When wide receiver Joey Galloway was released a couple of weeks ago by the Tampa Bay Bucs, I have to admit, I didn't see how the Steelers could be interested in a 37-year-old receiver who played in just nine games last season.
But with the Steelers bringing him in for a visit Monday, I began thinking about why they would be interested and it started to make sense.
First, Galloway won't be looking for any kind of long-term deal or big money. Those days are long past him.
The Bellaire, Ohio, native, would also get a chance to come back to his hometown area - it's located just across the Ohio River from Wheeling, W. Va. – to finish off what has been a solid career while keeping the Steelers from relying solely on Limas Sweed as their No. 3.
Then there is the facat that as a former Ohio State star, he carries instant credibility with Santonio Holmes and could help further Holmes' maturation into a No. 1 receiver.
And finally, he also wouldn't challenge Hines Ward's "leader of the wideouts" role that he has given himself. The leader – as he is affectionately called by the media – likes to run the show with the receivers. Galloway won't challenge that.
In retrospect, after thinking about all of those things, this is a visit I should have seen coming.
My only questions are how much and does he still have the fresh legs to get open?
ReplyDeleteI like the visit.
Dale,
ReplyDeleteGalloway wouldn't be a bad pick-up, but I think more of a priority would be CB/KR Chris Carr or CB Leigh Bodden. Have you heard anything about these two visiting this week?
If Kevin Colbert kind of sticks to the script that he usually sticks to in free agency, then I would expect him to offer the same 4-year contract to either Carr or Bodden that he offered BMac.
On going back to Joey Galloway, I'd probably rather give a chance to a younger veteran like a Ronald Curry or D.J. Hackett than an always injured Joey Galloway. The Steelers only have 4 WRs active on game day, so who will play special teams with this group?
I'd rather the Steelers draft a Mike Wallace from Mississippi in the 3rd round and let him be the receiver to stretch the field and returns punts or kickoffs.
Thoughts?
what about joe burnett from UCF, another standout from the same school that produced asante samuel, brandon marshall, culpepper, and others
ReplyDeleteI don't see this as a bad signing at all. I know he's old but he is still has some wheels and knows howIt gives them a little insurance in case Sweed is not ready and provides some veteran depth in case of an injury. The Steelers always seem to sign a low to mid-level free agent so they don't have to reach for a certain position in the draft. I see them adding a veteran corner for the same reason. They will probably take a receiver and corner somewhere between rounds 4-7 and load up on the O and D Lines with the rest of the picks.
ReplyDeletemost importantly, he is a speedster deep-threat receiver just like Nate Washington
ReplyDeleteDale,
ReplyDeleteWhen I first brought Galloway up in this blog a couple of weeks ago, I thought the signing would make perfect sense for the short term. My reasons are pretty much the same as you listed but I think there is a connection with Tomlin too that can't be overlooked. 37 years old and all, he still is a vertical threat just in case Limas "drops the ball" again. I think they get him for "cheap" and bridge the gap for a year while giving Galloway a shot at a ring to go out with. Any word on a Heath Miller extension?
-Sasquatch
I would like the signing of Galloway too, for all the reasons mentioned, especially about freeing up WR as a need in this year's draft, which I don't like the idea of. Seems like every year we are drafting a WR in rounds 1-3. Though I did say that I do like what Robiskie has to offer, just not in Rounds 1 or 2 where he seems to be taken.
ReplyDeleteAlso, something that might work is when the Steelers go 3 wide, which they do often, you might see Holmes on one end, Galloway on the other and Ward in the slot. Which I think would be perfect for Hines.
And I think Sweed will develop but another year to learn will do him good.
One thing I wanted to ask you Dale was about Leftwhich. After our nonw infamous debate over what I perceived to be a marginal difference between him and Brad Johnson and was proven abolsutely wrong, I figured Leftwhich would draw at least SOME attention. Even if teams don't see him as a starter, why not as a quality #2 or someone to compete with another guy? Are there just too many QB's in the league right now? I don't really see that since ever year there just doesn't seem to be enough.
Sorry for him because he seems like a quality teammate, but he might not be signed until a team loses a guy in the preseason, like when the Steelers lost Batch.
I like those other guys as well as more long-term things. But if they sign, say, Curry, it would likely be for more than one year.
ReplyDeleteIn the grand scheme of things, giving a proven vet such as Galloway a one-year deal makes more sense financially because of the possible lockout next year.
There's no hurry on Miller. That's something they'll do in training camp.
I would imagine their interest in Carr will now heat up with McFadden gone.
There's a provision in CBA that says the Clubs are not allowed to lock the players out during the duration of the CBA. The owners vote to opt out of the current CBA got them out of the last two seasons of the agreement, but the last two seasons would be 2011 and 2012. So the earliest they could lock the players out is 2011.
ReplyDeleteThe 2010 season will happen for sure. The only thing up for discussion is whether there will be a salary cap in place or not (which obviously would require agreement on a new CBA before that time which doesn't seem likely as of now).
As much as Galloway could possibly help for one year , I'd rather get a guy who could possibly return kicks for us & be around for a few years. Plus, a one year deal would cost more against this year's cap than a multi-year contract would. And with cap space being as precious as it is this season we really do need every dollar.
With the abysmal performance of some starters in the league and their backups, with some clubs going down to their 2nd or 3rd quarterbacks last year (Cle, Cin, wasn't KC down to their 3rd string?), and with freaking Sage Rosenfels being traded to Minny for the starting job, I have absolutely no idea why Leftwich wasn't signed in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteOh well, all the better for a smart club like the Steelers. Clubs will struggle with their overpaid backup-quality QBs when we have a starter-capable backup like Batch or Lefty able to step in and win games at a moment's notice.
Galloway was over-rated when he was young, now he's old and washed up.
ReplyDeleteDale, any word on how the visit went? Also, I read on a message board that there are radio reports that the Steelers have been negotiating with Leigh Bodden. Ignoring the shakiness of the source of that information, have you heard anything about this>
ReplyDeleteI think getting Galloway AND Bodden before the draft would be HUGE. If that happens, I would expect a serious trade up into the early 20's similar to the trade up for Holmes. Or some serious action in Round 2
ReplyDeleteBodden just signed with the Pats for 1 year.
ReplyDeleteDale,
ReplyDeleteIt seems with Bodden signing with the Pats, Kevin Colbert better move pretty fast if he wants CB Chris Carr from the Titans. After Carr, I think the CB market will have been picked clean, unless the Steelers just want a returner like Raiders free agent CB Justin Miller.
Thoughts?
Looks like Carr will be in tomorrow.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09069/954527-100.stm
Now this is a no brainer. Kevin Colbert, as Larry the Cable Guy would say, "Get'er Done!"
ReplyDeleteDale, I think netting Chris Carr and Joey Galloway in the place of Bryant McFadden and Nate Washington wouldn't be too far of a step down if the Steelers are able to pull it off. What do you think?
LT Orlando Pace just got released. Dale, you think the Steelers would bring him in for a look-see? If he has anything left, stick him at RT and move Colon to guard.
ReplyDeleteThoughts?
I think Pace is more of a finesse tackle and wouldn't be a good fit on the right side. I can only assume he also will get some interest from some team who wants him as a left tackle and will pay left tackle money.
ReplyDeleteYou don't sign 37 year old WRs, espicially one that can't stay healthy. Mistake
ReplyDeleteThey wouldn't be signing him to start. He'd be on the field 20 to 25 plays per game at most.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sure their visit was to talk to him and check him out physically.