STEELERS BLACK -N- GOLD POST A Pittsburgh Steelers Blog from the heart of Steelers Nation.

by Ramona Dye

In three pre-season games, the Steelers' top-ranked defense from a season ago have yet to allow a touchdown. 

With starters playing the first half for both teams, the Steelers out-gained the Bills 209-50 and led 12-3 in first downs and nearly 3 to 1 in time of possession.

Getting down to the 75-man roster

The Steelers made five roster moves on August 31rst to get down to the mandatory 75-man roster.

The biggest move was placing guard Darnell Stapleton on injured reserve. Stapleton was bothered by his knee early in training camp and had surgery to remove loose cartilage. Trai Essex has taken Stapleton's right guard position and Doug Legursky could emerge as a back-up along the line. Our Steelers also released wide receivers Steven Black and Martin Nance, center Alex Stepanovich and safety Derrick Richardson. 

The toughest cuts are going to be Anthony Madison and Ryan Mundy. Madison does such a good job on special teams and cutting Mundy leaves us awfully thin at safety. Maybe we even cut another CB Keiwan Ratliff and take an extra linebacker Donovan Woods or Arnold Harrison.

Scott Paxson could make the team solely on the need of a backup nose-tackle considering the fact the Steelers cut Stepanovich.

Frank Summers most likely is going make it. He's been a good blocking FB so far. Issac Redman has shown some promise and I expect them to sign him to the practice squad. If you pay attention to Redman's plays, Summers is the one making it possible for the yards Redman picks up. I could see Mendenhall running behind Summers.

We need to see some more of Foster but he could make the team as well. Hartwig has had a toe issue, we will have to wait and see what comes of it but for now he will be starting at center. Tony Hills, Jason Capizzi and Doug Legursky should make the team as well.

As mentioned before I like Donovan Woods. He's a very high-motored dude who needs to get on the roster.

McHugh should go. McHugh has bounced around and I don't think he can outplay Jackson. Davis seems to play when he wants and is lazy other times. He needs to become more focused to stay on the team.

Stephan Logan, the guy is great and a great addition to our special teams. We have not had a return guy like him since Louis Lipps. He makes the team no doubt.

OK, time to squash some rumors running around the NFL. Casey Hampton will not be cut or traded. Hampton may not be the player he once was but he is still among the best NT's in the league. Our Steelers were the second best team in the league against the run. There was only a 3 yard per game difference between the Steelers and Vikings last season. Effective 3-4 NT's are hard to find. If it were easy, our Steelers would have drafted a new one a few years ago. Our Steelers would had never resigned Hampton.

The whole point of having "The Big Snack" in the middle is so teams have a difficult time running up the middle. If it were as easy as run to the left and right, how come teams don't have a lot of success with those runs? I am certain Hampton loses some battles against centers but of course it is the NFL and no one wins every snap. I am certain that he wins more battles then he loses. 80.2 rushing yards per game makes for a strong argument.

Casey Hampton anchored the best defense in the NFL last year and won a championship with them. You can say what you want about the man. But, you can't take those rings away from him nor can you take away the fact that he is one of the best nose tackles the league has seen in the last couple decades!

Pre-season is almost at the end and there will be a lot of players trying to make this last game their best trying to earn a spot on this championship team. Be certain that this game against Carolina Panthers should show rookies who could play all out in hopes of catching the coaching staffs attention.

As always, Here We Go!