After a miserable loss to the Chiefs last week, it looks like Tomlin is shuffling the deck in hopes of getting some better play on special teams.  Hopefully somebody shuffles offensive coordinator Bruce Arians’ brain cells a little bit so he can get some production in the red zone and learn how to manage a game.

Let’s take a closer look at the roster moves:

1.  Cut CB Keiwan Ratliff and sign Corey Ivy — Ratliff has been an insurance policy player this year.  He’s basically the 4th corner and the 4th FS.  As an aging veteran he could be relied upon to make some tackles and be in position.  He really wasn’t much of one for making a play on the ball and he was a little slow.  Ivy i sprobably not much better or worse but has been a good ST player for many teams  so I think this is probably a good move.  Also note that there are 2 rookie corners on the team who may have developed enough to make Ratliff expendable.

2. LB Donovan Woods was cut a week after being brought up from the PS.  He’s been replaced by veteran LB Rocky Boiman.  Boiman is a nine year vet who’s likewise been productive on special teams.

3.  Practice sqad moves:  offensive lineman Jonathan Palmer was added to the PS in place of Justin Vincent.  Vincent has been on the squad for a while, producing next to nothing in two preseasons.  Palmer is likely insurance as  LG Kemoeautu is out for the next game.

4.  Former Pitt QB Tyler Palko was reported to be added to the PS bu the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.  No confirmation from the team on that move or on who would be cut to make room.

Injury status:  LG Kemo is out, SS Polamalu is questionable, QB Roethlisberger is probable (supposely with no concussion symptons hours after the game), LDE Kirschke is probable

The Batch injury and the ringing of Ben’s bell kind of segways into a review of the QB situation:

Starter Big Ben Roethlisberger.  Not sure we need much analysis here, he’s a top 5 QB in the league and getting better every year.

Backup Denis Dixon is a second year player out of Oregon.  He’s been pretty good in the pre-season.  After you’re used to seeing Ben in the backfield, Dixon looks downright small.  He’s an athletic guy who should be the backup in years to come.  He’s technically third on the healthy depth chart but his physical game is far better than Batch’s at this point.

Injured Backup Charlie Batch is working on completing his transformation to Robo-QB with a metal plate in his wrist.  It’s never clear when the Steelers are going to hang up Batch.  Every year they take a look at some rookies and if they can find a better guy they’ll go with him.  So far Batch has been the guy and he seems to be ok with the arrangement.  As an experienced backup he’s second on the depth chart.  He’s a hometown guy who’s deeply involved in the community and has been transformational in the development of Big Ben as well.

The Steelers QB situation is adequate.  As in years past, I expect them to sign some UDFA camp arms to compete with Batch.  I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if they looked for another backup in rounds 6 or 7 this coming year.  If Palko does sign to the PS, he might be the competitor with the inside track to oust Batch.