I rather liked dookie, but am guessing we're seeing the end of his short era here.  Doesn't his salary jump to 2-3 million this year? Reid's got a chance based on Ced's proposed departure. But he'll have to show something in preseason next year to be kept around.

still around somewhere?  he's probably too old now but he was an excellent return man for us and a big receiver who I remember had some pretty good plays with Ben under center.

I too really like the signing of MM. Like others have said, he should be a good 3rd down rb (ability to run, ability to catch, I assume that he's reliable at blitz pick up though I'm guessing on that one) and a good PR. And of course, the price seems right.

Also as mentioned, he should make either Reid or Dookie expendable. Plus Rossum was also cut. So this signing essentially opens up a roster spot.

Apart from extending Ben, I think this is the best signing since Tomlin was hired. I didn't really like the resigning of Simmons or the acquisition of Mahan last year. Signing Dookie wasn't a bad move considering the available options last year, but I think MM is an upgrade.

Guys, I was surprised that Ben got as much cheddar as he got. I still think it was a smart move, but I betcha the Rooneys hands were probably trembling when they signed off on that contract.

I don't know that much about Mewelde Moore but I've always heard that he was a good football player that didn't get the ball much. He definitely could help this team next year as a runner, 3rd down receiver, kickoff and punt returner.

I believe Cedric Wilson will be cut and Willie Reid, Gerran Walker or J. Bloom will win that 4th WR spot. Whoever wins that job will be the slot receiver and kickoff returner, as well as the backup punt returner. Reid's speed is still a big plus on a team that wants to spread the field offensively. Bloom could surprise in the return game and Tomlin likes Walker.

In free agency, the steelers like to sign players coming off of the first contract, are under the radar and have a lot of upside. Eugene Wilson fits that mold and he'd be an upgrade to our free safety spot. I just wonder if they're going to have to relinquish Starks to do that.

I am a Starks supporter on this board, especially for this year, because I think the team will be left scrambling if he isn't resigned. If they can resign him and draft that Brandon Albert from UVa. in the first round, I believe our OL will be much improved with good depth. Let's see what Colbert can do.

I think it's too early to write off Reid as a potential fourth receiver. I expect Moore to be PR and KO returner. I went into some detail on this in the other thread on Moore's signing. Maryrose is quite right in citing the different skills required for punt and KO returns, but Moore can do both. His mediocre career KO return avg is almost entirely a product of his rookie season, when he also had a mediocre PR avg. If he is pressed into the No. 1 role because of injury or game situation, then someone else will have to return kickoffs or punts or both.

We've seen enough of Reid on returns but I liked what I saw of his brief appearances as a WR. He is both quick and fast and caught the few balls thrown his way. He's perhaps best suited as a slot receiver rather than a wide out. If Hines or Santonio are injured, Nate can replace them while Reid slides into the slot. If Moore is pressed into starting duty, Reid might be able to handle returns for a game or two. There wiill be competition at camp from Baker, Trannon and either a draft pick or undrafted free agents, but I wouldn't be surprised if Willie is our No. 4 guy. Wilson has to be cut or, with luck, traded for a late-round draft pick. If Rossum is worth a 7th rounder, Wilson might get us a sixth-rounder. He isn't used enough to justify his salary.

tips glass back and ponders rolling something rather than perusing center Rex Hadnot's under-appreciated resume as our next great bargain.

I don't know where Colbert and Rooney are finding the money, but if they can dig up another $6-7 million to sign both Hadnot (rather than re-sign Starks) and DL Darrion Scott, then I would really celebrate.

I really like this kid when he came out of Tulane...watch some of his highlights on YouTube...very shifty, elusive and tough to bring down!!  This kid can turn a screen pass, check down into BIG PLAYS and that is huge in keeping drives alive ( just ask Tom Brady about Kevin Faulk).

I hope Ben isn't running for his life for another 17 games this season, but it will be nice to have Moore to pass to in those situations.

Ben used the dump pass really effectively in the playoff game on one drive in particular. Too bad he didn't use it more throughout the season, or was that Ariens call to make?
 

comparison is a very good comparison.  moore probably has a little bit more speed while faulk probably has a bit more size, but overall very similiar games.  i remember i had mewelde one year in fantasy league and he was also very effective at the goal-line.

I agree with you, Steelerlifer, that W. Reid could play a very important role on this team next year as a slot receiver. When he played a Wes Welker role in this offense this past year, he looked pretty impressive.

He showed good hands on his quick screens, great explosion and good toughness. Also, there is no substitute for speed in the NFL. If Santonio goes down, the Steelers will still need someone with the ability to stretch the field. I don't want Reid catching punts, but I'd give him a shot to return kickoffs back there with M. Moore.

A guy that is intriguing to me on the WR corps is Matt Trannon. He has monster size at 6'6'', 230-lb. and is a great athlete. He can make this team and be active on game days by simply being a great special teams player. Just come down on kickoffs and punts and bust some heads. Ben would love him in the red zone, too.

I saw Trannon play in college and thought that, if a team is patient with him and has a great WR coach, that he could develop into something. Remember, two things that you can't teach are speed and size.

I'm a little greedy, but give me a resigned Max Starks, Pats S Eugene Wilson and a great draft, and I think this team is ready to compete once again for another ring. And yes, I am an optimist.

Blitzburgh, what up!

Wilson wouldn't be interested in coming here unless it was to play a key role in the secondary. The primary reason he would be asked to play a key role is if Clark's return was questionable or even doubtful, leaving the position to An. Smith and Carter. As much as I like Smith's athleticism and aggressiveness and even the chip on his shoulder, I'm not impressed with his intelligence and that is absolutely essential for a good free safety. Way too early to give up on Smith but just the fact they are bringing Wilson in for an interview tells you the staff is not overly confident in Smith handling the starter's role.

completely agree on the hadnot call, though as a texas boy meeting with houston doesn't make it likely he heads north to pittsburgh- but you never know.

is visiting, it means a deal is close at hand.  players are usually given physicals on these visits.  Wilson can also play cornerback very well, and before went down with a sprained ankle was being called New England's best coverage DB.  Maybe this says something about B-Mac's future, or DeShea, since 'Shea might not have many years left.....either way, he is a CB/S combo who can play both positions at a pretty high level and it looks like he can be had for very cheap (way below what I think he is actually worth), he is an excellent player.  

here is the Scouts Inc player breakdown of Eugene Wilson (this was prior to the 2007 season remember):

Comment: Wilson is versatile, athletic and tough. He can play free safety or cornerback and is physical for either position. He communicates calls and adjustments within the secondary. His quickness and range in coverage are enhanced by good anticipation and instincts. He plays with balance and under control in coverage, transitioning smoothly. He has good recovery speed and downfield range. He can match up with receivers and tight ends in man-to-man. He uses his hands and body to reroute receivers at the line. He is competitive against the run, playing bigger than his size suggests. He has the speed to run the alleys and usually takes good angles to the ball. Wilson pursues well but isn't always under control attacking the run. He has some size limitations as a tackler. In coverage, he sometimes tries to do too much and can be caught out of position. He occasionally will bite on play action and allow a receiver to get behind him. His work habits and consistency could be better.

that Wilson started most of 2007.  he sprained his ankle the game before the Redskins-Pats game and missed 6 or so games, I think he was just a backup when he came back from that....

he was the backup, but saw the field alot before his ankle injury.  has had some injury issues throughout his career so hopefully that isn't a recurring problem if we sign him.

E. Wilson falls into that category that the Steelers target at free agents: players that have upside, those that are coming off their first contract and those that are being overlooked on the FA market. I remember Wilson being a playmaker his first couple of years in the league and being able to also play cornerback some games.

I think because of his injuries the past couple of years and the Patriots drafting a safety with its first pick this past year, he's flying under the radar. In fact, with so many safeties already being signed to big deals, I know he isn't getting the attention that he thought.

Even if Ryan Clark comes back healthy, I think he would be an upgrade to the secondary. I still like Anthony Smith, but maybe he's a better fit at strong safety as Palomula's backup than he is at free safety, at least until he learns to keep the ball in front of him.

I also believe that the Steelers wouldn't bring him in unless he is someone that they have targeted and feel that he could be a good fit in their budget and on their team. The Steelers just don't do stuff for show. I'd cut Cedric Wilson and Ty Carter to do this deal.

I think E. Wilson has more playmaking ability than Clark or A. Smith in going and getting the ball, and I also remember him laying some wood in games against the Steelers, especially against Hines Ward. He's a good player, not an all-world player.

I also like the fact that he can play cornerback in a pinch if needed and that he has excellent coverage skills for a safety.

Since when have we been able to say that for any of our safeties, including Palomula?

B, I really don't know. I'll go with what BadMaafala said in the earlier post. I know the Jets lost a free safety and that the Bucs and Titans still have a lot of money to spend. The Jags took a free safety with their first pick this past year and signed cornerback Drayton Florence.

To look at the team's safety position, the only Steeler that is making big money is Troy. Clark didn't sign a big contract and A. Smith is still on his rookie contract. E. Wilson isn't going to get a huge deal. If he was, he would have gotten it by now.

The fact that the Steelers are bringing him in and that he wants to come in to visit means that there is some interest there. Whether it will result in more than that remains to be seen.

Interesting signing by the Vikes of Maurice Hicks. He seems a similar player. The terms of the agreement will be especially curious.

that he said that about winning tradition.  Wilson probably out of our price range, but gave us a look anyways because we have a winning tradition.  we couldn't make an offer probably because we are working on Starks deal, once that is done we'll have more cap space.  also if we cut C. Wilson (PLEASE DO THIS!), we'll have even more room.....