The Pittsburgh Steelers waived second-year nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu on Saturday and on Sunday he was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals.
Ta’amu , who the Steelers drafted in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft, was beaten out by Hebron Fangupo for the backup nose tackle spot on the 53 man roster during the preseason.
In my opinion, Ta’amu outplayed Fangupo during the preseason, but a few media reports during training camp suggested that the Washington product was still clearly behind the 28 year-old Fangupo.
It probably shouldn’t be surprising that Ta’amu landed in Arizona as it seems as though that’s where all of the Steelers castoffs wind up.
Ta’amu was waived last year following his October drunken escapade on the Southside, but found himself back on the 53 man roster at the end of the season after spending a few weeks on the Steelers practice squad.
The Steelers decision to claim Fangupo off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks late last season was probably a sign that shouldn’t have been ignored.
For now, the Steelers will continue to groom Fangupo to be the backup to Steve McLendon, but they might have to address the position once again in the draft next year.
