I thought he’s basically said that he doesn’t really want to play anywhere else.

Otherwise, what would Farrior be worth on the open market relative to what he’s making now?

And I don’t think there’s a point speculating about the O-line further. At this point, I have to assume the front office has some type of plan for the future given that none of the issues were really addressed in this year’s draft or in free agency.

The two most interesting decision will be with Marvel Smith and Farrior. If Smith stays healthy, I say he gets re-signed, unless someone really impresses at LT in camp this year. Farrior is still a good player, he either takes a huge pay cut to re-sign here or he is gone. I’m guessing he’s out next year. He’s at the age where the Steelers don’t really sign guys to another contract. Which is a shame as he probably has 2 more decent years left.

I’m also guessing the Kemo gets a contract sometime this year if he proves worthy.

has already given us discounts before, restructuring his deal to stay in Pittsburgh. i think he’s gonna be here as long as he wants to be. he’ll definitely give us a “discount”. Batch is the same, he’s said he wants to be here, it’s his hometown and all that, he’s not going to start anywhere. Kemo will probably get a deal in training camp if he’s playing well. The biggest question mark is Marvel Smith. Will Max Starks and Colon show they can be our two tackles and we lock them up and our tackle positions are set for the future? Will Marvel Smith play at a really high level again, and we’ll let him get big money somewhere else, or we’ll keep him. I hope Smith plays at a high level and we re-sign him for a decent deal, LT’s play well into their mid 30’s, Smith has just turned 30 I believe. Then let either Colon or Starks go, keep whichever is better.

that is sure about our front office, we almost always keep the guys we want, and sign them more than a year in advance. obviously there are situations that arise that complicate that (Kemoeatu on a one year tender because he was behind an All-Pro player for so long, Marvel Smith’s injury, etc), but I wouldn’t be too worried about it. we’ll probably announce some deals during training camp once the coaching staff gets a better look at the players.

I worry for Batch leaving… it wouldn’t be tragic if he did, but I think there are always teams in the market for a dependable veteran backup QB. Hell I’ll take him in Chicago over any current starters. Same for a team like Minnesota. So if he wants one last decent payday he’ll go elsewhere. If he wants to play for the Steelers he’ll probably have to take league veteran minimum especially with the signing of Dixon.

The two people who can probably make themselves some money (from the Steelers) next year by playing well this year are Marvel and McFadden. They play well, they get rewarded with nice contracts.

I agree with the previous post above that the Steelers front office probably already has a plan in place for what they want to do with M. Smith. If he shows that his back is fine, I wouldn’t be against them signing him up for about 3 more years. LT’s that are good don’t grow on trees. I still think they will try to sign Starks to a deal before the season that will keep him around for a few years and provide insurance in case M. Smith leaves (Capizzi and Hills provide some depth at the spot as well).

B. McFadden is the most interesting case, just due to the fact that he has to put up or shut up this year. He has all the motivation in the world to perform this year and I think he has the skill level. If he shows that he can be a starting quality corner, the Steelers have to resign him. Having he, Ike, and Troy together (3 good DBs in their prime) for the next 3 to 4 years would help in the Steelers making a run for that one for the next thumb.

I think Farrior would probably be resigned for a 1 or 2 year deal after this one, if he doesn’t fall off too much or they might just plug in Timmons and let him go. If Kemo shows that he can be a starter, I think they will try to lock him up with a moderate contract.

Thoughts?

I don’t think the Steelers will sign Starks to a long term deal unless he wins the starting RT job this camp. Even then, he may be too expensive. Marvel Smith, as I’ve stated before, keep him if his back is healthy. I don’t share your optimism on McFadden, he’s had 3 years to win the job and hasn’t done it yet. I’m guessing he spends another year as the #3 CB and is gone. I want him to win the starting corner job, I just don’t think he will.

I too was very surprised with the Steeler’s draft of Dennis Dixon. However, in trying to figure out the whys of that pick I came up with this reasoning.
Charlie has alot going on in his life away from football with his charities and investments in his community. I really believe he’s going to retire after this upcoming season or the next. The Steelers were not really satisfied with St. Pierre as a backup and he was’nt really satisfied here. Good luck in Pittsburgh West Brian. In steps Zabransky before St. Pierre is released. Dixon is drafted as a much better and good value prospect than Zabransky or the departed St. Pierre to move up to #2 should something serious (God forbid) happened to Ben or Charlie retires in the next year or two. If Charlie does leave the Steelers have a potentially equal or better backup in Dixon. If that dose’nt make sense think of it as insurance or just plain good managing.

I agree with 50 about the Steelers looking long term. Here’s my take:

First of all this is going to be a three QB operation. St. Pierre was never going to be anything more than a good #3 as long as Batch was around, and there is no reason to get rid of Batch. He became too expensive to be a #3 and had to go. That was predictable last year. This is where I disagree with most who have posted on this thread. The #2 has to be able to function as a credible #1 for short or extended periods of time, otherwise every quality team is one play away from unqualified disaster. Batch could start for a number of teams right now, but is undesirable because of his age. (And be careful not to judge him based upon his limited play last year. You can get awfully rusty playing backup) The real measure would be how he would play over the course of two or three consecutive games. Given the fact that Batch is getting long in tooth, the #3 has to have the potential to become the #2, and following logically, the #1. Dixon fills that role better than Zabransky.

Farrior stays as long as he wants. If he stops offering discounts then he’s signaled that he wants to leave. All other decisions are probably dependent on data we don’t have yet, but my guess is that the team would be inclined to keep McFadden if he shows potential to fulfill his upside. I agree with datruth (usually do) that LeBeau and Tomlin are really in the process of seriously upgrading the defense. Which should pretty exciting given that they weren’t that bad last year.