Educated Guess for Steelers Final 53 & Practice Squad as of 8/5

Quarterback 3- Roethlisberger, Batch (having a better camp than Leftwich, and is overall more durable due to being more mobile. He can also put better touch on the check down routes that Haley installed.  Lefty throws a delayed cannon no matter what the pass is), Johnson (finally a young arm that fits what Tomlin likes- big body, big arm, and mobile).  And yes, he's black.

Runningback/Fullback 5- Redman, Batch, Dwyer, Rainey, W.Johnson (has shown more in backs on backers than DJ, but also at 6'2 245 is far more athletic than anything DJ can put up).  **Neither Will nor DJ is Danny Krieder, but for how Haley runs the offense, Will gives us more options overall.  Watch for us to take a late round/UDFA Fullback in 2013.  Check out Zach Boren, Ohio State.  Mendenhall wont make any real impact this year, and its his last as a Steeler anyhow.  But we could use a stronger focus on the position, maybe with a higher 2013 pick that could allow Redman to the backup (a perfect fit).  Ball, Lacy, Ellington, or Toussaint could very well be that guy.

Tight End 3- Miller, Saunders, Pope.  Tomlin likes Paulson's hands, but he has little to no blocking ability.  Once again, with Heath getting up there in age as well as 2-3 years from his contract ending, we need to begin looking for a solid replacement.  Is it Wes?  Eh.  Maybe, but as the 2nd TE yes, but not the #1.  Check out Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE Auburn.  Haley drafted Iowa TE Moeaki when he coached KC.  And just like how we drafted Rainey (think KC's RB McCluster), thats the Moeaki=Lutz comparison.

Wide Receiver 5- Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Clemons, Maze.  Williams?  No, no Maze.  No, the white kid, Beiler?  Riiiight.  Nope.  Im sticking with Maze.  We tend to have a UDFA make the 53 every year.  This year its Maze.  He's caught just about everything thrown his way.  He did have to be corrected for lining up wrong recently, but Ill take that over minimal drops.  His speed dont hurt neither.  But where's Wallace?  Damned if I know.  Is he a Viking?  Maybe.  For a 2nd rounder?  You bet Id make that deal.  If Wallace holds out to week 11, we better not get injured at WR, or we might need to call the NRA for Burress' phone number.  I heard NYPD has it on speed dial.

Offensive Line 9- Adams, Colon, Pouncey, DeCastro, Gilbert.  Followed by Starks, Legursky, Foster, Essex.  Id love to find a way to kept Beachum on the 53, but until Tomlin and Co. see Foster as the next Essex, I dunno how I can.  Gotta be slick to hide him.  Im hoping Beachum is Legursky's replacement in 2013.  Lock down Foster, and let Bruno & Essex walk.

**Thats 25 on offense.

Nose Tackle 3- Hampton, McLendon, Ta'amu.  3 NTs?  Yup.  Mendenhall and Wallace force us to be very flexible with the 53rd spot as well as the 8th PS.  I think Casey will make the 53 and not start out on the PUP like Mendy.  But if not, we've gotta have shoulder room for some moves.

Defensive End 4- Hood, Keisel, Heyward, Woods.  Er, Bryant.  No, no, Woods.  Or maybe Bryant.  does it really matter?  McLendon can play NT and DE, and even Ta'amu was given time today at the 5 tech spot. Woods however was picked up and lost almost as much like the Harrison situation.  Woods can also play NT/DT.  I dont think Corbin has that flexibility.

Inside Linebacker 4- Timmons, Spence, Foote, Sylvester.  Nope, I didnt accidentally confuse Foote and Spence.  We'll be in the base 2-4-5 almost as much, if not more than the 3-4 (not to mention the newly released "Heavy Nickel"- otherwise known as the Dime.)  When in the 3-4, then maybe Foote is on the field.  But in the Nickel, its all Timmons and Spence inside.  Coach Butler proved it recently when he interchanged the Buck and Mack.

Outside Linebacker 4- Woodley, Harrison, Carter, Worilds.  Robinson.  No, no Worilds.  Its Jason's last chance.  Carter is on his way to take JWs spot at backup for both OLB spot.  But like last year, we are iffy at OLB from there on.  Robinson has done very well in the off season, but has no experience.  He'll be hidden on the PS.  But with Spence on his way to taking over for Farrior, and Harrison's age, back, and cap hit being an issue, along with JWs lack of stability, were gonna need to address OLB/DE in 2013.  Again.  Dont worry, Im all over it.  Redshirt Sophomore from TCU, Stansly Maponga.  Ya like Woodley?  Youll love this kid just as much.

Safeties 4- Polamalu, Clark, Cromartie-Smith, Mundy.  Bye Will Allen.  If Rainey and Maze can play gunner (can you picture them tackling?) and Mundy, Cro-Smith, Dwyer can do well on ST... not to mention the 2011 ST ass kicker Curtis Brown... then we can do without your $3 mil deal Will.  Take a look at the head count below.  Its 52.  I left a spot open for a possible Wallace return.  And we need your cap hit Will.  Sorry.  I do have to say I prefer Rolle to Mundy.  I cant see Rolle making such a mental mistake vs the Broncos in OT.  I have read hes had a good camp, while hearing nothing about Mundy.  2013 draft has a high need for safety.  Check out Matt Elam, SS/FS/CB/DB from Florida.  I bet MP53, Gilbert and Rainey have already lit the fire.  Position flexibility, coverage, speed, hands, can hit, run support, a Junior AND a Gator?  Where do I sign?!?!

Cornerbacks 5- Taylor, Allen, Lewis, Brown, Frederick.  No, I didnt get Cortez and Keenan backwards.  Tez will get the #2 CB spot at some point, and I bet its sooner better than later.  Even if its another situation like last year where we rolled Lewis outside and Gay inside in the Nickel.  I also think Brown eventually moves up as well from the Dime.  He's never played an inside CB at Texas, so the 5 and 10 are new to him.  Meanwhile, Frederick has played all over the back 4 while at Texas A&M.  2013/14 CBs could be Allen, Brown with Lewis and Frederick at the 5 and 10.  But Id look to replace Lewis after this year.  If it took him 3 years "to get it", then its gonna take him longer to completely understand it and moreso to use it properly.  And I aint waiting on another William Gay Part II.  Im efforting the possibility of a 2013 CB pick.

Special Teams (K,P,LS) 3- Hrapmann, Butler, Warren.  Yeah, brand new Kicker and Punter.  Why the hell not?  Sorry Suisham but Ive read way too much about "wide lefts" this off season.  And while Kapinos played well for the little healthy Sepulveda, he is more average at best.  Plus, Tomlin has a thing for blood lines.

** That's 27 on defense.

** Total is 52.  Not 53.

Practice Squad 8- Paulson, Beachum, Clay, Cox, Bryant, Rolle, Robinson, XXX.  Once again, this spot is held open for now until we get closer to the final cuts as well as the health of Hampton, Starks, Mendenhall, Harrison and even Worilds.  Oh yeah, and lets not forget #17 and whatever the fuck he decides to do.