Keisel the Diesel

The Diesel is now a member of the Steelers for Possibly up to 5 more years. That's the term of the contract he just signed with the Steelers. They've been locking up players left and right since the end of last season, starting slow but picking up the pace prior to Keisel's signing. The only cog that should be signed is Casey Hampton. I am very surprised that they signed Keisel merely because they've recently spent quite a bit in bonuses and the vault's gotta be getting low. Maybe they can find a few more gold bricks for snack before the season starts.

The Steelers also made a few cuts and lost an important part of last years Super Bowl team. It looked like Darnell Stapleton was going to lose his starting job to Trai Essex anyway, but he didn't think he wouldn't have any playing time at all this year. The Steelers placed Stapleton in Injured Reserve, which put an end to his season before it started. His knee injury was not responding to surgery performed earlier and that was it. Unfortunate because he played well last season and it hurts the depth chart. Someone else will need to step up. It will probably be Doug Legursky, a free agent from Marshall last year who has impressed the coaches with his play at both Guard and Center. Being able to play more than one position never hurts.

Other cuts include WRs Martin Nance and Steven Black, Center Alex Stepanovich, and Safety Derrick Richardson.