Note to aspiring NFL centers. If you’re looking to for a shot at the mantle of Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Jeff Hartings and you don’t get drafted by the Steelers, you should try to first latch on with the Tennessee Titans.
One of Mike Tomlin’s more unsuccessful personnel moves was to bring Sean Mahan to the Steelers from Tampa. After that experiment failed, the Steelers looked to free agent center Jeff Hartwig who’d cut his teeth in Tennessee.
Now the same cycle is repeating itself. The experiment with Kelvin Beachum at center may last one merciful game as the Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran center Fernando Velasco.
Long time free lance reporter Jim Wexell described Velasco in these terms:
I watched new Steelers OL Fernando Velasco this preseason and am surprised he was available. Strong, some mobility. Quality pick-up.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) September 9, 2013
It is not know if Velasco will start Sunday vs. the Bengals but, unlike Kelvin Beachum, he’ll at least have game experience at center. One thing is certain, regardless of whether Velasco starts or not, he won’t spend his week in practice as the team’s number 2 tight end…
Steelers Continue to Shuffle Roster
The shuffling of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 roster in the wake of their disastrous loss to the Titans also continued in other areas, as Jonathan Dwyer returned to the team and kicker Shayne Graham also came on board due to Shawn Suisham’s hamstring injury.
Maurkice Pouncey, Larry Foote, and LaRod Stephens-Howling officially went on season-ending injured reserve.
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