In his “Postcard” from Steelers’ camp, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Peter King dropped this tidbit: “Upstart camp guy Steelers are trying to find a spot for: wideout/special-teamer Brandon London, late of the Giants and Dolphins”
To which, most Steelers fans replied, “who, what, huh…no freaking way.” The team has such depth at wide receiver that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has gone as far as suggesting that rookie standout WR/return specialist Antonio Brown is in danger of being cut, although Ryan and most others believe that Brown is a near lock to make the 53-man roster.
Well, two preseason games are in the books and fans still don’t know anything about London, who played no snaps at receiver against the Lions and all of one play at wide out against the Giants.
Due to King’s insight and London offering something no other Steelers receiver in camp can in big-time size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds), we increased his chance of making the 53-man roster from longshot to unlikely, thinking he may find a spot on the practice squad.
However, two games into the preseason, it is possible that someone fed King mis-information, possibly a local Pittsburgh reporter who does not like King or resents his national profile, or possibly someone from the Steelers’ coaching staff.
Regardless, if the 26-year-old London was really pushing for a roster spot, the Steelers would be throwing him passes or at least playing him some in the preseason.
This is not an unknown commodity in the NFL either, since London has bounced around practice squads for the past four years, with his only game experience coming in a 3-reception season with the Dolphins in 2008.
As for now, we still project six six receivers to make the Steelers’ roster (Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El, Emmanuel Sanders, Arnaz Battle and Brown), and that Tyler Grisham or possibly London is kept on practice squad, with Grisham the more likely keeper based on actual preseason reps.
Related posts:
