testaverde who were Heisman winners. I was sorry to see Leftwich leave since he was very effective in his backup role. Dixon will just have to earn his stripes and hopefully he will answer the optimism of the coaches and scouts.
21Here’s a look at my prior to training camp 53 man roster, let me know what you think.
Offense:
WR’s= Santonio Holmes,Hines Ward,Limas Sweed,Shaun McDonald,Mike Wallace-KR,Stefan Logan-RS.
OL’s=Max Starks,Chris Kemoeatu,Justin Hartwig,Kraig Urbik,Willie Colon,Ramon Foster,Trai Essex,Darnell Stapleton,Tony Hills.
TE’s=Heath Miller,Matt Spaeth,Sean McHugh.
RB’s=Willie Parker,Rashard Mendenhall,Mewelde Moore.
FB’s=Frank Summers
QB’s=Ben Roethlisberger,Dennis Dixon,Charlie Batch.
Defense:
DL’s=Aaron Smith,Casey Hampton,Brett Keisel,Evander Hood,Chris Hoke,RaShon Harris.
LB’s=LaMarr Woodley,James Farrior,Lawrence Timmons,James Harrison,Bruce Davis,Keyaron Fox,Dovonan Woods,Arnold Harrison,Patrick Bailey.
DB’s=Ike Taylor,Ryan Clark,Troy Polamalu,William Gay,Keenan Lewis,Ryan Mundy,Deshea Townsend,Keiwan Ratliff,Roy Lewis,Joe Burnett-PR.
P=Daniel Sepulveda
KR=Jeff Reed
LS=A.Q Shipley
No Travis Kirschke, I’ll take youth over experience and they might not be able to hide Harris on the PS.
22