In a couple of somewhat surprising moves Thursday, the Steelers decided to allow a pair of former starters to leave.
Guard Kendall Simmons, a former No. 1 draft pick and the team's starting right guard, was released.
Also Anthony Smith, a former third-round draft pick and starting free safety was not tendered a contract offer as a restricted free agent, making him unrestricted.
The Simmons move is not all that surprising considering his injury history. He missed most of the 2008 season after tearing his Achilles tendon.
Not tendering Smith, however, goes against the grain of what the team usually does. Normally, the Steelers like to cover their butts with their own free agents and at least assure themselves of getting something in return.
Dale, the post-gazette reports Davis did receive an offer. So you know whicj is correct?
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by the Simmons move, just the other day I was saying he could be our best O lineman left. The Steelers almost have to go after a veteran linemen in FA.
ReplyDeleteHere is something I am pondering: The Eagles put the 2nd Rd tender on Nick Cole. Since our 2nd Rounder is 64, do you think he is worth giving that pick up? It would basically be sacrficing a shot at a guy like Eric Wood in the 2nd (either at 64 or trading up) but Cole can come in and play immediately, which the draft pick probably cannot, at least one at 64.
Also, by not tendering Anthony Smith, you can tell his attitude destroyed his chances and they see him as a possible locker room cancer. Too bad. The talent is there, the mental part is not.
Yeah, I read the article in the Post as well, and it said that Davis was tendered an offer. I hope you're right and the Post is incorrect.
ReplyDeleteHere's an excerp and link to the Post's article ...
"Two exclusive rights players did receive tenders: fullback Carey Davis and guard Jeremy Parquet."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09057/951905-100.stm
Dale,
ReplyDeleteScale of 1-5, agree or disagree with the following?
Tomlin thinks Ryan Mundy's pinky is smarter than Anthony Smith
Simmons release means Chris K deal is more likely
Simmons release means B-Mac deal is more likely
Simmons release means Jeff Saturday (hah!) or FA lineman deal is more likely
Mike Humpal will be in Steelers training camp this year
Roy Lewis can play CB on Sunday afternoons in this league
They did tender McHugh, so I assume we'll see him back in the I next year.
ReplyDeleteThis is exciting if nothing else. Simmons clears up some cap space to help resign Harrison. I like the large scale changes on the O-Line -- I think they're necessary. Do you think this changes the situation with Saturday, Dale? I could see bringing him in for 2 years on the cheap.
I wouldn't mind a line that looks like this:
Starks - Mack or other draft pick - Saturday - Hartings - Colon or draft pick.
My bad on Davis. Read the e-mail wrong. It has been corrected.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this changes things with Saturday. They only have about $7.5 million in cap space.
Dave,
ReplyDeleteI am losing track. I know we will have a lot of turnover on the OL this year, but who do we still have signed and on the roster?
Most of the time the Steelers know more than us fans, but every now and then the fans are right. That Simmons contract was stupid.
ReplyDeleteStarks is tagged. Colon tendered.
ReplyDeleteColon could still sign elsewhere, but they'd get a No. 1 in return.
The tendered Jeremy Parquet - an exclusive rights guy.
Hartwig, Hills, Stapleton and Capizzi are under contract.
This tells me they will sign at least one free agent or are very close with Kemoeatu.
So by my calculation, Simmons' hit for 2009 will now be $4.71M instead of $4.67M. Since 2010 is looking like it will remain uncapped, why on earth wouldn't we wait until June 1st to cut him, making his cap hit $1.57M for this year and dumping that extra $3.14M on the uncapped year? What's the disadvantage?
ReplyDeleteThe fact that he's done, I'm sure, had something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteThey don't like to put off debt like that.
Dale,
ReplyDeleteJeff Saturday just re-up'd with The Colts which was a great call by you. I don't know about you but I feel like the grinch every year when it comes to free agency and squashing the dreams of my well-versed football friends. When will people learn the steelers do not make splashes in the free agent market!? It drives me nuts sometimes they way rumors fly around like we're gonna bring in a big name....puh-lease! Enough ranting, are your sources telling you they are close to signing somebody outside of the obvious(Harrison,Starks,Colon)??? What is your opinion about signing an aging receiver like Joey Galloway to bridge the gap for a year? He is from the Ohio Valley and if you could get him for a cheap, one year deal...what the heck? Let me know.
-Sasquatch
I doubt they sign a guy like Galloway - even though he's from Bellaire, right across the river from Wheeling.
ReplyDeleteAge and cost are just too great. Plus, it's just not their style. That's the kind of thing they did in the 60s that got them into trouble.
I think the Steelers will sign Trai Essex and let Kemo walk if gets an exorbitant offer. Kemo can only play G, but Essex can back up at both G and T and may even be good enough to win the RT job and let the Steelers move Colon inside to G.
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT MOVES by the Steelers
ReplyDeleteSimmons is absoulutely finished. He sucked even before rupturing his achilles
Anthony Smith is very talented but he is a showboat which the Steelers hate. Roy Lewis will take his spot nicely
I really hope they re-sign Essex
BMF asked about waiting until after June 1st to release Simmons to take a smaller cap hit this season. Since there is no cap next year the June 1st rule will not apply. Regardless of when you release a guy this year the full remaining prorated portion of his signing bonus hits your cap immediately.
ReplyDeleteIf they can re-sign Kemo and grab a starter-quality OL in the first/second round, things could really be coming into shape. Still need corner & DL, but would think that the Steelers might score a few relatively high compensatory picks in this year's draft.
ReplyDeleteKemo signed. Also, we have 9 picks that I know about: Rounds 1, 2, 3, 3 (Faneca), 4, 5, 6, 7, 7 (Mahan trade). Other than the Faneca 3rd round compensatory pick...do we have any other compensatory picks?
ReplyDeleteYou are speculating a 3rd rd comp. pick for Faneca leaving. That has not been confirmed, it could be a 4th.
ReplyDeleteCB Foxworth signed with the Ravens for 4 years 28 mill. I'd be pleased with a similar contract for McFadden
While the 3rd rounder for Faneca is an assumption, his contract was for a good amount more than the cut off last season between 3rd and 4th rounders. Add to that the fact that he started all 16 games and made the Pro-Bowl this year and a 3rd rounder is a safe assumption.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess a third for Faneca as well.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOn Smith,
ReplyDeleteMy take is that they'd rather not see him in St. Vincent this summer. His mental state is unacceptable to Tomlin.
If they tender him, then they're gambling the tender money that someone will sign him and get us the draft pick. If no one picks him up then they lose the tender money.
Not sure on the FA market for this guy. He was inactive most of the season and made headlines mostly for shooting his mouth off and getting burned and for teeing off on Hines Ward in camp.