Steelers football blog

Steelers make final cuts

Only one real veteran found himself among the final five cuts Saturday by the Steelers, who again found room on their 53-man roster for a group of young players, especially on defense.

Offensive lineman Tony Hills, a fourth-round draft choice in 2008, started two preseason games at right guard but lost that job to Doug Legursky, who will open the season there. Hills previously played tackle but did not play much of it in his previous three seasons.

The others cut were cornerback Crezdon Butler, punter Jeremy Kapinos, tight end John Gilmore and rookie defensive end Jarrett Crittenton.

Their 53-man roster isn't necessarily the one that will open the season Sept. 11 in Baltimore as the Steelers and other teams peruse the many players cut loose the past two days. They also can begin signing players to their practice squad, so many of those released could return to them in that capacity. (continue)

Reed B Gone

The Steelers have released struggling kicker Jeff Reed and signed former Washington Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham to replace him.

The Post-Gazette reported that Suisham, who was cut in by the Steelers in training camp in 2005, worked out Heinz Field in gray conditions this morning under the watchful eye of Coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

Tomlin confirmed the release of Reed, who had been the NFL's most accurate kicker from 2007-2009, at his weekly news conference today. (PPG)

Mendenhall, Sweed sign with Steelers

The Steelers will have all of their players under contract for the fourth consecutive year when they report to training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe tomorrow. Yesterday, the reached agreements with their top two draft choices, running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed.

Mendenhall, their-first round draft pick, came to terms on a five-year, $12.55 million contract. Sweed, their second-round choice, agreed to a four-year contract in principle. Terms are not yet available. Mendenhall's deal includes bonuses of $6.83 million, guarantees of $7,125,000 and total cash value of $9,855,000 with an escalator that makes the contract worth $12.55 million. Continue

Steelers release 3 veterans

The Steelers released three veteran players Friday, including special-teams captain Clint Kriewaldt and return specialist Allen Rossum.

The Steelers also cut tight end Jerame Tuman, who played in six games in 2007 and caught one pass before going on injured reserve with a season-ending back injury. Tuman, who turns 32 next month, had been one of the longest-tenured Steelers having been with the team since it drafted the former Michigan star in 1999. Continue

Looking for golf accessories to fill your golf carts? No worries. The best golf equipment is available online now for your golf vacations. This even includes golf shoes. Never once will you find time to toss a ball or play tennis during your vacation.

Steelers place transition tag on Starks

With All-Pro guard Alan Faneca all but gone, the Steelers moved to shore up their offensive line even before the start of the free-agent signing period and the NFL draft. The team placed the transition tag on Max Starks on Wednesday, though that doesn't guarantee the tackle will be with the Steelers for this season.

By making Starks, who would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of the month, a transition player, the Steelers have the right to match any offer that is made to the fourth-year pro. The team has a week to match any offers. Continue

Steelers re-sign DE Kirschke

The Steelers signed reserve defensive end Travis Kirschke to a two-year contract Tuesday, getting a jump on the start of free agency. Kirschke is the first of nine unrestricted free agents to re-sign with the Steelers. Free agency begins Feb. 29. Kirschke was retained to provide depth at defensive end. He made four of his five career starts with the Steelers last season when starter Aaron Smith was sidelined with a torn biceps muscle and finished with 29 tackles and two sacks. Continue

Steelers release Porter, Haynes

The Steelers have informed outside linebacker Joey Porter, who ranks fourth in franchise history with 60 sacks, that he will be released, agent Jeff Sperbeck said today. The Steelers also released injured running back Verron Haynes and little-used offensive tackle Ulish Booker while tendering contract offers to restricted free agents tackle Max Starks and quarterback Brian St. Pierre.

Porter, who had one year remaining on his contract and had been seeking an extension, now becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team. Porter, 29, was scheduled to receive a $1 million bonus on March 6. He was due to earn $4 million in 2007. (Pitt Tribune)

Steelers release Staley; add Mays, Iwuoma to roster

Duce Staley might finally help the Steelers this season by making room on the roster for someone else. The team yesterday released the veteran running back, who barely played this season. Faced with several injuries to starters who will not play Thursday night against Cleveland, the Steelers signed two of their former players -- wide receiver Lee Mays and cornerback Chidi Iwuoma, their former special teams co-captain. Mays was cut Sept. 2 and Iwuoma Sept. 6, the day before the season opened. Continue

Porter out; Steelers sign Chad Brown for help at OLB

The Steelers have brought back one of their former linebackers, Chad Brown, to help ease the injury situation at outside linebacker. Brown, who played with the Steelers from 1993 to 1996, was signed today after Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter injured his hamstring in practice Tuesday and was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Porter's backup, James Harrison, was already sidelined because of a high ankle sprained sustained in Sunday night's loss in San Diego. Brown, 36, was released Sept. 1 by the New England Patriots in the final cut of training camp. To make room for Brown on the 53-man roster, the Steelers released tight end Tim Euhus. (PPG)