it would allow us to wait and get his replacement next year, have the rookie sit for a year, then if the rookie is ready have the two split time, if the rookie isnt ready you still have big snack for another year. i figure snack has at least 2 more good years in him, so by the time he starts to decline we have his replacement ready. seems like the best scenario to me, although the money situation might be tricky

he’ll hold out if the Steelers tag him. Not sure where, but certain I read that somewhere. That said, I’d love to sign him to a three year deal and let a new draft pick, from next year, learn under him

I don’t think he’ll be tagged. But I do expect them to sign him to a 3 year deal and draft his replacement either in the 2010 or 2011 draft. Let’s face it, we need him if the defense is going to continue to play at a high level. He’s not over the hill yet.

I like snack, always have but if they are going to spend that much money, I would rather it be on someone younger, even if just a couple years. I think we would be facing a similar situation to Farrior. Love Farrior and what he has done in black and gold but he was a substantial liability in pass coverage this year and he is making a lot of bank. Older players always want that big pay day that they feel they deserve(and probably do) but then you are faced with an overpaid popular vet on the downslide, not a good situation.

Casey Hampton is “fat”, lazy and out of shape. He needed a lot of rest breaks during the season. A lot of runs went up the middle for big yardage (especially Ray Rice). Casey DID NOT dominate. It would be great if we could get if we could get Cody (from Alabama) and get him on a “serious” diet and “toning up”. He is rough and quick, but too damn fat. He could definitely push Casey for that position. Maybe if Casey had some serious competition, he would play like an all pro and not look like the “Michelin Man”. We need another “top notch” DB to complement Troy and a big strong Offensive tackle. I think that our offensive line did a decent job this year and will only get better next year. Our team just needs to play up to their potential. Also Keyaron Fox should replace Farrior. He is younger, faster and plays with passion (possibly another James Harrison in the making). Does Frank Summers have potential? He was being hyped as a “beast” who ran through people. Why did he end up on IR with an unknown back injury? Comments please!!

Good post. And I am all for keeping Casey around for 2-4 yrs. depending on when he starts to show a severe decline. As of now, he is still in an elite class of 3-4 NT’s. Look how porous S.D.’s run defense was this year w/out Jamal Williams, that is an adequate reflection of how we would look w/out Casey. Heck, the proof is even shown when A. Smith is out just how vital each player is on that line in a 3-4.

I am in serious hopes that we draft a stud D-line candidate at 18. Dan Williams preferably, but I would take a Jared Odrick as well any day. Only way I would stray from that choice is a franchise type OT. When completely healthy, our D is top 3 at the very least & the whole league knows it! Hit him,(Casey), with the transitional tag, & then lock him up 2 more years during the pre-season. JMO

I would either franchise Hampton or work a short term deal with him and bring in a future nose tackle in this draft. Whether it be Dan Williams (who the more I see the more I want) or Terrence Cody (who the more of I see the more I want him to put a shirt back on), or a guy in the later rounds (a few have been mentioned in other posts). Have the guy for now and the guy for tomorrow, and be able to work with both. This allows us to play to win now, and gauge the best time to make the transition, which is inevitable. Need be, if franchised, we can then resign Casey for another year or two, like you said. We never draft for now, it’s always in planning for the future, and that seems like the most productive scenario to me.

Again with this theory? How many times does it need repeated that the Steelers offense ranked in the top 5 in time of possession in 2009?

My only concern is that with a big contract, we will get a big-ger Hampton. History of being out of shape. Has shown he turns it on and off. Risky. I like the idea of a 3 year deal, that you can basically cut him after one year without too much damage. With un capped year, could be done. I have always thought that Hoke has done a nice job when asked. Did not see him on the field much last season, and he is getting older.
Steelers may have painted themselves into a corner where they have to pay Hampton.

The team can’t lose in this situation. I have a feeling that this will be like the Starks situation. Tag him and work out a long-term deal later. Snack had a heck of year and you can’t just let that walk, especially when you have other needs at LB, OL, & secondary.

I’d like to see them draft his replacement this year, and throw him in with our other youngsters on the DL in Hood, Harris & McClendon. If they do that, then I think we’ll be okay at DL.

I really like what I’m hearing about G/T Iupati. I think the team could trade down at 18 to the low 20’s, pick up a couple of picks, and still draft Iupati there. Or they could trade up and grab McClain.

Which would U guys rather the Steelers do? Or sit tight and maybe take Dan Williams at NT. I think in the second round, I like the CB out of Boise State, Kyle Wilson. He’s a returner also, so he would be good value.

Our money needs to go to Woodley and Santonio. It is a passing league. Either you can both pass on offense and cover short routes very closely while you rush the passer, or you ain’t going to no Super Bowl. Very unlikely Bal;timore goes to the super bowl without drastic improvement in their receivers.

New England franchised Cassell and then immediately traded him. I had thought that was not allowed, but apparently Emperor Palpatine (Bill Belichek) can get away with it.

If this is the case, why would we not franchise Big Snack see if we can get a 2nd round pick for him from one of the many teams switching to a 3-4 that need a talented nose and will pay Snack what he wants. Then we spend our 1st rounder on one of the promising DTs coming out this year and have 2 2nd rounders to move up and get lupati or whomever else we were excited about?

In the worst case we franchise and then don’t get a trade partner and we have Big Snack again (albeit an angry big snack).

Here is the deal Pittsburgh should offer Hampton. I realize the guy wants to get paid upfront, blah blah blah, but he has to realize the alternative – being tagged. Here it is: A three year deal worth $21M (third year is at the club option). Signing bonus is $7M. 1st year is vet minimum, that’s about $8M out of $21M. 2nd year is $6M, roughly what the tag would cost this year, total for two years is $14M, $7 to go. 3rd year, the optional year, is split with a $4M roster bonus in April and $3M salary due if is on the team opening day. Obviously PB would do everything possible to make sure he is on the team after giving him a $4M roster bonus, but my thought process they are saying “hey we showed faith in you by giving you the roster bonus now show us your committment and stay in shape over the summer”. I believe if Casey stays motivated he easily has 3-4 years in him (all he is asked to do is push the middle – big job, but doesn’t require a lot of lateral movement). If he did well for three years, stayed healthy, took care of himself, the Steelers could give him a fair 1 year deal in a 4th year.

If it’s true management told Big Snack they won’t franchise tag him (and we don’t know if that’s true), then they’ve weakened their bargaining position. I do trust that they’ll make the best deal for the big picture; if they can sign him for 2-3 years, maybe with some performance incentives, great. If not, it frees up a lot of room to get the Clark & Reed deals done. Either way, I predict trophy # 7 next year. Hope Casey’s around to get another ring !

I still stick to my convictions about Casey. I am NOT a young man any more. I am from the “old” school back in the days when we played “60” minutes. It is true that the players of today are much bigger and stronger. But there are ( in my opinion) a “few” players who really expend a lot of energy on defense. They are mainly the DB’s and linebackers. In Caseys’s position (and I played that position), he is responsible for the middle of the line from guard to guard. He blocks up the middle and basically responsible for runs. I don’t expect him to get many sacks. BUT he has NO business getting tired after a couple of plays. He is NOT in shape. He should be giving “headaches” to the offensive center and cause some bad snaps. On Frank Summers, I agree that he was kept for a particular reason. I am looking to see him have a GREAT camp and be that fullback we were lacking He and a lot of the other young players got a chance to learn the system (some of them getting playing time). We have a GREAT system that brings our young guy along slowly and in time they become acclimated to the system and REALLY produce. This year we will see many of them playing more and producing. We definitely need to draft a young stud to replace Casey. If we could get Cody in the second or 3rd round it would be great (but highly unlikely). We could then make a project out of him and turn that “lard” into “muscle”. He is a young man. He should be able to do it. I believe he is going to be a “force” in the league IF he loses about 40 pounds. These are just my “opinions”. We have some very knowledgeable fans here. I am living in the D.C. area (where we have a HUGE) following and I don’t get all of the “dirt”. So, I appreciate reading these comments. Keep up the comments and believe in our team. We ARE the best.

It is a shame that someone as young and talented as Cody could look SO disgusting. I would say that Bama’s strength coach must be a Manager at Dunkin Donuts. I would STILL take him (Cody) if we can get him in the 2nd or third round. I guarantee you that “fat and all”, he will last no longer than the 2nd round. The “Old Heads” on the Steeler’s roster should be able to mentor him. Put a “giant” mirror in front of his locker and some weight incentives in his contract. Work his “ass” off in camp. Maybe they need to put some weight incentives in Casey’s contract. I don’t understand how these young guys can get SO out of shape. What kind of training camp did Bama have? They had another fat “jerk” last year. I am hoping that we can find another Troy in draft (if that is possible) and also have our Special teams coach earn his money. Here’s also hoping that Jeff Reed can strengthen up his kicking leg instead of his drinking arm. Then maybe he won’t have to worry about making tackles. Keep the comments coming.

Being a member of the team and knowing the Steelers organization and their history,
Hampton shouldn’t play games and realize that this is a business, just because you do well here doesn’t mean that you will do well elsewhere.
Also remember if Pittsburgh can release a vital part if not the key part of their rise to greatness ( Franco Harris ) because of a contract dispute, they will surely do the same concerning him.
I remember that day very well, it hurt like hell wwhen I heard the news on the radio but, if it were to happen again, this time to Hampton, It won’t hurt because everyone knows that this is how the organization operates.
GO STEELERS LET’S KEEP IT GOING, SUPER BOWL 2010 SEASON !!!

Such a shame. Great player, extremely underrated and one of the greatest run stopping defensive linemen in the league. Unfortunately once you win 2 super bowls the only thing thats left to play for is the money which is something i think Casey will be looking for once his contract is up. Steelers don’t have the money and he will be missed.

…but it’s time for us to draft his replacement in the first round. That Alabama NT looks pretty good in a Steelers uniform…

http://www.theklowntimes.net

Send our people down and have a"man to Fat Boy" talk with Cody and establish the fact that he MUST lose weight and will have incentives in his contract for maintain a weight (that is agreeable to management) – not just for the upcoming season. I understand that he (because of his physical appearance) might drop to the third or fourth round. Personally I don’t agree with that evaluation. We need to get that “Troy clone” in the first round and “by all means” take Cody in the 2nd round and get that big offensive tackle that we crave in the 3rd round. Keep Willie Parker and bring him in on certain downs as management feels is appropriate. Mendenhall is our main back and I feel that he will have a great year in the upcoming season. I hope that Frank Summers will live up to expectations. Find guys who are “hungry” to make the roster for our special teams. We already have a great team. We just need to keep being motivated. Hope Ben will lose some weight in the off season. Make Cody either “push” Casey (if we re-sign him) to produce or REPLACE him. Again – it is just my “opinion”. I am a 100% Steelers fan.

Casey Hampton will not sign with the Steelers for 2010 because he will not be offered the money he wants and can earn in free agency. If the Steelers wanted to sign him, they would have done it prior to the start of the 2009 season similar to the deals with Ben, Deebo, Troy, etc. It is the “Steeler Way”. Look at Faneca.

Casey has been very adamant about not wanting the franchise tag and there may be questions that his discontent could affect the team. 2010 is a year the Steelers can compete for the playoffs and potentially the Superbowl, but without Hampton. They need to save the money to sign Santanio, and Woodley, who are their future.

The draft will be deep in defensive tackles and the Steelers will and can pick up some youth and future star. Casey is only a two down guy at this point and the defense will be okay without him. Not as good, but strong enough and at the same time building for the future. We need the youth to continue for future Superbowls as well.

We have to build our Secondary to help Troy and our overall performance. That being said, we will also draft an offensive tackle.

Look for Willie, Big Snack, Tyrone Carter and Ryan Clark to be gone. Deshea may also not be resigned.

by: Thunder

Casey needs to play like he deserves a big paycheck. Personally I don’t know how he made All Pro. He did not DOMINATE the center of the line and was winded after a couple of plays. DUMP HIS BIG ASS and get a “young bull” to take over his slot. I like Cody from Bama even if he is “fat”. He plays with energy. Keep his ass under the guidance of the Strength Coach and put incentives in his contract regarding his weight. I think that he will be a “dominator” in the NFL with the right guidance. That’s what we have our “vets” for. Get in his head and teach him what it means to be “privileged” to be in in the Steeler family.