As most of us unfortunately remember, Miller’s career-year ended when he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL on a routine-play late in that game.  Tearing three knee ligaments is downright scary, and many have recently questioned whether or not Heath will be ready to line up and start for the Steelers in Week 1 this September.

Even if he somehow returns for “Opening Weekend,” the tight end’s injury and lack of offseason reps could still limit his productivity over the course of the 2013 regular season.  Thus, if Miller is hobbled or even forced to the bench, then Pittsburgh will need their depth at the position to find ways to help to replace him in the aggregate through their run-blocking and pass-catching.

So like it or not “Steeler Nation,” but at least two of these three players will need to pick up the slack if Pittsburgh’s Pro Bowl tight end is not 100% this fall.

Matt Spaeth

As a blocker, I am not too worried about Spaeth stepping in for Miller for an extended period of time.  The veteran has the size (6’7″ 270 lbs.) and experience to capably fill in for the Pro Bowl tight end in that area of the game.  Unfortunately, Spaeth has never been an effective weapon as a pass-catcher at the professional level.

During his first stint in Pittsburgh, Spaeth snagged only 36 catches for 275 yards and five touchdowns as he played second-fiddle to Miller over that span.  Overall, the 2007 3rd round pick averaged nine grabs for 68 yards during his first four years in the league before he signed with Chicago as a free agent in the spring of 2011.

With Chicago, Spaeth was used as more of a “tackle eligible” than a tight end as he was more or less a non-factor in the Bears’ passing attack.  Matt recorded a total of 13 catches for 78 yards and three touchdowns during the last two seasons, and the Bears eventually made him expendable after they inked Martellus Bennett this past spring.

I am fine with Spaeth as a number two/blocking tight end in Pittsburgh’s offense who can chip in during red zone and short yardage situations. But if his career-production (or lack thereof) is any indication, Matt is not the type of pass-catching threat for an offense to rely on and target heavily on a week to week basis.  Nevertheless, the former Golden Gopher’s experience, as well as the lack of experienced depth behind him, will probably give him an inside track to step in for Miller if the Pro Bowler is unable to play.

David Paulson

Paulson, Spaeth and Johnson must play well if Miller cannot suit up for an extended period. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

David Paulson definitely intrigues me as he heads into his second year in the league, and I am interested to see how well that he challenge Spaeth for playing time this summer.  The 2012 7th round pick was considered by many to be a bit of an afterthought behind Miller, Leonard Pope and Weslye Saunders, and it looked as if the former Oregon Duck was headed to the practice squad for the entirety his rookie campaign.

Paulson however played well enough to force the team to release Saunders, but he even made his way onto the 53-man roster last year.  Heck, by the end of last year, the then-rookie had eclipsed Pope as the team’s number two tight end on the depth chart.  Overall, David made seven catches for 51 yards and gained much more experience than most people thought that he would have during his first year in the league.

Pleasant surprise last season notwithstanding, Paulson is still a bit skinny for the position (6’4″ 246 lbs.) and his blocking at the point of attack definitely needs work.  Nevertheless, he does have the hands and athletic ability to be a threat in the passing game, and that is definitely something that the Steelers will need more of this year if Miller is unable to suit up for an extended period.

Even though Paulson will likely make the 53-man roster again this fall, the pressure will now be on him to improve and beat out the veteran Spaeth for playing time behind and alongside Miller.  With Miller unfortunately sidelined for now, David has a perfect opportunity to play his way into more time on the offensive side of the ball.

David Johnson

David Johnson is a bit of a “wild-card” at the tight end position for the Steelers.  Although Johnson (6’2″ 260 lbs.) was more or less of a tight end during his first three years with Pittsburgh, he was working as the team’s fullback last year until an ACL injury ended his season during the first week of the preseason.

The ultimate “insult” to Johnson’s injury was the fact that his replacement, Will Johnson, performed quite well during his rookie campaign.  In fact, the starting fullback job should be Will’s to lose over the summer, and I for one am excited to see how well that the former West Virginia Mountaineer can play in year two of his career.  If the Steelers elect to go with only one fullback during the 2013 campaign, then David’s best chance of making the team could be as a backup tight end once again.  And with only Spaeth and Paulson in front of him, the task is definitely doable for the soon-to-be fifth-year h-back.

David showed marked improvement over his first three years in the league, and he finally appeared ready to break-out in 2012 after a career year (12 catches, 91 yards, one touchdown) in 2011.  Of course for Johnson to leap-frog over Paulson and Spaeth at tight end, he will have to hold his own as an “in-line” blocker.  Still, Johnson could be a “wild-card” to make the roster this fall, and he will definitely be someone to watch during the preseason period to see exactly where he fits in Haley’s offense.

Final Thoughts

Many believed that Pittsburgh’s brass would target a tight end in April of this year’s draft.  But Colbert & Co. elected not to take one in the draft’s seven rounds, and they did not sign one as a UDFA either.  Thus, it certainly appears that Steelers’ brass either have confidence that Miller will return to the team at 100% by the time the season begins, or they are just that confident that one or more of the trio of Spaeth, Paulson and Johnson will be able to step in and help for an extended period of time.

I for one question how well that Pittsburgh’s offense can function without Miller.  If he is sidelined, Ben Roethlisberger will be without his most sure-handed receiver, his safety-valve, and number one red zone pass-catching threat.  And that’s just what Miller can do as a pass-receiver!  Heath is one of the league’s most underrated tight ends when it comes to his ability to “in-line block” and even pass-protect as a side-car.

As much as I would like to see Miller in the lineup as soon as possible, his health is just too important for him to be rushed back before his knee is fully healed.  I just hope that one or two of Heath’s three backups can play well enough if he is forced to sit for an extended period.  Replacing 71 catches, 816 yards, and eight touchdowns in the statistical aggregate is a tough order for any offense to do.  But replacing solid blocking, a professional attitude and a veteran presence in addition to those numbers are entirely different matters altogether.

Otherwise, Pittsburgh’s offense will probably sputter even more than they did last year.

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Players Stats Provided By: ESPN.com & Steelers.com

Players Contract Info. Provided By: Spotrac.com

Robert Golden (Free Safety)

Like the player below him on this list, I believed all the way back in April that Robert Golden had a legitimate shot of at the very least making the Steelers Practice Squad during his Rookie season.  So far, Golden has helped himself with some nice performances, and could even find himself with a roster spot as a backup Safety and Special Teams player come Week 1 for this team.  Over three games, Golden has accumulated 5 Tackles, logged 2 Passes Defended, and had a nice break on an Interception which he returned 47 Yards last week.  While he projects more as a Free Safety, Golden played both Safety and Cornerback in college at Arizona, and could find himself in some sub-packages in a year or two if he indeed stays on the roster past the preseason.

Drew Butler might be the next Punter for this franchise. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-US PRESSWIRE

Corbin Bryant (Defensive End)

With a backup spot along Defensive Line available over the last week of the preseason, Corbin Bryant can seize the final 5-Technique position available with a strong performance.  Bryant has done a solid job over the last two preseason games, and notched 3 Tackles and 1.0 Sack against the Bills last Friday night.  Competition should be heated between Bryant and fellow youngster Al Woods, and both are sure each receive a decent amount of reps during tomorrow’s game to strut their stuff and win a job as the 4th 5-Technique in the rotation.

Drew Butler (Punter)

Do not get me wrong, Drew Butler has had a few inconsistencies here and there so far over his first three games.  But when he has been on his game, the former Bulldog has sent some boomers and punted well enough to put the injured veteran Jeremy Kapinos’ job in jeopardy.  So far, Butler has punted 19 Times for a whopping average of 47.7 Yards per boot, and stuck three of his 8 punts last Friday inside Buffalo’s 20 as well.  While there is still one week to go, Butler could all but nail down the job with a solid effort and send Kapinos packing.

Derrick Williams (Wide Receiver)

The veteran from Penn State has definitely helped his cause (TD grab last week) to be a member of the Steelers 53-man roster come the opening weekend of the season.  Wiliiams has accumulated plenty of experience on Special Teams during his career (42 Kick Returns 931 Yards in 2009), and could be used as the team’s 5th Wide Receiver if he beats out the younger players at his position.  To earn a roster spot, Williams will have to unseat David Gilreath, Rookie Toney Clemons, and Tyler Beiler, and play well on all of the Special Teams coverage units he is assigned to during the game.

David Paulson (Tight End)

Paulson might have an outside shot of making the regular season roster. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Because Weslye Saunders will be suspended, and David Johnson’s knee was shredded, the Steelers will be forced to carry a 3rd Tight End on their roster behind Heath Miller and Leonard Pope for the first four weeks of the regular season.  Due to Pittsburgh’s need at the position, Rookie David Paulson could be called upon to fill the void and should receive some extensive looks tomorrow.  Paulson (2 Catches for 11 Yards in 2012 Preseason) has very soft hands and could be developed into a complementary H-Back weapon in the Red Zone if he is deemed worthy to be kept long-term.  If the former Duck does stay, he could be stashed on the Practice Squad for a season, develop his blocking skills and be ready to compete and contribute full-time in 2013.

Final Thoughts

The players I mentioned above are just a short list of some which I will be paying particular attention to tomorrow.  Plenty of others like Woods, Gilreath, Clemons, Beiler, Cornerbacks Terrence Frederick and Josh Victorian, Safety Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith, and Guards Kelvin Beachum and Ryan Lee will be laying it on the line during this week too.  It should be at least intriguing to see how some of these hungry players duke it out over their final audition, and I am sure that the final roster will feature a few surprises.  So let us sit, watch, and wait, and in only 11 short days the regular season will start.  Then we will truly be: “Back to Football.”

Stats Courtesy of ESPN.com

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David Johnson faces off against Steven Sylvester at camp. Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

When the Steelers signed Leonard Pope to a contract during the offseason and then drafted David Paulson in the draft, I was pretty certain that David Johnson would be named the team’s fullback.  He was… but then Mike Tomlin pulled a bit of the ol’ switcharoo when announced that Johnson would be back at playing his dual role as FB/TE.  And, with that announcement brings even more uncertainty to an already crowded position for the Steelers.

The Steelers haven’t had a ‘real’ fullback since Dan Kreider in 2007.  Underutilized with the arrival of Bruce Arians, Kreider was quickly dismissed and was picked up by the Rams and then finished his career in Arizona.  David Johnson joined the team as a 7th rounder in 2009.  Johnson quickly began playing a dual role as TE and FB.  Seemingly a better blocker after getting a head of steam, Johnson appeared more comfortable in the FB position.  In May of this year, the coaching staff said that Johnson would be playing fullback in the upcoming season.  That was good news for Johnson, and I for one was excited for the change.  I liked Johnson – quiet but a continually hard worker throughout the season – and did not want to see him fall victim to elimination by numbers.

It only took less than three months of a few OTA’s, mini-camps and two weeks of camp for Johnson to get moved back to the dual role.  Ok so it’s not 100% official, but Tomlin said that Johnson would be taking significant reps at TE when the team returned from Philly.  I don’t think this is ‘bad news’ for Johnson.  I’m sure he’s been doing just fine at FB.  I think what it really means is that this is code from Tomlin stating that he’s not happy with his other tight ends.  Putting Johnson back at TE puts pressure on the others already there – would the team really carry 4 TE’s or more?  Doubtful.

So who’s the one not stepping up?  Heath Miller?  Are you kidding?  Newly acquired Leonard Pope?  Suspended Wesley Saunders?  Or is the rookie, David Paulson, out of Oregon already blowing it?  My money is on the uncertainty of Saunders state of readiness when he returns from a four game suspension.  He was an undrafted FA last season and had yet to really impress.  He could be on a short leash when he returns.  The team may be getting Johnson ready for the possibility of playing TE either until Saunders returns, or that Saunders absence becomes a permanent one.  David Paulson is probably safe for at least this year until he can develop during his rookie season.  Leonard doesn’t seem to be the right choice in this mix of ‘who’s it gonna be?’ because he’s come straight from Todd Haley’s system over in Kansas City.

I still believe that Johnson will ultimately get to play FB and only FB for the majority of the season.  The Steelers, as in Steeler fashion, are just doing a bit of CYA in case they can’t get three strong TE’s within the first few weeks of the season.

So long Lyons. We hardly knew ye. Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

The Steelers are usually quiet during the offseason.  They quietly sign some veterans who deserve to stay, let go of some others, have a solid draft class (nothing too flashy), and make some late moves to bring in more players to fill in that ‘supporting cast.’  It’s a formula that’s worked for years, and the team isn’t about to change this offseason.  Today, the Steelers got one step closer to the end of their formula by signing a couple of free agents (and letting go of one vet).

The team signed former Cincinnati Bungle LB Brandon Johnson.  Johnson will be entering his 7th season, and has seen most of his playing time as a special teamer and reserve linebacker.  He’s not a significant signing – just another additional veteran to add to the mix.  Actually, he could have a fairly large impact on special teams – he was pretty decent for the Bengals.  Aside from last season, Johnson’s last three seasons saw 40+ tackles, a bunch of passes defended, and a few interceptions.  Of course, there is the chance that Johnson makes his way onto the second team defense.  We know the first team of Harrison, Timmons, Foote, and Woodley are pretty much set.  What is unknown is who will make up that second team.  Best of luck, and I hope he was worth the effort.

The team also released TE Wes Lyons today.  Lyons – who was too small for that position and not fast enough to be a WR - was near the bottom of the list of contenders who were fighting for a couple of the TE reserve spots.  Heath Miller sits at the top, and the assumption is that Leonard Pope lands at the #2 spot.  With David Johnson officially moving to the fullback position and Weslye Saunders 4 game suspension for the beginning of the season, it became unclear who was going to fill the #3 spot or if the Steelers would save that roster spot for another position near the end of camp.  Lyons was on that list of potentials, but it is now down to Saunders and rookie David Paulson.  It will be interesting to see what comes of this spot and whether Haley will utilize a Jumbo with three tight ends at the goal line or if he will stick with Johnson and keep him up high or back down to the line as the ‘extra lineman.’

The Steelers also signed long snapper Matt Katula - kind of a tough pill to swallow for Lyons when your released for ‘roster fodder’ like Johnson and Katula.  Oh well.

TE David Paulson, courtesy GoDucks.com

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent most of the 2012 NFL Draft being lauded for their selections.  We will all be hearing about how good OG David DeCastro is until the first blades of grass are stepped on in Latrobe this summer.  The names Faneca and Hutchinson have been thrown around in comparison to DeCastro, so the giant from Stanford will have all eyes on him once the pigskin starts getting tossed around.

The controversial pick of T Mike Adams will be talked about until he proves the issues that kept him from being a first-round pick are truly in the past.  LB Sean Spence was selected in the third round, a move that shocked Steeler Nation.  His development will be fun to watch as his position and ability are debated.  DT Alameda Ta’amu is expected to be the next Casey Hampton, a storyline that will unravel through the next season and into next year when Hampton projects to either retire or move on from Pittsburgh.  The diminutive RB Chris Rainey will be watched to see if he can become the Steelers answer to Darren Sproles or Percy Harvin.  Even WR Toney Clemons will have a built-in “hometown boy lives his dream” angle, returning to the city where he excelled as a player for Valley High School.  CB Terrence Frederick is of course, a corner.  There is no position that has been more scrutinized by Steeler Nation than cornerback, so fans will want to see if the team pulled in a steal with their late 7th round pick.  We can even lump final pick OG Kelvin Beachum into the mix, simply because his arrival will push players like Ramon Foster and Doug Legursky for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The one player drafted by the team that is under virtually no pressure is seventh-round pick TE David Paulson of Oregon.  Nobody expected the Steelers to bring another tight end into the mix, not after re-signing TE/FB David Johnson and signing veteran TE Leonard Pope.  Even with second-year TE Weslye Saunders in the doghouse due to testing positive for a banned substance, the team is set at the position.  Starter Heath Miller is a durable, productive tight end who will begin breaking every receiving record for Steelers tight ends this winter.  He is as solid and set as a starter as anyone on this team, and his backup situation seemed to be handled.

Enter Paulson, a 6-foot 4, 241-lb tight end out of the University of Oregon.  Having played for the Ducks during the most successful run in school football history, Paulson has seen the field during some huge games, including a National Title game (2011).  He was a major contributor to Oregon during a string of three consecutive PAC 10(12) titles.

He showed up in the big games, including a 22-yard TD catch in the PAC-12 Championship Game vs. UCLA, and a career-high 8 receptions for 105 yards in the annual rivalry game vs. Oregon State.  He also helped spring RB LaMichael James to numerous long runs with his timely blocks in the running game.  Paulson was not an unknown commodity in the 2012 Draft, being ranked as the 18th overall TE in a talented class.  While Paulson is probably not a player the Steelers will be looking at to replace Miller when the time comes, he could certainly develop into a solid backup, the type of player that Jerame Tuman was here from 1999-2007 after being a fifth-round pick.

The Steelers envision David Paulson as a player who could even – dare we say the word – line up as a FULLBACK.  Despite his college career as primarily a tight end, Paulson has the athletic pedigree to be a blocking back, and once he gets into the Steelers program and reaps the benefits of position coaches like Tight Ends Coach James Daniel, Running Backs Coach Kirby Wilson, and Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler, he could develop into quite the diverse athlete for the Steelers.  Fans expecting him to step in and play in 2012 might be disappointed.  With a new offense being learned this summer, it may be a year of practice squad and special teams assignments for Paulson.  The teams signing of Pope, a former player for OC Todd Haley in Kansas City, probably secures the backup job for now.  A season of learning from a professional like Heath Miller could be nothing but good for a young kid trying to make this roster.  Regardless of where the team ends up pegging him on the roster, bet on David Paulson to not be the “forgotten man” in the Steelers 2012 Draft Class.

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