In the last couple of days, word has leaked out that the Packers are going to cut All-Pro Charles Woodson and the Colts will do the same with Dwight Freeney.
Such is life in today's NFL.
We all know that the Steelers are having cap issues. But while Steelers fans are bemoaning the team's issues, they have to realize that other teams are in the same boat.
With the cap not going up much again this year, many teams are being forced to bite the bullet with aging veterans who might not be worth their big cap number.
It wasn't exactly what the players had in mind when they signed a new CBA prior to the 2011 season.
The Steelers, of course, are headed down the same road with linebacker James Harrison - possibly.
Depending on what the team can get done in terms of contract extensions with Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller and maybe another younger vet or two, they could have to make the difficult decision to cut Harrison in order to have enough cap space to make offers to their restricted free agents in a couple of weeks.
Then again, there could be a couple of surprises there as well.
While the Steelers have routinely offered contracts to all of their restricted free agents, this year, that might not be the case.
In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the team didn't offer running back Jonathan Dwyer or linebacker Stevenson Sylvester.
The coaching staff was unhappy with Dwyer's stamina and his constant tapping out of games after making just two or three carries in a row. The thought is that he might not have what it takes to be an every down back, so why tender him an offer that will more than double his salary if you don't think he's in the long-term plans?
The same goes for Sylvester, who has been around three years but still hasn't shown anything as a position player. He was supposed to be a good special teams player, but even that was missing in 2012, when he managed just one special teams tackle in nine games.
11 comments:
first comment!
I love Dee-Bo and think he has a few good years left but the dudes gotta take a pay cut in order to stay. I hope he reconsiders, cuz he's one of our few defenders that can still make game changing plays. And keep the dodgeball thing a secret, it's embarrassing as hell
When/if if we cut Harrison it will be a sad day. I've never seen a more dominant player than he was for us over the course of a few seasons.
What you said about Dywer makes a lot of sense
glad the front office saw what many of us pointed out during the season. dwyer was not in good shape no matter what tomlin said at camp. he was lighter, but not in good shape at all.
many of the young guys will have to step up next season, should be interesting.
Dwyer was in good shape early, but he got heavier as the season wore on. Bettis used to do the same thing. Some guys metabolism just works that way. Because they're getting beaten up on Sundays, they can't work out during the week like they do during the offseason.
bettis was a freak of nature with what he could do at his weight. dwyer isn't, no excuses. same as woodley, same as kirkland later in his career.
Kirkland was a beast! Never saw a 300lb linebacker cover down field the way he did. Those were the good ol' days... Kirkland Lloyd chad brown even earl Holmes. There was always someone waiting in the wings!!
yes he was. kirkland is still one of my favorite players. will never forget his one handed interception. was disapointing to see him eat his way off the team
Joe, I know this is a little out of context but I was at a pub in downtown Cleveland almost 5 years ago and noticed a mammoth man sitting a few tables down from me. It was L. Kirkland!! It took everything I had not to jump out of my seat and get a picture taken with him but I decided not to interrupt his dinner and wait until he was leaving. My picture never happened due to obnoxious browns fans giving Mr Kirkland a hard time about his weight. The night came to an abrupt halt when one of the hecklers threw a sandwich at his table. The point of my story is that I have NEVER seen such a big man move so fast in my life. He was out of his chair and had the 250+ lb man by the throat and off his feet in a blink of an eye. Security walked by Levon's side as he threw the man out the front door and onto the pavement. When he retuned he received a standing O and sat back down at the table to finish his meal. Never got that picture but will have that memory etched in my head for the rest of my life!
cool memory! he certainly was amazingly quick on his feet. why would he ever be in cleveland though? lol
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