Steelers don’t re-sign Shipley
The Steelers signed nine players to their off-season roster. Seven of the nine players were expected, since they were on the Steelers’ practice squad this past season.
The practice squad members who were signed are RBs Justin Vincent and Isaac Redman, TE Eugene Bright, WR Jason Chery, S Tuff Harris, DT Steve McCLendon and CB Trae Williams.
The team also signed defensive tackle Scott Paxson. Paxson spent time on the Steelers practice squad and active roster from 2006 – 2008.
Lastly, they signed kicker Piotr Czech. Czech was at Steelers training camp last year, but lost the competition with Jeff Reed. Reed is now a free agent.
However, one player who was expected to be re-signed was not. The Steelers did not sign center A.Q. Shipley. Shipley is a local kid, who played at Moon High School and Penn State. The Steelers selected Shipley in the 7th round of the 2009 draft.
With the problems that the Steelers have had with their offensive line, it is surprising to see that they didn’t keep one of the young players that they’ve been developing. Perhaps this means that the Steelers have determined that Shipley does not have the potential to contribute to the team in the future.
Steelers center A.Q. Shipley
I was at every day of training camp this past season, and I must admit that I can’t remember a single play that Shipley impressed me on. He seemed small and weak compared to the other Steelers offensive linemen.
Coming out of college, many scouts said that Shipley’s arms were too short for the NFL. However, the Steelers felt that his heart and work ethic made him worth giving a shot.
It’s not clear where Shipley will end up. It’s still possible that he could end up with the Steelers. However, I wish him well wherever he may end up. He was a tough kid from Pittsburgh who made us all proud. Good luck, A.Q.
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Few comments on Shipley, signings and the draft -
On Shipley I’ve now read a couple places that we offered and he declined and now today hear he signed with Eagles.
On the other signings the most interesting to me is Piotr Czech. Can anyone who saw him in training camp say how close he was to Reed – would be good to know how bad off we are if Reed gets an offer we don’t match.
On the draft front: Agree S or CB as our top draft needs (preferably someone with some height). I’d put LB lower behind DL & OL but clearly still a need with potsie having lost a step and not getting any younger (though I’d like to think Fox and Timmons can step up and help keep that unit going if we don’t get LB this year).
I also wanted to add that AdamJT13 who does a great job on predicting compensatory picks has come out with his 2010 list. I was hoping for a 4, 5, and a 6 but Adam has us likely geting 2 5ths and a 7th: http://adamjt13.blogspot.com/2010/01/early-comp-pick-projections-for-2010_07.html
1Interesting that Shipley signed with the Eagles (the other team that may have a local connection with PSU.)The PG said that the Steelers offered him a contract but “he balked.” (Meaning a low ball offer? No guarantee? In the past, I would say ‘adios’ but with our O-line and our track record with mid & lower round draft picks, I’m now wondering. We will see if Shipley makes it. We wish him the best!
2Tim,
I read that too about Shipley rejecting an offer from the Steelers. Very interesting.
As far as Piotr Czech goes, I was at every day of training camp, and he looked good. He actually seemed to have more distance on his kicks than Reed. I thought he was pretty good. However, training camp doesn’t take place in the swamp they call Heinz Field. Heinz Field is where Jeff Reed excels. It isn’t clear how Czech would look kicking in the wind and mud at Heinz. But he did look impressive in training camp.
3Won’t the Czech decision be made before training camp. The Steelers need to sign Reed or not.If they sign him then Czech will be auditioning for other teams while in Steeler camp or there in case of an injury.
4Flakiness aside I think we should resign Reed(assuming the price is reasonable.) Except for the Chicago game and ocasional short kick-offs, the guy had a solid season. BTW, we all hear how hard it is to kick at Heinz Field, statistically, does that prove to be true? Do opposing kickers have alower than avg conversion rate at Heinz? Is Reed’s significantly better? (Or were teams too busy scoring TD’s on us last year?)