STEELERS Dante Brown, Clancy released; Parker retained

Former YSU standout Russell Stuvaints was among those released.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Dante Brown and nine other players were released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who tried to trade the running back before Sunday's roster cutdown deadline.
With several teams thin at running back, the Steelers were looking to trade one of their extra backs. They wound up keeping free agent rookie Willie Parker of North Carolina and third-year pro Verron Haynes, who can play either running back or fullback.
Brown, who played in college at Memphis, ran 27 times for 120 yards, a 4.4 average, and three touchdowns in four exhibition games. He led the team in rushing during the 2003 exhibition season with 106 yards and two touchdowns, but was activated for only two games during the regular season.
"We talked [about a trade] and nothing materialized," coach Bill Cowher said. "We talked about him and some other players, as well."
Staley to start
Former 1,000-yard rusher Duce Staley is expected to start, with NFL No. 6 career rusher Jerome Bettis beginning a second consecutive season as a backup. He backed up Amos Zereoue at the start of last season before regaining his starting job at midseason.
Parker rushed for only 181 yards at North Carolina last season, but led the Steelers with 202 yards in exhibition play, including 106 yards against the Eagles.
"He's got very unique speed," Cowher said. "He's got excellent hands. He had no trouble picking up the offense.
"He's got a lot of unique qualities that are intriguing."
Also cut were sixth-year linebacker Adrian Ross, a former Bengals starter brought in when training camp started; fifth-year defensive lineman Kendrick Clancy; and second-year safety Russell Stuvaints (Youngstown State).
Clancy became expendable when fourth-year lineman Chris Hoke had a strong exhibition season, leading the team in sacks.
Others
The Steelers also released kicker Rob Bironas, who kicked two field goals in their 16-13 exhibition loss Thursday to Carolina; fullback J.T. Wall, a seventh-round draft pick in 2003; rookie offensive linemen Drew Caylor and Bo Lacy; linebacker Dedrick Roper; and defensive end Eric Taylor.
Lacy, a sixth-round pick from Arkansas, became the second draft choice to be cut before Sunday's season opener against Oakland. Previously waived was fifth-rounder Nathaniel Adibi, a former Virginia Tech standout who struggled to make the transition from defensive end in college to NFL outside linebacker.
Some players are expected to re-sign today, when the Steelers can add eight players to their practice squad.
The moves came a day after the Steelers freed up a roster spot by trading backup offensive lineman Todd Fordham to the Panthers for an undisclosed draft pick.
By trading Fordham, the Steelers chose to keep backup Jim Jones, who spent the last two seasons on Baltimore's practice squad, and ninth-year pro Barrett Brooks, who signed at midseason last year but was activated for only one game.
The Steelers also kept four tight ends for the second consecutive season, with rookie Matt Kranchick joining Jay Riemersma, Jerame Tuman and Matt Cushing.