Behind the Steel Curtain - Emmanuel Sanders Restricted Free Agent SagaA level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47293/steel_curtain_fave.png2013-07-19T08:20:00-04:00http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/rss/stream/38733072013-07-19T08:20:00-04:002013-07-19T08:20:00-04:00Team expects 70 catches, 1,000 yards from Sanders
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<figcaption>Gregory Shamus</figcaption>
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<p>The restricted free-agent put his original team on the spot by signing an offer sheet from an AFC rival. The Steelers matched said offer, but expect the player to live up to his pay increase.</p> <p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VEEwaZ2sxRs" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> took their sweet time making an offer to RFA WR <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span>, then the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> took their own sweet time deciding whether to match their offer. However, they wasted no time laying out the conditions which match the pay increase they agreed to.</p>
<p>Sanders spent most of Wednesday appearing across the lineup on ESPN. Most of the questions he entertained encircled the personnel rollover experienced by the Steelers roster this off-season; primarily former teammate <span>Mike Wallace</span>. However, during one answer, Sanders let slip a small piece of the Steelers mindset about his own situation.</p>
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<a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/7/18/4536342/steelers-training-camp-preview-wide-receiver-depth-chart">
<h2>What Brown and Sanders can do for the Steelers</h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16589087/158819247.0_standard_783.0.jpg"></a> <span>Training Camp Talkers moves to the wide receivers.</span>
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<p>Once Wallace became a free agent, Sanders slid up the depth chart by default. Whether he broke training camp as the top dog having yet to be seen, his role was bound to increase. Now, we know how far the team expects it to increase.</p>
<p>"They're expecting 70 catches for 1,000 yards, and that's the same thing that I expect for myself."</p>
<p>Quite a lofty goal for someone who set career best seasonal benchmarks of 44 catches and 626 yards in 2012. Even Wallace as the team's No.1, only had 64 catches and 836 yards; and he did so for about a quarter-million more than Sanders new contract is worth.</p>
<p>Perhaps these goals do not seem unobtainable for Sanders, but they don't seem to be a suggestion from the team. This is what is expected.</p>
<p>Sanders makes no mention as to when the team placed this bar before him, although one can't help but wonder if it came after the Steelers had to match the offer sheet Sanders signed. Were their original expectations for him slightly more realistic for a player who is admittedly the second receiver on the depth chart behind <span>Antonio Brown</span>, knowing he would already be in an increased role anyway?</p>
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<a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/5/1/4289092/hines-ward-comments-steelers-ravens-jarvis-jones">
<h2>BTSC's Neal Coolong interviews former Steelers WR Hines Ward</h2>
<img src="http://www.sbnation.com/chorus_images/12509461/standard/medium_709/1367410415"></a> <span>Ward talks about triathlons, broadcasting and of course, the rivalry with the Ravens.</span>
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<p>Both Sanders original RFA tender and his new contract only cover the 2013 season. Afterward, he becomes an unrestricted free-agent. Obviously, the Steelers need to know he is worthy of starting before they offer him a new extension; but to expect those types of numbers from a player whose best season barely surpassed their halfway points is a bit of a stretch.</p>
<p>Maybe Sanders brought the extra requirements upon himself by forcing the Steelers hand into a raise, but one thing is certain -- if Sanders can meet the Steelers demands this year, he will be rewarded with a new contract next season, whether it is offered by Pittsburgh, or someone else.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/5/2/4291718/steelers-Emmanuel-Sanders-expected-statisticsSteelCityRoller2013-04-16T23:44:23-04:002013-04-16T23:44:23-04:00Belichick, Sanders, the Steelers and Subterfuge
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<img alt="The Steelers are Banking that Emmanuel Sanders is a Super Bowl-capable wideout" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oYappzZ-GuyA3XKQS5LATUFHiWQ=/0x18:570x398/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11522995/gyi0063338134.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Steelers are Banking that Emmanuel Sanders is a Super Bowl-capable wideout | Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Bill Belichick tried to lure Emmanuel Sanders away with a suspicious 1 year deal... Not only did Belichick's subterfuge threaten to cut "Young Money's" remaining value in half, it also almost brought the Steelers history with restricted free agents full circle. Yes, all of this has happened to the Steelers before....</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> draft a player with a premium pick. He delivers as a rookie. He develops, albeit inconsistently, as a player with a promising upside as he reaches his prime NFL years.</p>
<p>He reaches free agency. The Steelers tender him, with an eye towards possibly signing him long term while in Latrobe, only to have a crafty rival try to thwart their plans....</p>
<p>...We of course now know that is what has happened with the Steelers, <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span>, and the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a>.</p>
<p>After <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/13/4219908/steelers-emmanuel-sanders-signing-patriots-deadline">debating internally</a>, the Steelers decided to meet Bill Belichick's 2.5 million dollar tender rather than allow Sanders to defect. Here and elsewhere the <a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2013/04/steelers-emmanuel-sanders-pros-cons-patriots-free-agent.html">pro's and con's of letting Sanders walk</a> have and will be debated.</p>
<p>But there's still a rub in the form of an untold backstory that sees the Steelers narrowly averting a rendezvous with history. </p>
<p>You see, restricted free agents rarely switch teams. And it's even more rare that they do so for one year deals.</p>
<p>BTSC's own Neal Coolong was the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/10/4209448/emmanuel-sanders-signing-compensation-draft-pick-patriots/in/3873307">first to raise the caution flag that something may be afoul</a> and Yahoo!'s Jason Cole <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--will-pats-later-sign-emmanuel-sanders-to-longer-deal--210519500.html">followed suit</a>.</p>
<p>Was the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/10/27/2517674/steelers-vs-patriots-bill-belichick-pittsburgh-cleveland-rivalry">Steelers arch-nemesis Bill Belichick</a> scheming by signing Sanders to a one year deal that the Steelers would be salary cap crazy to match with promises of further riches to come? Could that be the reason for the "<a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2013/03/emmanuel-sanders-patriots-offer-confusion.html">Sanders-signed-offer-no-he-didn't-yes-he-did</a>" nature of the story?</p>
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<li> <span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">It's a question whose legitimacy is only strengthened by </span><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/11/4210350/Steelers-Emmanuel-Sanders-Patriots-Twitter/in/3873307" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Sander's own mysterious Tweet</a><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">.</span> </li>
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<p>But this isn't the first time the Steelers have been down this road. It happened before in a story that the mainstream Steelers media missed. Fortunately we here at the BTSC community have long memories and stand ready to fill in the gaps. </p>
<p><b>1993 the Steelers at the Dawn of Free Restricted Agency</b></p>
<p>The restricted free agent category was created by the landmark Freeman-McNeil case that brought free agency to the NFL. The first CBA gave restricted free agency to three years veterans, and full free agency after 5, with the unrestricted number dropping by a year once the salary cap went into effect.</p>
<p>1993 was the first off season with free agency, and it was an uncapped year. And unlike the 2010 version, NFL general managers tripped over themselves to throw money at free agents.</p>
<p>In the blink of an eye, free agency robbed the Steelers of <b>Hardy Nickerson</b>, <b>Tunch Ilikin</b>, and <b>Aaron Jones</b> - 2 starters and a key back up form Bill Cowher's inaugural season.</p>
<p>And the prospective poachers weren't done. <a target="_blank" href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xNdRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Sm4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4718%2C6844877">Tampa Bay signed <b>Neil O'Donnell</b></a> to a three year restricted free agent tender, and San Diego signed starting Steelers linebacker <a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com.ar/2009/07/steelers-1989-draft-gems-amidst-fools.html#89DraftJW"><b>Jerrol Williams</b></a> to a one year restricted free agent tender.</p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The Steelers of course matched O'Donnell's offer.</span></li>
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<p>Williams left them in a more perplexing position, not at all unlike what they found themselves in with Sanders.</p>
<p>Jerrol Williams was part of the <a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2009/07/steelers-1989-draft-gems-amidst-fools.html">Steelers 1989 Draft Class</a>, and like Sanders he made an almost immediate impact as a rookie. When <a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2009/09/steelers-begin-89-season-losing-92-10.html">Brain Hinkle broke his leg in week 2 vs. the Bengals</a>, the Steelers first <a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2009/09/vultures-circle-three-rivers-stadium.html">looked to sign veteran Darin Jordan</a>, but when he wasn't available, they turned to Williams.</p>
<p>Jerrol Williams exploded with 3 sacks as the <a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2009/09/1989-steelers-shock-nfl-vikings-27-14.html">Steelers shocked the then Super Bowl favorite Vikings</a>.</p>
<p>The Steelers seemed to have a star in the making. Yet, Hinkle got his starting job back when he became healthy. He failed to unseat Hinkle in 1990 and again in 1991 even though Williams made 9 sacks in the season.</p>
<p>(D.C. area Steelers Nation expats above a certain age likely remember WMAL sports-talk host Ken Beatrice's outrage over Pittsburgh's decision to start Hinkle over Williams.)</p>
<p>But where injuries plagued Sanders, Williams fenced with other demons. At the time the word from <i>Steelers Digest</i> was that Williams didn't appreciate the commitment that accompanied starter status. Over 20 years later <a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburghsportsdailybulletin.wordpress.com/2011/12/27/jerrol-williams-steelers-linebacker-1989-1992/">Jerrol Willaims confirmed that himself</a>, explaining:</p>
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<p>In the old school system under <b>Coach Noll</b>. if you didn't know all the plays chapter and verse you didn't start. So I couldn't move up with Bryan Hinkle there. Cowher said the main thing for me was to show the intensity every down that I did as a third down pass rusher.</p>
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<p>Williams did break the starting line up under Cowher, and while his sack number dropped by half, he did force and recover two fumbles and hauled in an interception. Similar to Sanders, while Williams didn't exactly flop when he got his shot at Prime Time, but neither did he quite live up to expectations.</p>
<p>So while Williams, like Sanders, was a good player, he was no world beater, making it all the more surprising that the Bobby Bethard and Bobby Ross of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a> would offer him a mammoth one year 1.7 million dollar deal.</p>
<p>That may sound cheap, but in <a target="_blank" href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xNdRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Sm4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6378%2C6845621">1993 that was an exorbitant contract</a>. Future <a target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2009/08/rod-woodson-hall-of-fame-games-as.html">Hall of Famer <b>Rod Woodson</b></a> only made 1.25 million for the 1993 season, the final year of what had been the richest NFL contract for a corner.</p>
<p>The Steelers had invested in drafting and developing Jerrol Williams, and wanted to keep him. Restricted free agency rules being with they were, they could have kept him, but only for a year.<br><br><b>Past Performance Does Not Guarantee Future Results. And Maybe That's a Good Thing. Or Maybe Not</b></p>
<p>In 1993 Dan Rooney didn't do big money contracts for one year any more than he does now (Flozell Adams excepted). And the deal smelled fishy to the <a style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RlQNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Vm4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6272%2C116483">Steelers filed a protest with the NFL's Management Council</a> over the Chargers offer to Williams. Conceivably they could have done the same thing over Sanders.</p>
<p>But nothing ever came of 1993 protest, and if the NFL barley <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/8/6/3218255/spygate-the-untold-story">slapped Bill Belichick on the wrist for Spygate</a> then what would have they done here, with no explicit rules barring signing a restricted free agent and then immediately renegotiating?<br><br>The Steelers let Jorrel Williams walk to San Diego and unfortunately injuries <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-09-27/news/1996271042_1_steelers-mark-williams-ravens">ruined his post-Pittsburgh career</a>. Things went the opposite way for the Steelers, in a way few fans could have predicted when Williams left.<br><br>You see free agency was supposed decimate the Steelers. The Rooneys were universally regarded as cheap (don't believe it? Click<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xNdRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Sm4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4682%2C6846366" target="_blank"> here</a> or <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xNdRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Sm4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4718%2C6844877" target="_blank">here</a>.) Yet the Steelers stunned much of the NFL by opening up their check books and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/04/sports/sports-people-football-steelers-sign-greene.html">upgrading the position by signing free agent linebacker Kevin Greene</a>.<br><br>In dealing with what will likely be their last restricted free agent (assuming no last minute run at <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://steelcurtainrising.blogspot.com/2013/02/isaac-redman-steelers-restricted-free-agent-running-back.html">restricted free agents <b>Issac Redman</b></a> and/or <span>Steve McLendon</span>) the Steelers again opted to break with the conventional wisdom that has governed franchise decisions and to put short-term big money down.</p>
<p>Only time will tell if their gamble on Sanders pays dividends similar to the ones Kevin Greene delivered.<br></p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/16/4224046/steelers-emmanuel-sanders-patriots-restricted-free-agents-williamsHombre de Acero2013-04-16T06:16:20-04:002013-04-16T06:16:20-04:00Sanders agent says he received more than one offer
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<figcaption>Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Agent for Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders casts shadow over possibility of keeping his client in Pittsburgh for the long haul. </p> <p>Jordan Woy, agent for <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> wide receiver who nearly departed for the blue and red of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> in restricted free agency, said his client had "several teams who made offers," casting doubt over the idea of Sanders staying in Pittsburgh beyond 2013.</p>
<p>This quote appears in a Post-Gazette article written by Ed Bouchette.</p>
<p>"We had several teams make offers in free agency so we know there are teams who really like Emmanuel. It would have to be a very good deal for us to sign a multiyear agreement."</p>
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<div class="read-more">
<strong>Sanders</strong>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/15/4225978/steelers-isaac-redman-tender-offer-salary-cap">Pulling Redman's tender</a>? <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/15/4225590/steelers-keep-match-emmanuel-sanders-patriots">Retaining Sanders a good thing</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/3/17/4115178/steelers-free-agency-tracker-signed-players-lost-contracts-nfl-2013">Free Agency</a>
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<p>Instead of receiving a third-round pick in exchange for Sanders now, if the Steelers lose Sanders to free agency in 2014 - which is at least a solid possibility - they will receive a compensatory pick in 2015, the level of which will be determined by the size of whatever contract Sanders signs next year and how well he does, along with dozens of other factors.</p>
<p>Considering none of Woy's statements will be verified, it can be hard to accept the word of the man who's job is to make his client appear as marketable as possible, even if the statement doesn't take into account the fact Sanders has fewer than 100 catches in his three-year career, and has spent much of it on the team's injury report.</p>
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<a href="LINK%20LINK%20LINK"> </a>
<h2><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/15/4225938/2013-steelers-draft-best-player-available-pass-rush-statistics" target="_blank">Steelers Draft Priorities</a></h2>
<a href="LINK%20LINK%20LINK"> <img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11556609/130145176.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>BTSC writer Neal Coolong wonders if the Steelers potential target of a receiver high in the 2013 NFL Draft will now change, or even be magnified, due to the retention of Emmaneul Sanders. </span>
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<p>Still, Sanders has shown, when healthy, to be an effective receiver, and with the starting split end position all but locked up for 2013, it could be a breakout season for him.</p>
<p>The question would be, then, if he has that breakout season, do the Steelers have any chance of retaining him? If not, it'd be the third split end since 2010 to leave the team.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/16/4229882/emmanuel-sanders-contract-long-term-offer-patriots-agentNeal Coolong2013-04-15T12:09:58-04:002013-04-15T12:09:58-04:00Sanders could cost Steelers even more
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Keeping the epitome of potential in Pittsburgh benefits today, but could subtract from tomorrow as taught by the lessons of yesterday.</p> <p>If the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> have learned anything over the past decade, it should be to keep more than just the current and following year's salary cap situation in mind when managing the organization's financial on-field roster.<br><br>By matching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> offer sheet to <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span>, the Steelers once again chose the now over the later.<br><br>Certainly, Sanders depature would have left a definite void in his wake. With <span>Mike Wallace</span> already gone to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>, the receiving corps would have been narrowed down to a patchwork skeleton crew, consisting of work-in-progress <span>Antonio Brown</span>, work-already-progressed <span>Jerricho Cotchery</span> and work-in-regress <span>Plaxico Burress</span>. <br><br>The vacuum created by Sanders exit would have almost certainly sucked a few receivers to the top of the team's draft board, opening up the possibilities of the team uncharacteristically reaching for a player on position instead of their typical best-player-available method. However, the team would have received the 91st overall pick this year as compensation to buffer their inferiority anxieties.<br><br>Toss in repeated reports of his outstanding character, and the Sanders signing seems to bear only positives for a team in transition denial; especially considering the Steelers remain under the cap after increasing his pay to keep him. While many were surprised by the team only offering him a minimum RFA tender after giving fellow young money man Wallace a first-round worthy offer last season. The Steelers wisdom actually saved themselves over $200k from what they paid Wallace, and even slightly more compared to 2013's first-round tender value.<br><br>While it can be argued the Steelers basically got a bargain, it could end up costing them in the long run.<br><br>First, the misconception about the team needing to over-value receivers would have most likely proved accurate. A few possible options will be available when Pittsburgh picks 17th in the upcoming NFL draft, but with the numerous conflicting reports and measurables, none of them are guaranteed to be viable options. <br><br>Making things even worse are those following the team pushing for a player like Tavon Austin; proving we learned absolutely nothing from the <span>Chris Rainey</span> experiment last year. Not only would the Steelers have reached for a similar player, but they would have been rewarded with similar results. While Rainey's skillset was explosive - especially in the return game - it was overshadowed by penalties and revolving special teams personnel, proving one player alone does not a better team make.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span><br><br>With this being said, would Sanders becoming a Patriot have been so detrimental to the Steelers championship chances?<br><br>Of course, on gamedays, t<span style="line-height: 9px;">eams want to field the best possible roster. Unfortunately, for team front office's, everyday is gameday, and every move made has to not only consider the today and the next day, but next year and the year after as well. Sanders ensures a solid group in 2013, but his single-season deal means Brown will be the only veteran under contract beyond. While the team is expected to receive a few supplemental picks in the 2014 draft for free-agents they lost this year, too many unproven guys would be forced into the spotlight to wait to address the position if Sanders chooses to sign elsewhere when he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.<br></span><br>To avoid placing so much pressure on the draft, signing Sanders to an extension would seem like the right move; unfortunately old cap scars remind us of the dangers of buying high and then having to sell low, even at a loss.<br><br>The team remains ~$700k under the cap, nearly their final net difference from 2012. The cap differences are able to be carried over to the following season as a credit. However, even though the team has made difficult decisions with tenured veterans <span>James Harrison</span> and <span>Willie Colon</span>, and even <span>James Farrior</span>, <span>Aaron Smith</span> and <span>Hines Ward</span> from last season, their heads still aren't above the water's surface yet.<br><br>The team is already over next year's cap without even knowing how much of an increase the cap will see by then. Restructuring will be almost guaranteed as the team attempts to conform, much like they have in year's past. Which begs the question, will the team be able to afford Sanders beyond 2013? His signing of the Patriots offer proves he is trying to be smart with his professional career, as he should. Smart professionals seek the maximum possible compensation for their efforts.<br><br>If salary caps were narrowed down to positional groups, perhaps Sanders situation wouldn't feel as cumbersome; but caps encircle the entire roster. Wide receiver is not the only position which needs to be addressed for the long-term.<br><br>Several other players will see their contracts expire over the next two seasons. Outside linebackers <span>Jason Worilds</span> and Chris Carter, offensive linemen <span>Maurkice Pouncey</span> and <span>Marcus Gilbert</span>, and running backs <span>Jonathan Dwyer</span>, <span>Isaac Redman</span> and <span>Baron Batch</span> - with only Dwyer demanding future positional consideration through his performance and age combination.<br><br>Looking through the rest of the roster reminds us of the dwindling careers of <span>Ryan Clark</span>, <span>Troy Polamalu</span> and <span>Ike Taylor</span> - all players who will not simply be replaced with just anyone. The team is relying on <span>Larry Foote</span> to team with <span>Lawrence Timmons</span> at inside linebacker, with doubt hanging over <span>Sean Spence's</span> recovery and Stevenson Sylvester's ability to play more than special teams.<br><br>With the Steelers undeniably needing all the draft picks and cap space they can get their hands on, why match Sanders' offer? Not only did the team deny itself an extra top-100 selection, they also denied themselves $2.5 million in cap space. With cash spending minimums not being enforced until next season, and several teams with significant cap space remaining; having extra cap space to turn into cap credit next year when the cap is set to see a significant jump, creates the perfect opportunity to keep a young core together. However, the Steelers may have just married the difference to Sanders, if they kept him in hopes of keeping him even longer.<br><br>While any football executive worth his paycheck will tell you to take proven over potential anyday, the Steelers do not have the ability to slow down time, which erodes every NFL locker room. They need to recogize duct tape as a temporary fix, and not the universal adapter Red Green promotes it to be.<br><br>Obviously, there is more to any situation than the organization will discuss through the media, and Sanders experience in the offense will only expedite the team's progress. However, if the team is unable or does not expect to be able to re-sign him to an extension, anything less than a 2013 Super Bowl championship would make the Sanders saga an epic failure.<br><br><br><br><br></p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/15/4226566/steelers-emmanuel-sanders-future-considerationSteelCityRoller2013-04-15T07:00:08-04:002013-04-15T07:00:08-04:00Steelers did the right thing in retaining Sanders
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<figcaption>Jared Wickerham</figcaption>
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<p>Maybe getting that 91st pick and the extra cap space would have been the best thing to do. But here is one person's biased opinion as to why the Steelers probably did the right thing.</p> <p>There are seasons that are peculiar to professional football throughout the year. These seasons elicit predictable reactions from followers of the game. From mid July through the end of August is preseason; the time of training camp and focused preparation for the new season. After more than half a year removed from the game there is high anticipation and expectation associated with seeing the players in uniform, going through their paces. When you have endured a forced fast any morsel of food seems a banquet.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>Latest News</strong>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224664/steelers-match-patriots-offer-emmanuel-sanders">Steelers keeping Sanders</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224704/heath-miller-injury-steelers-match-emmanuel-sanders-offer-sheet-patriots">Did Miller's injury play a part?</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224790/emmanuel-sanders-contract-long-term-deal-steelers-patriots">Long term deal?</a> </div>
<p>I have attended <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> training camp at Saint Vincent College along with literally thousands of fans for the past couple of years. I usually come away from the sessions with mixed feelings. Its hard, for me at least, to not oversell myself as to what I am actually going to witness there. I usually position myself high on a hillside getting a panoramic view of what I might imagine to be the Battle of Gettysburg. What I get is practice. You know, like the basketball player Allen Iverson said, "practice". Not that it's not fascinating in its own way, but you have to be in the proper frame of mind. It's like being at a three ring circus where you have to make decisions almost every minute as to what is important and worthy of your attention. And even then its small things, nuance, looking for nuggets of insight in a sea of the mundane.</p>
<p>Last summer the wide receivers were an exception, they were endlessly interesting. First of all there was the guy who wasn't there. The previous summer I noted that there were more fans wearing <span>Hines Ward</span> jerseys than any other player. <span>Troy Polamalu</span> was second. Now Hines wasn't here. Then of course there was <span>Mike Wallace</span> and all the drama that his saga had generated to that point. With Ward gone and Wallace going in the minds of many attention was being paid to the youngsters who might move up the roster. These included players with ties to local colleges and high schools, interest was high.</p>
<p>But make no mistake the star was <span>Antonio Brown</span>. Brown is one of the relatively rare veterans who practices and generally conducts himself in that setting in the manner in which we would hope and imagine these players would practice; all out all the time. In addition he was charismatic; playing to the crowd, leading cheers. It was a treat to watch Brown and <span>Ike Taylor</span>, another one who didn't dial it back to go at each other with an intensity so great that a few days later the two would come to blows.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="sidebar">
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<h2><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4222478/steelers-dan-rooney-mike-tomlin-suspensions">The Steelers Standard</a></h2>
<a href="LINK%20LINK%20LINK"> <img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11502449/gyi0063176386.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>Is "The Steelers Way" a contradiction? BTSC's PaVaSteeler breaks it down. </span>
</div>
<p>While that battle attracted the lion's share of the attention from the fans, on the other side of the field the receiver that had been an afterthought in this drama was also working. <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> and <span>Keenan Lewis</span> were going at each other just as strong and just as hard as Brown and Taylor, and one thing was obvious to this observer; there didn't seem to be a dime's worth of difference between the talent being displayed by Sanders and that of Brown.</p>
<p>I mentioned seasons earlier on. The season we are in now is one where fidelity to abstractions is dominant. We assign inflated importance to forty times, bench press repetitions, cone drills and game tape where a player torched some kid from Wake Forest. Its all upside and measurables, but its the things that can't be measured that makes this more of a crap shoot than some aren't willing to acknowledge. Its about whether or how someone adjusts to a higher order of speed and violence, where no one's a chump and everything is less forgiving.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">Brown is one of the relatively rare veterans who practices and generally conducts himself in that setting in the manner in which we would hope and imagine these players would practice; all out all the time.</div>
<p>Here's the thing; Emmanuel Sanders can play. Maybe that 91st pick can play, maybe he could play even better than Sanders, but we're not in the same solar system of that being a guarantee or even a 50/50 proposition. Remember when Tomlin was asked about the competition between Sanders and Brown for playing time when they were rookies and Tomlin turned the phrase "Two dogs and one bone". Do you remember who won that competition? Hint: it wasn't Brown.</p>
<p>I get the other side of the argument, I really do. Yes, there are cap problems and a history of injuries. But for me it keeps coming back to, he can play. So there were a few things I found hard to accept. That we were just going to let this guy go to one of the very few teams that could stand in the way of Pittsburgh getting a seventh Lombardi, a guy who would most likely become their best receiver when he walks in the door. That we were going to succumb to the dreamy notion that guys who can really play in this league grow on trees and in two weeks we were just going to mosey down to the orchard and pick us a couple of players. This coming from people who were saying out of the other side of their mouths that they were questioning the competence of the Steelers FO to select quality players in the draft. And then there are all those who feel that an 8-8 season is sufficient cause to blow everything up, that Colbert and Tomlin and anyone else that doesn't acknowledge that the team isn't in serious transition is either lying or delusional. Some of those same people who assured us over the past few days that Sanders was definitely gone. It may be worth remembering that six seasons ago a Steelers team populated by <span>Alan Faneca</span>, <span>Joey Porter</span>, Troy, Ben, <span>Aaron Smith</span>, <span>Marvel Smith</span>, Hines, <span>Casey Hampton</span>, Heath, Ike, <span>James Farrior</span>, Foote, Deebo, Hartings, Hoke, Keisel and a number of others most in their prime went 8-8. Should that group have been blown up? Things that look possible (or impossible) in March and April often don't make any sense in the fall.</p>
<p>I don't know if this was the best thing to do. Time will tell I guess. But I am with Ben in that I think this is the right thing to do because Sanders can play and there are only so many players that you can allow to walk away if you're serious.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/15/4225590/steelers-keep-match-emmanuel-sanders-patriotsIvan Cole (RickVa)2013-04-14T19:34:24-04:002013-04-14T19:34:24-04:00One year deal or long-term extension?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NP5vmKNBPGjGtpSVgO0OI-gMmeI=/0x16:930x636/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11532781/125590641.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>The Steelers may have matched the Patriots offer, but they can still work out a long-term deal, should they be interested in that. They will have to work something out, considering they are basically at the top of the salary cap. </p> <p>The poll run on BTSC earlier this week saw <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4223056/emmanuel-sanders-signing-patriots-restricted-free-agency-compensation-third-round-pick-overall" target="_blank">eight percent of voters choose the "match the </a><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a> offer" option. </p>
<p>Two-thirds of you voted for letting him go, and 25 percent said to sign him to a long-term deal. </p>
<p>Perhaps that long-term deal is still in the works. </p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>Latest News</strong>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224664/steelers-match-patriots-offer-emmanuel-sanders">Steelers keep Sanders</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224704/heath-miller-injury-steelers-match-emmanuel-sanders-offer-sheet-patriots">Miller's injury affected decision?</a> <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/3/15/4109266/emmanuel-sanders-meeting-with-patriots-steelers-wide-receiver-restricted-free-agent" target="_blank">Sanders StoryStream</a>
</div>
<p>The $2.5 million one-year deal Sanders now has pushes the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> to the brink of the salary cap. A move is imminent, but whether that involves Sanders remains to be seen. </p>
<p>They could defer some of that cap hit in a longer deal to Sanders, but he'd still have to sign it. Considering he's owed $2.5 million this year, and hasn't exactly played for a large contract to this point, he may not be interested in getting less money this year. </p>
<p> </p>
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<h2><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224664/steelers-match-patriots-offer-emmanuel-sanders" target="_blank">Steelers match Patriots offer for Sanders</a></h2>
<a href="LINK%20LINK%20LINK"> <img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11530855/130977593.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>The Steelers matched the Patriots offer sheet for wide receiver <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> Sunday. </span>
</div>
<p>That means someone else will either have to restructure, if not be cut. </p>
<p>Obviously, it's possible for the Steelers to simply move money around the ledger, and not release any player, but they will have to be cap compliant in the near future. According to Mark Kaboly of the Tribune-Review, they are $742,000 under the cap with their top 48 players, needing that money to sign three more. </p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224790/emmanuel-sanders-contract-long-term-deal-steelers-patriotsNeal Coolong2013-04-14T18:46:48-04:002013-04-14T18:46:48-04:00SANDERS STAYING IN PITTSBURGH
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<figcaption>Gregory Shamus</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Emmanuel Sanders will remain in Pittsburgh after the Steelers matched the Patriots qualifying offer he signed earlier this week.</p> <p>After all that, <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> will stay in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>At least for this season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Glad the business side is out of the way. Now its back to playing football and bringing number 7 back to Pittsburgh. Love!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Steelernation">#Steelernation</a></p>
— Emmanuel Sanders (@E_Sanders88) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_Sanders88/status/323565866706944000">April 14, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> matched the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a> offer sheet for Emmanuel Sanders, retaining him for $2.5 million for this season.</p>
<p>The general consensus was the Steelers would not match the offer, and if he was going to remain in Pittsburgh, it'd be with a long-term deal.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>Latest</strong>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224790/emmanuel-sanders-contract-long-term-deal-steelers-patriots%20">Sanders forces team into long-term deal or another release or restructure</a>
</div>
<p>In the end, Sanders is still scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the 2013 season.</p>
<p>Sanders has 94 catches, 1,290 yards and five touchdowns in his three-year career. He was a third round pick out of SMU in 2010. The Steelers would have received the Patriots' third round pick in exchange for Sanders in restricted free agency.</p>
<p> </p>
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<h2><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224704/heath-miller-injury-steelers-match-emmanuel-sanders-offer-sheet-patriots">Could Heath Miller's injury be behind why the Steelers kept Sanders?</a></h2>
<a href="LINK%20LINK%20LINK"> <img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11531783/20121227_kkt_al8_285.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>Heath Miller tore his ACL in Week 16 of the 2012 season. Perhaps the Steelers didn't want to lose too many targets in their passing game after already having lost Mike Wallace and Miller's availability at least early in the year still unknown. </span>
</div>
<p>As it is, the Steelers have one more receiver on their roster they didn't initially think they'd have.</p>
<p>With the restricted free agency period ending April 19, it doesn't appear any other players will receive qualifying offers from another team.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4224664/steelers-match-patriots-offer-emmanuel-sandersNeal Coolong2013-04-14T08:00:11-04:002013-04-14T08:00:11-04:00BTSC readers vote overwhelmingly to let Sanders go
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4qWW2V7_SBo6_OCRVabdYnHjFLg=/0x73:4000x2740/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11503123/155482549.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Schultz</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A poll of over 1,000 BTSC readers shows the vast majority is ok with letting restricted free agent wide receiver join the Patriots in exchange for a third round pick - 91st overall - in the upcoming NFL Draft.</p> <p>We asked for your opinions on whether the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> should match a one-year, $2.5 million offer sheet restricted free agent <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> signed with the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a>, give him a long-term contract or let him walk.</p>
<p>In somewhat surprising results, the vast majority of those who voted are ok with letting Sanders join the Patriots in exchange for the 91st pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/10/4210906/emmanuel-sanders-contract-offer-sheet-patriots-value-compensation-draft-picks">Nearly two-thirds of all voters (65 percent) said declining to match or offer a long-term deal</a> to Sanders was the way to go. One quarter (25 percent) said signing him to a long-term deal is the best course of action and eight percent said matching the one year deal is the right decision.</p>
<p>The comments vary between the top two vote-getters as well, and some solid arguments are made for both sides.</p>
<p>Reader njblitzburghfan writes:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/10/4210906/emmanuel-sanders-contract-offer-sheet-patriots-value-compensation-draft-picks#155499253"><b>Pick and double dip</b></a><br>at WR this draft . Impact WR's are available such as Patterson , Hopkins, Hunter , Swope, Allen, Woods, Austin , Rogers etc;</p>
<p>These guys could come in and quite possibly fill those "shoes" and not be limited to a "one trick pony" type of receiver .</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We'd tend to agree. There are impact receivers in this draft, particularly those likely to go in the first three rounds. USC's Robert Woods has met with the team, and Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson is a fan favorite, based on the results of several mock drafts.</p>
<p>Not that those should mean anything as far as the team goes, but it suggests fans can see other valuable receivers available, who would come for a cheaper long-term price than Sanders.</p>
<p>Steeler junky sees it a little differently, suggesting the team should match the deal, but wouldn't mind certain receivers available in the draft over Sanders.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/10/4210906/emmanuel-sanders-contract-offer-sheet-patriots-value-compensation-draft-picks#155504045"><b>Match it</b></a><br>The Steelers already have to draft one WR high enough to be a possible rookie starter in 2013. Which probably means one WR early and another late. <br>Finding two future starting WR in one draft is always a gamble. Would rather get one Starter in 2013 and let Sanders go in 2014 and look for another in the 2014 draft. Unless of course Sanders shows significant improvement in 2013.</p>
<p>Now if the Steelers were some how able to get WR DeAndre Hopkins Iwould gladly wave good by to Sanders</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Unfortunately, they have to make a decision on whether to match it by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, well in advance of the draft, but odds of a receiver like DeAndre Hopkins being available for the Steelers to pick at least once, and maybe twice, are outstanding. That's likely one side the Steelers are weighing heavily.</p>
<p>There's always the salary cap aspect to this as well. A decision to let Sanders go to New England will free up $1.323 million in cap space in the elimination of Sanders' restricted free agency tender (not including the replacement cost). That would bring their pre-June 1 salary cap number to roughly $3.3 million under. Former Steelers OG <span>Willie Colon's</span> contract comes off the books after June 1, which will provide roughly the amount needed to sign the upcoming draft class.</p>
<p>Even with that, there's a concern of continuity, regardless of how the Steelers would spend that pick, or any others, in this draft. Obviously, they aren't forced to take a receiver with the Patriots pick, and while it's a position the Steelers are likely to address in the draft, there's no assurance on whether they will take a receiver.</p>
<p>This sentiment is captured by Regal Beagle, who writes:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/10/4210906/emmanuel-sanders-contract-offer-sheet-patriots-value-compensation-draft-picks#155508293"><b>Take the pick, but..</b></a><br>My first reaction was to take the pick (still leaning that way), which we could use an extra one anyway. But, I can't help thinking that this leaves Ben (our franchinse QB) with a relatively new group of receivers. With the window of opportunity closing, this is in itself a risk. Sure AB is still here, and there's history with Burress. And maybe Cotchery will be used more than last year. <br>Plus, Mark Kaboly of the Trib reported that matching the offer leaves us with aboutn 742k in cap space. So there's that.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Then there's the leery side to all of this. A pick is nice, and perhaps it's a move that, financially, makes far more sense, but long-term, the issue here isn't as much whether to keep Sanders; it's the amount of money Sanders will have to make to stay here for what could be just one year. StoneColdSteel brings this point up.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/10/4210906/emmanuel-sanders-contract-offer-sheet-patriots-value-compensation-draft-picks#155513259"><b>Untitled</b></a></p>
<p>I really dont wanna take one of Ben's weapons away and leave us without a(n) opening day (starter) opposite Tony (<span>Antonio Brown</span>). <br>But at that price the Pats can have him. They most likely wont resign him after next season unless he really a quality season.</p>
<p>I think Phantaskippy posted a couple of statistics in another fanpost that pointed towards Sanders being a very average receiver when compared to other receivers chosen in the same round. With the way <span>Keenan Lewis</span> played last season, I wouldn't totally rule out him having a quality season and maybe matching Antonio Brown production, but we don't wanna bank on that premise. The problem is that his price tag makes have to restructure more contracts and push more money into the 2014 cap (some of this might've been avoided if Keisel was cut). The other problem is that we'd be getting back a 3rd round pick for Sanders, which is the round he was drafted in so in a sense its kinda like we're getting our original pick back(even though that pick is not guaranteed to work out).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On paper, it can be seen as a step backward, and when unable to apply the player acquired essentially in exchange for Sanders, it's fair to look at it black and white and see an issue with Sanders not being there in 2013. Besides, no one says the Steelers are done digging in free agency. ALDOG summarizes this stance nicely.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/10/4210906/emmanuel-sanders-contract-offer-sheet-patriots-value-compensation-draft-picks#155518669"><b>Cotchery, Plax and a rookie?</b></a><br>Add a healing Heath and a rookie RB and what do we have? A virtual guarantee at a top 15 pick next year. We had trouble scoring last year...it won't get better. We need to keep Sanders, unfortunately. I am a bit perplexed that the Steelers did not see this coming....or did they? Curious how they handle this. Do we even have enough to go after Doucet?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>ALDOG may be referring to <span>Steve Breaston</span>, not <span>Early Doucet</span> (both former <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> receivers), although his slip may be Freudian. Doucet was a third round pick in 2008, and, like Breaston, played in Todd Haley's offense previously. Doucet missed the final games of the 2012 season with concussion-related issues, and would likely struggle to sign with a team until training camp is underway (i.e. injury replacement) due to those concerns.</p>
<p>Breaston is in a very similar spot, but has been <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/2/26/4031136/steelers-free-agency-steve-breaston-meeting-tuesday-contract-cleveland">connected with the Steelers this offseason.</a> It wouldn't be a surprise to see Breaston eventually back at the negotiating table, particularly in light of Sanders' possible (imminent?) departure - something we mentioned in that story.</p>
<p>The Steelers are taking the same wait-and-see approach with <span>Ahmad Bradshaw</span>, and while both have lingering medical issues, meaning the prudent thing to do is wait and see how those injuries heal, no one else is lining up to sign them.</p>
<p>That mentality forces us to frame the decision with Sanders a different way; is the acquisition of Breaston and a third round pick better than keeping Sanders on his own for more money?</p>
<p>The poll speaks volumes as to what you all feel generally about keeping that pick.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/4/14/4223056/emmanuel-sanders-signing-patriots-restricted-free-agency-compensation-third-round-pick-overallNeal Coolong