Wes Saunders dad is an award winning news reporter/writer

So...Yeah I will leave it be

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I like Saunders potential as much as anyone. But the numbers game is what it is. The guy is entrenched as the 3rd string tight end in an offense that probably is no longer going to utilize 3 tight end sets. Leonard Pope wasn't brought in by Haley to sit on the bench. Pope is Haley's guy and he is going to make the roster and he is going to get playing time. Miller is going nowhere. And David Johnson has enough position flexibility that he can be the 3rd string tight end in the event the team wants to use Saunders roster spot on a guy that will actually get playing time the first 4 weeks of the season while he's on suspension.

So yeah, Saunders might have all the talent in the world, but IMO even without the suspension I think his roster spot is no sure thing.

I believe that the Steelers were adamant about moving DJ to the fullback position. The future is Saunders- its not DJ, Miller has 4 seasons MAX in him, and Pope is just a stop gap to facilitate learning the offense. Saunders is not going anywhere and the PEDS is a result of a prescribed medication- so no character issues.

This all means 4 RBs. Which means that Baron Batch, Dwyer, and Clay are all jockeying for one and a1/3 spots ( because worse case scenario Mendenhall is out 6 games)- and now that Rainey is in the mix and not going anywhere. 6 backs on a roster is a luxury we can't afford in today's NFL. Keeping a guy that is a red zone receiving mismatch and the heir apparent to Miller with an improved O is more important at this point than a couple guys with similar skill sets trying to make the team at the RB position. All of this could go away if Saunders could split out and run slot WR patterns a la Gronk- and then just make him the 6 WR and problem solved

I say all of this and training camp is still months away.

USS, since when is Saunders the #3 TE? He was #2 last year and even with the suspension I don't see any way he drops to #3.

seemed to be the 3rd guy tome last year

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Colbert on the #Steelers RB situation: "Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position.''

David Johnson will not play a down at TE for the Steelers barring in game injuries that deplete the team.

Johnson and Johnson are the only fullbacks on the roster...I give the edge to David Johnson

Todd Haley likes the I Formation....I expect the Steelers would like to run the I formation 25 times a game.

Miller
Pope
Paulson

Saunders DOES NOT count against the 53 man roster during the suspension.

If everyone is healthy I expect Paulson goes to the PS

Will Johnson and his 4.48 speed is real interesting at fullback...6-2 245 He is not a small man...He may take the job from David Johnson

The Steelers have a lot of hidden talent

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We know what we have with DJ. Would be best for all if the other FB could bump him from the roster.

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Mess with the bull, you get the horn....

I think if it is anywhere even between DJ and Will, Jon Scott and Trai Essex/Max Starks, Will Allen and Robert Golden/Myron Rolle, then the Steelers should go with the cheaper option.

Jon Scott makes 2.7 Mill
Will Allen makes 1.6 Mill
DJ makes 1.26 Mill

So, that is collectively 5.5 million. Will Johnson, Trai Essex and Golden/Rolle would be cheaper and also with the exception of Essex and/or Starks, they would bring new blood to the special teams unit.

I think much is being made of Pope and the fact that he is Haley's "boy". I don't think Haley was necessarily thrilled with having him in KC last season, along with his 10 penalties, but he had injuries to TE Tony Moeaki and others which forced him to keep and play Pope more than he wanted to I would say.

DJ isn't really a conventional TE anyway. If he gets cut, its probably over for him. I don't think Haley keeps a FB just to keep a FB. If they have one thats good enough to knock another position player off the roster, they keep one. Otherwise they won't. Don't really recall him using FB much in KC. Thomas Jones handled most of inside zone stuff, Jamaal Charles the outside stuff. From single back sets

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Colbert on the #Steelers RB situation: "Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position.''

Haley did have Tim Castille in Arizona and the last two years at KC and he was the Fullback, 5"11 242 lbs. He had 10 catches last season and was credited with 4 starts.

So, yeah, I would say Haley is comfortable with having and using a FB depending upon the game and opponent.