I think it’s OK to let Berger go. But you’re right about this list … it’s long on players who have made a positive impact over the past year.

but short on stars. There isn’t a single guy on there who is a pro-bowl player or really close. That says a great deal. Will it be sad to see Nate go. Sure it will, but honestly Sweed can and will step up and be a better receiver. Will McFadden be too expensive to sign – probably, but this D did not miss a beat without him.

The O-Line will be an issue, but we will probably sign Starks and let Smith go. Hopefully we will also be able to pick up another good O-line guy to replace Colon.

But I think Leftwich wants to be a starter somewhere.

Tone makes grown men look foolish

Hey blitz, I think that you aren’t the only one who thought Timmons would have a huge game.

I think the O-Line for the Cardinals also felt that way. in fact I think they felt almost as much love for him as you did, which might explain why one of them is hugging him in this picture.

to them that can´t send them to … U know where.

I am sure u and we all just can´t stand a second more such nasty company.

I believe it is a weak wr class this year. So for him to stay, it would most likely mean less money than he would get elsewhere and less of a role than he might have elsewhere.
Additionally, you have to think that Ben would still be able to excel as a qb with Holmes, a declining Ward, and a possibly improving Limas- not to mention the pass catching ability of Mewelde and Miller. Keeping Nate is a luxury, and that money could be better used stealing a free agent from another team, especially an under the radar oline guy.

The oline has been terrible at times this year, Stapleton was pathetic against the bull rush last night. The steelers need a “boring” draft this year…two of the top three picks need to be lineman, especially with the loss of so many tackles likely to occur.

Nate Washington is going to be a loss, no doubt, but there will be other recievers who are looking for a chance to shine. Pittsburgh is an attractive place and they could get some interest from a second-third tier recievers.

McFadden is a key guy to resign, you don’t break the bank on him, but make a good effort to bring him back..

Couple of points on our FA for next year…

It is surprising to me, but according to this artcile from Last Week Nate is very interested in staying with the Steelers. http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-1-650/Washington-hopes-Pittsburgh-calls.html . Even with that article I still think the possibilities of keeping Nate are slim, he will have that Randle-El effect of a SB winning reciever who played well all season being quite coveted in the open market. he will most likely be offered money to be a #2 wide reciever. It is hard to imagine an athlete taking less money and a smaller role to stay loyal to the team that helped bring him along, but I guess stranger things have happened.

Having said all that I think it is importent that we try to sign Nate. At the beginning of the year I was actually hoping he would be released before the season started since I thought Holmes was due for a breakout season and I figured Sweed would be able to handle the number three duties. I do think Sweed is going to have a good season next year and probably will develop at least into a average to above average number 2 wide-out, but we are not ready to get rid of Nate. Hines is getting older and can’t keep up his pace forever, if we do not sign Nate I think we need to look for a veteran wide-out who can run routes and catch balls in case of emergancies. Like someone previously said the Seahawks this year showed you can never have too much depth at Wide-out (or any position for that matter).

My other key FA signing are Batch if he is healthy, if not a veteran back-up. If Batch is not healthy I think he should be offered a job as QB coach or at least a job on staff. He has been an importent part of Ben’s development and seems to enjoy being on the sidelines. Anyone have any idea of what veteran back-ups would be available. We have been vary spoiled in the back-up QB area since Batch has come to town. He has played well when asked and even this year with Bryon we have been very fortunate to have such good back-up QB play. Also the chances of us signing Leftwitch at slim to none as others have mentioned he deserve the opportunity to compete for a starting position if not start for a team next year.

We need to sign Simmons and or Starks. I would like to see Starks signed to a decent contract, but he is another one who might be out of our price range due to his experience and young age.

I would like to re-sign Gary Russel because he is young, 23 years old I believe. We have a deep backfield but Mendenhall is unproven and Willie Parker will actually be 29 years old next year, and a lot of running backs start to decline rapidly around the age of 30. I’m cool with getting rid of Carey Davis, I think we can find a better fit for our fullback position.

I will be VERY disapointed if we don’t re-sign Keyaron Fox, he was good on special teams and I actually think if we had some injuries I think he would be able to fit well into our scheme at LB. Frazier will more than likely be re-signed because he should be cheap and he has been a solid special teams player.

Unless Robo-punter has really injuried himself to the point that he won’t be back their will be no reason to re-sign Berger. Having said that I would bet we bring in Berger for Training Camp to work out and give some competition.

As high as I was on Anthony Smith; I think this is the time to part ways with the young man. I still think he could be a good safety in the league I just think he is a poor fit for our Secondary and our defense overall.

Bryant McFadden will likely be too pricey but if we are able to keep him in black and gold I think it allows us to focus our draft on the o-line and the d-line. If we lose McFadden I think we need to spend a second or third rounder on a CB.

at least a couple of people have basically said ’don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out Carey’. I’m finding myself disagreeing, in spite of yelling at him for his patented ‘not quite a first down/touchdown’ play he’s made a few times this season… My take is that while he’s not GREAT at any one thing, he’s pretty decent at a number of positions, and a super high effort player on ST. At the very least, he seems to provide cheap, reliable depth at the FB/RB position, and has made a couple good plays as Ben’s safety valve in the last two big games. Most of all, however, he’s a super high effort special teamer, with a number of key blocks and tackles… Anyway, he seems like good value for money to me, at the very least…

It sounds stupid, but Ben underthrowing that deep pass to Nate makes it easier to keep him. Not every team is like the Steelers. They get enamored with a player for no apparent reason (see Cowboys and Roy Williams, Redskins and DeAngelo Hall, etc.). Teams like this might pay significantly more for a guy they see make a huge TD catch in the Super Bowl.

Fortunately for us, Nate was not this guy. We still might lose him, but his ticket price would be higher if that throw is three yards deeper.