Pouncey

[Shawn]

If Velasco turns out to be a solid center for us, what do the Steelers do with Pouncey?

Some have suggested that we move Pouncey to Guard. But, Guards historically don't get paid like Centers especially pro bowl centers. I can't imagine him being cool with that move.


Another issue, if Pouncey stays at Center do we pay him as the highest paid Center in the NFL?


My solution? Keep Velasco at Center, and use Pouncey as trade bait in the 2014 draft. I believe we could get a late first rounder for him.


This team desperately needs a franchise LT, and Jake Matthews is that guy. We might be drafting high enough to get him, but if not bundling picks to move up makes sense especially if we trade Pouncey.


Thoughts?

[Oviedo]

Unlikely Pouncey moves to Guard. Not sure Pouncey gets you a 1st Round pick coming off a knee injury.

Velasco doesn't seem strong enough with pass blocking to get rid of Pouncey. I could see keeping Pouncey at Center and moving Velasco to Guard to replace Foster. That gives you a player who can play two positions.

Tough decision about what we do with Pouncey.

[Shawn]

Unlikely Pouncey moves to Guard. Not sure Pouncey gets you a 1st Round pick coming off a knee injury.

Velasco doesn't seem strong enough with pass blocking to get rid of Pouncey. I could see keeping Pouncey at Center and moving Velasco to Guard to replace Foster. That gives you a player who can play two positions.

Tough decision about what we do with Pouncey.

You may be right. The problem with keeping Pouncey is the investment needed on the OL in the future. If we draft and sign a franchise LT, and DD looks like a Pro Bowler in years to come can we afford 3 highly paid OLmen?

[Oviedo]

You may be right. The problem with keeping Pouncey is the investment needed on the OL in the future. If we draft and sign a franchise LT, and DD looks like a Pro Bowler in years to come can we afford 3 highly paid OLmen?

That is exactly why I kept harping about needing to draft another OL in the past draft. You have to keep priming the pump on the OL because you never know how it will play out performance wise and you need flexibility to let guys go. All this nonsense that we spent these high picks in the past so we shouldn't draft anymore is nonsense.

If I were in charge I would be draft a guy who could play Center and Guard to provide some insurance for Pouncey leaving.

[AngryAsian]

You may be right. The problem with keeping Pouncey is the investment needed on the OL in the future. If we draft and sign a franchise LT, and DD looks like a Pro Bowler in years to come can we afford 3 highly paid OLmen?

Have to agree with you Shawn. I think that Pouncey will not be a wise investment. A huge contract for a linemen with 2 season ending knee surgeries in 3.5 years makes me skiddish. We need to start looking for smarter options to stretch the cap for this team to be able to rebuild into a winner once more. I think this includes making the brave decision of saying adios to Ben. I think the special quality we have seen in the past from our franchise QB is now gone. His mistakes have more often been the contributing factor of our losses over the past couple of years.

[birtikidis]

Have to agree with you Shawn. I think that Pouncey will not be a wise investment. A huge contract for a linemen with 2 season ending knee surgeries in 3.5 years makes me skiddish. We need to start looking for smarter options to stretch the cap for this team to be able to rebuild into a winner once more. I think this includes making the brave decision of saying adios to Ben. I think the special quality we have seen in the past from our franchise QB is now gone. His mistakes have more often been the contributing factor of our losses over the past couple of years.

This was his first season ending knee surgery. Prior to that he had problems with his ankle.

[feltdizz]

This was his first season ending knee surgery. Prior to that he had problems with his ankle.

our own guy took his knee out... just have a hard time casting a 3 time pro bowler aside and giving DD the knee slasher his money.

[phillyesq]

Unlikely Pouncey moves to Guard. Not sure Pouncey gets you a 1st Round pick coming off a knee injury.

Velasco doesn't seem strong enough with pass blocking to get rid of Pouncey. I could see keeping Pouncey at Center and moving Velasco to Guard to replace Foster. That gives you a player who can play two positions.

Tough decision about what we do with Pouncey.

I heard that Velasco was awful at guard, and that is why he was cut this year. Decent center, subpar guard.

The decision on what to do with Pouncey is a bit premature. I'd like to see what Velasco does the rest of this year. On Pouncey, one thing I'll say is that the Steelers can't just let him walk. They need to either resign him or get value in a trade for him. To do that, they may need to let him finish out his rookie deal and franchise him.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I know that I'm in the minority, but I still don't see the fuss about Pouncey. After watching Velasco step in I think he came off of his couch to do as good a job as Pouncey does. Pouncey still has a year on his rookie contract, so he is still affordable next year, but I would not sign him to a big contract after next year. If we can get something for him in trade I would make the move and sign Velasco, or keep them both for one more year and move Pouncey to guard.

As for whoever said that centers make more money than guards, Carl Nicks signed a 5 year, $47.5M contract this off-season with $31M guaranteed. I believe that this is the highest for an interior lineman. I believe that the highest paid center is Ryan Kalil. His deal is for 6 years, $49M, $28M guaranteed - but signed 2 years earlier. Doesn't look like there is too much of a difference at the pay window for an elite guard and an elite center, and I would not give Pouncey close to either of these amounts.

[Shawn]

I know that I'm in the minority, but I still don't see the fuss about Pouncey. After watching Velasco step in I think he came off of his couch to do as good a job as Pouncey does. Pouncey still has a year on his rookie contract, so he is still affordable next year, but I would not sign him to a big contract after next year. If we can get something for him in trade I would make the move and sign Velasco, or keep them both for one more year and move Pouncey to guard.

As for whoever said that centers make more money than guards, Carl Nicks signed a 5 year, $47.5M contract this off-season with $31M guaranteed. I believe that this is the highest for an interior lineman. I believe that the highest paid center is Ryan Kalil. His deal is for 6 years, $49M, $28M guaranteed - but signed 2 years earlier. Doesn't look like there is too much of a difference at the pay window for an elite guard and an elite center, and I would not give Pouncey close to either of these amounts.

Good to know. If that's the case and Pouncey was willing to move that would be great. But, still the affordability issue comes into play if the Steelers draft a top LT in this draft.