Just because the Pittsburgh Steelers have a day off on Tuesday doesn\’t mean we are taking the day off. With three days of practices now in the books the 53 man roster is far from set, but here are a few things we think we know as it relates to roster spots on the offense.
John Malecki – Malecki is going to make the 53 man roster as a backup interior swing guy. The former Pitt product is center and guard capable and out of practice squad eligibility. Depending on how Kelvin Beachum progresses in his center training will decide whether or not Malecki is the backup to Pouncey or not. Regardless, he will make the 53.
Plaxico Burress – Each day that passes the more I push Burress towards locking up a roster spot. Sure, there have been some young receivers such as Derek Moye already making some noise during training camp, but none of them are going to be able to push Burress off the roster. If Justin Brown makes it as a punt returner, it will come at the cost of another position other than wide receiver.
Reggie Dunn – I have been firm on this all season and now that camp has started, I am 99.6% certain the Utah speedster will not make the 53 man roster. He can catch multiple balls during the drills without dropping the others he already caught, but he can\’t seem to hold onto a tightly thrown spiral from a quarterback. The Steelers aren\’t going to carry him just as another specialist.
Mike Golic Jr. – I might be risking his father unfollowing me on Twitter once he reads this, but his son will not make the 53 man roster baring an injury and he is most likely heading towards the practice squad. It just does not seem like the Notre Dame product is getting enough reps during practices to amount to anything, but there are plenty of pictures of him holding defensive blocking pads during drills. He worked after practice on his center skills this past week and I think the Steelers view him long-term as another interior swing man.
Joe Long – The more Long works at left tackle during practice, the lesser his chance is to make the roster. Should something happen to Marcus Gilbert during a game, either Mike Adams or Beachum would fill that spot. What the team needs is a backup right tackle and they think they have one already in the form of Guy Whimper. God help us. Long most likely will be headed back to the practice squad.
