2010 Free Agents - Looking Ahead
by upabob on Dec 11, 2009 9:15 AM EST
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We can write off 2009 as a season of disappointing under-achievement. Teams almost never go back-to-back in the NFL, and Pittsburgh is no exception this year. And yes, I know we have three games left. But I'm already looking forward to an AFC North title next year as I sit in my office and get crap from Browns, Bengals and Chiefs fans.
The status of free agents is up in the air beause the league and the union are pissing towards each other regarding the collective bargaining agreement (which the owners opted out of last month) and the possibility of an uncapped year. in 2010. I'm going to ignore that because any deal is just speculation and assume we end up with something that keeps the current rules in place for one more year. Unlikely? Probably, but it's something to go on. So, what does the free agent front look like in 2010?
LB Patrick Bailey (RFA) - Hasn't seemed to be much of a special teams player in 2009 and I don't recall him playing linebacker. He made $385,000 in 2009. Possibly re-signed on the cheap for special teams. Although, Tomlin may overhaul that unit and get rid of several regulars.
QB Charlie Batch (UFA) - Batch has played one series the past two years due to injury. He's 35 years old. A good guy who fits the system, his cap hit in 2009 is $510,000. That's cheap for a backup QB, but he's too injury-prone now and Dennis Dixon seems to be capable. I don't think he'll be back.
S Tyrone Carter (UFA) $838,000 against the cap in 2009. He's 33 and had some pretty bad times out there replacing Troy P. this year (He was terrible in the Browns loss). I think he'll be replaced with a younger alternative.
S Ryan Clark (UFA) - 30 years old, he counted $2.4 million against the cap in 2009. He could be re-signed for a couple years; especially with Troy injury-prone. Another team may want him as a veteran presence in the secondary (think John Lynch in Denver). I think he's weak in coverage and spends too much time going for the big hit instead of wrapping up. I'd like to see him replaced with a decent free agent.
OL Willie Colon (RFA) - A young, experienced right tackle who made just under $2 million in 2009. Somebody is likely to offer Colon a notable increase. Pittsburgh will have to match or break in a new guy.
FB Carey Davis (RFA) - Hard to see him back since Bruce Arians doesn't believe in fullbacks. And he's not a particularly good one, either.
DE Nick Eason (UFA) - The 29 year old hasn't played a lot this year after a solid 2008. He counts $678,000 against the cap in 2009. With Smith, Kirschke and Kiesel aging and showing sings of wearing down, Eason remains a reasonably priced insurance policy who may be back for one more year, though I thought he'd be on the field more this year.
CB William Gay (RFA) - Gay is young and only cost $495,000 against the cap in 2009. He may have been disappointing, but it's hard to see Pittsburgh letting him go, with Lewis and Burnett not getting much experience this year. Don't see him getting a big offer like McFadden did. I do believe Gay is much more competent when Troy is out there.
NT Casey Hampton (UFA) - Big Snack is 32 years old and counts almost $6.7 million against the 2009 cap. He's been in Tomlin's doghouse for weight issues. I think somebody's gonna give him a lot of money to play run stuffer for a couple more years.
DE Travis Kirschke (UFA) - Hard to see giving a big contract to a 35 year old d-lineman who struggled with injuries this year. He only counted $1.3 million against the cap in 2009. He might be back for another year at a reasonable price.
CB Anthony Madison (UFA) - I don't know how much they signed Madison for, but it can't be much. Hopefully Tomlin keeps him for special teams.
RB Willie Parker (UFA) - Has actually performed well as an off-the-bench back. Wouldn't be re-signed for anywhere near the $4.5 million he hit the cap for in 2009.
K Jeff Reed (UFA) - Counted $1.958 million against the cap in 2009. It kinda seems like Skippy has worn out his welcome as a Steeler. With the Steelers' penchant for close games, they better have a sure-fire replacement if they let him go to save a few bucks.
P Daniel Sepulveda (RFA) - $575,000 against the 2009 cap and worth it. Not a great year, but better than Berger and he had a couple nice tackles. I expect him back.
TE Matt Spaeth (RFA) - After catching a few passes in 2008, pretty much invisible in 2009. Poor blocker. $648,000 against the cap. Won't be back. But I'm telling you, Spaeth can be a receiving threat. I think he has more potential for a successful season than Limas Sweed does.
OL Darnell Stapleton (RFA) - 2008's pleasant surprise missed all of 2009. Only counted $463,000 against the cap. Hard to envision somebody offering him big money. Could be back at a reasonable price.
CB Deshea Townsend (UFA) - He sure didn't earn his $2,373,000 cap hit this year. The 34 year old had a nice career in Pittsburgh, but it's hard to see him coming back.
LB Rocky Boiman (UFA) - Does it really matter?
Over the past few years, the Steelers have started making changes in how they give out contracts. Previously, the big, long-term contract was the exception. We got used to seeing favorite players leave via free agency.
But Big Ben was locked up with the biggest contract in team history. James Farrior was given a big deal that extends past his to-be-expected prime. So was James Harrison (linebackers who dominate games in their mid-thirties are few and far between). It will be interesting to see if this is a sign of change in how the Steelers do business.
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Jeff Reed has to go. He costs way too much for a kicker that has been a side show this year. We can get a competent kicker for WAY less who can kick a ball into the endzone on KOs. A kicker who could do that would be much more valuable than Reed. Adios Skippy.
Matt Spaeth sucks and in our schemes a TE has to be a competent blocker. Limas Sweeds ceiling is a lot higher than Spaeth’s.
I hope they switch Gay to a back-up safety. He is not a competent #2 CB even with Troy on the field. Or regress him to the role he played last year.
The Hell that Tomlin & the Steelers have unleashed on me this December is indescribable.
Just disagree
I agree some touchbacks would help a lot. But cutting a good kicker to save money usually backfires. The Ravens would be locking down a wildcard if they’d kept Matt Stover. Kris Brown couldn’t kick accurately in Heinz.
Spaeth is a receiving tight end who doesn’t block well. So he doesn’t fit in our scheme. But the guy is tall and quick. A team that throws to him is going to have a find. Sweed’s ceiling could be outer space but I just don’t believe he’s going to be any good.
Not getting the kick offs deep has been extremely under-documented and under-accused for a big fault in our KO woes. When the ball carrier is up to the 30 before coverage gets there…you have a problem. We can find a kicker who can hit kicks in Heinz. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Jeff Reed is not the only kicker in the world who can make kicks in Pittsburgh.
We shall see on Sweed. Hopefully, he gets more touches now that our playoff hopes are gone.
The Hell that Tomlin & the Steelers have unleashed on me this December is indescribable.
by John Stephens on Dec 11, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
Did Jeff Reed kickoff poorly last night?
I agree, I was all over him at the beginning of the year. Tomlin dismissed it as a non-issue because they kick directionally. Well, Cribbs did not beat us on kickoff returns yesterday. Reed actually had one fantastic kickoff in the 2nd half that bounced about 7-8 yards in from the sideline and deep, forcing a poor return to the 15.
Again, unless Reed demands too much in negotiations, he needs to stay. Other teams have carried two kickers (Ravens last year, Cowboys the past few years, so on) to ensure they have a clutch kicker like Reed. In short, no way should he be summarily dispatched.
Troy Pull-a-muscle? :(
Well KOs were not much of a concern yesterday because of the wind. Both teams were kicking low squibs for the most part. And even if they did kick high the swirling winds made it difficult to field (what was there, like 4 muffed catches?).
Anyway, you could keep two kickers, but I am sure those teams did not have the extra ST personnel we have grabbed up this year. Those people who play strictly ST take up roster spots. Moreover, I’d rather have more depth at OL, DE, or DBs than an extra kicker. If we can find another guy, I will not feel much sympathy in seeing Reed depart.
The Hell that Tomlin & the Steelers have unleashed on me this December is indescribable.
by John Stephens on Dec 11, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
Not saying we should keep two kickers
Just showing that teams will do that to improve kickoffs rather than testing an unproven kicker in a competitive environment (Hauschka this year). Kickers take time to develop like everyone else. So, if you want a new kicker, should we:
i) use a draft pick to take one when we have other needs?
ii) sign one of the available free agents playing for another team that will want to
be paid
iii) sign one of the available guys who may or not be in the Hauschka/Czech
category. And btw everyone who was touting Czech in the preseason because
of his monster leg should recall his inability to actually make a FG
Anyways we either affect our draft next year, take an unnecessary cap hit, or play Russian roulette to find a kicker. Keep Reed and remind him of his indiscretions at the bargaining table.
Troy Pull-a-muscle? :(
Kickers are easy to get after the draft. A ton of competent kickers go undrafted. It just requires very good scouting to find them (I am confident we have that). Lots of people can kick the crap out of the ball, but you have to find the guy who has the confidence to kick it when it matters. I know we can find one and free up around 1.5 mill in a tight cap year for us (we’ll see what happens with the cap).
The Hell that Tomlin & the Steelers have unleashed on me this December is indescribable.
by John Stephens on Dec 11, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
I don't have time to look at the research
But I would be interested to see how many undrafted kickers become the starter in their first year. Kicking, with all the repetition implied, usually demands a couple years of working the training camp circuit and getting time in lower leagues before you even get a chance in the NFL. At least, that is what I have seen with my friends who are kickers and my own limited experience. Very few kickers (the highest draft picks) start from their first year.
Troy Pull-a-muscle? :(
Did your friends kick in college? I mean not much changes with how you kick. You just have to get it down to be robotic, which should have been developed through college. Back when I played HS soccer I did just that with my corner kicks. I could essentially put it exactly where I wanted every time. Kicking is really not that difficult. If you can kick it hard you can be taught accuracy easily (repetition). Just a few kickers off the top of my head that were undrafted David Akers, Rob Bironas, Jeff Reed, Shayne Graham, Adam Vinateri, Lawrence Tynes, Robbie Gould, Jay Feely, etc. (ok not really off the top of my head).
The Hell that Tomlin & the Steelers have unleashed on me this December is indescribable.
by John Stephens on Dec 11, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
I agree, but..
The lack of touchbacks has been a huge problem (which I I posted about a few weeks ago). But I think you’re underestimating his value as a clutch kicker at Heinz. Keep Reed and find somebody who can kick off (Sepulveda?)
I think Sepulveda was discussed in one of my KO analysis fanposts. Apparently, they tried it and he cannot or something like that.
The Hell that Tomlin & the Steelers have unleashed on me this December is indescribable.
by John Stephens on Dec 11, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
He made a nice tackle last night though...
Not that he should have had to, but you get what I’m saying.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 11, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
You Jus' Sayin'?
Yeah I saw that. It was nice form and I didn’t even realize it was him until he got up. Cribbs ain’t easy to tackle either.
The Hell that Tomlin & the Steelers have unleashed on me this December is indescribable.
by John Stephens on Dec 11, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
Ask Farrior...
Oh snap!
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 11, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
We had nobody to replace the guys we resigned. That trend will continue, signing guys we need to fill their current spot.
I expect minimal turnover, and fan outrage about it. Snack, Kirschke/Eason, Parker if the price gets up very high, and Spaeth I see gone, I don’t think Deshea will play anymore. If Batch is smart he’ll be a coach next year.
Reed and Gay
If anything, last night should have proven that barring any idiocy on the part of Reed and his agent, he needs to remain a Steeler. Those two kicks were incredibly clutch in that environment and kept the game interesting a little longer.
Agree on Gay as a nickel back. In fact, Burnett looked more like a 2nd CB to me and I would like to see how a secondary of Ike Burnett and Gay (in that order) plays down the stretch.
Troy Pull-a-muscle? :(
Batch's next career
Don’t be surprised to see Charlie Batch (retired by then) with some kind of role with Terell Pryor when the latter comes out of college.
Although, as an OSU fan, I can tell you Pryor can’t throw the ball and is a crappy QB who has no pro future at the moment.
What is their connection upabob?
How would the two work together? You’ve peaked my interest.
Quite honestly, I think at this point Pryor would make a nice WR, or single wing QB type guy. He’s still undeniably raw, it’s as if Tressel just doesn’t know what to do with him, at least to me, with limited air time of OSU where I am (I have seen them play 3 or 4 times though, but am not as familiar as you odviously). One thing I believe is that his arm strength is just not NFL quality, but perhaps I’ve missed his “highpoints” passing this year.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 11, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
Batch & Pryor
Batch served as an ‘advisor’ to Pryor when he was choosing his college. He supposedly helped steer him to OSU when it was decision time. Rumor in Columbus is that he still talks and gives advice to Pryor. So, with Batch’s career winding down, I’m guessing he might keep a stake in Pryor (not saying he’ll get certified as an agent).
In two seasons, Pryor has consistently missed medium and deep passes, throwing short, long and high regularly. And he’s much less likely to run, eliminating the best part of his game.
Tressel took the ball out of his hands after the Purdue loss, recommitted to the running game and ended up in the Rose Bowl. Pryor is certainly not an NFL caliber passer, but he has the size and speed to be a good receiver.
Interesting stuff...
Thanks, never heard any of that.
Any chance Batch just makes everyone think he’s going to be Pryor’s agent until it comes time to actually do some negotiating, and he suddenly has an injury pop up to prevent him from doing some dirty work?
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 11, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
OSU has a verbal commiment from the quarterback at our high school
His name is Braxton Miller. I don’t think he should go there. Pryor does not fit OSU’s offense. He is more suited for a spread offense much like Michigan’s. Braxton Miller is the same type of quarteback. The only difference is Miller has better accuracy, but Miller’s skill set better fits a spread offense. Get ready if they get Miller to sign, because you will have another QB that doesn’t fit your system.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Dec 11, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
Pryor never should have gone to OSU in my opinion, Rich Rod should have done what ever he had to do to snag him up. Hard to believ Joe Pa didn’t go all out for him too.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 11, 2009 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
I hear he did, but
Pryor said it was “too country” out there at State College.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Dec 11, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
Kids these days...
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 11, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
I thought Tyrell Pryor was the second coming fo Tim Tebow
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
by WVPiratesfan on Dec 11, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Keep...
the kickers and Colon and the rest can go as far as I am concern…add in cutting Ike Taylor. time to rebuild and get the deadwood out. We’ll see what Tomlin and HO is made of now. Tomlin has disappointed me in the last 3 weeks, not what I would have expected.
I'm not a fan of cutting Ike
jus sayin
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Dec 11, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
shhhh
I wanted to leave that part out.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Dec 11, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
LOL
I have a theory on Ike, rather more an isolated anecdote. It seems bad seasons with him are a bit like leap years (really every three years), but he must need a bad season to recharge that swagger we keep hearing so much about, I look forward to him being back in form next year.
Troy Pull-a-muscle? :(
I sure hope so. :)
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Dec 11, 2009 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
A few keepers
Colon for sure. Sepulveda is a competent punter. Gay should be cheap and can contribute as a nickel back. Stephenson should be cheap and provides proven OL depth. Hopefully, we keep Madison to help on special teams.
But the big name UFAs—Parker, Hampton, Reed—are almost certainly gone. The Steelers would have extended them before the season if they wanted them.
Kicker
You don’t throw away a good kicker in this league not matter how many bathrooms he destroys…right Redskin fans!?
Carter
Carter held Arnold Harrison (that’s ironic) to nullify the punt fumble recovery.
And he blew the tackle on Cribbs’ big run. Had he brought him down, it would have saved about 20 yards.
I liked Ty coming into this year, but he has not done well with the extended PT (his player of the week award the exception). Mundy certainly didn’t show much, but he’s younger and cheaper. Carter hurt his stock last night.
I have always hated Carter
not sure what you liked about him coming into the yr. he is slow, misses tackles, takes horrible angles. So, sometimes RB’s score on us and it isn’t a missed tackle but when you go back and look, it may as well have been because carter’s angles are so bad he doesn’t even get there for an attempt. HORRIBLE. This guy is long gone
Pretty good assessment upabob, here's my thoughts...
Pat Bailey – prob will be offered the min. tender to come back since he was undrafted, but won’t be a lock to make the team next year if they find a rookie who has more potential at OLB.
Batch is a great guy but would be better served retiring at this point. He’s too injury prone to be counted on at this point. I’d like to see him as the QB coach (maybe player/coach even though no one does that anymore). If they bring him back it will be for vet. min. to be #3 behind Dixon.
Carter certainly won’t be offered anything right away and they can do better at backup S at this point. However, if he isn’t signed by anyone else, they could possibly bring him back for the vet. min. if they don’t get anything in the draft
Clark isn’t worth signing to a long term deal for starter money. I think they can look for a more atheltic FS who can cover in the draft or even an FA if they are willing to invest.
Colon will certainly be offered a tender because he is an RFA and the really have no one else to replace him right now, question will be whether it’s the max (which gives a #1 pick in return if he signs elsewhere) or the min (which would be his draft position…which was a 4th rd.).
C. Davis not likely to be given an offer since Frank the Tank will be back from IR…but, he may never go away if someone gets injured
Eason prob won’t be given an offer initially since he’s a UFA and they can’t overpay for him. But, if he doesn’t sign elsewhere, they could bring him back for cheap at the end of FA period.
Gay will be offered the min. tender as a RFA (which would give a 5th rd. pic if he signs elsewhere). He’s young and relatively cheap, but his future is prob as a nickelback and not a starter
Hampton will be 33 and will be expensive. But, regardless of his weight he was the best DL this year and if the team is still commited to the 3-4 they won’t find a better NT at this point. So, I look for them to work out a deal with him.
my thoughts continued...
Kirshcke I think will retire, but if not, I can’t imagine them making him an offer since they have Ziggy in the mix.
Madison will prob be given an offer to come back and play STs, and he won’t command much interest from many other teams since he really isn’t a viable DB
Fast Willie played pretty well as a backup and would be a nice luxury to have again, but they can’t afford him. Someone will offer him a deal as a starter, and don’t be surprised if it’s the Brownies.
Reed will be an interesting one because he isn’t in the top tier of Ks anymore and he doesn’t get distance on the KOs which is bad for field pos., plus his half-assed effort tackling is a joke. I think they may let him walk and draft one late.
Sepulveda will certainly be tendered an offer as a RFA, he did a good job coming back from injury and tackles better than most of the other guys on STs…lol
Spaeth actually will probably be offered a min tender as an RFA, and I doubt they’ll spend a draft pick to get anyone else, although he’s not a lock to make the 53-man
Stapleton will be offered a tender as an RFA since he has starting experience and can play G/C and comes cheap
Boiman could be in the mix for a backup ILB spot next year but they won’t offer him much more than vet. min. to come back if they offer him anything at all
Towsend will prob retire, but will certainly not be made and offer unless someone gets injured in camp and they need a body
nice breakdown. very thorough
i’m gonna only concentration on the UFA’s because they are usually more money intensive.
eason-the reason why he wasnt on the field more was cuz he doesnt have a lot of talent. and that really showed when he did get on the field with kirsche & A. smith injured. but i completely agree with your assessment he could be back with vet min contract since we’ll have 2 32+ year old starters at end and only one good back up (hood). i’m hoping some young guy steps up or we find a cheap vet on the market and he’s not back.
hampton- we could franchise tag him for a very reasonable price next year. would cost about what he’s getting paid now
clark & carter- definitely depends on how much they want & how much other teams are willing to pay (duh, you’re probably thinking but i think this REALLY applies to them). we’ll probably need one of them to return especially since we dont have any veteran depth in our secondary without them remember mundy’s mistakes?)
batch-completely agree
kirschke-i think he’s gone. with A. smith’s injury, the guy was only able to start 2 game before he’d get injured again. he’s not a reliable backup and it’s probably only going to get worse next year.
parker-i agree with him. the only way he comes back is if he signs something like a vet min contract. i have a feeling he won’t be willing to do that and may sign someplace else.
reed-another player i feel the steelers have in their mind what he’s worth (probably a highmid-level kicker pay). if he wants more and other teams are willing to pay then he won’t be back
townsend- with 2 young cb’s waiting in the wings no way he comes back. why sign an aging vet at the minimum to be your 5th cb and not dress some games?
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