Farrior: Steeler For Life
by TheMostViolentTeam on Aug 21, 2008 11:27 AM EDT
36 comments
So much for the notion that the Steelers haven't been negotiating with any players lately. ESPN reports that James Farrior has agreed to a 5-year, 18.25 million dollar extension. The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus. I think this is a good move by the Steelers, who typically don't sign aging players. Farrior is an exception in that he has already proved time & again he has not slowed down, and continued to play at a high level. With Timmons coming on strong and the Steelers now committed to Farrior in the middle, this also may be the last year of Larry Foote in our defense. May a Marvel Smith extension becoming after all?
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Nice
However I find that weird. He’ll be 38 at the end of the contract? I dont think he will last that long. He hasnt slowed down in the sense his numbers and productivity dropping off but I am sure he had slowed down in terms of speed, quickness and agility.
I'm surprised it's a 5 year deal
but he obviously took a pay cut and won’t be playing for the Patriots next year (both plusses). Usually they backload these things, so it could be an even bigger discount, with a few expensive years at the end that he’ll probably be retired for. It’s a good signing, even if it’s not a really significant one. Now lets get Marvel and Kemo locked up.
back loaded
I’d love the see the year by year break down. I wouldn’t be surprised if it pretty ‘cap-friendly’ up front. I wouldn’t think he’d play all the way to 38 either so if the last year or two were pretty high, that would make a lot of sense.
from what I read
the deal pays him about 10 million over the first two years, and 12 or so million over the last three. I think Farrior has 2-3 very good years left in him, and then after that 1-2 years of being a backup/mentor.
by TheMostViolentTeam on Aug 21, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
scratch that
more details emerging from the Trib-Review; Farrior’s deal includes base salaries of $1.8 million in ‘08, 2.975 million in ’09, and 2.825 million in ’10. So the deal is worth about 12.6 million in the first 3 years. (That includes the signing bonus). So yes, the deal is backloaded, and this confirms my suspicions, that Farrior will actually play about 3 years, and then he’ll retire or be released by the Steelers. Some good quotes from the Trib article: “I think James made it plain money wasn’t the issue with the Steelers. He wanted to be treated fair, and he was,” Cindrich said.(Cindrich is Farrior’s agent). Also had this to say, “"They made it very un-optimistic, if you will, starting out. They said they didn’t see anything getting done,” Cindrich said. “I let James know and he said whenever you can do it, I’m open to it. If it’s after the season, let me know. I want to play here.”
Clear to me Farrior is a great, true Steeler. He took less money to stay here. Only thing that bothers me is the team saying they didn’t see anything getting done, which means unless M. Smith is going to extend us the same courtesy that Farrior did, there likely won’t be a deal with him.
by TheMostViolentTeam on Aug 21, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Cap values
will be something close to
2008-$2.8M
2009-$3.975M
2010-$3.825M
2011-$3.8M~
2012-$3.8M~
Dead money = $1M x every year left on his contract when he retires/gets cut. Not a bad deal for us, and certainly not a bad deal for him. The key will be watching how productive he remains. I love his leadership on the defense, though, and no one else is ready to step up to that plate right now. Hopefully in a few years that will be Woodley and Timmons.
great work
on the cap numbers, right on. great deal for both sides. he could certainly get more somewhere else, but he decided to stay and we gave him a reasonable deal. I think you are already seeing Harrison emerge as a leader (although he is getting old already, but should have fresh legs for a few years still), and I think Woodley & Timmons will emerge as well.
by TheMostViolentTeam on Aug 21, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Good to see
I know the NFL is about winning, but it is nice to know that good guys sometimes do get rewarded. I really like Potsie and Foote. I know Foote is not the most physically gifted LB, but he makes up for it with hard work, these guys definately bring their lunch pail. Foote gets little mention of the good stuff he has done outside of football, esp. helping pay for that kid’s funeral in Detriot. This is another reason why the Steelers are contenders every year, they have good smart players that are good people and why the bungles who just re-signed chris henry will always be bottome feeders. Just my 2 cents.
You're Right
The ideal situation for Foote would have been to split time with Timmons this year and then move Timmons to Farriors spot next year allowing Foote to continue. This signing probably marks the end of the road for Foote in Pittsburgh past 2008.
Foote is an unheralded LB cut from the Jerry O mold. His play during the SB run and his INT in Denver will be part of Steelers lore forever. His sportsmanship and code of conduct in life are HOF.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
As a Michigan fan
Foote is one of my favorite players-he isn’t the fastest, the biggest, or the strongest, but he is one of the hardest workers, is REALLY tough, and doesn’t back down from anyone. I was stoked to see a LB corps in a few years of Harrison/Davis, Foote, Timmons, Woodley…but I guess Foote is gone after the year.
Larry, just don’t go to anyone in the AFC North or the Patriots.
by Romain El 82 on Aug 21, 2008 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Eddy B.
had a rather abrupt response to a question about this along the lines of “What negotiations?” Maybe this will make him re-think his attitude a little bit. Not every fan is an idiot, and not even all of those desrve to be treated as such.
yah Bouchette
is “snappy” in his chats, I saw that the other day, was that you asked it? He also said he had something “juicy” from a source, but he wouldn’t reveal so as not to tip off other newspapers, I wonder what it’ll be.
by TheMostViolentTeam on Aug 21, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Wasn't me,
though it did rankle me. I read a lot of the PG chats, and Ed is the only one who’s repeatedly disrespectful to his readers.
I think he’s just a jerk. I’ve said it before, on this very board, even.
You listening Ed? You’re a dick.
Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.
BostonWahoo
Are you going/did you go to U of M?
I’m a big fan (go to a few games a year at the Big House) and I totally have one of those “Guns don’t kill people, LaMarr Woodley kills people” shirts.
by Romain El 82 on Aug 22, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad
to hear that they kept Farrior. There are those few players who just love where they are and do what it takes to stay there. He, apparently, is one of those. Because of this, he could very well become a fan favorite along the lines of the Bus and Hines.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 21, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions
Bleeding B & G
Farrior has brought much to this team. Its nice to see him rewarded for his hard work and dedication.
I wonder if
this will affect Footes playing time over Timmons. Im sure they will both see the field this year regardless but dont you think they would start grooming Timmons now? I already think Timmons should have the job from what ive seen of his speed in preseason, but now that the organization has committed to Farrior, and invested first round money in Timmons, i think the Foote may be the odd man out. Good for Farrior. I would vomit seeing him in another uniform.
by SteelerDomination on Aug 21, 2008 4:52 PM EDT reply actions
Great day for Steeler Nation and James Farrior
Well done Rooneys.
Hopefully Foote will find a way to stay also, how many years are left in his tank?
by herewegosteelers on Aug 21, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions
Best news all day...
When they got Farrior in FA I was surprised we got him off the Jets – felt lucky. He hasn’t disappointed and I was really hoping this would come about. Bettis, Hines, and now Farrior too can stay a Steeler til he retires. Awesome.
It does make me wonder though about what’s going on with other possible negotiations. If all those guys walk next year we’ll be in a world of hurt.
Yeah
Especially since the OL is, well, not in the best of shape at this point.
by Romain El 82 on Aug 21, 2008 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
When does Foote's contract expire?
I’m not so sure its curtains for Larry just yet.
good move
he provides the leadership that young lb’s like timmons, woodley, davis, and possibly humpal will need this season and next. i think thats the biggest factor for me, farrior is a leader, and the only guy that plays as hard as him (that i can tell) is troy. great move, and our young guys should be happy about the guidance and knowledge that just got locked up for the next couple years. this probably means that foote is out after this season, but just like always, the steelers linebacker corp will reload and find someone else.
by NoCal-SteelCity on Aug 21, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions
YES!!
Farrior is the exception to the rule for “aging” players. The Steelers usually are spot on when letting vets go, but keeping Farrior is a correct move also. Getting the deal done now is just icing on the cake.
by Bleedblack&gold on Aug 21, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
thats a great point
Sometimes we’re frustrated when the front office lets players go. But you’re right, it’s usually (almost always actually) the correct business decision. And you’re also right, the Steelers don’t just look at age alone. Farrior’s case proved that.
The innuendos about their initial negativity about getting something done irks me, but I’ll take what I can for now and be pleased for all that this got done. Team, Farrior, and us fans.
by Michael Bean on Aug 22, 2008 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Initial negativity
They said they didn’t see anything getting done
Saying they didn’t see anything getting done is not the same as saying they didn’t want to get it done. They could very well have meant that they didn’t think Farrior would be willing to sign for what they were willing to offer. But, once he made it clear that he would, they were able to work something out.
Ten or fifteen years ago, that comment would have bothered me, too. But, now I’ve reconciled myself to the business side of sports, and I’m just thankful for those instances that we have of beloved players staying and retiring Steelers.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 22, 2008 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Congrats to Farrior
I am really glad we are keeping him for 3+ more years. Since the SB run a few years ago, we have been slowly losing guys on the team who were veteran leaders. Bettis, Kimo, Faneca, Porter, Hartings and Randle El represented a lot of the heart and leadership on that team. Keeping Farrior (and Ward too) is bridging the gap for other leaders to develop such as Ben or Troy.
+1
Good point. Leadership void was somewhat present the past two years imo, with Bettis gone and Big Ben still really coming into his own, despite the SB.
This is going to provide nice 2-3 year transition when Holmes, Big Ben, Woodley/Timmons/Davis(?) all mature a bit and can then assume some of that leadership.
Good comments abound from y’all lately it seems. Bueno.
by Michael Bean on Aug 22, 2008 3:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Farrior
He wants to play 3 more years…basically the deal is for 3 years…good for both he and Steelers.
It's really a two-year extension
He was signed for I think $3.2 this year. The new deal gives him $4.2 for this year and the next two (on average). That seems like a good deal for both sides.
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