Originally Posted by
JUST-PLAIN-NASTY
I think coming off an 8-8 year & given the cap situation, you would have to target high cap hits for players over 30 on decline. That list includes Polamalu, Clark, Harrison, Taylor, Keisel, and throw in Colon. That also means not bringing back Foote, Hampton, Allen, Pope, & Burress until late in the game "If you have to" after the draft. At some point, every team who contends has to do a cap dump or part ways with fan favorites. You have to rely on good drafting & good coaching to remain competitive. Many are scared or don't want to face the reality but it has to happen for the Steelers too. The future is on the coaches and draft choices who are still question marks. It has to be done to preserve the youthful core long term.
I honestly think a surprise cut is coming in the Safety spot and I think it is Clark. Clark played better than Troy but Clark's contract makes him more attractive. I hope they figure out a way to keep them together another year but we will see. I also think Troy's future has a move to FS & maybe as early as 2013 if they could get an Ellam or Cyprien. Those to seem to be near images of what Troy does around the LOS.
Harrison is gone and Worilds, Carter, and Robinson are next in line. Have to see what those guys have and Harrison's decline is narrowing the drop off. Harrison's cap number, decline, and age makes it the simple but not easy choice.
If they retain Lewis, Taylor becomes an option IF they need cap space. I expect Taylor to remain in 2013 regardless of what happens to Lewis.
Keisel played well but he is in his last year and cutting him creates a good amount of space to dead money. They have young players in place behind him. However, I think he will play out his contract in 2013.
Colon will have to take a pay cut to remain. I actually expect him to.
Foote, Hampton, Allen, Pope, & Burress will be hole fillers if needed after the draft or if Spence & Miller look to remain sidelined on the PUP.
Don't get too attached because the 2014 league year will see the 2013 "survivors" under contract cut (Polamalu, Taylor, Colon). It will also see the "survivors" who played out their final year in 2013 searching for a new home if they want to play (Clark, Keisel, Cotchery). At that point, the fat has been trimmed. We can all hope that the players are in place & stepped up to make the next run.
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