With Ben Roethlisberger due a $3 million roster bonus March 5, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been focused on signing their franchise quarterback.
And that deal is getting closer to happening.
Meanwhile, save guard Alan Faneca’s signing with the New York Jets, all has been relatively quiet for the Steelers on the free agent front, particularly compared to what’s been happening with some of their rivals in the AFC North.
Cleveland has been a major player in the first few days of free agency, signing former New England wide receiver Donte Stallworth to a seven-year, $35-million contract; trading a fifth-round draft pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden to Detroit for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers; sending a second-round pick to Green Bay for defensive end Corey Williams – and signing him to a six-year, $38-million deal; and re-signing quarterback Derek Anderson to a three-year, $26-million deal.
Consider the team had already signed running back Jamal Lewis to a three-year, $17-million deal prior to the opening of free agency, and the Browns have taken on a ridiculous amount of money for what? A quarterback with one good season under his belt, an overweight nose tackle who played – when he felt like it – on the worst defense in the NFL last season, a defensive end who’s never played in a 3-4, and a wide receiver who has spent more time nursing injuries than he has catching passes during his career.
In return, the Browns have given up pretty much their entire 2008 draft and their best cornerback.
It’s a pretty big gamble, one that could add up to a winning season or two, but in the long run will severely damage Cleveland considering the amount of money the Browns are spending.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, has seen two of its better defensive players, defensive end Justin Smith and free safety Madieu Williams, sign with San Francisco and Minnesota, respectively.
And the Bengals have yet to make a free agent addition.
Considering the Bengals’ defense was among the worst in the league last season – and in the past decade, for that matter – that’s not a good sign.
Baltimore, meanwhile, has had no free agent losses, but hasn’t added anyone, either.
So while Steelers fans may gnash their teeth over the loss of Faneca – something that hurts, but was not unexpected – a quick look around the division shows Pittsburgh isn’t really in bad shape.
Certainly losing Faneca hurts the Steelers, but don’t think for a second that the team is going to sit on its hands and come back with the same cast of characters – minus Faneca – that it fielded in 2007.
Signing Roethlisberger to a long-term contract was the team’s main focus for this offseason and that’s going to get done.
And once it is, the Steelers will focus on the offensive line, both in free agency and the draft.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
What's happening
Steelers Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca has agreed to terms with the New York Jets on a four-year, $32-million deal that includes $23 million in guaranteed money. Or at least that's what ESPN.com was reporting.
According to Faneca's agent, no deal has been agreed to as of yet and he's still mulling offers from the Jets, Rams and 49ers.
Any deal Faneca would sign will dwarf the 4-year, $21-million offer the Steelers made to Faneca.
© The Steelers could pull the transition tag off of tackle Max Starks soon.
The team has no intention of paying Starks – its No. 3 offensive tackle last season – just under $7 million to play next season and has been working on a new deal with his representatives.
Also, the Steelers have just $2 million in free cap space at this point and would need to relinquish the tag on Starks if it wishes to sign any free agents.
The transition tag was used solely to give the team some wiggle room during the initial flurry of free agent signings.
© Kick returner Allen Rossum, released by the Steelers last weekend, was signed Friday by the San Francisco 49ers.
© Linebacker Clark Haggans is garnering interest from the Browns and Patriots, but don't rule out a return to the Steelers - as a backup, of course.
According to Faneca's agent, no deal has been agreed to as of yet and he's still mulling offers from the Jets, Rams and 49ers.
Any deal Faneca would sign will dwarf the 4-year, $21-million offer the Steelers made to Faneca.
© The Steelers could pull the transition tag off of tackle Max Starks soon.
The team has no intention of paying Starks – its No. 3 offensive tackle last season – just under $7 million to play next season and has been working on a new deal with his representatives.
Also, the Steelers have just $2 million in free cap space at this point and would need to relinquish the tag on Starks if it wishes to sign any free agents.
The transition tag was used solely to give the team some wiggle room during the initial flurry of free agent signings.
© Kick returner Allen Rossum, released by the Steelers last weekend, was signed Friday by the San Francisco 49ers.
© Linebacker Clark Haggans is garnering interest from the Browns and Patriots, but don't rule out a return to the Steelers - as a backup, of course.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thoughts on Cope's passing
What can you say about Myron Cope that hasn't already been said?
I consider myself fortunate to have known the man for the past 16 years, having met him when I was a young reporter new to the Steelers beat.
Perhaps in that is where I can describe Cope the best.
When I came to the Observer-Reporter in 1993, I was still very wet behind the ears and in way over my head covering the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Heck, the first preseason game that season was in Barcelona, Spain, against the great San Francisco 49ers. I had never before even been on a plane.
But a scant 12 hours after taking off from Pittsburgh, there we were watching practice in Barcelona and sitting next to me was none other than Cope.
I hadn't slept – none of us had – and Cope was certainly ornery from not having been able to smoke – much, I'm pretty sure he snuck off to the bathroom a couple of times – but he sat there and talked to me as if we'd known each other all our lives.
That was Cope. He always had a special place in his heart for the writers covering the team because he knew what they had to deal with.
I remember during the 1995 season having a conversation with him on the bus ride from the hotel to Soldier Field in Chicago. I had seen one of the Bears' players in college at Cheyney and he wanted to know all about this kid so that he could talk about him on the air.
He credited me on the broadcast with the information and needless to say, I got more than one call when I returned home telling me so.
I also remember when the Steelers would take the media covering the team out to dinner on the road on Saturday night before a game and just listening to Cope stories about players from the decades he had been around the team. Stories of players such as Jack Lambert, Bobby Layne and others could and later did fill books.
And finally, I remember sitting in Cope's room at training camp having a drink with the man, again, listening to his stories.
There are other stories, many I can't tell in a forum such as this. But I consider myself fortunate to have known the man.
I was 40 years his junior, but it didn't matter. We were all in the same business and Cope was, after all, always a writer at heart.
I consider myself fortunate to have known the man for the past 16 years, having met him when I was a young reporter new to the Steelers beat.
Perhaps in that is where I can describe Cope the best.
When I came to the Observer-Reporter in 1993, I was still very wet behind the ears and in way over my head covering the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Heck, the first preseason game that season was in Barcelona, Spain, against the great San Francisco 49ers. I had never before even been on a plane.
But a scant 12 hours after taking off from Pittsburgh, there we were watching practice in Barcelona and sitting next to me was none other than Cope.
I hadn't slept – none of us had – and Cope was certainly ornery from not having been able to smoke – much, I'm pretty sure he snuck off to the bathroom a couple of times – but he sat there and talked to me as if we'd known each other all our lives.
That was Cope. He always had a special place in his heart for the writers covering the team because he knew what they had to deal with.
I remember during the 1995 season having a conversation with him on the bus ride from the hotel to Soldier Field in Chicago. I had seen one of the Bears' players in college at Cheyney and he wanted to know all about this kid so that he could talk about him on the air.
He credited me on the broadcast with the information and needless to say, I got more than one call when I returned home telling me so.
I also remember when the Steelers would take the media covering the team out to dinner on the road on Saturday night before a game and just listening to Cope stories about players from the decades he had been around the team. Stories of players such as Jack Lambert, Bobby Layne and others could and later did fill books.
And finally, I remember sitting in Cope's room at training camp having a drink with the man, again, listening to his stories.
There are other stories, many I can't tell in a forum such as this. But I consider myself fortunate to have known the man.
I was 40 years his junior, but it didn't matter. We were all in the same business and Cope was, after all, always a writer at heart.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Free agency primer
With free agency set to begin March 1 here’s a quick look at some players the Steelers could be looking at.
Don't expect the Steelers to go wild, particularly since many of the top players have received the franchise tag this year. But Pittsburgh could look at filling some depth at certain positions, particularly on the defensive line, linebacker and running back.
The only place where the Steelers might be willing to pay starter's money is on the offensive line.
Running backs
Melwelde Moore, Minnesota - a deceptively tough inside runner with good pass-catching skills who also returns punts and kicks.
Musa Smith, Baltimore - a very strong runner who could replace Najeh Davenport as Willie Parker’s backup.
Maurice Hicks, San Francisco - a bigger back who could back up Parker and has also returned kickoffs in his career.
Wide receivers
Andre Davis, Houston - an outstanding return man who blossomed as a receiver in Houston.
Antonio Chatman, Cincinnati - has had a couple of injury-plagued seasons, but could solve the Steelers’ return problems.
Offensive linemen
Jake Scott, Indianapolis - the Colts’ starting right guard could be the perfect replacement for Alan Faneca.
Justin Smiley, San Francisco - suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2007, but should be OK for 2008. Some feel Smiley could play center.
Jason Fabini, Washington - Fabini started at guard for Washington in 2007, but has spent the majority of his career at right tackle. That kind of versatility could be what the Steelers are looking for.
Defensive linemen
Tommy Kelly, Oakland - is coming off a torn ACL, but like Smiley, should be OK for the start of training camp. Is a solid run defender who could be tired of the losing in Oakland.
Bobby Hamilton, Cleveland - Hamilton has bounced around a little in recent years, but he’s got plenty of 3-4 experience and could slide into a backup role for the Steelers getting a handful of snaps per game.
Linebackers
Chaun Thompson, Cleveland - Thompson has played inside and outside in Cleveland’s 3-4 and is a solid special teams player.
Donotarrious Thomas, Minnesota - started some games in 2006 when Mike Tomlin was the team’s defensive coordinator. Has been Minnesota’s best special teams player since entering the league four years ago.
Rocky Boiman, Indianapolis - the Steelers showed an interest last season, but he re-signed with Indianapolis for a season. But Boiman could play inside or outside for Pittsburgh and is an excellent special teams player.
Defensive backs
B.J. Sams, Baltimore - the Steelers wouldn’t be bringing Sams in as a cornerback, but as a return man, where he’s still electrifying despite some injuries.
Jim Leonhard, Buffalo - a special teams ace who ended up starting at free safety this season because of some injuries.
Don't expect the Steelers to go wild, particularly since many of the top players have received the franchise tag this year. But Pittsburgh could look at filling some depth at certain positions, particularly on the defensive line, linebacker and running back.
The only place where the Steelers might be willing to pay starter's money is on the offensive line.
Running backs
Melwelde Moore, Minnesota - a deceptively tough inside runner with good pass-catching skills who also returns punts and kicks.
Musa Smith, Baltimore - a very strong runner who could replace Najeh Davenport as Willie Parker’s backup.
Maurice Hicks, San Francisco - a bigger back who could back up Parker and has also returned kickoffs in his career.
Wide receivers
Andre Davis, Houston - an outstanding return man who blossomed as a receiver in Houston.
Antonio Chatman, Cincinnati - has had a couple of injury-plagued seasons, but could solve the Steelers’ return problems.
Offensive linemen
Jake Scott, Indianapolis - the Colts’ starting right guard could be the perfect replacement for Alan Faneca.
Justin Smiley, San Francisco - suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2007, but should be OK for 2008. Some feel Smiley could play center.
Jason Fabini, Washington - Fabini started at guard for Washington in 2007, but has spent the majority of his career at right tackle. That kind of versatility could be what the Steelers are looking for.
Defensive linemen
Tommy Kelly, Oakland - is coming off a torn ACL, but like Smiley, should be OK for the start of training camp. Is a solid run defender who could be tired of the losing in Oakland.
Bobby Hamilton, Cleveland - Hamilton has bounced around a little in recent years, but he’s got plenty of 3-4 experience and could slide into a backup role for the Steelers getting a handful of snaps per game.
Linebackers
Chaun Thompson, Cleveland - Thompson has played inside and outside in Cleveland’s 3-4 and is a solid special teams player.
Donotarrious Thomas, Minnesota - started some games in 2006 when Mike Tomlin was the team’s defensive coordinator. Has been Minnesota’s best special teams player since entering the league four years ago.
Rocky Boiman, Indianapolis - the Steelers showed an interest last season, but he re-signed with Indianapolis for a season. But Boiman could play inside or outside for Pittsburgh and is an excellent special teams player.
Defensive backs
B.J. Sams, Baltimore - the Steelers wouldn’t be bringing Sams in as a cornerback, but as a return man, where he’s still electrifying despite some injuries.
Jim Leonhard, Buffalo - a special teams ace who ended up starting at free safety this season because of some injuries.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
What Starks tag means
The Steelers' transition tagging of Max Starks means that Alan Faneca's days in Pittsburgh are over.
But it also means that Willie Colon is looking at a move to guard or even center – which is also a possibility – if not Colon, then Kendall Simmons could be shifted to center.
The Steelers weren't at all happy with center Sean Mahan's play and will be looking at different options there.
Darnell Stapleton will also get a serious look.
Does this mean the Steelers won't look for an offensive lineman in the draft? Nope.
Marvel Smith is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2008 season and given his back problems, the team is unlikely to re-sign him. Plus, they don't want to hand a starting spot to Chris Kemoeatu.
But it also means that Willie Colon is looking at a move to guard or even center – which is also a possibility – if not Colon, then Kendall Simmons could be shifted to center.
The Steelers weren't at all happy with center Sean Mahan's play and will be looking at different options there.
Darnell Stapleton will also get a serious look.
Does this mean the Steelers won't look for an offensive lineman in the draft? Nope.
Marvel Smith is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2008 season and given his back problems, the team is unlikely to re-sign him. Plus, they don't want to hand a starting spot to Chris Kemoeatu.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Steelers re-sign Kirschke
It's not the signing that many wanted, but the Steelers have re-signed defensive end Travis Kirschke to a two-year deal.
On the surface, it seems like a lot of nothing. Kirschke's been little more than a backup for the Steelers over the years.
But he proved to still have something left in the tank last season replacing Aaron Smith in the final stretch – when he was far better than Nick Eason.
Do you want Kirschke starting?
Nope. But he's a capable guy when he's getting five to 10 snaps per game.
On the surface, it seems like a lot of nothing. Kirschke's been little more than a backup for the Steelers over the years.
But he proved to still have something left in the tank last season replacing Aaron Smith in the final stretch – when he was far better than Nick Eason.
Do you want Kirschke starting?
Nope. But he's a capable guy when he's getting five to 10 snaps per game.
Friday, February 15, 2008
What it all means
The NFL’s worst nightmare is now coming to fruition.
When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell punished the New England Patriots early in the 2007 season for spying with video cameras on the New York Jets during the opening game of the regular season, he hoped the problem would go away.
It hasn’t.
In fact, it’s growing exponentially.
Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Friday that Goodell confirmed to him during a special meeting about the Patriots’ spying that the team filmed coaches of the Pittsburgh Steelers on four occasions, presumable using those stolen signals against them. Included in those instances are two AFC Championship games.
The Patriots upset the Steelers in the AFC Championship in 2001 and again in 2004 en route to two of the three Super Bowl victories they’ve had this decade.
“I think Steelers fans have a lot to be concerned about this and I'm one of them,” Specter told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, adding that “maybe Steelers ownership should think about it a little.”
They should, but even if the Steelers’ ownership is privately outraged by this, they won’t take it public.
The Rooney family, if anything, has shown great loyalty to the NFL over and over again throughout the years. Dan Rooney is not Al Davis, to be sure.
Rooney realizes that a scandal involving the integrity of the league such as this can serve no purpose other than to give the league – and by extension, the Steelers – a black eye.
And the rest of the ownership in the league knows it as well. That’s why there wasn’t a greater outcry when the “Spygate” story originally broke, at least not from the powers that be in the NFL.
The NFL doesn’t want this scandal to turn into what steroids and performance-enhancing drugs have been to Major League Baseball. The league doesn’t want its owners and coaches hauled in front of a grand jury to air its dirty laundry.
So go ahead, be angry that the Steelers, Broncos, Colts – pick a team, the Patriots likely spied on them all – were perhaps cheated out of a championship.
But the NFL owners don’t want this to go any farther and they hold enough pull – for better or worse – with the rest of Specter’s cohorts in the government to likely stop this thing from getting that far.
But much like an entire generation of baseball players are now tainted by the steroid scandal, so too are the Patriots’ championships in the 2000s.
New England fans can scream about it all they want, but nothing the team has done in this decade now matters. They’ll try to call it sour grapes or whining, but nobody’s talking about taking those championships away.
The Patriots won them. They just didn’t do so fair and square.
And the only thing worse than that would be to win the first 18 games of a season and then lose in the Super Bowl. Oh wait, that already happened.
When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell punished the New England Patriots early in the 2007 season for spying with video cameras on the New York Jets during the opening game of the regular season, he hoped the problem would go away.
It hasn’t.
In fact, it’s growing exponentially.
Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Friday that Goodell confirmed to him during a special meeting about the Patriots’ spying that the team filmed coaches of the Pittsburgh Steelers on four occasions, presumable using those stolen signals against them. Included in those instances are two AFC Championship games.
The Patriots upset the Steelers in the AFC Championship in 2001 and again in 2004 en route to two of the three Super Bowl victories they’ve had this decade.
“I think Steelers fans have a lot to be concerned about this and I'm one of them,” Specter told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, adding that “maybe Steelers ownership should think about it a little.”
They should, but even if the Steelers’ ownership is privately outraged by this, they won’t take it public.
The Rooney family, if anything, has shown great loyalty to the NFL over and over again throughout the years. Dan Rooney is not Al Davis, to be sure.
Rooney realizes that a scandal involving the integrity of the league such as this can serve no purpose other than to give the league – and by extension, the Steelers – a black eye.
And the rest of the ownership in the league knows it as well. That’s why there wasn’t a greater outcry when the “Spygate” story originally broke, at least not from the powers that be in the NFL.
The NFL doesn’t want this scandal to turn into what steroids and performance-enhancing drugs have been to Major League Baseball. The league doesn’t want its owners and coaches hauled in front of a grand jury to air its dirty laundry.
So go ahead, be angry that the Steelers, Broncos, Colts – pick a team, the Patriots likely spied on them all – were perhaps cheated out of a championship.
But the NFL owners don’t want this to go any farther and they hold enough pull – for better or worse – with the rest of Specter’s cohorts in the government to likely stop this thing from getting that far.
But much like an entire generation of baseball players are now tainted by the steroid scandal, so too are the Patriots’ championships in the 2000s.
New England fans can scream about it all they want, but nothing the team has done in this decade now matters. They’ll try to call it sour grapes or whining, but nobody’s talking about taking those championships away.
The Patriots won them. They just didn’t do so fair and square.
And the only thing worse than that would be to win the first 18 games of a season and then lose in the Super Bowl. Oh wait, that already happened.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A nugget or two
It's obvious to anybody who's been paying attention that the Steelers will address their offensive and defensive lines in this year's draft.
With that in mind, here are a couple of nuggets from this year's Pro Bowl to consider.
Of the six guards in the Pro Bowl – including Alan Faneca – five were former first-round picks. The other was an undrafted rookie.
Eight of the nine offensive tackles who were elected or attended as an injury replacement were first or second-round picks. One was not drafted.
Three of the four centers in the game were selected in the fourth round or later. The other was undrafted.
Every defensive end in the game was drafted, with five of the eight being selected in the first three rounds.
Four of the eight defensive tackles were first-round picks. Two others were first-day picks, while two were undrafted.
With that in mind, here are a couple of nuggets from this year's Pro Bowl to consider.
Of the six guards in the Pro Bowl – including Alan Faneca – five were former first-round picks. The other was an undrafted rookie.
Eight of the nine offensive tackles who were elected or attended as an injury replacement were first or second-round picks. One was not drafted.
Three of the four centers in the game were selected in the fourth round or later. The other was undrafted.
Every defensive end in the game was drafted, with five of the eight being selected in the first three rounds.
Four of the eight defensive tackles were first-round picks. Two others were first-day picks, while two were undrafted.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Keeping the grass
The Steelers will be keeping grass at Heinz Field.
After toying with the idea of putting in an artificial surface, the team has decided to stick with grass.
After toying with the idea of putting in an artificial surface, the team has decided to stick with grass.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Franchise period set to begin
The time for teams to place the franchise tag on potential free agents begins Feb. 7, and continues until February 21.
The tag gives a team a right of first refusal as to any offer sheet signed by the player. If the team then chooses not to match the offer, it receives two first-round draft picks as compensation.
But don't expect the Steelers to take that route with guard Alan Faneca.
To use the franchise tag, the club must offer the player a one-year deal with a salary equivalent to the average of the five highest-paid players at his position in the league. The pay is determined not by 2007 salary, but by cap number, which is a huge difference.
There are two levels of franchise tag, nonexclusive and exclusive. The exclusive version does not allow the the player to negotiate with other teams.
According to some reports, players who could possibly get the tag this year include: Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Patriots receiver Randy Moss, Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.
The tag gives a team a right of first refusal as to any offer sheet signed by the player. If the team then chooses not to match the offer, it receives two first-round draft picks as compensation.
But don't expect the Steelers to take that route with guard Alan Faneca.
To use the franchise tag, the club must offer the player a one-year deal with a salary equivalent to the average of the five highest-paid players at his position in the league. The pay is determined not by 2007 salary, but by cap number, which is a huge difference.
There are two levels of franchise tag, nonexclusive and exclusive. The exclusive version does not allow the the player to negotiate with other teams.
According to some reports, players who could possibly get the tag this year include: Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Patriots receiver Randy Moss, Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Super thoughts
So I guess the Patriots aren't among the best teams of all-time.
The Giants took care of that Sunday night, making the Patriots nothing more than a footnote in history - a team that went 16-0 in the regular season and didn't win the big one.
Was it a good season for the Patriots? Sure.
But the lack of a championship guarantees that they can't be discussed with the best of all-time.
The Giants beat the Patriots by putting an obscene amount of pressure on Tom Brady. They hit him. They hurried him. They sacked him.
And the New England offensive line was exposed for being not all that it had been cracked up to be.
Was Brady's ankle a factor? Probably. He certainly didn't look as confident or mobile as he had been earlier this season.
The Giants blitzed at times, but just as often, they got to Brady with a four-man rush.
And that's what you need to do to beat Brady. You can't blitz every play, because when it's picked up, you're in trouble. But if you can mix it up and get there whether you send six or send four, now you're in business because it becomes a chess game.
There's some fire in the smoke coming out about the recent news that the Patriots filmed the Rams in a walkthrough before the Super Bowl in 2001.
If there's proof, Bill Belichick could go down for a long time.
The Giants took care of that Sunday night, making the Patriots nothing more than a footnote in history - a team that went 16-0 in the regular season and didn't win the big one.
Was it a good season for the Patriots? Sure.
But the lack of a championship guarantees that they can't be discussed with the best of all-time.
The Giants beat the Patriots by putting an obscene amount of pressure on Tom Brady. They hit him. They hurried him. They sacked him.
And the New England offensive line was exposed for being not all that it had been cracked up to be.
Was Brady's ankle a factor? Probably. He certainly didn't look as confident or mobile as he had been earlier this season.
The Giants blitzed at times, but just as often, they got to Brady with a four-man rush.
And that's what you need to do to beat Brady. You can't blitz every play, because when it's picked up, you're in trouble. But if you can mix it up and get there whether you send six or send four, now you're in business because it becomes a chess game.
There's some fire in the smoke coming out about the recent news that the Patriots filmed the Rams in a walkthrough before the Super Bowl in 2001.
If there's proof, Bill Belichick could go down for a long time.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Feb. frenzy set to begin
With February here, the post-Super Bowl frenzy is getting set to begin for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What is the post-Super Bowl frenzy, you may ask?
Feb. 7 the period begins where teams can name their franchise and transition players. The deadline for doing so is Feb. 21.
Also, the NFL combine will be held in February this year in Indianapolis, from the 20 through the 26.
Yep, it’s a big month all right.
The Steelers have not yet re-opened serious negotiations with Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, but will do so after the Super Bowl as they make one last-ditch effort to sign him to a contract before he reaches free agency.
The chances of something being worked out before free agency begins aren’t great, but they also aren’t dead, either.
Faneca would like to remain in Pittsburgh, but unless the Steelers are willing to give him what he feels is market value, that’s not going to happen.
And given that the market value is far more than the Steelers have ever before paid a lineman – let alone one on the wrong side of 30 – the team has begun its preparations for life without Faneca.
Because of that, you can expect much of the team’s focus at the combine later this month to be on the linemen available. Heck, even if Faneca does return, the Steelers want to beef up their offensive line.
And given what happened with the market for guards during free agency last year – where even run-of-the-mill guys were getting upwards of $40-million, don’t expect the Steelers to dive into that pool either.
If you’re not going to give Faneca $50 million, then it would be silly to pony up the $35 or $40 million it would likely take to sign a young, unproven player such as Cincinnati’s Stacy Andrews.
Given what other guards got on the open market last year, that’s likely what a player like Andrews will want.
What is the post-Super Bowl frenzy, you may ask?
Feb. 7 the period begins where teams can name their franchise and transition players. The deadline for doing so is Feb. 21.
Also, the NFL combine will be held in February this year in Indianapolis, from the 20 through the 26.
Yep, it’s a big month all right.
The Steelers have not yet re-opened serious negotiations with Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, but will do so after the Super Bowl as they make one last-ditch effort to sign him to a contract before he reaches free agency.
The chances of something being worked out before free agency begins aren’t great, but they also aren’t dead, either.
Faneca would like to remain in Pittsburgh, but unless the Steelers are willing to give him what he feels is market value, that’s not going to happen.
And given that the market value is far more than the Steelers have ever before paid a lineman – let alone one on the wrong side of 30 – the team has begun its preparations for life without Faneca.
Because of that, you can expect much of the team’s focus at the combine later this month to be on the linemen available. Heck, even if Faneca does return, the Steelers want to beef up their offensive line.
And given what happened with the market for guards during free agency last year – where even run-of-the-mill guys were getting upwards of $40-million, don’t expect the Steelers to dive into that pool either.
If you’re not going to give Faneca $50 million, then it would be silly to pony up the $35 or $40 million it would likely take to sign a young, unproven player such as Cincinnati’s Stacy Andrews.
Given what other guards got on the open market last year, that’s likely what a player like Andrews will want.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Steelers to sign QB
After bringing him in for a workout last week, the Steelers are going to sign former Boise State QB Jared Zebransky to compete for their No. 3 spot.
Zebransky is expected to compete with Brian St. Pierre and a young quarterback the Steelers acquire through the draft or as a rookie free agent for the backup spot to Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch.
Zebransky is expected to compete with Brian St. Pierre and a young quarterback the Steelers acquire through the draft or as a rookie free agent for the backup spot to Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch.
Friday, January 25, 2008
South Alabama sniffing around Mitchell
South Alabama is reportedly interested in interviewing Steelers assistant head coach/D-line coach John Mitchell for their vacant coaching position. Mitchell is in Mobile for the Senior Bowl.
If this turns out to be the case, the Steelers could lose Mitchell, a key member of their coaching staff.
For years, Mitchell has turned low-round draft picks into solid players and he knows exactly what the Steelers need their defensive linemen to do in Pittsburgh's 3-4.
The school is located in Mobile and Mitchell is a Mobile native.
If this turns out to be the case, the Steelers could lose Mitchell, a key member of their coaching staff.
For years, Mitchell has turned low-round draft picks into solid players and he knows exactly what the Steelers need their defensive linemen to do in Pittsburgh's 3-4.
The school is located in Mobile and Mitchell is a Mobile native.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Money matters
When asked about Tony Romo’s contract extension in the days after the Dallas quarterback signed his new deal, all Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said was, “Interesting.”
Roethlisberger wasn’t saying much about Romo’s contract, but the sly smile and look he gave me when I asked him about it said it all: He knows he’s about to take the step from being rich to very rich.
For all the hype surrounding Romo, Roethlisberger has several things that Romo does not, namely a Super Bowl ring and several playoff victories. Those are some pretty important credentials that Roethlisberger has and Romo does not.
So when the Steelers start negotiations with Roethlisberger, it’s very likely the two parties will start with Romo’s six-year, $67.5-million deal and work up from there.
That deal included $30 million in guaranteed money, something the Steelers have been slow to include in their contracts, but something that is now a part of doing business in today’s NFL.
There are those who think Roethlisberger may be inclined to give the Steelers the home-town discount since he’s also come forward with a laundry list of things he’d like to see this offseason – namely a tall wide receiver and the retention of guard Alan Faneca.
But the hometown bargains that have been cited really aren’t.
Tom Brady’s contract – the one most often talked about – was a six-year, $60-million contract with New England that included a $14.5-million signing bonus.
That deal was only considered a bargain because Peyton Manning had just signed a nine-year, $99.2-million deal – with a $35.4-million bonus – with Indianapolis, and Atlanta had gone crazy and given Michael Vick a 10-year, $130-million deal with a $37-million signing bonus.
In the grand scheme of things, Manning’s deal now seems like a bargain price, while Vick’s seems as crazy now as it did then.
It would seem the going rate for a star-caliber NFL quarterback starts at a little over $10 million per year on average and goes from there.
And that’s what Roethlisberger will want and get.
Roethlisberger wasn’t saying much about Romo’s contract, but the sly smile and look he gave me when I asked him about it said it all: He knows he’s about to take the step from being rich to very rich.
For all the hype surrounding Romo, Roethlisberger has several things that Romo does not, namely a Super Bowl ring and several playoff victories. Those are some pretty important credentials that Roethlisberger has and Romo does not.
So when the Steelers start negotiations with Roethlisberger, it’s very likely the two parties will start with Romo’s six-year, $67.5-million deal and work up from there.
That deal included $30 million in guaranteed money, something the Steelers have been slow to include in their contracts, but something that is now a part of doing business in today’s NFL.
There are those who think Roethlisberger may be inclined to give the Steelers the home-town discount since he’s also come forward with a laundry list of things he’d like to see this offseason – namely a tall wide receiver and the retention of guard Alan Faneca.
But the hometown bargains that have been cited really aren’t.
Tom Brady’s contract – the one most often talked about – was a six-year, $60-million contract with New England that included a $14.5-million signing bonus.
That deal was only considered a bargain because Peyton Manning had just signed a nine-year, $99.2-million deal – with a $35.4-million bonus – with Indianapolis, and Atlanta had gone crazy and given Michael Vick a 10-year, $130-million deal with a $37-million signing bonus.
In the grand scheme of things, Manning’s deal now seems like a bargain price, while Vick’s seems as crazy now as it did then.
It would seem the going rate for a star-caliber NFL quarterback starts at a little over $10 million per year on average and goes from there.
And that’s what Roethlisberger will want and get.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Dawson shafted
That Dermontti Dawson did not make the cut as on of the 17 finalists for the Peo Football Hall of Fame this year shows what a flawed process hall of fame voting in the NFL really is.
As it currently stands, just one person in each NFL city and a handful of "at-large" voters make up the panel that chooses who gets in and who doesn't. The final number of voters is 40.
And knowing a number of the voters – they are mostly writers for the large metros – they come with their own biases.
But how Dawson is being overlooked is beyond me.
The guy was the dominant center of his time. He played in playoff games. He played in Super Bowls. He was a Pro Bowl player and made the All-Pro team.
He was also everything that is right about professional athletes.
At the Steelers' 75th Anniversary celebration, I was standing in the hall waiting go in and interview the members of the team. I hadn't seen Dawson in five or six years – since his retirement.
But as he was walking by, he stopped, shook my hand and, with his trademark smile, asked how I had been. Dermontti Dawson was not only a great player, he's an even better human being.
Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame vote is a sham. It enlists hundreds of voters. But the NFL's vote is too small.
Forty people should not be deciding who should get in and who shouldn't. In fact, living members of the hall should have a vote.
As it currently stands, just one person in each NFL city and a handful of "at-large" voters make up the panel that chooses who gets in and who doesn't. The final number of voters is 40.
And knowing a number of the voters – they are mostly writers for the large metros – they come with their own biases.
But how Dawson is being overlooked is beyond me.
The guy was the dominant center of his time. He played in playoff games. He played in Super Bowls. He was a Pro Bowl player and made the All-Pro team.
He was also everything that is right about professional athletes.
At the Steelers' 75th Anniversary celebration, I was standing in the hall waiting go in and interview the members of the team. I hadn't seen Dawson in five or six years – since his retirement.
But as he was walking by, he stopped, shook my hand and, with his trademark smile, asked how I had been. Dermontti Dawson was not only a great player, he's an even better human being.
Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame vote is a sham. It enlists hundreds of voters. But the NFL's vote is too small.
Forty people should not be deciding who should get in and who shouldn't. In fact, living members of the hall should have a vote.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Anybody notice
Did anybody notice that the grass surface at Lambeau Field is now DD Grassmaster, the same stuff that is used at Heinz Field?
Somehow, it held up well during a game in a snowstorm Saturday when the Packers downed the Seahawks in the playoffs.
Perhaps the biggest problem with the turf in Pittsburgh is not the surface itself, but some other factor – such as the surface's proximity to the rivers or incompetence by the field workers.
I'm just saying.
Somehow, it held up well during a game in a snowstorm Saturday when the Packers downed the Seahawks in the playoffs.
Perhaps the biggest problem with the turf in Pittsburgh is not the surface itself, but some other factor – such as the surface's proximity to the rivers or incompetence by the field workers.
I'm just saying.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Locking up offseason rosters
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed eight players to its Reserve/Future Roster, the team announced.
The Steelers signed wide receiver Dallas Baker, wide receiver Jeremy Bloom, offensive guard Matt Lentz, safety Mike Lorello, linebacker Anthony Trucks, running back Justin Vincent and wide receiver Gerran Walker to contracts. Each player spent part or all of the 2007 season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad.
Tight end Cody Boyd, who was with the Steelers throughout 2007 training camp, also signed a reserve/future contract. After training camp, Boyd was signed to the Washington Redskins’ 53-man roster and spent the entire 2007 season on their active roster or practice squad.
The Steelers signed wide receiver Dallas Baker, wide receiver Jeremy Bloom, offensive guard Matt Lentz, safety Mike Lorello, linebacker Anthony Trucks, running back Justin Vincent and wide receiver Gerran Walker to contracts. Each player spent part or all of the 2007 season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad.
Tight end Cody Boyd, who was with the Steelers throughout 2007 training camp, also signed a reserve/future contract. After training camp, Boyd was signed to the Washington Redskins’ 53-man roster and spent the entire 2007 season on their active roster or practice squad.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
What we learned: Jacksonville (again)
Saturday night’s playoff loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers was a microcosm of the team’s season.
They gave up a long kickoff return, failed to get anything out of their own return game, couldn’t run the ball to ice the clock, and the defense failed to stop the Jaguars late in the game with everything on the line.
Yep, that’s the 2007 Steelers in a nutshell.
But there’s nothing wrong with this team a few offseason moves can’t fix.
The Steelers don’t need a total overhaul on their offensive line, they just need to make a move or two there – starting with getting Sean Mahan out of the starting lineup.
Mahan is a good guy to have around on game days because he can play some center and guard. But he proved this season he’s not somebody to be counted on in a game-in, game-out basis.
The Steelers can fix that problem, however, by sliding Kendall Simmons – who played some very good football in the second half of this season – to center, moving Willie Colon to guard and re-signing Max Starks to play right tackle.
The fact that the coaching staff didn’t make that move during the season may be its biggest mistake of 2007, one Tomlin likely will learn from.
Even when Jacksonville lost defensive tackle John Henderson early in the first quarter of the game, Mahan wasn’t even what would pass for adequate, getting pushed around by Grady Jackson and Rob Meier. That kind of stuff can’t happen.
© Mike Tomlin went to that little card that all coaches seem to use when deciding to go for a two-point conversion down 28-23 with 10:25 left in the game.
In most cases, the little card is right that the two-point conversion to try to cut the lead to three points. But in this case, it wasn’t.
And it really wasn’t the right move after Mahan’s holding penalty – an iffy one – pushed the ball back to the 12 and negated a Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward conversion pass.
“Playing the charts, that is just baseball,” said Tomlin. “Everybody has that chart.”
But all season long, Tomlin talked about going with his gut feeling on decisions. In this case, his gut should have told him that kick from the 12 was the right play.
The Steelers clearly had the momentum at that point and Jacksonville still hadn’t topped 200 yards of total offense.
There was no reason to think that the Steelers wouldn’t come down and score another touchdown – which they did – and trying to score from the 12 just wasn’t the right call to make at that point.
Had the Steelers kicked there, they wouldn’t have needed to go for two after their next touchdown. They would have been up three points just by kicking the PAT.
“If I had a crystal ball and I knew we were going to lose by two, I probably would have kicked the extra point,” said Tomlin.
© The coaching staff’s other blunder in this game was Pittsburgh’s next-to-last offensive series.
There was nothing wrong with the two runs by Najeh Davenport, even though they netted just four yards.
But the third-down keeper by Roethlisberger was a real clunker.
Jacksonville called timeout after the second-down run and the QB sweep was what the Steelers came up with.
“There was, particularly on the third-down play,” said Tomlin when asked if throwing the ball was discussed on that possession. “That was something we worked on all week and we felt good about it. We actually had the look and we didn’t execute it. Good job by them.”
© Let’s see, LaMarr Woodley had three tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hurries splitting time mostly with Clark Haggans. Haggans, meanwhile, had one tackle.
Perhaps inserting Woodley into this defense and getting a healthy Aaron Smith back is all this defense needs to be special again.
© Both Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward talked about how losing Faneca would be detrimental to this team.
The Steelers will make a strong effort to keep Faneca, who was tearing up when talking about the possibility of this being his last game in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have about a month to get something done before the end of the playoffs. Look for them to try hard to make it happen.
No matter how you look at it, Tomlin's first season with the Steelers has to be seen as a success.
This team went 10-6 and won the AFC North despite being flawed.
And it doesn't need a total overhaul to be back in a similar position next season.
They gave up a long kickoff return, failed to get anything out of their own return game, couldn’t run the ball to ice the clock, and the defense failed to stop the Jaguars late in the game with everything on the line.
Yep, that’s the 2007 Steelers in a nutshell.
But there’s nothing wrong with this team a few offseason moves can’t fix.
The Steelers don’t need a total overhaul on their offensive line, they just need to make a move or two there – starting with getting Sean Mahan out of the starting lineup.
Mahan is a good guy to have around on game days because he can play some center and guard. But he proved this season he’s not somebody to be counted on in a game-in, game-out basis.
The Steelers can fix that problem, however, by sliding Kendall Simmons – who played some very good football in the second half of this season – to center, moving Willie Colon to guard and re-signing Max Starks to play right tackle.
The fact that the coaching staff didn’t make that move during the season may be its biggest mistake of 2007, one Tomlin likely will learn from.
Even when Jacksonville lost defensive tackle John Henderson early in the first quarter of the game, Mahan wasn’t even what would pass for adequate, getting pushed around by Grady Jackson and Rob Meier. That kind of stuff can’t happen.
© Mike Tomlin went to that little card that all coaches seem to use when deciding to go for a two-point conversion down 28-23 with 10:25 left in the game.
In most cases, the little card is right that the two-point conversion to try to cut the lead to three points. But in this case, it wasn’t.
And it really wasn’t the right move after Mahan’s holding penalty – an iffy one – pushed the ball back to the 12 and negated a Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward conversion pass.
“Playing the charts, that is just baseball,” said Tomlin. “Everybody has that chart.”
But all season long, Tomlin talked about going with his gut feeling on decisions. In this case, his gut should have told him that kick from the 12 was the right play.
The Steelers clearly had the momentum at that point and Jacksonville still hadn’t topped 200 yards of total offense.
There was no reason to think that the Steelers wouldn’t come down and score another touchdown – which they did – and trying to score from the 12 just wasn’t the right call to make at that point.
Had the Steelers kicked there, they wouldn’t have needed to go for two after their next touchdown. They would have been up three points just by kicking the PAT.
“If I had a crystal ball and I knew we were going to lose by two, I probably would have kicked the extra point,” said Tomlin.
© The coaching staff’s other blunder in this game was Pittsburgh’s next-to-last offensive series.
There was nothing wrong with the two runs by Najeh Davenport, even though they netted just four yards.
But the third-down keeper by Roethlisberger was a real clunker.
Jacksonville called timeout after the second-down run and the QB sweep was what the Steelers came up with.
“There was, particularly on the third-down play,” said Tomlin when asked if throwing the ball was discussed on that possession. “That was something we worked on all week and we felt good about it. We actually had the look and we didn’t execute it. Good job by them.”
© Let’s see, LaMarr Woodley had three tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hurries splitting time mostly with Clark Haggans. Haggans, meanwhile, had one tackle.
Perhaps inserting Woodley into this defense and getting a healthy Aaron Smith back is all this defense needs to be special again.
© Both Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward talked about how losing Faneca would be detrimental to this team.
The Steelers will make a strong effort to keep Faneca, who was tearing up when talking about the possibility of this being his last game in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have about a month to get something done before the end of the playoffs. Look for them to try hard to make it happen.
No matter how you look at it, Tomlin's first season with the Steelers has to be seen as a success.
This team went 10-6 and won the AFC North despite being flawed.
And it doesn't need a total overhaul to be back in a similar position next season.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Some random thoughts
Troy Polamalu practiced Friday and will play in Saturday's playoff game against the Jaguars.
© I've gone back and forth on my pick in this game this week, but have settled on the Steelers, 27-24.
Jacksonville played a near-perfect game the last time, while the Steelers played anything but.
And Pittsburgh will come out throwing this time around.
© The Steelers will bulk up to stop the run in this game. Look for backup nose tackle Chris Hoke to see some time at defensive end.
© An AP story this week ws all about how this could be Alan Faneca's last game with the Steelers.
But there are some rumblings now that the Steelers will try everything possible not to let that happen.
Dan Rooney always regretted letting Rod Woodson go after the 1996 season and won't make the same mistake with an icon like Faneca.
Faneca is 31, but is still playing at a reasonably high level. Plus, there's always the possibility they could move him to center later in his career if he starts losing some of the one-on-one matchups on a regular basis. Because of that, it's possible he could play into his late 30s.
Look for the team to also make a strong pitch at keeping Max Starks as well.
This offensive line has been bad this season, but much of it has been a problem at center, where Sean Mahan just hasn't worked out.
The Steelers could go into 2008 with a line of Marvel Smith at left tackle, Faneca or Kendall Simmons at left guard, Faneca or Simmons – likely Simmons – at center, Willie Colon or Chris Kemoeatu at right guard and Starks at right tackle. They would then also take a young tackle in the first couple of rounds of the draft.
This is assuming the team gets good news about Smith's long-term health.
By making those two signings, the Steelers would avoid having to select offensive linemen in the first two rounds of the 2008 draft like they did with the linebacker position in 2007.
© I've gone back and forth on my pick in this game this week, but have settled on the Steelers, 27-24.
Jacksonville played a near-perfect game the last time, while the Steelers played anything but.
And Pittsburgh will come out throwing this time around.
© The Steelers will bulk up to stop the run in this game. Look for backup nose tackle Chris Hoke to see some time at defensive end.
© An AP story this week ws all about how this could be Alan Faneca's last game with the Steelers.
But there are some rumblings now that the Steelers will try everything possible not to let that happen.
Dan Rooney always regretted letting Rod Woodson go after the 1996 season and won't make the same mistake with an icon like Faneca.
Faneca is 31, but is still playing at a reasonably high level. Plus, there's always the possibility they could move him to center later in his career if he starts losing some of the one-on-one matchups on a regular basis. Because of that, it's possible he could play into his late 30s.
Look for the team to also make a strong pitch at keeping Max Starks as well.
This offensive line has been bad this season, but much of it has been a problem at center, where Sean Mahan just hasn't worked out.
The Steelers could go into 2008 with a line of Marvel Smith at left tackle, Faneca or Kendall Simmons at left guard, Faneca or Simmons – likely Simmons – at center, Willie Colon or Chris Kemoeatu at right guard and Starks at right tackle. They would then also take a young tackle in the first couple of rounds of the draft.
This is assuming the team gets good news about Smith's long-term health.
By making those two signings, the Steelers would avoid having to select offensive linemen in the first two rounds of the 2008 draft like they did with the linebacker position in 2007.
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