Steelers cut veteran Okobi, three rookie draft selections

Other veterans cut were RB Verron Haynes and center Marvin Philip.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steely McBeam will be on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ sideline this season. Ryan McBean will not.

McBean, a defensive end from Oklahoma State and a fourth-round pick, was among three rookie draft picks cut Saturday by the Steelers — an unusually high number for a team that has been known to keep entire draft classes.

Also cut were guard Cameron Stephenson, a fifth-round pick from Rutgers, and wide receiver Dallas Baker, a seventh-round pick who was the top receiver for national champion Florida last season. All are eligible to be signed to the Steelers’ practice squad if they clear waivers.

Also among the 23 cuts was veteran Chukky Okobi, a six-year backup center who once figured to be Jeff Hartings’ replacement at center this season.

Other significant veteran players cut were running back Verron Haynes, the former third-down back who was coming off major knee surgery; and center Marvin Philip, a sixth-round pick a year ago.

By trimming both Okobi and Philip, there is no backup center on the roster behind starter Sean Mahan — and even he is listed on the team’s roster as a right guard.

Stephenson’s former teammate, undrafted rookie Darnell Stapleton, played center at Rutgers although he is listed on the roster as a guard.

Among the other players released were former special teams captain Chidi Iwuoma, who also was released during the final cutdown last year but later rejoined the team; defensive end Shaun Nua, a seventh-round pick two years ago; and linebacker Rian Wallace of Temple.

Players making cutdown

Among the players who made it through the final cutdown were: running back Carey Davis, who is with his fifth team since 2004; running back Gary Russell, who gained 1,130 yards at the University of Minnesota in 2005 but did not play last season due to academic issues; left tackle Trai Essex, who did not play well in the preseason; and cornerback Ricardo Colclough, a former second-round pick who has done little in his first three seasons.

McBean’s release was not a major surprise, although the Steelers rarely cut rookies drafted in the first four rounds. He had a strong start to training camp, but did not stand out during the preseason.

In an odd twist during camp, the Steelers chose to give their new mascot, Steely McBeam, a name similar to his, a not entirely comfortable situation for McBean as fans chose to single him out for his uneven play during preseason games partly because of his name.

McBean was drafted because he has good speed and quickness for a pass rusher, but he was not a big producer in college and also wasn’t during exhibition play.

Okobi was former All-Pro center Hartings’ backup for six seasons before Hartings retired after last season.

Okobi, who signed a $6 million contract in 2004 but started only six games during his Steelers career, said last week that he should be starting Sept. 9 against Cleveland. He was due to make $2 million this season.

The Steelers also waived offensive tackle Jason Capizzi of Pitt and IUP, tight ends Cody Boyd and Jon Dekker, cornerback Jovon Johnson, fullback John Kuhn, safety Mike Lorello, cornerback Grant Mason, defensive tackle Scott Paxson, quarterback Bryan Randall, linebacker Ron Stanley, offensive tackle Brandon Torrey and wide receivers Gerran Walker and Walter Young.