The recent rookie minicamp tryout by Greg Crippen, a center from Michigan, has caught the attention of the Steelers organization. While it's not uncommon for the Steelers to sign a player after a tryout, the odds are usually against them going much further. However, Crippen's performance during the minicamp has earned him a spot on the 90-man roster, and he's now competing to stay there all summer. This is particularly interesting given the Steelers' already strong cache of centers, including starter Zach Frazier and backup Ryan McCollum. The addition of Brock Hoffman, a veteran who can play center, further complicates the situation for Crippen. Despite this, the fact that Crippen was signed after the minicamp and has already made the 90-man roster is a testament to his potential. It's worth noting that Crippen went undrafted and doesn't exactly look or test like the prototypical center candidate. However, his size and athleticism, as well as the fact that many guys slip through the draft and find another path to the NFL, give him a chance to succeed. The question remains as to how long Crippen will last on the roster, but if he can just get into training camp and show what he can do, that's all he can ask for. In my opinion, the Steelers' decision to sign Crippen after the minicamp is a strategic move, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the upcoming training camp.
