Steelers sign Nick Eason

by TheMostViolentTeam on Mar 27, 2008 2:56 PM EDT

Bumped. Busy couple of days for me so thanks for keeping the info fresh all of you. I'd have to agree that this move probably signifies that McFarland will not be signed. Probably though. Not certainly. Both Eason and McFarland would come on the cheap and it's not at all unplausible to think that both will be with the team, at least through the initial stages of training camp. We'll see. Conversation on the matter also found in maryrose's diary about Booger McFarland.

-Blitz-

Steelers has us signing Nick Eason to a two year deal. No terms disclosed. Probably vet. minimum. So I think it's official we did NOT sign McFarland, and this move is most likely related to that. Looks like a young, versatile DL type is still needed in the draft. I think the 2nd round would be a good spot to pick one up if we can find the right value. I really like Frank Okam and we could pick him up much later than the 2nd most likely.

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Ugh

Let me be the first to say I'm not a big fan of this signing, no matter the price. Eason proved he couldn't handle the position last year and I don't know how this year will be any different. I'd rather see a rookie (or McBean if healthy) sink or swim than watch Eason get manhandled for 10-15 snaps a game.

by cgolden on Mar 27, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

+ 1

I hate this signing. He is exactly the dead weight we need to get rid of. I much preferred picking Booger, who at least had potential upside. If you can't play defensive line for the Browns these recent times, you need to find your life's work. Not knocking the Browns, just that particular phase of their games has been their weakness, and we sign their castoffs to an extension. Bad move.

by maryrose on Mar 27, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

agree totally

Very disappointing after believing that Booger was on his way in. Eason did poorly last year. I was looking forward to some fresh blood.

by steelerark on Mar 30, 2008 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know

if this means that we won't sign McFarland. As it turns out they only officially signed Hartwig two days ago although they agreed to terms last week. Hartwig is talking and the offical line seems to be that Tomlin wants people to fight it out in camp. If Hartwig has to fight it out with Mahan for the center position, then it would be consistent that Booger would have to compete with the likes of Eason for his place as well. And as others have said, the money involved is such that cuts would not hurt our financial situation too much.

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Mar 27, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

as stated

in the Booger thread....McFarland has not signed anything. There is a link there that says the Steelers had agreed to a deal--pending a physical--but then Wednesday morning he failed the physical and they withdrew the offer. Eason could very well be cut, if there is a very small signing bonus (which I imagine it is), than this signing isn't that bad, give him a chance to compete at least.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Mar 27, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

something going on

This doesn't really add up. Re-signing Kirschke and Eason is not what anyone had in mind when Tomlin said the team has to get stronger and younger on the line of scrimmage. I have a hard time believing that either one will make the active roster. Maybe there is some concern about McBean's injury or his potential to be a contributor. Otherwise, the only reason to sign Eason is to keep the depth chart full heading into the draft. I'd say that whatever small bonus Eason got, if any, was money just flushed down the toilet.

We may not have heard the last of McFarland. He failed a physical in Indy so it's no big surprise he failed another one. But he did agree to the terms offered by the Steelers. He has lots of time to rehab the injury and in the meantime he is unlikely to sign with another team. If and when he is ready to pass a physical, he might be back in town.

Bringing Eason back means that no other FA d-lineman is of interest to the Steelers, at least in their present cap situation. We'll have to draft at least one DL, probably much sooner than the fourth or fifth round when Okam is expected to be picked. DT Dre Moore has been in for a visit and he's a projected late second round, early third-round pick. Auburn DT Pat Sims is also rated as a mid second-rounder. DT Red Bryant and DE Kendall Langford are ranked in the area where the Steelers pick in the third round. If we go Best Player Available in the first round, then DE Phillip Merling (6-4, 275) could be in the picture. He's rated No. 19 overall by NFL Draft Scout but has not been able to work out for any teams because of a sports hernia injury, the same kind that lowered Heath Miller's stock in his draft year. DT Kentwan Balmer is rated No. 28 overall but at 6-5 308 might be a better fit for the 3-4 than Merling. NFLDS rates Jeff Otah No. 22 overall and Branden Albert No. 24. The top 64 players ranked by NFLDS can be found at http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/top64.php?draftyear=2008 ... Ratings are always being updated to reflect work outs, injuries, off-field issues. For example, NFLDS has dropped OT Carl Nicks to a third-round ranking because of a recent arrest and reports that he had a number of problems at Nebraska. Nicks was banned from participating in the Nebraska Pro Day. Sounds more like Bengal material than a future Steeler.

by steeler lifer on Mar 28, 2008 2:30 AM EDT reply actions

DL draftees

I'd be more than happy with a draft that included Langford in the third and Okam in the fifth. I think both guys could turn into future starters along the DL.

by cgolden on Mar 28, 2008 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

End of the line

That's a good point about FA DL's. Eason and Kirshke are pretty much just filling the depth chart because there's no one else. I don't get the 2 years deals, though; neither is worth more than the vet min. I guess we just have to turn to the draft. I don't think Merling could make it in the 3-4, and I'm a little down on Balmer, but there should be several DL's available between the 2nd and 5th rounds. A couple not mentioned above are Athyba Rubin, who is more of a NT, but we could still use him, and Nick Hayden, a hard worker type who is as strong as a bull and reminds me a little of Aaron Smith. Trevor Laws is another guy to look for in the second, but he's probably more of an 2 gap guy.

by BadMaafala on Mar 28, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Hayden looked good in the Shrine Game

College DT turned to 3-4 DE. He'd be a nice fall back option if they don't get Langford. Hayden should go around the 5th.

by cgolden on Mar 28, 2008 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

FA Available

Just did a survey on the ESPN website and was able to glean this information.
There are several defensive lineman available who are all listed higher than 60 (average), and who are mostly young. By the way Booger is now listed as available and he was rated 60.
Those numbers are DTs (4UFA & 1RFA), DL (1RFA) and DEs (2UFA & 2RFA). One of these is from the Vikes. It would be nice for the FO to look at one of these individuals besides lesser graded individuals who have been with the organization and are older.

by manchesterheights on Mar 28, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions