Steelers 'Camp Fodder' and Tackling Dummies

A Preview of This Year's UDFA Class

In a recent article by ESPN's AFC North analyst James Walker he said the Steelers list of UDFA's were merely 'camp fodder'.  His reason was that not many of the actual draft picks would be able to make the roster let alone undrafted players because the Steelers have a talented Super Bowl team with mostly everyone returning and few holes.   As Steelers fans we know that is somewhat ridiculous because every year for over a decade at least one undrafted player has made the Steelers roster.  Some of those players became outstanding NFL talents such as Willie Parker, James Harrison, and Dan Kreider.  In fact more UDFA's have made the roster this decade than players picked from round 5 through round 7.  Examples are:

*In 2008 only Dennis Dixon made the roster while Ryan Mundy made the practice squad.  Undrafted Patrick Bailey and Donovan Woods spent time on the active roster while Jordan Reffett Doug Legursky, and Roy Lewis all made the practie squad.

*In 2007 late round pick William Gay made the roster and Dallas Baker made the PS while Darnell Stapleton, Gary Russell, and Jared Retfosky all played in this past Super Bowl.

*In 2006 late round pick Marvin Phillip made a short stay with the team while UDFA Anthony Madison is now a special teams staple and Scott Paxson has been on the PS and appeared on the roster.

*In 2005 the draft produced Chris Kemoeatu and Noah Herron while the UDFA's produced WR Nate Washington, LB's Andre Frazier, Arnold Harrison, LS Greg Warren, and FB John Kuhn.

*In 2004 none of five late round picks ever had an NFL career while UDFA Willie Parker has made two Pro Bowls.

*In 2003 it was the drafted Brian St Pierre vs undrafted Russell Stuvaints.

*In 2002 the draft class produced some good late round picks in Verron Heynes and Brett Keisel, while the undrafted James Harrison is clearly a superior player.

*In 2001 they produced late round pick Chukki Okobi while  Chris Hoke and Keydrick Vincent were undrafted steals.

*In 2000 the late rounders all sucked, highlighted by the Tee Martin over Tom Brady pick, while undrafted FB Dan Kreider had a long productive NFL career.

That is a lot of examples to drive home the point that undrafted rookies are not merely 'camp fodder' as James Walker alluded to.  Here is a quick look at this year's crop, of which at least one is sure to make the Steelers roster.
 

The year's dirty dozen UDFA's

Ramon Foster    OT    6-5    328    Tennessee
This is the most highly touted player in the group, Foster was a combine invitee and played in the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl.  Ramon Foster is a big mauling blocker who struggles with speed (sounds familar).  In the bowl games he displayed very good power and slow feet at RT, and may be better suited to play RG in the NFL.  Foster has the ability to play either guard or tackle and could sneak onto the roster as a back-up or could develop for a year on the practice squad before making the team.  He could move into the Trai Essex role of back-up utility man on the O-line.

Kevin McCabe    QB    6-2    209    California (Pa.)
Believe it or not I have actually seen this kid play a few times.  After being buried on the depth chart at Virginia for 3 years McCabe transferred to Division II Cal U in SW PA.  After transferring to Cal he posted a 65% completion percent, 3,214 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions in 386 pass attempts.  McCabe is merely a 5th arm for camp to keep some reps off of Ben and Batch.

Steve McLendon    DT    6-3    305    Troy
Troy has produced some notable NFL talent in recent years.  McLendon didn't crack the starting lineup until his senior year.  McLendon was part of a Troy defense that gave both Florida State and Georgia Tech all they can handle this past season.  At 6'4 280 he has the ideal size to play 3-4 DE, but will undoubtedly be a project.

Isaac Redman    RB    5-10    230    Bowie State
Redman got scholarship offers from Iowa, Temple, Rutgers, and Syracuse before ending up at DII Bowie State.  Redman has nice size and vision and could potentially challenge for the 4th RB spot, but is more likely a PS type of player at best.  His youtube clips are quite impressive however.

Mike Reilly    QB    6-3    214    Central Washington State
After redshirting at Washington State, Reilly decided he didn't want to wait for playing time so he transfered to Central Washington and started right away. He was named the 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.  His size, athleticism, and outstanding production make him a legit possibility to eventually make the roster as a #3 QB after a year on the PS perhaps.  Reilly completed 64 percent of his passes over his four years as a starter for 12,448 yards, 118 touchdowns and only 40 interceptions.

Steven Black    WR    6-2    202    Memphis
A tall WR with little production.  His best year came a s a Senior where he put up 477 yards and 1 TD.  With 10 WR's in camp Black has little shot at the roster or practice squad unless he really shines.

Jeff Bradley    DT    6-3    280    Western Carolina
The former Western Carolina Catamount was an over sized rush end in college who was named Second Team All-Southern Conference.  He totaled 43 total tackles as a Senior and 15 tackles-for-loss with 4.5 sacks .

Derrick Richardson    S    5-11    201    New Mexico State
Posted 245 tackles combined in his junior and senior seasons along with 2 interceptions.   Not very big (5'11 201) or fast (4.57 40), but with the lack of depth at the safety spot on the roster
Richardson has an outside chance at sticking on the roster or PS.

Tyler Grisham    WR    5-10    184    Clemson
Special teams captain at Clemson who was a productive WR with 131 receptions and 1,384 career receiving yards. He also caught at least 2 passes in 21 straight games. Despite his small size he is a willing blocker who had 61 knockdown blocks

Mark Estermeyer    LS    6-1    251    Pitt
Estermeyer has a realistic chance at making the roster.  The Steelers cut Jared Retkofsky after he was injured in a bike wreck this offseason and Greg Warren is returning from a season ending injury himself.  If Estermeyer shows he can handle the job, his younger age and low cap number could win him the job.  He should already be comfortable with the playing surface and weather at Heinz Field after playing at Pitt.

Tom Korte    LB    6-0    239    Hillside (Mich.)
Played at DIAA Hillsdale College.  A two-time team MVP, First-Team All-GLIAC three times, and team leading tackler three times.  There is a hole at ILB since Larry Foote was released, Korte has a long shot at becoming a back-up ILB.

Andrew Schantz    LB    6-1    234    Portland State
Transferred from San Diego State where he played little in his first two years.  Played sparringly at Portland State as a Junior before starting as a Senior.  A very longshot at ILB and special teams.

Cedric Goodman    WR    6-2    189    Georgia
Tall lanky track guy trying to play football.  Like the Fred Gibson experiment minus the 4th round draft pick this time.

Of this crop Estermeyer, Foster, Reilly, and Redman all have decent chances at making the roster either this year or in a year or two after some time on the practice squad.  Grisham, Richardson, Redman, McLendon, Korte, and Bradley are longer shots, but you never know...