OL Trai Essex has signed with....

[tony hipchest]

... the steelers for another year

(as reported by himself via twitter)

Trai Essex ‏ @TraiDay79
I am ecstatic to announce that I am back with the @Steelers ! There is no place like #SteelerNation #EverydayIsABlessing

great insurance policy. great to have him back. he was kinda in the doghouse last year for getting fat, but has lost a great deal of weight and looking as fit as ever. he's been putting in the work to get right and get better.

i like the attitude even if it is for a swingman back up role.

[Bayz101]

Nice! Thanks for reporting, I just noticed it on twitter but didn't have time to make the thread.

[Fire Arians]

good depth signing. i heard trai is also keeping his weight down in the offseason which is good

[Curtain_of_Steel]

Yup, all the great steeler oline is back, lol.. Everyone is excited, lol.

Foster, Legursky, Essex... Its great today, after Ben gets killed, you all will be balsting them saying thank god it was for only 1 year, lol

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by Curtain_of_Steel

Yup, lol.. Everyone is , lol.

Foster, Legursky, Essex... Ben gets killed, you all lol

relax.... with exception to foster (who very well could be replaced as a starter) they are all back ups and experienced depth, at the absolute lowest price allowed in accordance with the CBA.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

relax.... with exception to foster (who very well could be replaced as a starter) they are all back ups and experienced depth, at the absolute lowest price allowed in accordance with the CBA.

the steelers don't have back ups... they have starters in waiting.
personally my way of thinking is for every bum vet you carry on the roster , you decrease your chances of finding "the guy" . we all know what essex brings to the table. he's already hit his ceiling and it wasn't very high. the only thing he brings to the table is knowledge of the offense. there's a reason why the steelers can keep bringing him back on one year dealsat bargain prices...because nobody else wants him.
i see no point in occupying roster spots with guys who you'd hate to see starting for an extended amount of time. i'll take the 2 in the bush if i know the one in hand sucks ..

[fer522]

i think the reason why they're signing these guys is because they can't afford anybody else

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

relax.... with exception to foster (who very well could be replaced as a starter) they are all back ups and experienced depth, at the absolute lowest price allowed in accordance with the CBA.

True, but I hope that we improve in the draft where we dont need all 3 of them to dress on gameday.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different outcome.

[Fire Arians]

i don't understand all the hate for essex, he's a quality backup. he won't be a pro bowler anytime in his career, but he's serviceable at all 3 positions on the OL. hell, he plays tackle better than jonathan rollerskates and he can even play center.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

i don't understand all the hate for essex, he's a quality backup. he won't be a pro bowler anytime in his career, but he's serviceable at all 3 positions on the OL. hell, he plays tackle better than jonathan rollerskates and he can even play center.

It's not hate, but rather a realization that he isn't getting any better and it's almost better to let guys like that go, to make room for something better.

It's like dating an ugly girl and after a while you come to your senses and see you need to ditch her for somebody that doesn't require you to drink ten beers, before she starts looking good.