Justin Hartwig Signs Three Year Extension With Steelers
Justin Hartwig just signed a three year extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. This move is likely the last contract negotiations the Steelers will be conducting until next off season.
Details of the contract have not been announced, but we will post more details as they emerge.
Update: According to the Post Gazette the contract is a four year deal for 10 million dollars with a 2.1 million dollar signing bonus.
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Likely the last contract negotiations .. .. .
Man, haven’t we heard that after each of the last 5 signings this summer? Weird.
I like the signing but fully expect (read hope) that Shipley comes in next year or the following and takes the spot from Hartwig.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
Shipley is currently on the PS. The chances of him every doing anything in the NFL are extremely remote. The chances of him ever doing anything with Pittsburgh just became just about zero.
Lest hartwig goes down
Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!!!
by SoCalSteelerFan on Sep 8, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I recall
people saying the same thing about a certain linebacker. Anything is possible. Clearly the FO sees something in him to designate him to the PS. I am going to jot this down in my little book of predictions and we’ll revisit this down the road since only time will tell.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Sep 8, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not saying that he will never be any good. Yes, yes, obviously Harrison was cut by several teams and still turned into a monster. I am saying that the odds are bad enough already and just got much worse.
I can agree with that
But I’ve got “Cols714 9/8/2009 predicts Shipley chances of doing anything with Steelers zero” Etched into the Book of Prophecy.
BTW, what is 714? That happens to be my B-day.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Sep 8, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!
This is shocking!!! okay, i somewhat suspected this with Keisel, but this definitely proves that Ben has say in the FO about who we resign seeing as Keisel and Hartwig are his buds. HARTWIG over Clark?!?!?! Over Reed?!?! Over Big Snack?!?!
This must mean the coaching staff was not impressed with Shipley or Legursky in the long term.
and this last contract negotiation stuff; I’m tired of hearing it.
Hartwig was serviceable last year, but i do not like this move on bit.
Salary Cap Rules
Don’t forget that those like Clark, Reed, and Hampton may require larger salary than Hartwig. That and their ages mean not this year. Maybe next year.
regis18
I think the Steelers front office is making smart moves. Sure they would love to lock up big snack and ryan clark and jeff reed, but they don’t want to take what the Steelers are offering.
There was a report just last night that the Steelers offered Reed a contract and his agent laughed it off and said it wasn’t reasonable. So the steelers are moving on to the players they can sign.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 8, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions
No one saw that one coming. I have it on very good reports that Hartwig is terrible. I think we should fire the FO.
Willie Colon - top 2 RT in the NFL
Curious
where you heard Hartwig was terrible (or are you being facetious)? I remember in the great interview that Maryrose did with Craig Wolfley that he said
I thought Justin Hartwig was exceptional. He was just a notch below Jeff Hartings and mind you, this was his first year with a new team and new teammates.
I thought that was about as nice of an endorsement as you can get from a guy who surely knows more than most. Also taken in context it seems even more striking considering that he had the following to say about the rest of the O-Line
I thought Max (Starks) got better as the year wore on. He really grew into that left tackle position. Chris Kemoeatu has terrific upside, he really does, but he’s so darned inconsistent it’s frustrating. If the coaches can find a way to get more hot and less cold we could really be happy with this guy. Willie Colon is making strides and Stapleton got thrown into the guard position when Kendall Simmons went down. Considering Stapleton is really a center, he did better than I thought he would do.
by SteelerBuddha on Sep 8, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
OK
now, I feel stupid. Perhaps the “fire the FO line” should have given it away.
But you know people believe the strangest stuff. For example some people on this site still don’t understand that Isaac Redman is better than Rashard Mendenhall and that coach Tomlin should be fired for putting him on the practice squad.
by SteelerBuddha on Sep 8, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
HA!
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Sep 8, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
DYMS, I agree wholeheartedly
Hartwig’s contract extension is probably not for much and will likely save them some against the cap this year. They made a contract offer to Reed and he rejected it, which tells me that Reed just wants to be franchised next year.
Hartwig is one less free agent that they will have to worry about next offseason. I think R. Clark will play his usual game, but I think Big Snack is pissed and motivated. The Snack that I saw this preseason looked more like the full course meal of old. Tennessee is the type of game where Snack is made for. Time for him to put it on tape.
Reed rejected? hadn't heard that
who reported?
by syrsteelerfan on Sep 8, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 8, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Hartwig gets 4-year, $10M contract with $2.1M signing bonus
Here it is:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09251/996414-100.stm
That’s not too bad, but it is a little more than what I expected. Well, I guess another team’s trash is somebody else’s starting center.
If it saves cap space
Maybe “one final contract offer” can be fired across the J. Reed bow?
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
okay,
rosenhaus says 3 years but the gazette says 4….
like a years in contract / extension thing
he was signed for this season, so plus 3 is 4
by syrsteelerfan on Sep 8, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a good move...
Keep in mind that Hartwig can play guard as well. If Shipley or Legurskey can show up as the center of the future you could easily have Hartwig compete/provide vetran back up to Kemo or Essex.
Also, since Colon is in the last year of his deal, it’s possible you could kick Essex out to RT, Hartwig out to RG, and let one of the young guys man the center postion.
At the very least, this gives the Steelers more longterm options across the line, including drafting a center high and having him back up Hardwig for a couple of years.
by BluegrassSteeler on Sep 8, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
They're both right on the contract years
It’s really a three year extension, but the Steelers typically redo the last year that the player is in and drop his base salary to save money against the cap this year. The signing bonus is spread out over the life of the contract.
Hartwig’s 2009 base salary before the extension was $1.75M. Here’s betting that the extension probably saved the Steelers about $800,000 to $1M against this year’s cap.
good move
keeps the o-line together plus Hartwig calls makes the calls at the line, I dont think some rookie or 1st yr starter can make adjusments like that
Not a big Hartwig fan but,
this is a really smart move by the Steelers. That’s such a minimal investment for a starting OL, we can either keep him in there for a cheap 4 year contract or cut him if he drops off or someone better comes along. Even then, $2.5M/yr isn’t really that much for a decent 3 position backup.
charity standing orders
See Steelguy
There smart football fans on this site who think that Hartwig isn’t that good.
I am definitely a poorer judge of line play than a lot of the guys one here who have had coaching/playing experience.
Curious to hear from Bad and other guys who dislike Hartwig what they think of his play. From watching him last year he seemed pretty solid, but that may just be how vast of an improvement he was over Sean “turnstyle” Mahan.
by SteelerBuddha on Sep 8, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw Mahan at the Bucs training camp last month
god he is tiny. Man I could have beaten him up. I wonder what this says about A.Q.’s future on the team.
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
He's listed
as bigger than Shipley.
Hard to say what will happen to T-Rex. I want to believe and I think he flashed some stuff, but the truth is that I am pretty happy with the Hartwig deal. Let the guy develop. If does great.
by SteelerBuddha on Sep 8, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not a Hartwig hater
I just don’t think he’s “the answer”. I think he fits in with the rest of the line as “reasonably strong guys who aren’t really athletic enough to play the position and scheme they’re trying to play.” The line in general is bad at picking up stunts and blitzers, they often get caught using poor leverage (being slow and lunging will do that to you) and they often don’t seem to be on the same page. I’m not blaming Hartwig for all of that, but he makes his fair share of mistakes, and the center is usually responsible for making the calls and making sure everyone is on board.
I’m glad he doesn’t get thrown on his ass every other play like 250 lb high school Steeler Mahan did. Aside from that, I think we could do better. Getting two more Trai Essex’s would be a good start.
charity standing orders
Steelers.com report on the signing
Here it is:
http://www.steelers.com/article/109886/
This story lists all the players that the steelers resigned this offseason, but one of the unsung steals that K. Colbert signed for another two years for cheap could be Keyaron Fox. Man, did he look beastly in the preseason.
Fox may be the best reason not to sweat Farrior’s coming retirement and invest heavily in a 1st rd MLB.
Instead it may be time to look toward trading up for a big NT or Tackle.
by BluegrassSteeler on Sep 8, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
or
Taylor Mays. Could you imagine mays and polamalu as our safeties? Ugh Uh oh ShaZAAAM!!! ….. I need to go change my pants….
Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!!!
by SoCalSteelerFan on Sep 8, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
also Frazier
the money these guys r saving will probably be used to extend both Woodley and Holmes
I saw Holmes started a foundation for kids or dogs or something
That’s the kind of stuff that the FO looks at when paying the big bucks. Hopefully ‘Tone can stay on the team past his rookie contract, but I’m not sure…
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Ziggy to dress on Thursday; Eason will be inactive
That’s the news that E. Bouchette delivered in his chat today.
DAMN! If Eason isn’t even going to be active on gameday, why not just keep Sonny Harris? DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!
OK, I’m better now.
I'm not better
I guess there’s nothing you or I can do about it though, eh? Of all the cuts, THAT is the one I understand least. Now Carolina has him and the Steelers are a$$ out. In Colbert/Tomlin/Rooney we trust I guess, eh?
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Sep 8, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I trust them. But they are not perfect. If Harris works out to be a player then that was a definite mistake. Especially with Eason sitting.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
I'm wit you
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Sep 8, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m completely with you on this one. Redman makes sense; RB’s are a dime a dozen. DL’s on the other hand – nothing is harder to find, develop, and keep. I’m not surprised in the least that he got picked up.
My hope is that the Panthers have some injuries and can’t hang onto him and a roster spot opens up in these parts.
Damn, Wexell really had me believing that we might dump Kirch for him.
charity standing orders
I think it was
they didn’t want two rookie backups on the 53. They would gladly have kept Sonny on the PS, but others were paying attention.
My heros have always been Steelers...
It is what it is on S. Harris but ...
hopefully Carolina will suck so bad that they release him and try to sign a veteran DT. I think if the Steelers would have kept and developed him that he would have been the cherry on top of this really good draft and rookie free agent signings.
Real good signing
I’ve felt that Hartwig is one of our better linemen even though he is an older veteran. Good character, solid player. One less player to worry about in the offseason.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Sep 8, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions
I'm happy
I liked Hartwig. He just needs to not get mowed over and called for bullshit holding in the superbowl.
I think hes a good lock. I really like that now all of our starting lineman are on fresh contracts. Shows the team really likes who we have.
And Colon, who I think is the weakest link, only has a one year deal. So if he doesnt boss up this year, he can be out.
Good stuff from the FO.
I just really want to see Ryan Clark signed. I cross my fingers for this.
Hording nuts for the winter
I was surprised by the signing. I know the Steelers had a lot of FA’s going into next year, but the number they have resigned this year kind of amazes me. I know the Steelers prefer to sign their own, but 6 or 7 and 3 over 30? This really makes me think that the FO thinks the CBA talks are a loss cause, and we have lean years coming.
Hartwig is a good signing for cost. Stapleton was injured and we don’t know what kind of center he could be. 1st round centers (if there are any?) don’t come every year. Shipley, I like the kid. He has heart and is from a great school, but he can only play center they say because his arms. His only chance is to learn enough to win he starting job next year.
Big time offseason for the FO
I am amazed at how many guys the FO has signed this off season. I would love to have Clark, Hamp, FWP and Reed signed as well. I am just hoping those guys get done after the season. I think Hamp and FWP will get done. Reed and Clark might be gone. You can’t keep them all I guess.
I wonder if the extra emphasis on the draft (Colbert saying that they had to have an awesome draft) is related to the CBA talks as well. Something has to get done there eventually or football will end up like baseball. I hope that doesn’t happen. Maybe Rooney can resign from his post in Ireland and come back to settle things down? I wish.
Erik
Hartwig
FO is so smart, lock up a good player for cheap money…2M is cheap signing bonus. They did the same thing with Essex, and he appears to be coming into his own.
I love the concept of “position flexibility” along the OL. This signing allows some of the younger guys time to develop. I said this last year…if a couple of the younger guys (Shipley, Legursky, Foster, Hills) prove to be starting material, we will have a very, very good young OL.
Calling all Colon haters
Go to 1:06 & watch the block Willie Colon puts on DE to spring Mendenhall: http://is.gd/2Oucv
Certainly doesn’t make up for the questionable pass-blocking and false starts, but reports have been he’s improved his pass pro a bit and his experience could help him improve in picking up blitzes and with penalties.
Jury is still out until the season begins — he could be the same old turnstile penalty machine.
I’ll say this, though: our offense has lacked any sort of identity, and if his nastiness is contagious i may forgive some other failings.
im content
Hartwig isn’t great, but he isn’t bad either. He is arguably our best lineman (in my opinion he is).
The only negative to this is what about Clark, Reed, Big Snack, or Parker…..but I have faith things will be taken care of in a satisfying way.
reed??
if you remember correctly the last time someone got offered a contract and laughed at it they left the next year unfortunately reed is actually good
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