The Steelers made their final move of the pre-free agency period by re-signing guard Ramon Foster to a three-year deal.
The move likely means that the team will either ask Willie Colon to take a pay cut or release him outright - though that move probably wouldn't come until after June 1.
If the Steelers release Colon - who has played in just 12 games in the past three years - now, they would save just $1.5 million.
If they wait until after June 1, the savings would be $5.5 million.
Pittsburgh began the day $3.4 million under the salary cap after releasing James Harrison and making tender offers to restricted free agents Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman, Steve McLendon and Emmanuel Sanders.
Foster's signing likely ate up about half of that.
That means the Steelers will again sit on the sidelines when the free agency period begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday - something that's not surprising.
But, if they wish to make a move, they can free up some additional cash with another contract restructure or two, with LaMarr Woodley likely being the first player they would approach.
Dale, although I like Foster, I'm confused why they would shell out $$$ to lock him up and not put $$$ towards signing a young talent they groomed in Keenan Lewis. I know they signed Gay but with the money they signed him for plus Foster they could've got something done with Lewis in this pass happy league we live in.
ReplyDeleteApples and oranges.
ReplyDeleteThey don't have a left guard, unless you think Willie Colon can make it through a whole season. They do have a corner capable of replacing and possibly playing better than Lewis in Cortez Allen.
Plus, what they're paying Foster and what they would have to pay Lewis are miles apart.
Lewis is gone people, get over it already. He'd have to take a huge discount to play with us again and I don't even think he wants to stay that badly. His best friend on the team was Wallace, he's gone. Shoot, wouldn't surprise me if the Dolphins pick up Rashard, Wallace, AND Lewis off of us with all that cap room they have.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't high school man, it's a business no one cares if they are playing along side of their "buddies". I'm with anonymous 6:44. Ike Lewis and Cortez would be huge playing along side each other with a season under their belt. I'm over Lewis leaving, just sayin..
ReplyDeleteso Dwyer signed his restricted tender. I asked this in the last thread, are they now stuck with him if no one else puts an offer on him, or can they still pull it?
ReplyDeleteIf Redman signs his, are they stuck with both?
If so, seems like a smart move on Dwyer's and his agent's part to win that race.
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ReplyDeleteapparently, they are stuck with him and teams can't even put an offer sheet on him now.
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to see what Redman does. RB crew won't be much different next year. Except for Rainey, who wasn't exactly a RB anyway, and Mendenhall, who cried his way out of town.
the tenders to dwyer and redman are a bit confusing. are they just trying to cover themselves if they don't end up with a young RB they really like in the draft?
ReplyDeletealso, from what i have read, they can cut colon at anytime and designate him as a "june 1 cut" which gives them the $5.5 mil in cap savings. if that is accurate, then there cap situation is fine if they want to bring in another FA.
i like the foster signing. i thought he played well, he's versatile and he's durable (something the steelers need).
Jason Cole from Yahoo sports has a list of free agent corner backs and Kennan Lewis is at the bottom of the list. He also says that with the amount of FA corners available and the need to have more than 2, that the market is in the 3-4 million a year vs. 7 million a year for FA corner backs. Do you think this is true, and if so, 3 million a year to keep Lewis is not an insurmountable cap hit. Thoughts?
ReplyDeletehttp://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--plenty-of-cheaper-options-at-cornerback-if-teams-shy-away-from-pursuing-darrelle-revis-140014427.html
ReplyDeletemarc
ReplyDeleteThe cap savings would only be available after June first, even if the Steelers cut him now with that designation. The only benefit to doing it now would be to Colon who could have a better chance at finding a new job.
too bad.
ReplyDeleteDan Conner to Pittsburgh!!! Later Larry foote
ReplyDeleteJune 1 savings even though delayed could be earmarked for signing draft picks and lingering vet FA (Legursky, Starks, Hampton potentially)signings
ReplyDeleteLooks like Colon has been "June 1st" cut, Woodley restructured and Foote/Plaxico have been resigned.
ReplyDeleteadd another CB to the market. Antoine Winfield, even at his age, goes before Lewis
ReplyDeletegotta keep the kid!
asomugha to be released by eagles today too!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Mike Wallace got the contract he wanted. ESPN/NFLN is saying 5 year $65 Million. Good for him, I'll miss watching him.
ReplyDelete