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Monday, March 03, 2008

Steelers sign Roethlisberger, Moore

The Steelers made their first big splash of the offseason, signing QB Ben Roethlisberger to an eight-year contract extension worth $102 million and signing free agent running back Mewelde Moore.

Roethlisberger's signing was a priority for the team an gives them stability for the better part of the next decade at the position.

Moore, as regular readers of this blog know, was one of the target players for the Steelers, mainly due to his abilities as a return man and third-down back.

He'll handle punt and kickoff returns for the Steelers and also catch a lot of passes out of the backfield spelling Willie Parker, serving in the same role Kevin Faulk does in New England.

Moore's deal is for three years.

The Steelers are scheduled to host New England free safety Eugene Wilson later this week.

7 comments:

custard said...

Excellent job Dale!

What are the chances of getting Rex Hadnot C

And Eugene Wilson? FS / CB

Landon Johnson

Thanks. Keep up the good work.

How much salary cap room do we have left?

So is Ben now signed for 10 yrs or just 8?

A mock game where you fill in the gaps after I say what position We draft.

Game below. Enjoy.

Landon Johnson = a ROLB - WLB in a 4-3 base. Timmons will me a 4-3 MLB and Harrison a SLB in a 4-3.

In a 3-4 Woodley replaces Haggans. Draft pick for Keisel at RDE in a 3-4.

Keisel will be a beast as an UT in a 4-3 solely.

We need a WDE in a 4-3 - Nickel / Dimes. Who is the best WDE in a 4-3 in the draft?

We are playing a hybrid next year. Landon Johnson will only see the field as a WLB in a 4-3 D and special teams. Timmons will be a MLB in a 4-3 scheme only + Special teams.

Foote and Farrior will be 3-4 ILB's - solely + Special teams. Could extend Farrior's career by only playing him on 3-4 downs.

Eugene Wilson will be an excellent pickup. a FS who can play on SLOT recievers.

The game!

1. WDE / RDE in a 4-3 =
2. LT =
3. LG =
4. Big WR 6-3 + 4.5 / 4.6 Forty =
5. SDE / LDE in a 4-3 =
6. Kick / Punt returner =

Have a go! see who wins.

Dale Lolley said...

I'm not a Hadnot fan at all.
They didn't eat up much cap space with Tuesday's signings.
Moore only costs them about $1 mill. on the cap this season. Roethlisberger's cost is slightly higher than his previous number.
They're not going to shift to a 4-3. Timmons will be starting inside in place of Foote unless he completely stinks up camp.

custard said...

What I don't think you get Dale to run an efficient Hybrid - you need more players to fill the void.

Foote and Farrior 3-4 backers only ...

3-4:

RDE - Draft * McBean
NT - Hampton
LDE Smith
ROLB - Harrison
MLB2 - Foote
MLB1 - Farrior
LOLB - Woodley
+ Secondary

4-3

RDE - Draft
UT - Keisel / McBean
DT Hampton / Smith
LDE - Woodley
ROLB - Johnson
MLB - Timmons
LOLB - Harrison
+ Secondary.

Different personnel for the HYBRID to work!

Do you get it?

I love the 3-4 but on obvious passing downs you need the 4 with their hand in the ground.

So according to me: If we sign Johnson and Wilson our only needs on D are WDE for a 4-3 and another LOLB for depth to spell both Woodley / Harrison for breathers.

Not including. 2-4-5, 1-5-5, 3-3-5, 1-4-6, Dime and Quarter packages.

Can you answer the questions posed to you earlier?

Thanks!

Dale Lolley said...

Farrior played in a 4-3 at times in N.Y.
Ben is signed through 2015. The new terms of the contract are for six new years. They re-did the final two of his current contract.
As for cap space left, since we don't know the real particulars just yet on Ben's - though I do have Moore's numbers - we have to take Colbert's word that these moves didn't affect the cap much.
Moore counts $1 mill. per season. From what Colbert said, Ben was basically a wash this season.

Anonymous said...

Dale, what do you think of the Moore signing? How do you see the backfield depth chart on opening day? I'd like to see Russell emerge as the back up to Willie. Nothing against Davenport, I just feel Russell is young and has big potential. Obviously Verron will be gone, but is there any chance Davenport is a camp casualty? Seems like a long shot, but I'd hate to see Russell go. If he's put on the practice squad, I bet he doesn't last.

On a separate note; Do you have any idea how Clark is rehabbing? Is there any chance he can get back to his former self?

Thanks Dale.

Dale Lolley said...

I answered the Clark questions in my latest post.
Keona will be happy to know the Steelers hosted Hadnot. But it's my belief that if he was any good, Miami – which is hurting for players – wouldn't let him walk.
I like the Moore signing a lot. He's a guy who can do a lot of different things and has performed well when he's started.
The knock on him has been that he's gotten nicked a couple of times in his career, but he didn't have that problem at Tulane, where he was a workhorse back.
At worst, he takes Davenport's spot as third-down back while providing the team a punt returner.
A best, he pushes Davenport off the roster and he and Russell provide the primary depth.

custard said...

Dale, Hadnot is one strong bugger. He could push Mahan around with his 1 pube he has.

Hadnot = Center here. Like Hartings was.