Evander "Ziggy" Hood Agrees To Five Year Contract With Steelers

by drinkyourmilkshake on Jul 25, 2009 4:53 PM EDT Comment 32 comments

The Pittsburgh Steelers first round draft pick in the 2009 NFL draft has reportedly agreed in principle to a contract that will give Hood 6.1 million dollars in guaranteed money. Hood's contract is for five years with a base salary of 8.7 million dollars, and depending on his performance, escalators in the contract can push the base salary to as high as 11.3 million dollars, according to Profootballtalk.com.

Ziggy Hood is only the fourth first round draft pick to agree to terms with their team. Great news for the defending Super Bowl champions on their journey to winning a seventh Super Bowl title. The Steelers front office should be commended for their swift work in signing the 2009 NFL draft classs. The World Champions Steelers will have all 80 players entering camp under contract when their training camp begins next week in Latrobe.

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Whoohoo!

Nice to get some good news amidst all of the anxiety and worry from this last week. Our tough, unsung hero of a D-line has not shown any dropoff due to age yet, but if we wait until those signs start to show before doing anything about it then it is much too late. I thought Ziggy was a great pick when the Steelers made the choice back in April but, if possible, I feel even better about the selection now, it’s a great boost to my, uh, mental health to know that our D-line is the beneficiary of the 1st round pick. And hopefully Rashon Harris will be able to follow Keisel’s footsteps.

Wow, that’s everyone. When was the last time the team managed to sign the entire rookie pool this early?

by gcn on Jul 25, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Age

with the advancements in sports training and health management players are extending their careers well into their 30’s now. And, since our 3-4 DE’s operate more like O-lineman than pass-rushing DE’s in the 4-3 i think they’ll be fine into their mid-30’s. Brett, Aaron, Chris Hoke and Casey are all stalwarts, and now that Dicky LeBeau rotates the DL regularly i see no reason to think these guys can’t stay as effective over the next 3 years at least.

Also- Casey Hampton worries me because of his weight. Big guys like him are known to develop heart troubles later in life. Even though he’s listed as playing at 325, i think Big Snack plays at closer to 355-370. IMHO he’d be well-served to start slimming down(I know- Casey + slim= unlikely) as he ages.

And, finally, our DL are a tight-knit group. I seriously doubt that any of them, except maybe Casey, would be interested in playing anywhere else. Hampton might get offered a big contract by another team, but i think all of those guys realize that it’s the team that makes them look so good, not their individual play.

I say we’ll keep most, if not all, of our DL and pick up a couple more high-round picks the next couple years.

by tobiathan on Jul 25, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing I’ve seen mentioned about the DL before it that even though they’re starting to get up there in age, they don’t have the miles that their counterparts on other teams have.

Just another advantage of being able to slowly work players into the system

by Hansmoleman on Jul 26, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Am I missing something??

Why is Ziggy wearing #94 in the Madden photo?? Is Timmons wearing a different number this year?? I thought Ziggy was gonna wear #96.

Anyway, glad to see all the picks signed before camp starts.

by Mavis on Jul 25, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure, but I think Zig wore that number in collage and the people at Madden had that formula going when they made the demo picks.

it never got weird enough for me

by JerseyFresh on Jul 26, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's still gonna wear 96.

Madden always puts the player’s college number in. They make these pictures right after the draft so they don’t know what number each player’s respective team will give them, so they go with their college number by default.

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Jul 26, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Always Good

to have your #1 inked and in camp at the beginning. Ziggy now has more of a chance to contribute because he will somewhat know the system and less of a chance to get hurt because he should be in shape.

With Hampton, Keisel and probably Kirschke gone next year they will need this guy to get ready ASAP. May not need him much this year but we will need him and Harris next year.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Jul 25, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure

we’ll keep at least one of those guys, I would think. Unless someone steps u big

by tannofsteel84 on Jul 25, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t know Tanno.
10 is an uncapped year. One thing we know is the Pittsburgh FO will not overspend. There are some organizations that have just gone 3/4 that would love to have a Snack or Diesel come in and teach their crew. TK is already their oldest lineman so even if he stays and is at vet minimum he will only play in spots.
I would presume H Miller and Woodley are going to be bigger priorities than the expensive and “older” 98 & 99. They will both have super years in 09 as they are playing for their last $$$. A Smith, Hoke, Eason, Hood, Harris and another high draft pick along with TK or a less expensive FA could be your DL of the future.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Jul 26, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

but I think they’ll make an effort to ink one. i mean, I don’t want to see a d-line of Hood, Hoke, and Eason.

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Jul 26, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They will definitely make an effort HSS. I’m just saying 98 & 99 may command bigger bucks than the Rooney’s are willing to pay and too much to turn down so late in their careers. Especially 98.
What about that D line above with Hood being a stud (hope) and Aaron Smith starting for Eason?

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Jul 26, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the hypothetical depends on how Hoke is full-time. In the past he has filled in admirably, can he do so at this point in his life? Maybe.

I think our defense could survive with Hood if he is a stud, A. Smith, and Hoke if Hoke is decent. Hoke must be able to hold the point though, and I would definitely worry about that at this point in his career. There’s been talk of Hood in the 3-4 NT role during passing downs…if Hood turns out to be a stud against the run and the pass (personally, I don’t think he can be both as a 3-4 NT) I’d rather see Smith-Hood-Eason/SomeGuy than Smith-Hoke-Hood, but this all depends on Hood.

In 2010 I could see Smith-Hoke-Hood, even if Hoke is just mediocre, but Hood is going to have to be one hell of a player. If Hood is still developing his run game, which I think he will be, that line just isn’t going to work.

The only managing Ben does is that he manages to win games. - chewiesteeler

by steelguy99 on Jul 26, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

My bad, I completely forgot Smith. Must be the muggy weather in my area. Well I think we’d be much better off with one of the two. I agree they may ask for bigger $$$ but I would if I were Colbert my top priorities for extensions next year would be:

1. Heath Miller
2. Casey Hampton
3. Willie Parker-All Depends on what kind of year he has
4. Justin Hartwig
5. Jeff Reed or Ryan Clark

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Jul 26, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why hartwig….when we have staps and shipley being backups this year ?
also….i see us drafting a NT pretty high next year

by Sch Lotan on Jul 27, 2009 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea

I’m not counting on the Stapler though. I’ll be rooting for Shipley, but until either of them prove themselves I’ll put my money on Hartwig.

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Jul 27, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say it depends on the type of year Mendenhall has for Parker

"Damnit mom! You almost ran over Greg Lloyd!"

at an autograph signing back in 95. He walked out in front of our minivan, and my mom almost hit him. He apologized.

by PA ARMY OFFICER on Jul 27, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

way to get everyone signed before camp.

Pow Right In The Kisser!

by Cutch is the chosen one! on Jul 25, 2009 6:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mavis

Hood used to wear #94 in college, but his number as a steeler will be 96

by vynotty on Jul 25, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that pic reminds me...

Hood is going to suck in Madden. The game can’t get ratings right for 3-4 DE’s at all, and they’re going to look at Hood and make him weak against the run and a finesse rusher that’ll make him worthless in our D in the game.

Of course in real life I have high hopes ever since reading that not only does he have Timmons-like athleticism, but casey hampton says he know how to use his hands, which is key.

by syrsteelerfan on Jul 25, 2009 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Congrats on getting the deal done guys

Isn’t Timmons 94 though? No way Ziggy looks that fit.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 25, 2009 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thats what I was thinking too

Had to look up some pictures of him. I had a good laugh about it.

by Johnny_S on Jul 26, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He looks like he is doing the Soulja Boy dance in that picture.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 26, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, thats the smallest waist I’ve ever seen on a 300 pound DT.

it never got weird enough for me

by JerseyFresh on Jul 26, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

#94???

good news.

why does ziggy have number 94????

by KiNgFaBreG4s on Jul 25, 2009 10:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

politics

maybe this gets Ben off of the pittsburb newspapers front pages and if u break it down does Hood just get under 2 mill a yr and 8.7 overall if he plays out the 5yrs

by steelermafia on Jul 25, 2009 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“Hood’s contract is for five years with a base salary of 8.7 million dollars per year”

Dude! You haven’t touched my milkshake, but where did all the vodka go?

by betelgeuse on Jul 26, 2009 12:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does that money strike anyone else as too much??

Is that the current market rate for someone just one spot ahead of the second round??

I know Ziggy has millions of potential and hopefully he has millions of production to go with it. IMO the contract doesn’t seem to like the usual smart business decision the FO makes.

by steelerstyle on Jul 26, 2009 6:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not really

8.7 million over 5 years is not horrible. The other upside is that he’s been signed much faster than the other draft picks. He’s ready to go. Personally I think he has a good shot at seeing some playing time this year also.

I think the team knows that, regardless of whether he is just good, or very good, we need him to replace our DE’s in the near future.

by Mechem on Jul 27, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs