Syndric Steptoe not only played himself onto the roster during the preseason, he’s in position to play a key role in the opener Sunday versus the Cowboys.
Steptoe will likely be the third receiver behind Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth. He will also return punts and kickoffs if Joshua Cribbs’ high ankle sprain keeps him on the bench. Cribbs said Monday he’ll be a game-time decision.
That’s a lot of mileage covered by someone who entered camp a long shot to make the team. Steptoe was a seventh-round pick in 2007 and spent his rookie season on the practice squad.
“He earned his way onto the roster,” general manager Phil Savage said. “He performed when given the opportunity. He’s deserving of being here.”
Steptoe was barely in the discussion when outsiders would look at Cleveland’s receiver situation. Travis Wilson, Kevin Kasper and Steve Sanders were leading him in the battle, and rookie Paul Hubbard had superior size.
When the dust settled, Steptoe and Hubbard earned the two available receiver spots.
“I wouldn’t say I was a long shot,” Steptoe said Monday. “I always had the mind-set you’ll get your opportunity sooner or later. You stay prepared for the opportunity to present itself.
“It was a lot of hard work. I was trying to take full advantage of the situation at hand with the injuries that happened in training camp.”
Edwards missed three weeks with a gash in his foot and Kasper missed nearly all of camp with a hamstring injury, which enabled Steptoe to see more repetitions, especially with the first- and second-team offenses. Steptoe looked good in practice and caught three passes in the preseason for 80 yards and a touchdown — a 44-yarder in which he took the ball from the defensive back.
He added a 7-yard touchdown run versus the Giants on a lateral from Brady Quinn, but his best work may have come on special teams. He averaged 35.2 yards on 10 kickoff returns, including 90- and 40-yarders versus the Giants. He averaged 9.3 yards on four punt returns.
“Steptoe has been doing a very good job returning,” Cribbs said. “I’d rather turn the duties to him than hurt the team.”
Steptoe left the preseason finale when he bruised his shoulder on the opening kickoff.
“The shoulder’s fine,” he said. “I feel great right now.”
That doesn’t mean he didn’t have a few anxious moments. For a guy with a tenuous hold on a roster spot, a poorly timed injury can ruin everything.
“There are a lot of things that run through your head at that time,” Steptoe said. “At the same time, you’ve got to have faith and believe that you’ve done enough and you still are able to do more things to show the coaching staff what you’re capable of doing.”
Steptoe is 5-foot-9, 200 pounds. That’s a typical size for a kick returner, but not ideal for a receiver. However, Steptoe has shown above-average strength for his size, which allows him to catch balls in traffic and absorb contact.
“It’s just something you develop in the weight room,” he said. “I was on the practice squad the whole year last year so I had a lot of time working with the strength coaches.”
Steptoe hasn’t lost his quickness, which gives him a combination useful in the slot or split wide. It’s that versatility that could make him a busy man Sunday in his first NFL game.
“I gotta go into the game thinking it’s going to be my chance, my turn to get the job done for them,” he said. “I feel great right now. I feel I’m in a good situation, just do what I can to help my team out.”
Coach Romeo Crennel is confident Steptoe will succeed.
“I think that he’ll represent himself very well,” he said.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.