Fine Tuning

by manchesterheights on Mar 26, 2008 1:42 PM EDT

I don't know how you all feel, but I'm beginning to see a fine hand in all these free agent acquisitions (Fox, Moore, Hartwig and McFarland). Be it either Tomlin or Colbert (most likely both), their signings are mostly short term, quality and proven players, who apparently have a desire to win. They also seem to be players whose experience will enable us to maintain our competitive edge and at the same time allow training for their replacements. No matter what, these signings show a FO that is off their duff and willing to spend the appropriate level of cash. In other words I'm finally feeling more at ease with the team vis a vis the competition. Comments Please!

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I was thinking the same thing

These do appear to be low-risk, cheap signings, filling needs and freeing us up for the draft. Booger gives us immediate depth at DL (a big step up from Eason or Kirschke), Moore fills several needs at a very modest price, and Fox still has some upside. I'm not too sure about Hartwig, but I'm not going to argue with the price.

If they put this much effort into throroughly scouting second day draft picks, we could have a very successful draft.

by BadMaafala on Mar 26, 2008 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Me too

In the year and a half or so since I've been reading this site, the posters and other contributors have pointed to our weaknesses which have shown up at seemingly the most inopportune times. In each case, the weakness that was discussed has been addressed in exactly the way we would like to see: a low risk, inexpensive short-term way that allows time to draft and replace the holes that we had this past year.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Mar 26, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

I like how we're playing chess

While the free agent pick-ups have been modest in terms of player impact and salary, there is nothing modest about Big Ben's new contract.

There's alot of energy going on on the South Side and I really like it. Not every year will be the same. Next year we won't have Ben's avalanche, but the energy will be in other areas on other focus. We might pluck a couple higher-cost free agents, or maybe even make a trade.

It appears Tomlin is forcing the issue that we leave no stone unturned, but be smart in the doing. The Steelers are spending all their salary cap, and doing it wisely. What more can we fans ask?

Putting together a football team is like playing chess. Yes, the queen is most important and should be the main focus, similar to the NFL draft. But you are limiting yourself if you just use the queen and not use the rooks, bishops and knights. Why not use all your weapons.

In the NFL, that means big contracts to your franchise players, free agent signings and trades. Of course, you don't want to be Buddy Parker in the early 60s and move your pieces recklessly. You don't move them just to move them. But if you play the complete game, use everything you can wisely, you will be better for it.

Looks like Tomlin want to play the complete game, Rooney is letting him do it and Colbert is on board also. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see a strategic trade during the draft.

I like how the Steelers are playing chess. I like how we're using different pieces. I like the energy. I like the sense of urgency. And I like the wisdon that is tying it all together.

by maryrose on Mar 26, 2008 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

Chess

So is Ben a queen?

by BadMaafala on Mar 26, 2008 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

quality additions

These are not all-pro players but all four of them could make key contributions this year in areas that were weaknesses last year. In that respect we couldn't have asked for any more from the FO. The team has been aggressive in adding new players and I think we are in for some surprises about guys who will be let go, either in mid-summer or at training camp. We might let Starks hang out to dry until after the draft and then negotiate with him (or just let him go) according to who has been picked.

I'm looking forward to finding out exactly where the Steelers stand in regard to their salary cap. All these signings have occurred with Starks' transition tag (nearly $7 million) on the books and at one point it was reported the Steelers were over the cap. Hard to know exactly what is going on. Aren't the Pittsburgh media paid to find these things out for us?

by steeler lifer on Mar 26, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Steelersalarycap

He currently has them at 113 million, just under 3 million below the cap. I would imagine that Boog's contract will have minimal impact on the cap but cuts are definitely coming.

My Early Predictions:

At least one lineman (probably one from DL and one from OL)
One running back - Dookie's the only one that would actually save some cash

by cgolden on Mar 26, 2008 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Cap

IIRC, teams are allowed to be over the cap during the offseason, but there is a point at which they have to get back under the cap. Again, I'm going from memory, but I think it's before the draft. I just remember a couple of years ago, the 'skins were way above the cap, and when the deadline hit, they had to release several players to get back under.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Mar 26, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

My understanding

Is that you are allowed to be over the cap during the offseason only with the current roster from last season. You cannot sign anyone from the outside if you are over. Regarding this upcoming seaon, we have roughly $3M at the moment, but that includes Starks $7M, which I am not counting on paying this year. I will bet that Booger will cost us at least a mill against this year's cap, including signing bonus and incentives, probably more. We should still be OK.

by maryrose on Mar 26, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Makes sense

Thanks for the clarification. That does make sense, because some guys have huge bonuses built into their contracts (like Steve McNair a couple of years ago, when his cap hit was supposed to be around $30M for the Titans). They allow teams time to restructure contracts.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Mar 26, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this

I like this a lot. The chess analogy is fine. The important thing is that we are getting a glimpse at how shrewd Tomlin and the FO are operating. This team is a whole lot better before we have drafted anyone or signed any rookie free agents. The signings were inexpensive and with little or no fanfare outside of Steeler Nation. Just thinking of the four man pass rush of Brett, Casey, Aaron and Booger has got my juices flowing.

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Mar 26, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions

Happy for his name

As a yearly proponent of an All-Name Squad in the NFL I'm a big fan of getting to cheer for a guy who proudly goes by "Booger". Now if we can bring fuamatu' malafala back I'll be happy as a clam.

by Chicago Steeler on Mar 27, 2008 10:30 AM EDT reply actions