The Steelers have made the cuts necessary to bring their roster to 75 for the first round of NFL roster cuts, leaving kicker Danny Hrapmann and Mortty Ivy, who played in six games for Pittsburgh last season, packing their bags.
Here's the full list as tweeted by Bob Labriola:
Cuts: LB Ryan Baker, DT Mike Blanc, WR Paul Cox, CB Andre Freeman, K Dan Hrapmann, LB Mortty Ivy, T Kyle Jolly, LS Matt Katula
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) August 27, 2012
More cuts: CB Walter McFadden, TE Justin Peelle, TE Jamie McCoy, S Myron Rolle, WR Juamorris Stewart, DT Kade Weston, WR Jimmy Young
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) August 27, 2012
Hrapmann was giving Shaun Suisham a run for his money after going 6-for-6 in preseason play, but it apparently wasn't enough to make the squad. Myron Rolle is an interesting name, as the former sixth-rounder turned heads for accepting a Rhodes Scholarship after graduating from Florida State, but he hasn't found his way onto an active NFL roster yet. Justin Peelle has had a decent career including long stints with the Dolphins and Chargers, but the tight end only had one reception for San Francisco last year. He had seemed like he had potential to make the roster with a suspension to tight end Weslye Saunders, but him being cut opens the door for David Paulson, who, like Peelle, went to Oregon.
Next week, the Steelers will add another 12 names to this list as their roster needs to be at 53 by the start of the regular season.
For more updates on the Steelers' roster cuts as they trim their roster, head over to Behind the Steel Curtain.