Steelers sign Stepanovich

[PghSteel-43]

Steelers sign Stepanovich at center
Monday, August 10, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers said today that the team has signed center Alex Stepanovich, a six-year veteran who played for the Atlanta Falcons last season.

Stepanovich, who played at Ohio State and was a fourth-round draft pick and former starter for the Arizona Cardinals, was released by the Falcons in June.

Center Justin Hartwig has not been practicing because of a toe injury. Darnell Stapleton, who became the starting right guard last season but had been playing center since the start of training camp, had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last week.

The Steelers released defensive lineman Jordan Reffett to make room for Stepanovich on the roster.

The Steelers have only two healthy centers, first-year pro Doug Legursky and rookie A.Q. Shipley, neither of whom has played in an NFL regular-season game.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09222/989899-66.stm#ixzz0NnTsF7IF

[Finnegans Wake]

Enjoy Latrobe, Alex.

[Preacherman0]

Kinda surprised he was available.  He was a pretty decent player last season for ATL.

[SCacalaki]

Step as a body to give Legs and Q a rest, okay.

Ref had good size for a 3-4 DE.  He wasn't making the team but had a good camp last year. 

[Steelerdipwad]

To me, Stepanovich is Legurski with a better college career on his resume as well as a history of injury. But it makes me wonder just how bad Hartwig's foot is.

[Steeltrapmike]

Step missed 12 games last year with ATL, and played mostly special team. I did see in that Examiner that, he played guard in college. Could he become Essex's backup while Stapelton is out?

[Steelerdipwad]

Step missed 12 games last year with ATL, and played mostly special team. I did see in that Examiner that, he played guard in college. Could he become Essex's backup while Stapelton is out?

He played guard? I remember him as the Buckeye starting center. Am I thinking of the right guy?