It was an uneventful week for the Steelers at OTAs, which is exactly what you want.
Teams make news at OTAs for two reasons:
1. Somebody is disgruntled and either speaks out about it or isn't at OTAs because of it.
2. Somebody gets injured.
The Steelers have no such problems right now.
Troy Polamalu wasn't here this week, but that really doesn't matter. In fact, it's a good thing.
Why?
Quite simply, the Steelers backup safeties, Robert Golden, DaMon Cromartie-Smith and Shamarko Thomas, need as much practice time as possible. And with Polamalu hanging around, that's not going to happen.
Plus, Polamalu is back in California working out with his own trainers, something that is needed after an injury-plagued 2012 season.
* June 1 is finally here and the Steelers will realize some salary cap savings from the release of Willie Colon.
Much of that money will be eaten up by the team's rookie signings. But they will still have some extra space to sign a veteran or two or work out some long-term extensions with guys heading into the final season of their contract.
Who might those be?
An extension of a year or two with defensive end Brett Keisel would be welcome and could offer some additional cap relief. The same goes for Polamalu and/or fellow safety Ryan Clark and tight end Heath Miller.
The team would also do well to work out some kind of extension with Emmanuel Sanders and/or defensive end Ziggy Hood.
It will be interesting to see which players the Steelers target for extensions heading into training camp.
At this point, when it comes to veterans, the priority has to be the future and by that I mean Emmanuel Sanders. The trio of Brown, Sanders, and Wheaton would sustain us for the next 3+ years. I absolutely LOVE Polamalu, Keisel, and Clark but hanging on to aging veterans who might still demand a high price is not conducive to maintaining the Steeler way of building through the draft and working within the salary cap. Unless of course they are willing to take a dip in salary commensurate with the injury risk that all 3 pose at thier advanced age.
ReplyDeleteDale who could the steelers target as the FA
ReplyDeleteany thoughs or names.
A Sanders extension seems like a no-win deal. He wants big money but hasn't exactly earned it. So if they give him a big contract there is a good chance he won't live up to it. But if they wait and he has a big year, then he will expect even more money.
ReplyDeleteSo much for an unevetfull week.... Mike Adams got stabbed in a Robbery attempt.
ReplyDeleteDale jinxed it!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what happened, but maybe Mike should let them take the truck next time.
ReplyDeleteCraziness. Hope he is doing well.
Steelers have been successful by reloading their roster with new talent. I say let Sanders go and let another team pay for a player that thinks he is better than what he is!
ReplyDelete
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