Is anyone going to play for the Steelers next year?

• The Steelers announced that veterans James Farrior and Aaron Smith will be released. Farrior was originally drafted by the Jets in 1997, but signed with the Steelers in 2002. Smith was drafted by the Steelers in 1999 and has spent all 13 seasons in Pittsburgh.
• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Chris Kemoeatu will also be released. Kemoeatu, who was benched halfway during the season, was scheduled to make $3.6 million. This move will surely free up some cap space and a roster spot for an old couch that can block better and commit less penalties than Kemo.
• The Steelers have elected not put the franchise tag on receiver Mike Wallace. Wallace is a restricted free agent, and the Steelers risk losing him to another team in exchange for a first round draft pick.
• Today is Ben Roethlisberger’s 30th birthday. Happy Birthday, Big Ben!

The Finebarrow

Chris Kemoeatu, get your finebarrow ready.

Kemoeatu has been fined $25,000 by the NFL for two penalties in last Sunday’s game in Arizona. Kemo was fined $15,000 for a late hit and $10,000 for hands to the face. Well done, Kemo. Well done indeed.

Mike Tomlin gave his injury report on Tuesday, and things are looking a little bit better for the Steelers, relatively speaking.

As of right now, only Aaron Smith and James Harrison are ruled out for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. DE Aaron Smith with miss another week with a sprained right foot. LB James Harrison is still recovering from a broken orbital bone.

The Steelers have several players listed as questionable for Sunday’s game:

• Marcus Gilbert (shoulder)
• Casey Hampton (shoulder)
• Jason Worilds (thigh)
• Mewelde Moore (ankle)

There sure is a lot going on in Steeler Nation.

• Earlier in the week the Steelers signed Max Starks in an attempt to do something to the offensive line. Starks is expected to start on Sunday against the Titans.
• Hines Ward says that it’s time for the offense to step up and carry this team. I appreciate the sentiment and agree to an extent, but I’d like the Steelers to step it up on BOTH sides of the ball. That can be done, right?
• The NFL fined Maurkice Pouncey for sheer stupidity a late hit in last Sunday’s game in Houston. While Maurkice may be out $7,500, his late hit nullified a 14-yard run and took away the momentum the offense was building at the end of the half.
• And on the injury front, the Steelers will be without Casey Hampton (shoulder), Aaron Smith (foot), Chris Kemoeatu (knee), Mewelde Moore (ankle), and Jason Worilds (quad).

• Rookie Baron Batch was carted off the field yesterday after injuring his knee during practice. He may have torn his ACL and will miss the season. From what I hear, he seemed really promising in training camp, and it’s a shame he was injured. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery!
• In other injury-related news, Mike Tomlin confirmed that six players will not play Friday versus the Redskins. These players include Chris Kemoeatu (knee), Bryant McFadden (groin), Emmanuel Sanders (foot), Cortez Allen (hamstring), Eugene Bright (PUP list), and Mario Harvey (groin).
• In non-injury news, the Steelers signed former Jet WR Jerricho Cotchery . Cotchery is expected to be the Steelers’ fifth receiver and will not join the team until Sunday.

At long last, training camp is back in session.

• The Steelers cut offensive tackle Max Starks and receiver Antwaan Randle El. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Starks could be re-signed by the Steelers. With the emergence of Wallace, Brown, and Sanders, Randle El may just be the odd man out. As for Starks, this may just be a salary cap issue.
• Former Steeler Plaxico Burress is due to meet with Mike Tomlin on Saturday. Did the Steelers cut Starks and Randle El to better position themselves in the Plaxico Burress Sweepstakes?
• Mike Tomlin called Harrison’s remarks in Men’s Journal “inappropriate.” 

“I think it was inappropriate,” said Tomlin. “Whether or not it was detrimental to the development of our team, that remains to be seen. But it was inappropriate. What he said regarding the Commissioner was inappropriate.”