Steelers cut Retkofsky

[Galax Steeler]

PITTSBURGH -- Two days before the start of mini camp, the Steelers made a roster move. On Wednesday, they cut long snapper Jared Retkofsky.

That means Friday on the first day of a mandatory three-day mini camp, the Steelers will have two long snappers on their roster.

One of them is Greg Warren, a fifth-year pro who's coming off a knee injury that forced him to miss the last nine games of the regular season last year and the three playoff games, including the Super Bowl.

The other is Mark Estermyer, an undrafted rookie who agreed to a free-agent contract Sunday night as Day 2 of the NFL Draft was ending. Estermyer is a graduate of Blackhawk High School who played at Pitt.

"I know those guys are on the roster," Estermyer said Sunday of Warren and Retkofsky. "But I really don't know how they're doing (physically). I'm just thankful for the opportunity. I can't wait to get started at mini camp."

Due to an elbow injury, Retkofsky missed both organized team activity workouts the Steelers held last week at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex. Retkofsky was present for those voluntary OTAs but couldn't practice because his right arm was in a sling. He was still recovering from an off-season motorcycle accident.

Warren, who's 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, is due to make $650,000 this year

If Estermyer (6-1, 247) makes the team, he would probably be paid $310,000, the NFL minimum.

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/...f113410178.txt

[stillers4me]

Never underestimate the importance of a good long snapper.

[HometownGal]

Not a big shocker here. Warren (hopefully) will come into camp healthy and ready to assume his position.

Retkofsky played his part in getting us trophy #6 and I thank him for his contribution and wish him the best.

[trauben]

Originally Posted by stillers4me

Never underestimate the importance of a good long snapper.

No kidding! I was at that Giants home game last year. That safety sucked!

[55BaileyFan]

If we look at Pittsburgh history one thing is for sure they want to save money. If the rook can come in and hold his own then I wouldn't be shocked to see Warren cut. Pittsburgh needs to save money and that's an easy way to do it. Only if he can perform as well as Warren will it happen though.

[atlsteelers]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Not a big shocker here. Warren (hopefully) will come into camp healthy and ready to assume his position.

Retkofsky played his part in getting us trophy #6 and I thank him for his contribution and wish him the best.

i bet you that if Retkofsky did not act like a fool and wreck his motorcycle that warren would be the player being cut. The steelers could have saved a few hundred thousand by keeping Retkofsky over Warren. Thats how Warren made the team over the last longsnapper that ended up at buffalo and later in a probowl game as a special teams player. I guess its back to moving furniture for Retkofsky once his arm heels. Talk about wasting a nice paycheck but at least he got a nice chunk of change and a superbowl ring out of it.

[SteelersMongol]

Originally Posted by Galax Steeler

...He was still recovering from an off-season motorcycle accident...

I don't like 2 hear the older & experienced guys getting cut. But the Steelers players MUST AVOID AT ALL COSTS to stay away from the damn motorcycles.

[OneForTheToe]

The article is wrong. We actualy have three long snappers on the roster. The third one was just given a 50 million dollar contract.

[Steelman16]

Not surprising. James Harrison gave Steelers fans a whole new appreciation for longsnappers though.

[SteelersinCA]

At least he got his ring.