Free Agents- Any Possible Targets

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 10, 2009 2:22 PM EST Comment 25 comments

I was just skimming over the list of free agents on ESPN.com to take a look at what's out there. I know we don't make many moves in free agency, but we do make a few pick ups, normally younger guys with some experience, who are about to enter their "prime". Is there anybody out there you'd like to see in the Black and Gold? Be realistic, as much as I'd like to see Albert Haynesworth at RE next year I think it's safe to say it's not going to happen.

We've talked about this alot with offensive linemen, mostly, but I think there are a few guys we may make offers to, and hopefully can add to the mix somewhere down the line.

A few guys to think about:

Igor Olshansky, from San Diego, who may get a pretty good pay day from someone, but isn't the "house-hold" name we all would recognize. I really liked this guy at Oregon, and he's been better than solid with the Chargers, but maybe a reach for us. He can play all three D-line spots for us aswell.

Eric Green, DB- Arizona- Not a NEED position, but a position we could use someone at with B-Mac looking for the big bucks. Good player, not the fastest guy, but a solid cover guy at nickel or dime (I like William Gay in the nickel spot.)

Jim Kleinsasser- TE- Minnesota- I've always liked this guy. Tough veteren player who can block and catch (most of the time). Also has experience at FB, played there exclusively for a while. I could see him fitting into Sean McHugh's spot very nicely. That TE/FB positon isn't pivotal, but with the right guy there, it's one more player to account for.

Other guys out there I could see as Steelers would be Robert McCune, a Baltimore LB, Darryl Blackstock, Cincy LB, Ruvell Martin ad Robert Ferguson, both WR's that are decent receiving options and solid blockers downfield.

0 recs | Comment 25 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

tackle from Carolina

I cant remember his first name but Gross, who I think is a left tackle would be a need pos. and a great pick up for us. He might even come at a very resonable price.

by stillerfn86 on Feb 10, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

doubtful on the price

He’s a top tier LT, easily the best one available, if the Panthers don’t franchise him he will be one of the highest paid free agents on the market.

by schnifin on Feb 10, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but yes he would be a nice addition

by schnifin on Feb 10, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You've really thought this out...

I know I’m alone in this, but how about George Foster of the Lions? With the right team, he could come around. But everyone likes to say that he’s hot and cold and hasn’t done anything since 2005 with Denver. Still, for the league minimum, he might be a surprise.

Who knew?

by Concomitandt on Feb 10, 2009 5:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gross will come with too high a price tag

I would absolutely love the Steelers to pick up Gross during free agency but it would come with too steep a price tag. He is coming off a pro bowl season and has been listed as one of the top free agents in the the market. The scenario I would love to see: Sign Gross to protect Ben’s blindside/Sign Starks and place him back at RT/Move Colon inside to right guard/Keep Stapler as a backup/Release Kemo/ Draft Duke Robinson, an absolute road grader and place him at left guard/ keep Hartwig at center. I think that would be a formidable line with only top money spent at the left tackle position.

by Dr Del on Feb 10, 2009 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I want Gross really really bad

Regarding his price tag, all the other NFL teams have the same salary cap we do. Why can’t we figure out how to fit him in? We are much deeper than most teams at most positions. We should want Gross more than anyone. He can fill our only weakness (or maybe I should say our major weakness). We have a $100 million quarterback who likes to hold the ball longer to make big plays. This makes Gross more important to us than anyone.

I am also hoping that Gross watched the Super Bowl and all the hype before and hoopla afterward. I am hoping he saw and heard about the Rooneys and about Steeler Nation, both on national stage for about a month solid. Wouldn’t an NFL player want to be a part of that? Especially a team that has all the pieces in place, except one, HIM, to get back to the promised land.

I know we want to lock up other players before next year and everything needs to fit, but there is nothing we can possibly do to help our team before the Draft than to sign gross. I hope the Tomlinator and Colbert feel the same way and take Dan and Art out for a three martini lunch to discuss things.

Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history

by maryrose on Feb 10, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good Stuff as usual Maryrose. Gross would be a huge deal in making us a franchise that would be tough to beat for years to come.

I would love to see it; I just have a hard time believing that Pittsburgh goes after him.

I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!

by drinkyourmilkshake on Feb 10, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's nice to dream, though.

We haven’t signed too many top tier free agents over the years. The only ones that come to my mind are Kevin Greene and James Farrior.

by Jonny B. on Feb 10, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The key to success is signing ..

mid-tier free agents and turning them into better players like Ryan Clark, Keiron Fox, Hartwig, etc, ..

by Rash92 on Feb 11, 2009 5:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

gross

how old is he, if we could sign him long term to where it may not make as big a hit to the wallet that could be great

by indianasteelers on Feb 11, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jordan Gross is 28, he’ll be 29 at the start of the season.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 11, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is upfront Guaranteed money. The FO isn’t going to match the over the top signing bonuses that will be sent his way.

by _ET_ on Feb 11, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pipedream!

guys…. c’mon Jordan Gross? have you forgotten you’re steeler fans??? He’s the best FA tackle available…. when is the last time we paid that type of $$$ for a FA? He’s way out of our price range

by Hypocycloid on Feb 10, 2009 11:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not quite the same

But the Steelers signed Farrior who was a number 8 overall pick in 2002. Granted we aren’t talking about the same kinds of numbers, but Farrior was a high profile FA signing.

by SteelerBuddha on Feb 11, 2009 3:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Don’t count on the Steelers breaking the bank on ANY player whose name doesn’t rhyme with Shmothlisberger (which they already took care of.) Frankly I’m at the point where I trust the Rooneys’/Colbert’s personnel decisions 100%. They really are the best in football. I agree that a lot of these FAs would be nice to have in Black and Gold, but I’ll follow the Rooney’s anywhere without complaining.

by ChristopherG on Feb 11, 2009 7:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What about Stacey Andrews or Mark Tauscher

Tauscher is coming off a 2nd ACL tear and is consequently a big risk, but I’ve always thought he was an underrated player and that could really drive down his price. Stacey Andrews isn’t a dominant player but he’s not gonna get you killed and might be in our price range. Both those guys are better than anyone we have under contract at the moment

by SteelerFan Ben on Feb 11, 2009 8:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tauscher

Is one player that could actually take a “home town discount” (I hate that term) and stay in Green Bay. He went to Wisconsin and I think is originally from there. That’s an actual home town discount. I’ve always liked him, he’s a good tackle, I wouldn’t overpay for him, but we never would anyway.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 11, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gross, Olshansky, and others

Do not expect any major signings. The Steelers have too many players with one year left to squander money on big name FAs (I would include Olshansky in that class).

See my fanpost for more details.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Feb 11, 2009 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Olshanky

Is a reach, I know, but with a down economy and him wanting to stay at end not tackle (according to ESPN) there may not be many takers. I’m hoping for a steal.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 11, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Olsnsky

might not be so hard to imagine. There aren’t nearly as many teams who play 3-4 versus 4-3, and Olshansky isn’t a household name. And- SD’s run-defense wasn’t really good enough to think that he has “premier” talent. He IS one of the physically strongest guys in the NFL, and is also pretty young(mid-20’s i think).

If he really wants to stay in a 3-4 scheme it bodes well for the Steelers, who would consider paying him mid-range money on a longish deal. They did that for Kimo Von Oelhoffen- he made around $3mil/yr a few years ago, so it isn’t impossible. Especially since Olshansky has the size, strength and talent to play all three D-line positions.

Myself, i’d LOVE to get a guy like him. And i think we’d be a LOT more likely to see him signed than a Jordan Gross-level expense player.

by tobiathan on Feb 11, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gabe Watson

Is a possibility to replace Hampton, should we need to. Check out the post by Appollo Creed’s facial hair, if you want to know more. (In the biz they call that a tease.)

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 11, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thank you

I truly appreciate the Apollo Creed shoutout. Apollo Creed should be on the $1 bill.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Feb 11, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Foster, I said. George Foster. OT.

Who knew?

by Concomitandt on Feb 11, 2009 6:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Foster is indeed

a monster of a man:

George Foster | #72 | T

Detroit Lions | Official Team Site

Height: 6-5 Weight: 338 Age: 28

Born: 6/9/1980 Macon , GA

College: Georgia

Experience: 6th season

High School: Southeast HS [Macon, GA]

by tobiathan on Feb 12, 2009 2:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Larry Johnson

I mentioned this in another thread, but I’m wondering if Larry Johnson might have some interest.

He’s not the Steeler’s kind of clubhouse guy — but could that simply be frustration of playing for the Chiefs? Remember the Rams said bad things about Jerome, and he was aces here.

I don’t think LJ will command a high payday (assuming the Chiefs let him go). So, if he signs for somewhere for less money… how can he justify it? By signing with a team to get a ring… Who could use a huge bruising back who has a chance to get a ring?

Just saying…

by MarkJoel66 on Feb 12, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs