Final Roster Cuts Determined, Dwyer Among Them

ed. note: Panthers recap is almost done, just haven't gotten it all put together and posted yet.

There are always a few suprises among the final roster cuts, which the Steelers announced today. The Steelers' contribution to that department would be the release of last year's leading rusher and as-of-two-days-ago odds-on favorite to be the starting runnin back, Jonathan Dwyer.

Now, Felix Jones most certainly played well in his Steeler appearances, but I didn't think it was well enough to justify cutting the only healthy starting-caliber running back on the team. As it stands, Jones and LaRod Stephens-Howling are the only backs fit to play right now. Dwyer's release probably means that Isaac Redman is close to playing, too, and I would speculate that that will be the case in Week 1. It's very surprising that the preseason workhorse, who came to training camp in better shape with a vow to be a better player, would find himself without a job today, but that's the business of football.

Another notable cut that came about a year too late was Alameda Ta'amu, the defensive tackle most well-known for going on a drunken rampage through the South Side. Rookie draft picks Justin Brown (WR) and Terry Hawthorne (CB) were also released and will likely join the practice squad. Veteran punter Brian Moorman also lost out to the younger incumbent, Drew Butler.

The full list of cuts:

Now let's focus on the positives: guys who earned themselves a job.

Derek Moye is why we have preseason. He worked his tail off, made the most of his opportunities, and was rewarded with a roster spot. Will he do anything more this season? Eh, probably not. But it's satisfying to see his hard work pay off. Cornerback Isaiah Green wasn't terribly noticeable in the preseason, but he showed the coaches something, and he'll be on your opening day roster. Guy Whimper somehow survived the cuts, which is a mystery to me.

I have high hopes for Shamarko Thomas (we all do, of course) but he didn't stand out in the preseason to me. He got a job over Ross Ventrone based almost solely on potential, and I'll be looking for him to get noticed on special teams this year. There are enough other defensive backs on the roster that that should be all he's asked.

Another curious change in this years Steelers roster is the decision to carry 8 offensive linemen, something I'd have liked a while ago but wasn't implemented until now. There are also 5 tight ends on the roster. "Five?" you say. Yes, five. Matt Spaeth is injured but we knew he was making the team. David Paulson acquitted himself well in the last few weeks. David Johnson will maintain his FB/TE fluidity, and leaves one guy to be activated from the PUP list.

Heath is back, baby.

In reality, activating Heath Miller just means he can start practicing as he continues his rehab. If he were still on the list at today's deadline, he would be ineligible to practice for the first six weeks of the season. He must be closer than that. And that is fantastic news for the Steelers.

The new roster construction may not mean anything, but it's worth noting that Kelvin Beachum (aka the new Trai Essex, apparently) played a bit at TE as well. The position flexibilty that Mike Tomlin covets is in play here, but the position flexibility of tight ends in general might be a factor, too. Multiple TE sets on offense? I'm on board. Let's see what Todd Haley has planned for this season.