Steelers McFadden Extension Terms

Terms of Bryant McFadden’s contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers  have been released via NFL.com

Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reported earlier today (and we have since confirmed) that a new deal has been reached, at a value of $7.5 million over three years.

These terms beg the question on why McFadden would accept terms that would reduce his salary 4.75 years and a return to free agency in 2011 at only 29 years old and being an experienced player at a “high value” position such as cornerback.  Instead, McFadden accepted a three-year deal at approximately $2.5 million per year.

As we have heard, the alternative was that McFadden would be cut in favor of younger and cheaper alternatives.  Regardless of the reason, this is a great signing for both McFadden and the Steelers.  The Steelers suffered with the loss of McFadden and William Gay as the starter.  McFadden already has 2 Super Bowl rings with the Steelers and is a welcome addition to a secondary that lacks depth and quality playmakers.

Steelers Radio – Free Agency Talk

Show Topics:

1. Steelers Cap Space
2. Thoughts on Steelers Free Agent Transactions
3. Will the Steelers get another veteran WR to replace Nate Washington
4. Why the Steelers like last years Offensive Line?
5. Why the Steelers must draft Defensive Lineman?
6. Why Bryant McFadden won’t be a Steeler?

Master Feeds for all the shows on Whatchatalkinbout.com

Listen to the Podcast Here!

McFadden Testing the FA Market

Bryant McFadden, the Steelers starting cornerback (opposite of Ike Taylor) became a free agent at 12:01 Friday, February 23rd.  With the big market signings of Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha and Redskins CB Deangelo Hall, McFadden and high-profile agent Drew Rosenhaus may be looking for a pay day. 

McFadden has been said to have visits scheduled with the Lions, Cardinals and possibly the Ravens.  I also wouldn’t be surprised to the see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers interested. 

The Steelers would be very wise to sign McFadden.  That would allow the Steelers to focus more exclusively on the offensive and defensives lines.  They lack quality starters and depth on the offensive line.  The defensive line has very little depth but a solid starting lineup.  The entire defensive line is now over 30 years old and Casey Hampton is in the last year of his contract.  Don’t expect the Steelers front office to extend Hampton’s contract which leaves a gaping hole at NT, leaving vacant one of the most important positions in the 3-4 defense. 

The Steelers haven’t fared well in the offseason thus far.

• The Steelers have been unable to lock down James Harrison for a long-term contract. In fact, his agent said that they’re “not close”.
• The Steelers franchised Max Starks. The FO has said that they plan on working out a long-term contract. Well, that’s what they said last year when they slapped him with the transition tag. Starks made close to 7 million last year with the transition tag and now is scheduled to make close to 9 million this year due to the franchise tag. Wouldn’t the Steelers see that it’s financially more sound to sign him to a long term deal instead of paying him close to 16 million for 2 years?
• Willie Colon was tendered a 1^st round pick. Are the Steelers planning on signing Colon long-term? Will he be playing guard or tackle?
• The Steelers haven’t extended LaMarr Woodley or Heath Miller
• The Steelers are very thin at offensive line and haven’t signed ANYONE. Kemo is returning but Essex remains unsigned, and Simmons was cut. This leaves the Steelers with an empty slot at guard and the other guard as Darnell Stapleton who struggled at times last season. A look towards the future (2010 season) indicates that Justin Hartwig, Willie Colon, and Max Starks will all be UFA next season. That could possibly mean that the entire offensive line could contain new starters in one year.
• Nate Washington is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions for #2 wide receiver money.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 Salaries

Steelers 2008 Salaries
Rk	Player	Salary (US$)
1	Ben Roethlisberger	$27,701,920
2	Max Starks	$6,899,800
3	James Farrior	$6,802,400
4	Hines Ward	$5,453,840
5	Ike Taylor	$4,643,360
6	Troy Polamalu	$4,625,000
7	Marvel Smith	$4,551,440
8	Casey Hampton	$4,100,960
9	Brett Keisel	$3,903,840
10	Willie Parker	$3,903,840
11	Kendall Simmons	$3,601,920
12	Aaron Smith	$3,255,760
13	Charlie Batch	$3,036,720
14	Rashard Mendenhall	$2,815,000
15	Larry Foote	$2,542,880
16	Lawrence Timmons	$2,199,760
17	Santonio Holmes	$2,176,920
18	Mewelde Moore	$2,005,760
19	Justin Hartwig	$1,980,760
20	Limas Sweed	$1,861,000
21	James Harrison	$1,806,720
22	Ryan Clark	$1,505,280
23	Deshea Townsend	$1,434,320
24	Jeff Reed	$1,430,280
25	Chris Kemoeatu	$1,423,240
26	Nate Washington	$1,419,880
27	Heath Miller	$1,347,260
28	Travis Kirschke	$1,133,360
29	Chris Hoke	$1,106,240
30	Greg Warren	$1,055,280
31	Tyrone Carter	$1,001,920
32	Trai Essex	$932,280
33	Nick Eason	$874,800
34	Mitch Berger	$870,000
35	Orpheus Roye	$870,000
36	LaMarr Woodley	$839,800
37	Bruce Davis	$800,626
38	Andre Frazier	$765,280
39	Keyaron Fox	$649,800
40	Byron Leftwich	$645,000
41	Bryant McFadden	$623,360
42	Sean McHugh	$605,000
43	Tony Hills	$599,500
44	Willie Colon	$451,720
45	Anthony Madison	$450,760
46	Arnold Harrison	$449,800
47	Anthony Smith	$448,840
48	Dennis Dixon	$425,000
49	Jon Dekker	$376,240
50	Matt Spaeth	$376,240
51	Darnell Stapleton	$376,240
52	Carey Davis	$375,760
53	Daniel Sepulveda	$375,760
54	William Gay	$374,800
55	Gary Russell	$370,000
56	Mike Humpal	$366,575
57	Dallas Baker	$301,720
58	Donovan Woods	$298,500
59	Scott Paxson	$295,000

Steelers Defense vs. Kurt Warner

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense will face it’s toughest challenege tomorrow against the Kurt Warner and their loaded-weapons offense.

Pittsburgh’s defense doesn’t exactly match up well against the high-powered Cardinals offense featuring Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Bolder and Steven Breaston.

Kurt Warner will pose a significant challenge against the Steelers.  Why you may ask.  The Steeler defense was ranking #1 in every statistical category but haven’t faced a passing offense like the Cardinals.  However, the Cardinals have not faced a defense even close to the Steelers.  This is a very intriging matchup to say the least.  Warner has the quickest release in football (putside of Tom Brady) which  may neutralize the blitzing of LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison.  Then, if the Steelers send additional blitzers such as Troy Polamalu, Deshea Townsend, Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior then this could expose the secondary.  Kurt Warner has the experience and field vision to find the open receiver and pick the Steelers apart.  Very few quarterbacks we have faced, have the ability to do that; Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Kerry Collins to name a few.  Kerry Collins was very successful against the Steelers being very accurate and having loads of time to throw the ball.  It will be up to the Steelers defense to get to Warner quickly and early to force him into a few quick turnovers.  The New England Patriots gave the Steelers a very good blue print on how to get to Warner.

Expect Dick Lebeau to have a few tricks up his sleeve to make it a miserable day for Warner.  I see the Steelers getting 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and holding the Cards offense to under 300 yards before becoming the only team in Super Bowl history to have 6 Lombardi Tropheys.

Here We Go Steelers!

ESPN Magazine Steelers D Cover Shoot

The Steelers defense will be featured on the following magazines this week:

1. ESPN

ESPN Magazine is having a story on the Steelers defense. The entire Steelers is on the cover of the magazine (see below).

2. Sports Illustrated

The Sports Illustrated cover features LaMarr Woodley, the Steelers 2^nd year pro, knocking Joe Flacco to the ground. Both of these will make a great addition to your Steelers memorabilia. Be sure to pick up your copies today. Check out a video of the Steelers ESPN cover shoot: