Practice Squad for 07 - 08

[OneForTheToe]

Since we have seen a couple of games now, I'm wondering how the practice squad (ps) might turn out? In the past, the Steelers have used the ps to store a few possible ps eligible back-ups at key positions, like fb and QB, as well as using it to develop young talent. This season there are a few of those players who have used up their ps eligibility making the roster decisions more difficult. BSP, J Khun and Walter Young have all spent time on the ps and I believe all have used up their eligibility.

So, any ideas yet?

Here are eligibility requirements from the CBA on the NFLPA site:

http://www.nflpa.org/CBA/CBA.aspx

[I]
PRACTICE SQUADS

PRACTICE SQUADS
On Sunday, September 2, 2007, the day after the final pre-season cutdowns, each club may establish a Practice Squad of no more than eight (8) players who are free agents and who do not have more than nine games on an Active list in a previous season. .................... In addition, a player under contract to a club as a Practice Squad player is completely free to sign a contract with any NFL club to play on their Active/Inactive list.

Further :

Section 4. Eligibility:
(a) The practice squad shall consist of the following players, provided that they have not served more than two previous seasons on a Practice Squad: (i) players who do not have an Accrued Season of NFL experience; and (ii) free agent players who were on the Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during their only Accrued Season(s). An otherwise eligible player may be a practice squad player for a third season only if the Club by which he is employed that season has at least 53 players on its Active/Inactive List during the entire period of his employment.

(b) A player shall be deemed to have served on a Practice Squad in a season if he has passed the club?s physical and been a member of the club?s Practice Squad for at least three regular season or postseason games during his first two Practice Squad seasons, and for at least one regular season or postseason game during his third Practice Squad season. (A bye week counts as a game provided that the player is not terminated until after the regular season or postseason weekend in question.)

/I]

Given all the above here is an early list:

Cameron Stephenson, - G
Scott Paxson DT - I believe he has one more season of ps eligibility
Ryan McBean DE - The Steelers need young blood on D'line, but Mc Bean is not ready.
Dallas Baker - Hasn't played well enough to make roster but worth keeping.
Cody Boyd TE - either Boyd and/or Dekker, surely.
Donovan Raiola C - yes I know he hasn't played but we signed him for a reason ..I assume.
Last two spots: two guys who the Steelers would love to keep even if they don't make the roster, Jason Capizzi and Gary Russell, but both would have trouble clearing waivers, imo. Also if the Steelers do not keep three qbs, I'd expect them to find a waiver wire qb for the ps.

[The Duke]

I hope we put a QB in there(Randall Bryant) so we only keep 2 in the roster

[Elvis]

I would love to see Russell on our final roster along with Davis as well. Barlow and maybe Verron Haynes will probably be gone or maybe Kuhn. I also think that DB Gay will make our team and if he doesnt... he will be picked up by someone I guarentee it, so I think he makes it and I think Ricardo Cokely or however you spell his name.. is a goner...
:tt02:

[Livinginthe past]

Ya can't have a guy with the nickname Touchdownmaker on the PS!!

Touchdownward will be out $5 if you're right! :toofunny:

[dunkuntou]

Russell and Caprizi will both clear waivers. Dallas Baker probably would clear waivers but Ryan McBean will NOT clear waivers. Thats why he might end up on the teams simply because he wouldn't clear...

and its Bryan Randall...who is terrible

[OneForTheToe]

I'm not sure that Russell would clear, but maybe Capizi might after all. Once a player clears waivers and is placed on the ps, if another team picks him up they have to put him on the 53 man roster. So, if a team would pick up Capizi after he is on our ps, then they would have to open a roster spot for him. Naturally, it's hard to find spots for O'linemen who aren't ready to play (if that is indeed the case with Capizzi). I

As for Russell, I think a team like Denver (who just lost a rb) would jump at him in a minute. Truthfully, I wouldn't be that upset if someone took McBean. Maybe someday he will be something, but I haven't seen or heard anything at this point to convince me of the fact.

You are correct, Randall is terrible.

[Preacher]

There are a couple that i am worried about losing off the PS.

However, can we really afford to hold them?

[OneForTheToe]

I'll take another shot now at who we will try and sign.
1)Jason Cappizzi - OT, hopefuly he clears waivers.
2)Cameron Stephenson, - G
3)Scott Paxson DT
4)Ryan McBean DT-
5)Dallas Baker WR- practice squad maker.
6)Cody Boyd TE - need a TE on the ps if we are going to use three in the games, in case of injury.
7)DB off the waiver wire.
8)O'linen of waiver wire who could play center at some point might be a good pickup.

[43Hitman]

What about Darnell Bing off of the waiver wire? I thought that kid was going to be good coming out of USC.

[FOOTEupyourarse]

what do you guys think about giving LB BUSTER DAVIS a look? he is short but plays solid even though the cardinals drafted him.:jawdrop:

[Livinginthe past]

Not only did the Cardinals draft him, but they also cut him.

You would have to be fairly desperate to take a Cards reject at anywhere other than WR.

[The Duke]

Other 3rd rounder cut was Quentin Moses from the raiders. The raiders FO doesn't always know what they're doing so maybe Moses has potential. He's a DE

[Galax Steeler]

Not only did the Cardinals draft him, but they also cut him.

You would have to be fairly desperate to take a Cards reject at anywhere other than WR.

Totally agree not much comes from the cardinals.

[SteelShooter]

I was actually surprised to see Verron not make the practice squad. I hope he gets picked up somewhere and truly wish him well.

[dunkuntou]

"I was actually surprised to see Verron not make the practice squad. I hope he gets picked up somewhere and truly wish him well."

Thats because he can't...

Moses projects better as an OLB in the 3-4 than a DE

[steelwolf21]

Buster Davis was highly thought of in the pre-draft BS. I suppose if the Cards have cut him with what they have at LB his BS must of been some top-notch stuff...

[stlrtruck]

I was actually surprised to see Verron not make the practice squad. I hope he gets picked up somewhere and truly wish him well.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in the desert!!