The Offseason- Impending Free Agents on our Roster Now

It’s important to remember that Colon, Gay, Stapleton, Spaeth, Sepulveda and Bailey are all resticted free agents this year so it’ll be very easy for the club to retain them, if they so choose. Next year’s free agents will depend on what happens with the collective bargaining agreement but most of those young guys could be restricted for a few more years.

To simplify things this off season is all about Hampton, Clark, FWP and Reed. I think FWP is gone and Reed will be easily retained. That leaves the two big question marks of Hampton and Clark. With so many teams switching to the 3-4, I think Hampton will be a highly sought after commodity and the only way we keep him is to franchise him. He’s already said he doesn’t want that and has hinted that he’ll hold out if he is tagged. Clark’s an intriguing case b/c he doesn’t have gaudy numbers but I think he has tremendous value to this team. I think Snack leaves and Clark stays.

If the Steelers cared about keeping Hampton, Clark, or Parker, they would have extended their contracts before the season started. If any of these guys get a big offer elsewhere (and Hampton certainly will), they are gone. Given the problems at safety this season, the team may make some effort to keep Clark, as long as the price is reasonable. For Parker, the writing was on the wall as soon as they drafted Mendenhall in the first round.

Kickers are more replaceable, so the team doesn’t usually extend their contracts. At this point, the Steelers may make an effort to keep Reed, although again not if he gets a big offer elsewhere. It is also possible, however, that they are tired of his short kick offs.

Once the free agency period starts, the team will focus on the 2011 free agents, primarily Woodley, Holmes, and Taylor. I fear that it will be difficult to retain all three within a reasonable salary cap.

“The Steelers have to make decisions on three players who will be unrestricted free agents: right tackle Willie Colon, whom the coaches consider to be their best offensive lineman;”

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10005/1025839-66.stm#ixzz0bm9HuDUG

Willie Colon…coaches consider their best O-lineman…wow…

That blew me away – probably the most surprising thing I’ve ever read about the Steelers…ever.

The high amount of penalties is one thing. Mental mistakes, physical mistakes, poor technique, and physical limitations lead to what seems like a very high amount of false starts and holding penalties. He could be a road-grader-type run blocker if he had sufficient knee-bend and a nasty streak. However, he tend to get lazy, waist-bend, and rarely finishes people off – at the point of attack, or downfield.

His arms are a bit too short to be an effective pass-blocker against good edge rushers. He also tends to over-compensate by lunging (leaving him over-extended), or simply grabbing outside the numbers. If he is fortunately enough to not get flagged, he has set himself up to allow the defender to collapse into his chest – as he did a few times this past week (to which Colon responded by simply tackling the DE – I believe he gave up a sack AND got flagged on at least play on which that occurred).

His arms are a bit too short to be an effective pass-blocker against good edge rushers. He also tends to over-compensate by lunging (leaving him over-extended), or simply grabbing outside the numbers. If he is fortunately enough to not get flagged, he has set himself up to allow the defender to collapse into his chest – as he did a few times this past week (to which Colon responded by simply tackling the DE – I believe he gave up a sack AND got flagged on at least play on which that occurred).

He rarely sits and pops an approaching defender unless that defender has been engaged previously – he has heavy hands and sets up in pass protection very slow.

Overall, he is built short and squat, with short arms, and is probably better suited to play inside at guard, but probably lacks the mobility to pull effectively. Perhaps center, but his heavy hands would get him killed post-snap, and he obviously has no experience there.

Tender him to protect your intial investment, but don’t overdo it. He doesn’t really represent useful depth as he doesn’t project to anything but a RT.

Steelers need to keep Colon. He, and Kemo’s emergence this year have been a blessing for the future of this offense.

•Willie Colon, RT – We gotta re-sign this guy. Not my favorite o-lineman but who else do we have? We are thin at this position and I agree that he is improving. Don’t think he will break the bank either.

•William Gay, CB – He had his chance this year. He was a good nickel back for us in 2008 but was a huge weak point on the defense as a starter this year. He is not a starting DB in this league. I suppose it will be okay if they sign him really cheap with the intention of using him on S/T and nickel/dime packages only if they promise to find another starter. I like his dancing.
 
•Ryan Clark, FS – Sign him if he is willing to accept a 2 year deal. I would like to see his replacement drafted rather high this year but that means we will still need him for a bit. He hits super hard and Troy likes playing with him but he is a liability in coverage. I’d like to see him play the ball more often rather than always trying to make a big hit.

•Casey Hampton, NT – They have to tag him. He had a great year this year but part of me can’t help but think he was only playing so hard b/c it was the last year of his deal. He’s too old to give a long term deal to and I think he will get fatter and lazier after a deal. He is going to want big money. It’s going to be very hard to replace him and they must address this position in the draft this year. It sucks all these teams are switching to 3-4 b/c a quality NT will be hard to come by.

•Carey Davis, FB – Who? We’d all love to see someone more like Dan Kreider back in the offense but let’s not get started on that. Remember Frank Summers? If we’re not going to install a run-blocking FB into the offense I’d like to see what Frank the Tank can do rather than re-signing Davis.

•Jeff Reed, K – We have to admit that he’s pretty damn reliable. His kick-offs leave something to be desired and his off field antics may have sealed his fate in Pittsburgh. I have no problem signing him if it is at a reasonable price. I am never nervous when he lines up for a field goal and we shouldn’t take that for granted. Remember the days of Kris Brown?

•Daniel Sepulveda, P – No brainer. Ink this guy ASAP.

•Willie Parker, RB – Thanks for everything Willie. You had some great years in the Burgh and helped us win 2 rings. However, your speed is not what it used to be and that’s all you ever really had. You can’t catch and you’re not reliable in short yardage. You are also injured way too much. I wish you the best in the future but I honestly believe the Steelers are better off without you.

•Deshea Townsend, CB – I thought Deshea would be gone after this year but he continues to show year after year that he can make some plays. I’d like to see him as safety depth rather than at corner. I like Deshea a lot as a player and a person and will always see him as a Steeler. However, I will understand if they don’t re-sign him because he is not a starting corner in this league anymore.

•Travis Kirschke, DE – Goodbye Travis. You had a terrible game against Miami and it is clear you are a liability in just about every aspect. You’ve had a nice long career but I don’t want to see you in black and gold anymore.
 
•Nick Eason, DE – I was pleasantly surprised by some of the plays he made this year. Not the answer as a starter but we need the depth. He’s a little older than I realized but if they sign him for a reasonable price I won’t mind.

•Matt Spaeth, TE – What a waste of a 3rd round pick! I was excited about him when we first got him but he can’t block or run after the catch. We already have a pass catching TE and there just don’t seem to be enough balls to go around for him to get involved in the passing game. Would like to see him replaced by a better run blocker.

•Darnell Stapleton, G – Sign him. He is young and has shown to have potential. I don’t see him being to expensive. Hopefully he comes back healthy next year and competes for his spot back on the line. If not then they need the depth.

•Tyrone Carter, S – Please do not re-sign Ty. I can’t even count how many times RB’s ran right by him into the end zone because he is slow and takes bad angles. Don’t remember seeing him knock away any passes either. Occasionally he will have a game like he did in Denver but those aren’t worth the agony he causes the other 15 games of the year. Thanks for everything Mr. Carter.

•Patrick Bailey, LB/ ST – Don’t really care either way. He’ll probably stick around on special teams but I will be worried if he’s on the field with the defense.

•Charlie Batch, QB – Love ya Charlie, but it’s time to retire and take that QB coach position. Dixon is ready to be the back up. Thanks for everything.

•Rocky Boiman, LB/ ST – Don’t really know anything about this guy so I’m not going to pretend that I do.

•Joey Galloway, WR – Ummmm if Belicheat didn’t see anything left in this guy then I can’t help but think we can do better as far as WR depth. Where is Shaun McDonald?