Friday, August 5, 2016

All Player Ratings for Steelers Roster in Madden 17


If you're like me, then you love Madden and look forward to the new release every year. It's always fun to check out the player ratings and see how good your team will be. You can go check out the full list of player ratings yourself, but I saved you all some trouble and listed the full ratings for the Steelers roster, as well as some some analysis for the grades. 

The players are in the positions they're listed as on the spreadsheet. 

Quarterback 

Ben Roethlisberger - 93
Bruce Gradkowski - 69
Landry Jones - 66
Dustin Vaughn - 62

Ben is one of the best in the league, so it comes to no surprise to see him as one of the top QB's in the game. The rest of the guys don't get much love, but the ratings given are pretty fair. 

Running Back

Le'Veon Bell - 94
DeAngelo Williams - 81
Daryl Richardson - 67
Fitzgerald Toussaint - 67

The running backs are represented well, as Bell & Williams are one of the best duos in the league. Both get respectable ratings.

Fullback

Roosevelt Nix - 80
David Johnson - 74

I was genuinely surprised Nix got such a high grade. I love him and I'm glad to see him starting to get some respect. Johnson's 74 isn't bad at all - solid grade for a vet.

Wide Receiver 

Antonio Brown - 97
Martavis Bryant - 82
Markus Wheaton - 76
Darrius Heyward-Bey - 71
Sammie Coates - 70
Demarcus Ayers - 62
Canaan Severin - 62
Marcus Tucker - 61
Eli Rogers - ???

Antonio Brown rightfully owns the highest receiver rating in the game, making him unstoppable on the screen along with on the field. Bryant gets an 82... at least we'll be able to use him in the game. Wheaton, DHB, and Coates all seem to have low scores, but they will all surely rise as the season goes on.

For some Eli Rogers was absent on the spreadsheet.

Tight End 

Ladarius Green - 81
Jesse James - 67
Xavier Grimble - 62

Green gets a very solid 81 - we'll surely notice a difference when playing with him compared to Heath Miller. James' score is surprisingly low considering his solid play last year.

Offensive Tackle 

Marcus Gilbert - 83
Ryan Harris - 76
Alejuandro Villanueva - 70
Jerald Hawkins - 67
Brian Mihalik - 65

Gilbert's rating of 83 is way too low for anybody who watched him last year. Assuming he shuts down almost every edge rusher he faces once again, his rating should see an increase.

Offensive Guard 

David DeCastro - 84
Ramon Foster - 82
Chris Hubbard - 67

Similar to Gilbert, DeCastro doesn't get the respect he deserves. As one of the next star offensive lineman in the league, there is no way his rating doesn't rise this year.

Center 

Maurkice Pouncey - 88
BJ Finney - 65
Cody Wallace - 65
Quinton Schooly - 59

Pouncey is one of the best centers in the league, but has been plagued by injuries in the past year. His rating is dependent on health; if he plays all year, expect an increase.

Defensive End 

Cam Heyward - 88
Stephon Tuitt - 78
Giorgio Newberry - 62
LT Walton - 59
Cashaud Lyons - 59
Johnny Maxey - 57

Heyward is the man I always play with on defense, he's a monster in the game. Tuitt though is underrated in this league. On many occasions I've written that I see him being a breakout star this year, and I stand by that.

Defensive Tackle 

Ricardo Mathews - 69
Javon Hargrave - 68
Dan McCullers - 66
Lavon Hooks - 60
Devaunte Sigler - 58

What an ugly group ratings-wise. Assuming Mathews & Hargrave both play roles this year in the nickel, I'd expect a marginal increase in their ratings.

Inside Linebacker

Ryan Shazier - 79
Lawrence Timmons - 78
Vince Williams - 73
Steven Johnson - 68
Tyler Matakevich - 65

This angers me. Shazier flashed so much talent last year so I'm kind of shocked he is still in the 70's. Shazier will be a star in this league if he stays healthy. His rating will change. Timmons rating is also jarring; he's hardly lost a step despite getting older and is still a cornerstone on this defense. 

Outside Linebacker 

James Harrison - 85
Arthur Moats - 78
Jarvis Jones - 73
Bud Dupree - 70
LJ Fort - 68
Jordan Zumwalt - 65
Anthony Chickillo - 62
Travis Feeney - 62

Harrison is very respected in this game. The rest of the ratings are all pretty fair, especially for Jones and Dupree since neither played that great last year. I'm hopeful all of these young players get increases, including Chickillo.

Cornerback 

William Gay - 82
Ross Cockrell - 73
Artie Burns - 72
Senquez Golson - 71
Doran Grant - 66
Donald Washington - 65

This seems pretty accurate. Gay is a very solid cornerback and his 82 is fair. Cockrell's rating seems low, but that's likely due to his non-flashy play last year. The rest are all unproven.

Safety 

Mike Mitchell - 84
Robert Golden - 74
Shamarko Thomas - 72
Sean Davis - 71
Ross Ventrone - 64

Mitchell gets a respectable 84. Once he managed to be in full health and learn the defense, he's been a great player for us. Golden & Davis will both get extensive playing time this season so I expect their ratings to rise. 

Special Teams 

Jordan Berry - 79
Chris Boswell - 77
Will Monday - 68
Greg Warren - 65

Similar to Nix, i'm surprised Berry and Boswell got such solid ratings. I'm glad all of these young players are gaining respect! 

 Steelers Overall: 85

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Monday, August 1, 2016

Observations From My First Training Camp Experience


Today I made my first ever trip to Latrobe for training camp! While my fiance was swooning over Ben Roethlisberger, I was trying to take in as much as possible while the guys did work all over the field. It was such a great experience seeing all of these guys that you see on TV practice in person; I definitely recommend everybody making the trip at some point in their lives.

 I jotted down some notes throughout practice so here are some of my observations:

 - Alejandro Villaneuva & Dan McCullers are both massive human beings.
- The guys played the fan-favorite game where they competed to see who can catch the most balls consecutively without putting any down. Surprisingly, Roosevelt Nix tied Sammie Coates with 5 balls. The game definitely got the crowd fired up. 

 - It was really funny hearing the guys, notably Cam Heyward, heckle DeAngelo Williams during stretches. "Happy birthday D-will!" "You get tomorrow off for your birthday!"

 - Eli Rogers sure is quick; he flew threw the agility drills today. I still think he makes the 53 man roster. 

 - Got to witness a camp fight today - Cash Lyons & Brian Mihalik had a little scrum. 

 - Sammie Coates was burning guys all day. He made Doran Grant look silly in the 1v1 drill when he blew past him on a vertical route. The Steelers may have found another deep-threat gem.

 - Sammie Coates also had a big drop today during drills, which drew a collective "awwww" from the crowd. We can certainly expect some drops this season from Coates along with his big plays.

 - Antonio Brown versus Artie Burns just isn't fair. Brown blew by Burns with ease and seemed to be toying with him in open field with his shiftiness. Really regret not filming it...

 - This squad sure can hit. Heard lots of pops during drills today. These safeties, especially Ross Ventrone & Jordan Dangerfield, love bringing the hammer. 

 - Anthony Chickillo got a pick today - intercepting Bruce Gradkowksi. Chickillo isn't fooling around this week and has been making a lot of noise. 

 - If you say David Johnson can't catch, you're a liar. He made an impressive grab today where he and Ryan Shazier caught a ball simultaneously and Johnson ripped it away.

 - Roosevelt Nix got time in the slot today and did well! The former linebacker made some good grabs and showed off his soft hands. One of my favorite players is getting even better! 

 - Daryl Richardson had an impressive day, making some good catches and getting a big run. He may provide some legitimate competition for Fitzgerald Toussaint. 

 - Dustin Vaughn didn't do much during his limited playing time. He seemed like he was lost. But hey, he's QB #4 so who cares.  

 - Xavier Grimble showed off his athleticism today in 11v11's with this nice catch in traffic.

- Antonio Brown continued to show today why he's the best receiver in the league. Crazy to watch him fly in person.


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Thursday, July 28, 2016

Headlines From Steelers First Day of Camp

It's finally here! Players began arriving at camp Thursday and with that came a plethora of headlines. Here is some of the noteworthy news for those who may have missed out.

The Bell saga continues



Antonio Brown is going to play fast & furious this season



Weight Watchers: Steelers Edition


Xavier Grimble's got the look down


Tomlin continues not to live in his fears


We shouldn't worry about losing Wheaton at least


Vince Williams is ready go to infinity and beyond



Kevin Colbert gains a new title


Artie Burns is ready to roll


No new money yet


Pacman still salty


Better late than never 


The Ferrari is still in the shop


St Vincent college - still beautiful in the rain

Meanwhile in New England...

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Monday, July 25, 2016

What Should We Expect From The Steelers 2016 Draft Class


Training camp is almost here and we are all excited to see the new rookies in actions. It's important though to have reasonable expectations for these young players entering training camp and their first season in the NFL. 

 1. Artie Burns (CB)

Artie Burns is in a tricky position. The Steelers have not drafted a 1st round cornerback in years and many fans are excited to see a big, long cornerback in our secondary. On the other hand Burns is in a similar spot as Bud Dupree was last year: very athletic and talented but raw. In a recent interview with USA Today, Mike Tomlin said Burns, as well as Sean Davis, has a chance to start this year. Tomlin's optimism makes me feel better about Burns, but I think it's best to have patience with Burns and not have too-high expectations for him this year. He will surely flash his immense talent in training camp and during games, but don't be shocked when he makes rookie mistakes. 

 2. Sean Davis (S)

 Sean Davis is the draft pick I'm most excited for. In an article with Steel City Underground I named him the biggest addition to the defense. Though he may start the season slow, I think Davis will get significant playing time in the latter half of the season. He brings versatility to the defense which will allow them to implement more dime defense, as well as move around Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden. It's been reported that he'll be utilized as a slot corner as well, where I imagine he'll be used to cover tight ends. I don't expect him to fly out the gate, but I think he'll turn heads in training camp and eventually be an impact player. 

 3. Javon Hargrave (DT)

 I honestly didn't expect Javon Hargrave to fall to us in the 3rd round, and I'm ecstatic that he did. With the Steelers defense evolving into a hybrid scheme, he brings a lot of value as a nickel defensive tackle and a pass rusher. His presence will also allow Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt to get some needed rest. Though he may face some growing pains due to him coming from a smaller school, I can see Hargrave being a major asset for this defense. Steel City Blitz shares my optimism about the potential of Hargrave in an article by Steel Dad. 

 4. Jerald Hawkins

 Our least sexy pick was for sure Jerald Hawkins. He was drafted for offensive line depth and it's very unlikely he'll see the field in 2016. His focus should be on learning as much as possible from offensive coach Mike Munchak. Jacob Klinger wrote an in-depth article on Hawkins where the player explains how his size doesn't matter - the article may make you a fan of Hawkins. 

 6. Travis Feeney (OLB)

 Travis Feeney has a solid chance to make this roster despite being a late-round pick. His superior athleticism gives him the opportunity to be a special teams demon. He has the potential to eventually contribute on defense as well, but because he is a raw player he would be best focusing on special teams in his rookie year. See Behind the Steel Curtain for a breakdown of Feeney's play by Jeff Hartman.

 7a. Demarcus Ayers (WR)

 Demarcus Ayers is a player I questioned when we first drafted him, but a further look shows a very talented player. Despite his short stature and lack of elite speed, Ayers finds success because of his vision and shiftiness. He is basically the polar opposite of Dri Archer. He also has the potential to take over punt return duties for Antonio Brown. To learn more about Ayers, listen to an interview he did with Rudy Reyes. 

 7b. Tyler Matakevich (ILB)

 The player that I feel has the worst chance to make the roster, Tyler Matakevich will be fighting an uphill battle in training camp. The Steelers linebacker depth chart is very crowded this year. Matakevich will have to showcase his special teams ability if he wants to make this roster. He may lack athleticism, but by looking at his college stats you can see that he was a tackling machine. Tony Defeo of Behind the Steel Curtain believes Matakevich has a shot though based on his consistency,
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Friday, July 22, 2016

The Steelers Will Be Fine Without Le'Veon Bell

One of Steeler nation's worst nightmares came true this morning:

It's true, Bell is facing another suspension. This comes as a shock to many, but not to everybody. The idea of Bell facing suspension was tossed around last month when Mark Madden tweeted out that he had heard the news from a source.

Many writers, including myself, didn't believe Madden. Bell himself even disputed the rumors in an interview with Mark Kaboly:
“I don't know what you are talking about... I am fine,” he (Bell) said. “I can't keep talking about the drug test. I probably already said too much about it, so I really can't keep talking about it. People are going to say what they want to say on the Internet. It is people who really have nothing to do. I don't get upset or let it bother me.” - Le'Veon Bell
Unfortunately Madden was right and once again the Steelers will be starting the season without their starting running back. This article isn't about moping over Bell's suspension though. 

 My point is: the Steelers will be fine without Bell, now and in the future.

 The Depth Chart 

 Last season the Steelers lost Bell early and had to continue on with DeAngelo Williams. Nobody expected Williams to play at he level he did. In his limited playing time he managed to rush for 907 yards, catch 40 passes for 367 yards, and tie for first in the league with 11 rushing touchdowns. If you weren't familiar with the team, you may have not even noticed a change at the position. Though he'll be 33 entering the 2015 season and may not be able to replicate his success from 2015, he'll have help this season in Fitzgerald Toussaint. 

 Toussaint was signed to the practice squad in September during the 2015 season and was later activated to the 53 man roster in November 2015. Nobody expected anything for the young running back, but he ultimately played a critical role in the Steelers playoff run. Because of an injury to Williams, Toussaint started in the wild card game, splitting time with Jordan Todman.

 Toussaint displayed the patience, toughness, and vision the Steelers seek in their running backs. The play that comes to mind when I think back to Toussaint's performance is his third down conversion where Toussaint makes a beautiful and gains a first down in overtime. 


Behind the Steel Curtain did an excellent breakdown of Toussaints receiving skills. He proved he has versatility as a running back and receiver; a critical element for Pittsburgh running backs. 

 We have witnessed that the Steelers are capable of producing a formidable rushing attack without an elite running back. It's not solely Bell that led us to rushing success; you also must give credit to our offensive line and coaching staff. I have confidence that players like Williams & Toussaint can lead our rushing attack. 

 The Money

 One of the biggest questions to come from this news is how this situation will effect Bell's future with the team. My prediction is that the Steelers won't resign Bell. 

 The Steelers are an organization pride themselves on their reputation and legacy. They rarely take risks on players with character concerns, and when they do, they often face the consequences. Martavis Bryant, Mike Adams, Alameda T'amu, & Chris Rainey are all players they took risks on and paid the price. Bell is on his way to joining some bad company based on his track record.

 The contract Bell will be demanding certainly hurts his case. Though it is true he deserves to be payed like an elite player based on his play, it is extremely risky giving a premium contract to a player that is on the verge of a year-long suspension. Bell's contract would likely exceed $10 million/season, therefore the Steelers would be wise to let him walk.

 The Future 

 Luckily for the Steelers, the 2017 draft class is loaded with talent at running back. Cameron DaSilva of Fox Sports writes:
"So long as the top prospects stay healthy, there could wind up being as many as five running backs taken in the first round. That would be the most since 2008 when there were also five selected in Round 1, led by Darren McFadden at fourth overall."
In 2017 the Steelers can easily get a running back somewhere in the draft. The devaluation of the running back position has been a hot topic that has gone back and forth over the years. We've seen players taken high like Bell and Todd Gurley (LA) excel, and we've seen players taken later in the draft exceed expectations, such as David Johnson (Ari), Karlos Williams (Buf), and Devonta Freeman (Atl). Regardless of which of these paths the Steelers choose, I am confident they are capable of leaving the 2017 draft with a talented running back. 

 Final Thoughts

 It is to be determined how the organization views Bell's future after this news. They may trade Bell, they may have faith in him and resign him - nobody knows. 

 I predict that Bell will finish his contract with the Steelers and move on.

 I love Bell; I think he is a fantastic player and passionate about football and this organization. However, his repeated mistakes show he isn't as committed to this game as many of us like to think. Whether or not it's his rapping career or his friendship with Snoop Dog having an influence on him, Bell has proven that he still lacks the maturity to be a cornerstone on this team. The Steelers can win without Bell. 

While we have seen players mature over their playing careers and move past prior conflicts, I don't think Bell is worth the gamble. We'll be fine without him. 
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Friday, July 15, 2016

2016 Steelers 53 Man Roster Prediction (V1)


With training camp almost here, it's time to release my 53 man roster prediction. 

 With so many locks on this roster, I felt it was unnecessary to write in-depth on players with safe spots. My article will primarily be focusing on the fringe players. Don't pay much attention to where players are placed in the depth chart either, that isn't the focus of this article and I didn't intentionally place players higher or lower at their position. 

 I bolded the names of those player's who are not locks to make the roster. 

 Quarterback (3)
  1. Ben Roethlisberger 
  2. Landry Jones 
  3. Bruce Gradkowski
No surprises here. The quarterback position is locked for the Steelers after they resigned Bruce Gradkowski. 

 Running Back/Fullback (4)
  1. Le'Veon Bell 
  2. DeAngelo Williams 
  3. Fitzgerald Toussaint 
  4. Roosevelt Nix
Once again, no real surprises here. Fitzgerald Toussaint may not be a lock, but he proved last season that he is a reliable and versatile back. Though he may have had a costly fumble, that shouldn't take away from how impressive he was when the Steelers called him into action.

 Wide Receiver (5)
  1. Antonio Brown 
  2. Markus Wheaton 
  3. Sammie Coates 
  4. Darrius Heyward-Bey 
  5. Eli Rogers 
The first position where there will be a legitimate competition. The battle for the #5 wide receiver spot will likely be close, but I think Eli Rogers will win it. He received a lot of buzz last offseason until landing on injured reserve. The buzz has continued into this offseason and though the Steelers drafted Demarcus Ayers in the 7th round, I think Rogers will beat out him and as well as Shakim Phillips. Rogers also offers the versatility to take over for Antonio Brown at punt returner if the team felt the need to make a change.

 There are some that don't believe Darrius Heyward-Bey is a lock, but I think otherwise. Heyward-Bey impressed in his limited action last season, proving to be a mostly-reliable receiver, an efficient blocker, and excellent special teams player. These feats landed him a well-earned 3 year contract with the Steelers.

 Tight End (3)
  1. Ladarius Green 
  2. Jesse James 
  3. David Johnson 
With Ladarius Green being recently signed and Jesse James entering his sophomore year, the top of the depth chart is locked. There will be one or two spots available for the tight end position between Matt Spaeth, David Johnson, and Xavier Grimble. I think Johnson will win the competition. 

 Johnson has advantages over both players. He has the versatility to play both fullback and tight end, which is necessary due to the growing role of fullback Roosevelt Nix in our offense. He is also at a prime age; he is 4 years younger than Spaeth and 5 years older than Grimble. Considering how young Green and James are, it would be wise to keep a veteran tight end.  Though cases can be made to keep any 3 of these tight ends, or even keep two of them, I think Johnson will win the spot. 

 Offensive Tackle (4)
  1. Alejuandro Villanueva 
  2. Marcus Gilbert 
  3. Ryan Harris 
  4. Jerald Hawkins 
Nothing ground breaking at the tackle position. The Steelers normally don't keep so many tackles, but considering they just drafted Jerald Hawkins in the 4th round, I highly doubt he won't make the roster. 

 Offensive Guard (3)
  1. David DeCastro
  2. Ramon Foster 
  3. BJ Finney 
In 2015 the Steelers kept Chris Hubbard as a swing lineman, but I think BJ Finney will take his spot this year. Finney unexpectedly went undrafted in the 2015 draft and signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. After spending the season on the practice squad, even getting a hefty pay raise part-way through the season, I think he will prove to be a reliable swing lineman and beat the unspectacular Hubbard. 

 Center (2)
  1. Maurkice Pouncey 
  2. Cody Wallace 
The center position is locked. During Maurkice Pouncey's absence last season, Cody Wallace proved to be a tough, admirable fill-in. Though he may not be a high quality starter, he plays hard-nosed football and can be trusted to step up when needed. 

 Defensive End (3)
  1. Cam Heyward 
  2. Stephon Tuit 
  3. LT Walton 
The Steelers defensive line depth improved this offseason with the acquisition of Ricardo Mathews and Javon Hargrave. However these players will primarily be used in nickel formations. When the Steelers play in 3-4, they will need a more traditional defensive end as depth - this is where LT Walton comes in. This roster spot will be a tight race between Walton and Cash Lyons. No player seems to have a clear advantage, but Walton's time on the 53 man roster and limited playing time last season gives him an edge. 

 Defensive Tackle (3)
  1. Javon Hargrave 
  2. Ricardo Mathew 
  3. Dan McCullers 
The defensive tackle position is set. All three guys are expected to maintain their spots and make the team. 

Linebacker (10)
  1. Lawrence Timmons
  2. Ryan Shazier
  3. Vince Williams
  4. Steven Johnson
  5. James Harrison 
  6. Jarvis Jones 
  7. Bud Dupree 
  8. Arthur Moats 
  9. Anthony Chickillo 
  10. Travis Feeney 
Linebacker is the position with the most competition on this team. The players that will be fighting for the back-up spots include Anthony Chickillo, Travis Feeney, Tyler Matakevich, LJ Fort, and Steven Johnson. Cases can be made for all of these players to make the final roster and it is likely that the spots will ultimately come down to who can provide the greatest special teams play. 

 I think Chickillo and Feeney will be the outside linebackers that make the team. Chickillo spent the whole 2015 season on the team and though he didn't particularly impress in his limited playing time, he at least showed toughness and smarts. He also impressed with his special teams play, forcing a fumble versus the Browns on a kickoff. Feeney has been praised as an athletic marvel and has the potential to be a special teams demon. Though he almost certainly won't see the field on defense in 2016, I expect him to shine on special teams. 

 With Vince Williams as a lock at inside linebacker, I think Johnson takes the remaining spot. He was acquired by the Steelers this offseason and was known primarily for his special teams play during his time with the Tennessee Titans. With many key special teams players departing this offseason, proven special teams depth is needed on this roster. Johnson will be a reliable and tough asset for the special teams unit. 

Cornerback (5)
  1. William Gay 
  2. Ross Cockrell 
  3. Senquez Golson 
  4. Artie Burns 
  5. Doran Grant 
Though he was a 4th round pick in the 2015 draft, it's hard calling Doran Grant a lock to make the team. He was the highest drafted player to be cut last year and he went unclaimed on waivers. The optimist in me anticipates Grant to be able to contribute on special teams and maybe even on defense, but the realist in me remains skeptical. I have hope for Grant but he needs to come to training camp ready to prove himself.

 Safety (5)
  1. Mike Mitchell 
  2. Robert Golden 
  3. Sean Davis 
  4. Ross Ventrone 
  5. Shamarko Thomas 
The safety position is tough to predict. I think Ross Ventrone and Shamarko Thomas will make the roster, but not entirely because of their merit. When looking at the 90 man roster, there aren't any names that stick out that could steal either of these players spots. When you evaluate the rosters of previous years as well, the Steelers haven't kept less than 5 safeties on the roster since 2011. I'm not trying to say these players are scrubs, for both have proven to be valuable on special teams. Considering though how Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, and Sean Davis are locked in as the starers at the position, Ventrone and Thomas only need to focus on special teams. As long as they prove to be reliable there, their spots are safe. 

 Special Teams (3)
  1. Chris Boswell 
  2. Greg Warren 
  3. Jordan Berry
Some writers out their believe Will Monday can beat out Jordan Berry for the punter position. This is certainly possible, for I didn't anticipate Berry winning the job last year. For now though I anticipate Berry winning the job. Though not always consistent, he played solid in 2015 and I think he will improve in 2016. 
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    Monday, July 11, 2016

    Steelers 3 Biggest Mystery Players for 2016


    There are some players on the Steelers roster that are enigmas. This includes draft picks who have been quiet, undrafted free agents who have gotten some buzz, and players that have floated around on the roster.

     I compiled a list of the Steelers top 3 mystery players. These aren't simply players we've never heard of, but players who have a legitimate shot at making the 53 man roster. 

     LJ Fort - ILB

     The Steelers have a few roster spots open at linebacker this season. One of the players that will be battling for this spot is inside linebacker LJ Fort. 

     The Steelers claimed ILB LJ Fort off waivers from the New England Patriots last August in the midst of the preseason. His career has been spent moving around teams after being signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 draft. He has spent time with the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and the Cincinnati Bengals until eventually settling with the Steelers.     He spent most of his season with the Steelers on the practice squad, but managed to make the  53 man roster in late December once Roosevelt Nix was placed on injured reserve.

     Not much is known about Fort beyond the coaches trusting him as a special teams player. Though his experience is minimal, his limited playing time and season spent with the team does give him an edge to make the 53 man roster. It is also worth noting that when Fort was promoted to the roster, acclaimed special teams player Ross Ventrone was resigned to the practice squad. 

     We were given some more insite on Fort recently when he did an interview with Steelers.com. His interview shows that he plays with a very tough mindset and with a lot of passion.
    What is your football mindset? 
    "Warrior, that’s it. When you get on the field it is an opportunity to inflict punishment on somebody else." - LJ Fort 
    The Steelers lost many of their key special teams players this offseason. ILB Terrance Garvin, famous for breaking the jaw of Bengals punter Kevin Huber, was signed to the Washington Redskins. CB Antwon Blake, infamous for his poor play in 2015, was signed by the Tennessee Titans. ILB Sean Spence was also signed by the Titans. Robert Golden, the teams 2015 special teams captain, was retained by the Steelers on a 3 year contract, but his anticipated increased role on defense may reduce his special teams snaps. 

     These key special teams losses, combined with Fort's special teams experience and his warrior-mentality gives him a definite shot to make the 53 man roster

     Doran Grant - CB

     He most likely has the greatest chance to make the roster among this list but Doran Grant is still a mystery to fans. Unlike young Steelers such as Bud Dupree or Sammie Coates, searching for news on Grant doesn't yield many results. Despite being a fourth round pick out of Ohio State, he's often forgotten and gets virtually no buzz. 

     At least one writer on the internet believes in Grant. Tony Defeo of Cover 32 wrote an optimistic article on Grant, claiming that despite the depth chart in front of him and the seemingly long odds, he has just as good of a chance as anyone. 
    Grant got reps as a member of the practice squad. He also had a whole year to immerse himself in first year defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s playbook
    A year to learn and study is always beneficial to young players and is not a rarity in Pittsburgh. Cornerback is often regarded as one of the toughest positions in the NFL so it would be unwise to rush any young player into a role they're not ready for. The Steelers may have not played Grant in 2015 because they wanted to give him more time to learn and not rush him into action. 

     I had written in a previous article, Predictions for the Steelers 2015 Draft Class, how ideally Grant could turn into a William Gay type player. They have similar measurables and playing styles. Though it doesn't help his case that Gay was resigned to a new contract, Grant should capitalize on the situation and absorb as much knowledge from the veteran as possible. 

     Grant's primary value in 2016 may not even come in the form of playing in the secondary. Grant has the prime opportunity to seize a role as a key special teams player. As I wrote earlier, many key special team players departed during the offseason, which presents an opportunity for Grant to be a contributor to the team. One consistent praise Grant got throughout being scouted in college was his reliable tackling; this will be key for Grant to prove why he deserves to be on this roster. He is a player to keep an eye on this offseason for it is entirely unknown if he can be an asset or if he's just another cornerback bust for the Steelers. 

     Xavier Grimble - TE

     One young player that has gotten a fair share of buzz is tight end Xavier Grimble. Grimble is a player to pay attention to this offseason; he is a more modern tight end compared to Matt Spaeth and David Johnson. Rather than being a big, lumbering tight end who is exclusively a blocker, he has athleticism that can only be matched by Ladarius Green. However, it takes much more than athleticism to succeed as a tight end for the Steelers. He must display work ethic, toughness, and show that he is a capable blocker. Grimble showed he understands this expectation in an interview with Jacob Klinger of Penn Live:
    "Pittsburgh has a standard here. They want all TEs to be able to block. That's kind of how we roll... They kind of base your value on how well you can block. Everybody can run around and catch balls." - Xavier Grimble
    Grimble understands what he must do in order to make this roster. He certainly has a chip on his shoulder, for he is no stranger to being cut. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 draft and was eventually cut following training camp. Following his shortcomings in New York he bounced around various practice squads, including the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots, until eventually coming to Pittsburgh in 2015. He was able to stay with the team during the entire 2015 season on the practice squad. He has capitalized on his opportunity in Pittsburgh, even impressing Steelers GM Kevin Colbert.
    After all of his trials and tribulations, Grimble is finally in a positions to make a 53 man roster. Matt Spaeth, though a consistent blocker, lacks versatility and is gradually being plagued by injuries and age. David Johnson was recently re-signed and although he has versatility, it's still unknown how much he has left in the tank. Grimble has a prime opportunity to prove his potential and make the roster. Kevin Colbert likes what he see's in Grimble, now it's up to him to seize this opportunity.
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