Le'Veon Bell was the only Steelers player who did not practice at all today as the team continued its preparations for its opener Sunday against Tennessee.
Tight end Heath Miller, fullback Will Johnson and linebacker Jarvis Jones were all limited, though Jones not as much as the other two.
In fact, given that head coach Mike Tomlin already said that "Jones is going to play," I guess we can take him at his word.
@ With the start of the season around the corner, we can pretty much forget about any new contracts for impending free agents. That would include Ryan Clark, Ziggy Hood, Emmanuel Sanders and Brett Keisel, among others.
Considering the cap issues the team has had in recent seasons, that's probably a realistic way to approach this.
If the Steelers want to re-sign Clark or Keisel at the end of the season, it's likely both of those veterans will do so willingly.
As for the others, there are a lot of questions as to how big of a deal they should offer.
For example, Sanders has never been a starter before. What's he worth?
Hood, meanwhile, has been a starter, yet hasn't had a big season, even though he looked his best in this preseason.
@ Don't look now, but Ben Roethlisberger enters this weekend needing 156 yards to reach 30,000 for his career.
Roethlisberger also enters the season just 21 career touchdown passes away from matching Terry Bradshaw's team record of 212.
It's obvious that Sanders is gone. Regardless of how well he performs this year, he's going to want a lot more than the Steelers are willing to offer. He's always had a fair amount of potential, but, given his injury history and a seeming over-inflated sense of what he's worth, I'm fine with losing another member of the "Young Money" (eyes roll) crew. I expect Wheaton to be better than him in almost every respect, especially once he gets one year under his belt. With Brown and Wheaton, we just need to finally find an above average tall (6'3 - 6'5) WR, along with an eventual Heath Miller replacement.
ReplyDeletetoo early to tell on sanders yet. if he plays like a #2 and the steelers offer him #2 money, then i think he would stay. it all depends on the market for WR's in the offseason.
ReplyDeletei'm really looking for the d-line and o-line to be the difference makers this season. the young guys need to perform. if they do, then that opens up space for the playmakers on both sides of the ball. if not, then the steelers will struggle to a winning record and be solely dependant on the arm of #7.
Sanders situation is very interesting, especially if J. Brown really develops under Mann's teaching and the same with Moye. Those 2 could put the team in a position where we are okay with Sanders leaving. We might be back here next offseason looking at another drafted player and some UFAs trying to make the roster again with Sanders and Cotchery both out.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it called NFL: Football
ReplyDelete"along with an eventual Heath Miller replacement"
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be a tough one when the time comes. There aren't that many Heath Miller/Jason Wittens out there who fit our system so perfectly.