If I was Kevin Colbert I would

by seton hall and steelers on Feb 13, 2012 5:27 PM EST

After all the work I put in analyzing the top 3 rounds of draft targets and the potential free agents, I have decided to now tell you all what I would do if I was Kevin Colbert.

Cut

Casey Hampton (unless he will restructure down to around the vet minimum) - If Casey Hampton won't let the Steelers redo his contract to something near the vet minimum, he has to be cut. I am assuming he won't do that as it is a massive pay cut and he could likely get $4 to $5 million from another team.
Chris Kemoatu - Kemoatu is awful and needs to be replaced. Cutting him and saving the money is the best move the Steelers could make.
Anthony Madison - Madison is a great ST player but with the emergence of Curtis Brown, Stevenson Sylvester, and other young players, their is no room for him on the roster. Cut him and save about $1 million dollars.

Restructure/Pay Cut

Hines Ward (to almost the vet minimum) - If Hines is unwilling to take a massive pay cut to about the vet minimum, he would move up to the cut category. However, I think he will do it and serve a purpose as a blocking WR and a #4/#5 WR.
James Farrior - Farrior can still bring it and if we can get him under $2 million for this year, he should be kept. His leadership can't be replaced with anybody.
Larry Foote - Foote for the vet minimum is what we need. As a backup LB and a ST player as well as a leader in the locker room, he is an invaluable member of the Steelers.

Not Resign

Dennis Dixon - Dixon is a bum who does not want to be in Pittsburgh.
Max Starks - Starks should not be resigned until the Steelers know he is healthy. It is unlikely anyone else signs him so if we need a LT in September, we could sign him again.
Charlie Batch - Batch has been a great member of the Steelers and has been fantastic when called upon but we need to get a younger backup QB in the mix.
Jerricho Cotchery - Cotchery will likely want to go somewhere where he can start or be a #3 WR and that is not in Pittsburgh. If he is willing to play the #4 WR spot, maybe you resign him.
Aaron Smith - Smith will likely retire but if he does not, the Steelers won't be bringing him back.
Bryant McFadden - McFadden contributes almost nothing to the Steelers.
Daniel Sepulveda - Sepulveda is a great punter but is always injured and Kapinos had a great year last year.
Trai Essex - Essex is a good, versatile backup but he does not need to be signed right away. If we get into the season and injuries pile up, the Steelers could give him a call and resign him.
Mewelde Moore - Moore has been a good 3rd down back but it is time to move on. Batch is a younger option and the Steelers are deep at RB.

Resign

Mike Wallace - Wallace has to be kept. Whether they work out a long term deal or not does not matter. I think Todd Haley could make him even better than he already is.
Ramon Foster - Foster is a borderline starting quality guard and he should be kept. His best value is as a backup guard and that is what he will be paid to be.
David Johnson - Johnson serves his purpose as an H-Back/TE#2 and they could keep him for the minimum most likely.
William Gay - Gay was one of the better nickel corners in the NFL last year and he should be resigned. A 2 or 3 year deal for about $5 million seems like fair value.
Keenan Lewis - Lewis had an awesome year as the #2 CB and finally showed why the Steelers picked him in the 3rd round.
Doug Legursky - Legursky is a great backup OG/C and he should be kept.
Ryan Mundy - Mundy had a good season filling in for both Polamalu and Clark when needed and should be resigned. I like him as a future starter.
Byron Leftwich - Leftwich should be brought back for the veteran minimum to compete for the QB #2 spot.

Sign

Josh Johnson, QB, Tampa Bay - A contract of around 3 years $6 million very back loaded - Johnson be brought in to be a backup QB. He has the potential to possibly become a starter so he could end up being a valuable trade chip.
Kraig Urbik, OG, Buffalo - A contract of around 3 years $8 million - Colbert must make up for his sin of letting Urbik go. Urbik was one of the better guards in all of football last year but because he is a one year wonder, he might not be valued as such.
Sammie Lee Hill, NT, Detroit - A contract of about 4 years $12 million - Hill has shown potential to be a starting NT and with the depth and talent the Lions have at DT, they will probably let him go. It might cost us a late draft pick because he is restricted but it is worth it as long as it is not in the top 3 rounds.
Shaun Ellis, DE, New England - A one year vet minimum contract - Ellis can be brought in to be a backup DE (we only have 3 DE's on the roster) and a mentor to our younger DL. He probably wants to try and win a Super Bowl and what better place to do it?

Trade

Round 1 Pick 24 and Round 5 Pick 24 to the Philadelphia Eagles for Round 2 Pick 14 and Round 2 Pick 19 - The Steelers would be best off moving their first round pick either up or down. This is within 1 point on the trade value scale and would help both teams.

Draft

2.14 - Brandon Washington, OG/OT, Miami - Washington is a versatile player who will likely be a guard at the next level. Pairing him with Urbik as our starting guards and with Legursky and Foster backing them up, the guard position would go from a weakness to a strength.
2.19 - Ronnell Lewis, ILB, Oklahoma - Lewis is an athletic LB capable of covering RB's and TE's. He could play a year of special teams and limited defensive snaps while he learns the system.
2.24 - Alameda Ta'amu, NT/DT, Washington - Despite signing Hill, the Steelers could use a guy like Ta'amu. With the Steelers going to more and more 4 man fronts, they could use a 2nd DT and Ta'amu can do it all. He can stop the run, and rush the passer.
3.24 - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech - Hill is a massive, athletic WR with all the tools to become a dominate guy. Haley and Ben would be running around and screaming for joy if the Steelers got Hill and Haley could turn him into the next Dwayne Bowe.
4.24 - Brandon Taylor, S, LSU - Taylor is an athletic S that can play both spots. He is able to play ST and as a 4th safety, he has the potential to become a potential starter.
6.24 - Blair Walsh, K, Washington - Walsh is the best kicker in the draft and his combination of accuracy and power will make him the next great Steelers kicker.
7.24 - Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State - Baker is a versatile back who could compete for that 4th RB spot with Jonathan Dwyer.

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Comments

I see we have entered sleepless season again, SHS :-)

As usual, great research and thought went into this, obviously.

We can always dream, can’t we?

Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
RUSH

by Flying Polamalus on Feb 13, 2012 6:47 PM EST reply actions

Still getting plenty of sleep - lol

I think this is pretty realistic except maybe there is one or two too many FA signings.

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by seton hall and steelers on Feb 13, 2012 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

the Hampton situation is tricky

i think we should cut him, let him see what offers he gets. i think he’ll find that the pickings are pretty slim for a 35 year old just coming off his 3rd ACL surgery. He’ll be back at about $2-3 million.
cut Foote and Ward and Aaron Smith. its unfortunate but i think the moves have to be made.
also (less unfortunate) cuts include McFadden, Kemo,
sign either Cotchery or Plaxico Burress. Cotch probably comes cheaper but Plax would be better for the offense.

by steel.curtain.number2 on Feb 13, 2012 7:19 PM EST reply actions

We don't need to sign a WR. There are so many of the type we are looking for in the draft

Here are big WR’s in the draft
Jeffery, Sanu, Floyd, Toon, Streeter, Criner, Randle, Hill, Jones, McNutt, Quick, White, Jones, Givens, Cunningham, Fuller, Jenkins, Boykin, Kearse, and Childs

No reason to dish out any amount of veteran money to a WR when you can get all of these guys on rookie contracts

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by seton hall and steelers on Feb 13, 2012 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

but why waste a draft pick on a WR who will be the 4th guy

when you need to fill starter roles and backups in the draft?

We use FA to fill those roles usually, don’t we? And for the starters we normally go through the draft. Please help me understand. :)

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 13, 2012 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

Because in the 3rd - 6th round you are not likely to get a starter

and what would you rather do

Sign FA WR to be #4 WR – Spend 1.5 million
Draft WR in 4th round to be #4 WR – Spend like 650k

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by seton hall and steelers on Feb 13, 2012 8:30 PM EST up reply actions

Very true

but you know that FA WR can produce, you don’t know what that 4th round WR can do… I don’t think we have time for projects at the WR we got a good core of guys that we can keep together.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 13, 2012 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

go back to his game against san diego last year

if he matches that game over the entire year he’d be worth it. it comes down to what we know we can get from Plax vs an unproven rookie. plus we wouldnt have to use a pick on the position

by steel.curtain.number2 on Feb 14, 2012 2:06 AM EST up reply actions

What round was Antonio drafted in? Mike Wallace? Hines Ward? I think you can find a lot of gems in the later rounds.

Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII

by SteeladyinVA on Feb 14, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

I think so too

I’m just thinking short term to help get his team to the Super Bowl.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

Wallace was a third round pick

United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.

by PaVaSteeler on Feb 15, 2012 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

Wallace, should I stay or should I go now

The Steelers will obviously try to sign mike Wallace to a long-term contract. He wants top wide receiver money(Holmes got 4 years/$40 million from the Jets) If not, the Steelers will definitely sign him to a one-year tenure. I sure there are at least 5 teams team needing a Pro bowl wide receiver and with salary-cap space), I would make him an offer the salary-cap stretched Steelers could not match. You give up a number 1 pick to an already established Pro bowl wide receiver.

by GeorgeQUAD on Feb 16, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

I would say you aren't expecting to get one

but you do get a lot of starters from those rounds

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl

by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

Is Ward not even worth the roster spot?

If the numbers I’m hearing are true (assuming he accepts the vet minimum)? vet minimum ~900k and they’d owe him ~600k if they cut him. What’s 300k?

"I think the beard will decide when the time is right to come back. It will know when the time is right and all of a sudden appear." -The Deisel

by count'em_six on Feb 14, 2012 7:45 AM EST up reply actions

I think it works out a bit differently

I think, and I may be wrong here, the only way we can get him at vet minimum is too cut him, pay the $600k and then sign him to one year at vet minimum which works out to about $ 1.5 million.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

Vet minimum is $925,000

by WVPiratesfan on Feb 14, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

$300L is a f*ckload of money.

I’ll take it.

by IronJake on Feb 15, 2012 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

k

by IronJake on Feb 15, 2012 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

What a difference in leagues

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL are having trouble signing their 26 yr old star left guard because they can’t afford to pay him $200k per season. The team is offering $140k or something like that and this is for the one of the best o-linemen in the league. I am surprised his agent isn’t floating his name with NFL GM’s. This guy would love to be a back up at $300k per year.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

it’s cuz of that damn socialist hippie government…..

Seriously though, where does all the money go? Are tickets dirt cheap? I know Canada really puts the screws to pro sports franchises, but they should still be seeing some cash. What’s the salary cap up there?

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

The salary cap is called “Hockey”

by IronJake on Feb 15, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

take Football’s appeal in American and multiply it by roughly a million and you’re close to how popular hockey is in Canada

by WVPiratesfan on Feb 15, 2012 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

This

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

So were you happy as hell about the Jets coming back? (actually, I’m not even sure, is Winnipeg the state you’re in?)

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

Lol

Winnipeg is the city. It is in the province of Manitoba. Confusion is the state I am normally in.

I didn’t want the Jets back but my wife is a big fan so I am being a good sport about it.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

When I lived in Grand Forks for 8 years back in the day, I used to jump on the free bus from the air force base to see the Jets for dirt cheap and they would give you a two beer ticket to go with. You cant beat a free ride, cheap beer, & cheap tickets – All they’ve got here in Vegas for Hockey is the Wrangles minor league stuff, expensive beer, and yo gotta drive yourself. Not as much fun as the game is in Canada.

A bargain is something you don't need at a price you can't resist....
If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong!
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by J. W. on Feb 20, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

Hockey in Canada

People take hockey very seriously here so when you add the fact that the old Winnipeg Arena, with it’s cantilevered upper deck seating, could be a very loud place to play. The new rink is a lot nicer, even if it is a bit smaller but it still is very loud.

There is a lot to be said for free beer. Between the USAF guys coming up from Grand Forks and the Nato troops training at Shilo, we used to get a lot of foreign troops in town. The Americans would find the beer strong while the German tankers would complain it was so weak that they couldn’t get drunk.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 20, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

Well, I was one of those USAF guys coming up pretty much every weekend, and drinking the stouts and any dark beers from microbrew. I cannot stand the usual american wimpy beers. I miss the fun before- during-after the hockey games in Winnepeg. I used to win many beers, since most canucks don’t know who the people are on there money. LOL.

by J. W. on Feb 20, 2012 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

I bet we’d have a hoot watching the annual Browns-Steelers games. Since there’s no team in Vegas, it’s hard to find a large amount of fans for either team.

by J. W. on Feb 20, 2012 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

Actually

The teams are privately owned. The CFL just doesn’t have the same revenue stream as the NFL. Any single NFL team is probably getting more TV, advertising and merchandising revenue the the entire CFL. Also, as is mentioned below, hockey is Canada’s sport.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

Well yeah, I’m aware of hockey’s power up there. Lol. I know teams are privately owned, but I always heard that the reason NHL teams moved to the states is because of taxes or something preventing them from…as Butters would say ‘making some serious f’in moneeeeeey".
Are tickets really cheap? I always thought the stadiums were pretty damn big.

I do have one question though. What the hell is up with having two teams in the same league with the same name?

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

Only one Roughriders team now

The NHL teams left when the Canadian dollar tanked because contracts were being signed in US dollars but the people buying tickets had Canadian. The currencies are fairly close to par at the moment so it doesn’t matter so much. I think Canadian teams pay higher taxes but much lower medical insurance so it balances out.

I don’t know what football tickets or hockey tickets cost here. I know it is a lot cheaper to see the Bombers than the Jets but that is moot as both are sold out. I think the new stadium, which is larger than the old stadium, holds about 33,000. there are some larger venues in the league but generally approximately 30k is about the right size to maximize revenue here.

Some teams predate the league so it isn’t too surprising that two cities on the opposite sides of the country would both like the name Rough Riders (or Roughriders depending on which city you were in) but the Ottawa team folded a long time ago as did the team that replaced it. Apparently our politicians and bureaucrats aren’t big football fans.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for that. Droppin some knowledge on my ass.
I tried looking up info, but I can’t seem to find definitive information about ticket pricing. From what I could find, they seem pretty cheap ($35 for some seats they added for a game against Hamilton in late August or early September. and the teams website only has one ticket listed and its $50). But as you said, it’s a hot ticket, as those $35 tickets were being scalped for as much as $250 bucks.

I still find it hard to believe they are having that much trouble with giving a guy 250k though.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions

They have to pay for a new stadium

plus I think the new GM is screwing up. He lost a few key players already.

It looks like our star Guard (he plays can play multiple positions) is going to Saskatchewan (Regina). Money is probably only part of the problem since the guard’s hometown is closer to Regina.

Oh and that was $200k, not $250k.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 16, 2012 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

update: (lol) It turns out the CFL as a whole was losing money. They took a $3 million dollar interest free (in exchange for “player access”) loan from the NFL in 97. However, it appears they have stabilized and are growing.

Interesting side note. Baltimore had a CFL team

Yes, I know “why didn’t you just look that up in the first place”….I know, I know

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 16, 2012 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

Baltimore

They were a great franchise. Good team and great fan support. They were the only US expansion team that did it right.

There is currently a system in place that allows players in the CFL to look for work in the NFL even if they are under contract to a Canadian team. I don’t know how it works.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 16, 2012 12:09 AM EST up reply actions

If the CFL & NFL were smart, they would come to an agreement that makes the CFL a minor league to the NFL. Financial stability, play there games in the NFL offseason, have a place to develope players(cheaper than it is now), and a way to expand into second and third tier cities at a cheaper price. Not to mention a way to fill out the NFL Network with more football year round, since the games wouldn’t compete with the regular NFL games.

by J. W. on Feb 20, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Monopoly

IIRC the one thing that allows the NFL to function as a single league is the fiction that the CFL provides an reasonable alternative place of employment so that the NFL isn’t a monopoly.

There are also, from the Canadian perspective, cultural/political reasons to keep the two leagues separate. I don’t know if that political will still exists though there are definitely still cultural/nationalistic issues involved.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 20, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

Also

I think our PM is further right wing than your President.

(last mention of politics from me. It doesn’t belong here).

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

Lol that’s cool, but I think our president is considered “left wing”.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

I understand

He isn’t by any standard than I can apply but that is okay. We all get to believe what we want.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I don’t really know. I personally hate how everyone is reduced to “left” or “right” or “liberal” or “conservative”

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 11:51 PM EST up reply actions

Original term

Goes back to the French National Assembly after the Revolution. Members decided to sit on either the left of right of the speaker bases on their personal politics.

Now left/right are pejorative terms that have little real meaning. Liberals used to be somewhat akin to Libertarians only they were called Whigs then. Stalinists are considered conservatives in Russia. It is all labels.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 16, 2012 12:02 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks for posting that. People easily forget history or don’t learn it in the first place.

Labels Identify who you are. The simpler the label, the easier it is to find camaraderie. This county likes “easy” and “lowest common denominator.” The political agenda in this country is to distract us with smart phones, entertainment, combative discourse, and lies, keeping one(political party) on one side and one on the other. It’s simpler that way. You know “us vs them.” Nothing in between. No compromise.

But then again, the communists anesthetized their masses with vodka, fear, and the black market.

by IronJake on Feb 16, 2012 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

There is a lot to be said for vodka

I wrote several paragraphs before I caught myself. Time for me to step away from this discussion.

I figure that politics, religion and sex don’t belong on this blog as they will distract from the focus and drive away people who want to talk about football and the Steelers.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 16, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

by IronJake on Feb 16, 2012 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

yeah

I know

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 16, 2012 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

Vodka is a great drink that is very cheap in North Dakota. Thats a good thing, since theres nothing else to do there but drink.

by J. W. on Feb 20, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

not entirely true

As you mentioned, you can drive up to Winnipeg for a bit of cultural diversity/sports and other entertainments. Live theatre (several), opera, symphony, ballet (Royal Winnipeg Ballet), movies, bars, restaurants and sports are all available with hunting, fishing and splendid beaches (during the brief summer) are to be found within an hours drive. You can fish in the Red and Assiniboine rivers in Winnipeg but I wouldn’t eat anything I caught in them.

It is ironic that a large number of Canadians used to drive to Grand Forks for the shopping. I preferred to drive to Minneapolis/St Paul because I had a large number of friends there plus they had some excellent book stores.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 20, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

LeRon McClain

He would fit in nice here! him and reedman will get at least 10 carries per game..

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by nycsteelerfan on Feb 13, 2012 8:45 PM EST reply actions

QBs

I think the Steelers have 3 QBs at the moment with Ben, Troy Smith (iirc) and some guy I had never heard of. I think, at most, they will bring in 1 more QB just in case someone is injured.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 13, 2012 9:05 PM EST reply actions

Troy Smith is a bum and his contract is not guaranteed.

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by seton hall and steelers on Feb 13, 2012 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

so he is just insurance then

In case we can’t get things worked out any better. Maybe he will be the #3.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

Something I forgot - Here is what the roster would look like next year

QB: Big Ben, JJ, Byron Leftwich
RB: Mendy, Redman, Batch/Dwyer/Baker (2 of 3)
WR: MW, AB, ES, Ward, Hill
TE: Miller, Johnson, Saunders
LT: Gilbert
LG: Urbik, Washington
C: Pouncey, Legursky
RG: Foster, Washington
RT: Colon
Total: 22 (We would probably add a tackle or two and maybe a FB)
DE: Keisel, Heyward, Hood, Ellis
DT: Lee Hill, McClendon, Ta’amu
OLB: Harrison, Woodley, Worilds, Lewis
ILB: Timmons, Farrior, Foote, Lewis, Sylvester
CB: Taylor, Lewis, Gay, Brown, Allen
S: Polamalu, Clark, Mundy, Taylor
K: Walsh
P: Kapinos
LS: Warren
Total – 27

Total: 49

The four open roster spots would probably be spent on 2OT’s, a FB, and a CB/ST guy
I could see them bringing back Starks, Essex, and Madison in this situation and signing a UDFA FB.

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by seton hall and steelers on Feb 13, 2012 10:20 PM EST reply actions

that DLine would be absolutely sick….unfortunately, I just don’t see it happening

by NoVAPensFan on Feb 14, 2012 3:45 AM EST up reply actions

Did you forget they signed a few players a couple of weeks ago.

Safety Myron Role and some other WR.

by IronJake on Feb 15, 2012 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

This wouldn't be a bad situation at all...

Washington I like he is raw because he has switch multiple time form OG to OT. After about the halfway point he may be able to start. Ronnell Lewis will give us young depth at ILB and he can come in on passing downs in his rookie season. Ta’amu owned Glenn at the Senior Bowl he has great movement skill. I don’t think he is every going to be at the level of a Casey Hampton or Vince Wilfork but he will be good.
In the third round I’d rather take Ladarius Green, TE out of La. Lafayette if we are going for adding size to the receiving corp. He is 6’6" and move well. Like Taylor he is an interesting prospect at safety. Kind of a nickle corner/ safety player. Grabbing a kicker is good. Maybe grab Bradie Ewing in the 7th FB from Wisconsin but that might just be a dream of mine.

I wouldn’t mind this draft at all on paper.

Huge fan of the Steelers. (that includes "Steelers West")
"If I could start my life over again, I would be a professional football player and you better damn well believe a Pittsburgh Steeler!"- Jack Lambert

by Steel34D on Feb 13, 2012 11:25 PM EST reply actions

Would not mind seeing this

Not sure they would get the people you mentioned in as FA’s. Price tags could be high but like you mentioned you could back load the deals so not much of a cap hit. My guess is that the Bills will keep Urbick or find a way to keep him on their roster.

The one guy who may not be back is David Johnson. I was almost sure he was gone unitl Saunders got the 4 game suspension. Now who knows. Plus it will depend on if Haley will use him like Arians did or if he values a FB or he could use a guy like Redman or Clay as a blocking back.

Great analysis. It will be interesting to see how things play out. The only strech you have is the Steelers trading out of the first round.

by MrZoot on Feb 14, 2012 7:38 AM EST reply actions

Has there been an announcement?

I haven’t heard anything from anyone who is official.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

That seems like a lot of money we don't have

You’re adding about 5-8.7 million to this year, roughly depending on how they stretch the bonus (I really don’t know how it works out).

And we are currently like 10 million over?

Hampton cut saves 4.9
Kemo saves 3.6
Madison isn’t under contract, unless I missed something.
If we get Ward down to vet min that’s about 3
Farrior below 2 saves about 1
Foote to vet min saves 2

That gets us to about 4.5 under the cap. We don’t have the money to save those FAs. I’d ditch the idea of getting Johnson (I think it’s pointless to pay a 3rd QB that money) and go with a low draft pick or UDFA.

BTW, just noticed Smith is not a FA. He’s under contract. Cutting or retiring saves another 2.

Personally, I think we need to find a way to cut J Scott to save that 2 million as well. Although, if we cut Kemo, Scott, and don’t resign Essex and Starks we are kind of short on OL. I’d be surprised if we only draft 1 OL.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Feb 14, 2012 8:11 AM EST reply actions

I would be surprised if we kept Scott

And I see us taking two OL like we did last year. We’ll probably be forced to keep Essex, but we have to cut Kemo.

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...

by StoneColdSteel on Feb 14, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

You forgot one...

CUT: Willie “Stinky” Colon

I don’t know how Colon ever fooled the front office (or anyone for that matter) into thinking that he was worth that ridiculous contract he signed last year. Colon is TERRIBLE in pass protection and is usually good for at least three penalties a game (two holding calls and a false-start or two). I hope and pray that Tomlin comes to his senses and cuts this injury-prone, turnstile RT, sorry-excuse of an O-lineman.

by dpfolger on Feb 14, 2012 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Not this again...

Do some research http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/06/15/three-year-pass-blocking-efficiency-offensive-linemen/

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Feb 14, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Surprise...

Chris Kemoeatu is on top of the worst OG pass efficiency and Justin Hartwig for centers which begs the question how the hell did we win the Super Bowl in 2008.

Colon was really good when he last played and for the few snaps he played against Baltimore he didn’t look bad. If he is healthy I am not worried. I think Gilbert might be able to play LT, we will have to see though.

by Steel34D on Feb 14, 2012 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

begs the question how the hell did we win the Super Bowl in 2008.

Same way we always do. By cheating, and paying off the refs of course.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 14, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

...and with the hardest schedule in 25 years.

Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII

by SteeladyinVA on Feb 14, 2012 10:04 PM EST up reply actions

B.s. I like the conspiracy theories from non-Steeler fans to be a better explanation of our team’s success.
Hell, I’ve even heard that our schedule difficulty that year was exaggerated and over rated.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 1:30 AM EST up reply actions

We obviously struck a deal with the mafia before the big game

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...

by StoneColdSteel on Feb 15, 2012 1:41 AM EST up reply actions

lol. Whenever I hear someone said the NFL “made us” win, or that we paid the refs, my answer is something along the lines of "how do you know we didn’t have our mob friends MAKE the refs help us? Paying em off is for p words

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Feb 15, 2012 1:50 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not sold at Gilbert beint a LT yet

but we may have no choice.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

He hasn’t really played in two years. I wonder how he would have done had he been healthy last year.

by IronJake on Feb 15, 2012 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

Notes

Urbik Is also an RFA
BMac was already cut along with Battle
Hampton and Starks are both injured old and huge. Long odds of either of them playing anywhere next year. Hampton might get a PUP and roster exemption though.
I like the trade down but why pick up an ILB if you’re keeping Foote and Farrior? Could really use OT depth instead.
Will Allen needs to be added to the Cut list.

by Steely McSmash on Feb 14, 2012 1:04 PM EST reply actions

Urbik

I didn’t realize that he would still be a RFA after having been cut by one team then signed by another.

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

Because we would only keep Farrior and Foote for one more year so ILB is still a need

draftdatabase.wordpress.com
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by seton hall and steelers on Feb 14, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt we will trade back

The last time we didn’t have a 1st round pick was back in 1967. The talent between the 32 pick and and the 10th in the 2nd is such a talent gap that I doubt we ever trade back. throw in our success and failures in the 2nd compared to the 1st and to me its a dumb idea.

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.

"It would be tough for me to care less about their opinion, to be honest with you." Mike Tomlin

by Steel in FL on Feb 14, 2012 1:50 PM EST reply actions

Not this year

this year the draft is deep the talent discrepancy isn’t as high as it was. For instance Zach Brown is projected to go in the 2nd round this year where most years he’d be a sure 1st rounder.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

UPDATED DRAFT:

After looking at my draft, I realized I did not do a good job. Here is my new mock draft
2.14 – Brandon Washington, OG/OT, Miami
2.19 – Ronnell Lewis, ILB, Oklahoma
2.24 – Nate Potter, OT, Boise State
3.24 – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
4.24 – Brandon Taylor, S, LSU
6.24 – Blair Walsh, K, Washington
7.24 – Delvin Johnson, NT/DT, Marshall

The big switch is removing Ta’amu for a possible future LT in Potter and switching Baker for Johnson in the 7th round. I love what Johnson brings to the table as a late round sleeper who could develop over the future. He has great size and could contribute immediately as a situational pass rusher from the inside and could possibly develop into a great #3 DT to go along with Hill and McClendon

draftdatabase.wordpress.com
Follow @steelersrule124

by seton hall and steelers on Feb 14, 2012 2:54 PM EST reply actions

Then who will be our starting NT? Sammie Hill?

"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."

by Riddlah. on Feb 14, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Yep

All three of them would split time with Hill getting a majority of the snaps

draftdatabase.wordpress.com
Follow @steelersrule124

by seton hall and steelers on Feb 14, 2012 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

I would love this draft

my dream scenario

2.14 – Brandon Washington
2.19 – Ronell Lewis
2.24 – Nate Potter
3.24 – Jared Crick – DE/DT, Nebraska
4.24 – Nicolas Jean-Baptiste – NT, Baylor
6.25 – Stephen Hill, WR, GA Tech (he could fall on draft day because of the offense he played in)
7.24 – Randy Bullock k, Oklahoma State

I’d flip out with this draft.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 15, 2012 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

If I was Colbert I would...

Use some of my money to buy a pet monkey and train it to get me beer, chips, and salsa… and of course throw it’s feces at my friends who are Cowboys fans.

by lkwdsteel on Feb 14, 2012 2:59 PM EST reply actions

Other than the salsa it sounds good to me.

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 14, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure I want a monkey handling my food after throwing feces at cowboy fans.

by IronJake on Feb 15, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

true

It will need to learn to wash it hands properly or to wear disposable gloves when poo flinging.

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

I know, I’ve said this multiple times before, and I’m sorry if it sounds like a spelling nazi, BUT It’s RE-SIGN. NOT RESIGN.

by IronJake on Feb 15, 2012 9:18 AM EST reply actions

huh

I thought you would have become re-signed to this by now!

:-)

(ducks)

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 15, 2012 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Hey, we’re both old (well, old enough to know better anyway) so I won’t be throwing anything =)

by IronJake on Feb 16, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

A few disagreements!

Stevenson Sylvester- no way young and more than likely a future starter at ILB.
Daniel S.- is not yet time to be concerned about this guy.
Dixion- hey you may no more about what’s going in steel town than me. I do not see cutting him unless he is"saying bump the steelers." He played well the last time I seen him start.
Your TRADE advice.
Your SIGN advice the Urbik kid i always liked him.
Your Draft wants suck!
I will agree withe the Moore cutting but not with draft a running back like Lamichaels!

Hard Work Pays Off!!

by greenm on Feb 18, 2012 9:10 AM EST reply actions

wow

are u kidding me..GAY is a bum ..he made two plays last yr and u call him a good back..he has burnt more the last two years than any other steeler back….he stinks run him out of town

by mpace1 on Feb 20, 2012 8:37 PM EST reply actions

Usually informed opinions are more respected. Just something to think about. Your claims have already been proven wrong a number of times.

I don't get it, I've bought my wife a vacuum cleaner for Valentine's day four years in a row, and she still doesn't understand.......
just how much I love her

by FrankWyt on Feb 20, 2012 9:06 PM EST up reply actions

he has burnt more the last two years than any other steeler back

Um…

He was good enough too beat out the other to get on that field. I don’t think they re-sign Gay but it is not because his play it would be because the cap and the positive signs Cortez Allen showed when on the field.

by Steel34D on Feb 21, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions