With free agency just a couple of days away, talks are heating up between the Steelers and some of their unsigned players.
Others, however, see the writing on the wall.
There has been no contact between the Steelers and offensive tackle Marvel Smith, something that's not surprising if you read my story on Kevin Colbert just after the Super Bowl.
The Steelers, who know more about Smith's injury history than anybody, think his career may be over.
That may or not be the case, but the Steelers are moving on.
There has also been little contact with wide receiver Nate Washington.
After placing the franchise tag on left tackle Max Starks, the Steelers saw nearly half of the $20 million in free cap space they had available eaten up.
They'll also have to keep enough money free to tender offers to their restricted free agents – right tackle Willie Colon being the biggest one.
20 comments:
Do you think they have more than a 0% chance of re-signing BMac?
Im surprised they havent contacted Washington. Nate owes the Steelers his whole career, he would not be in the NFL if it wasn't for the Steelers bringing him along.
Maybe the Steelers have more faith in Sweed stepping in than the Steeler fans do
you act like the steelers got nothing out of bringing nate "along"
was it not a mutually beneficial relationship?
I am supprised the Steelers haven't contacted Nate W. He is an average receiver who knows the system. I don't think he is going to command a big salary (maybe he thinks he is going to???). At this point I don't think they trust Sweed enoough if Hines or Santonio get hurt for an extended time. I am thinking he should get a 4 year contract in 8 million range.
Don't forget that Santonio's first season had plenty of dropped passes and confused routes. He shaped up a-ok. But I would be more confortable with Washington there to give Sweed one more year to get into the groove. Although his blocking at the end of the SB gave me a glimmer of hope for his performance next year.
Steelers are all in with Sweed. You expect zero from rookie receivers and despite the drops & theatrics, he showed enough potential that everyone should still be happy with the pick. Don't forget that folks were ready to run Washington out of town before last year. And in typical Steeler fan fashion, Burress was generally thought to be a bust throughout his first few years with the team. Give it time, everybody.
That said, I'm totally bummed it looks like McFadden is gone. Hope Gay can step in.
Dale,
I just read your insider column on Free Agent DBs and I could live with the loss of B. McFadden a lot easier if the Steelers sign CB/KR/PR Chris Carr and then draft a corner on the first day of the draft. In fact, Carr would probably be more of typical Steeler signing (good young player coming off of their first contract, fills a need, plenty of upside, relatively inexpensive). I'm thinking a 4-year, $10M deal would probably get it done whereas McFadden is going to get a 4-year or 5-year deal for $35M to $40M deal.
Leigh Bodden, as you mentioned, would also be a decent fit for this team. They know him well, having had to play against him for the past 5 years before being traded to the Lions.
In typical K. Colbert fashion, after he makes last offer to B. McFadden on Thursday night, I expect him to move relatively fast to get a deal done with either Carr or Bodden instead of allowing Rosenhaus to try and use the Steelers to drive up the price of McFadden. Colbert is known for changing directions quickly and moving on to a cheaper and lesser known option when free agency opens.
Thoughts?
daTruth,,I think you're on the money with your comments. Colbert and Co, aren't always right but I trust their judgements for the most part with regard to what a player's contribution is and how much it's worth in real dollars.
I think BMac lost his opportunity for a big pay day from the Steelers when he was unable to supplant Deshea as a starter. Not saying he isn't a good player but I think he's overvalued by Steeler fans and will probably also be overvalued by some other team. I don't like losing him but we'll probably be able to replace him with Gay, who is not as good but serviceable.
I wouldn't be surprised if we took a corner in this draft either if we don't try and pick up someone like a Carr. OL and DL are the most pressing positions of need but they won't reach for a pick in those categories.
Sad to see Washington go. He really stepped his game up this past season in terms of doing the little things well & improving his hands. He's shaping up quite well.
I can't help but think that the Steelers want to fill his roster spot with a WR who's also got significant return abilities since we had no one really fill that role last season. That could be a mid tier vet FA or a rookie like Derrick Williams, Mike Thomas or Sammie Stroughter.
I like Carr a lot and he's somebody as I pointed out on SteelCityInsider who would be a good fit. They'd get a lot of bang for the buck there. Plus he made the league as an undrafted guy, so he's got that hunger they like.
The thing I think they like about Sweed is that while he dropped some passes late in the year, he showed the ability to get wide open on those balls. That's something that can't be overlooked. I still think they bring in a vet, though, to compete with him. But Nate's going to get a starter's job and money elsewhere.
Dale I agree with you on Sweed. His ability get WIDE open is insane.
Plus I think he showed some something when he dropped the garunteed TD against Baltimore, cried about it, but then came back, destryoed a player with a block, and then caught a clutch pass.
If he takes that kind of attitude into the offseason and training camp, maybe the light will start to come on.
hope limas can fill in...
The only tender I would give Willie Colon is a kick in the rear on his way out of town.
C'mon, Colon maybe shouldn't be the starting RT, but he could at least be a starting guard or a quality backup. He's worth a roster spot on the team.
Dale,
Assuming that McFadden and Kemo don't return and Starks doesn't get a long term deal, offensive tackle, guard, and CB are the 3 biggest immediate need positions in the draft (I know the d-line is old but they're all still playing at a high level). How comfortable are the Steelers with the following players being the future at each of these positions: Gay at CB, Starks at LT, and Stapleton at LG?
I read on ESPN that Jeff Saturday wants to be a steeler but as a Guard. I think he would be great! How great would that be for Big Ben?
I thought Greg Carr was under contract for one more year.
Am I incorrect?
"I read on ESPN that Jeff Saturday wants to be a steeler but as a Guard. I think he would be great! How great would that be for Big Ben?"
that would suck. no thanks
Chris Carr is on every free agent list I've seen. I thought he signed a two-year deal with Tennessee last year as well, but apparently not.
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