Kendrick Clancy (96/NT) - Clancy battled Kimo von Oelhoffen for Joel Steed's old position in training camp before losing out and being assigned to special teams. Clancy's lack of size (6'1", 280) could hurt him in his future with the team. If the Steelers find someone special in the draft and they will probably look for defensive line help, Clancy could find it hard to remain on the team in 2001. 

Nakia Codie (24/S) - When Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert was in Detroit, he had Nakia Codie playing for his Lion team. When the Steelers were in need of some depth at Safety, Colbert got Bill Cowher interested in Codie. He turned out to be a valuable bench player and saw plenty of action in special defenses and special teams. With Scott Shields on the decline, Codie will be in a good position to return to the team in 2001. 

Chris Combs (73/DE) - A rookie in 2000 out of Duke University, Combs did not see a lot of playing time at Defensive End. He did play special teams and does have potential. Probably not the pass rushing end the Steelers are looking for. 

Matt Cushing (85/TE) - As a third string Tight End behind Bruener and Jerame Tuman, Cushing would occasionally find his way onto the field and make a big catch. Has done enough to just keep a spot on the roster in each of his three seasons. 

Roger Duffy (62/OL) - Duffy filled in for Dermontti Dawson when he could not play and also served as a backup for anyone not being able to man a position on the offensive line. He will now back up newcomer Jeff Hartings. Duffy is approaching the end of the road with 11 seasons behind him. 

Troy Edwards (81/WR) - Drafted number one in 1999, Edwards had a pretty good rookie year. But in his sophomore year in 2000, he was supposed to team up with that year's #1 choice, Plaxico Burress to give the Steelers a potent 1-2 punch. But Edwards lost his starting job to Hines Ward, and never did enough on the field to win it back. Edwards was constantly dropping passes this past season, and he needs to show top skills in training camp or he won't be on the field every down in 2001. 

Alan Faneca (66/G) - Another number one draft choice, Faneca is entering his fifth season in 2001, and has yet to make the Pro Bowl. I believe he will eventually get that honor. Faneca has not been spectacular, but has been solid. He has improved every season, and with Russ Grimm as his Offensive Line Coach, it can only make Faneca better. 

John Fiala (51/LB) - One of Pittsburgh's best special teams players, Fiala has the unfortunate circumstance of playing Linebacker on a team that is very deep at the position. Fiala might have been given a blessing in disguise with Levon Kirkland's release. He is a restricted free agent this offseason, and is being wooed by the New England Patriots. 

Lee Flowers (41/S) - The true inspirational leader on defense, Flowers got hurt late in 2000 and missed the last two games. He should make a full recovery and retake his place in the secondary in 2001. 

Wayne Gandy (72/OT) - Perhaps the most courageous player for Pittsburgh in 2000, Gandy played the entire season with an injured shoulder and still played near Pro Bowl caliber. In his initial season with the Steelers in 1999, it appeared that Gandy might be a bust. But he proved this past season that he can be the force on the o-line as Bill Cowher thought he would be. Going into 2001, Gandy should be healthy and he will have Russ Grimm to tutor him, so Gandy could very easily be Hawaii bound in 2002. 

Jason Gildon (92/LB) - The Steelers' only Pro Bowl player in 2000, Gildon came into his own this past season and helped the focus off Levon Kirkland and Earl Holmes. The next step for Gildon is proving he can put on a repeat performance in 2001. 

Kent Graham (11/QB) - Graham won the starting job from Kordell Stewart at the start of the 2000 season and was awful in his four starts that he made, losing three of them. In the fourth start, he was yanked for Stewart. He only saw two more downs the rest of the season (with the exception of the final game), and again he showed nothing on those two downs. Having had surgery done in the offseason, it would be hard to believe that the Steelers would want to keep him as a backup to Stewart. I still believe they will cut him, but at this point, all indicators are pointing to his return. 

Clark Haggans (53/LB) - A rookie in 2000, Haggans was pretty much confined to special teams. With the fearsome foursome linebacking corps of the Pittsburgh, Haggans had little chance to get any playing time at Linebacker. He should be kept around however, because of his youth and potential, and the the fact that Levon Kirkland was cut. 

Courtney Hawkins (88/WR) - Pittsburgh cut Hawkins prior to last season, then resigned when Will Blackwell went down with an injury. Incredibly, Hawkins became a starter when Plaxico Burress got benched. Hawkins will probably not fair as well this time around. He will probably be gone by training camp, and won't be returning this time around. That is, only if the Steelers come to camp with the current group of receivers and whoever they find along the way and through the draft.