Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap money?

[hawaiiansteel]

Question: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap money?


Arnaz Battle: Salary: $1,363,000; competition for position (already have 5 wideouts and Sweed is returning).

Analysis: He is an un-needed commodity and easily replaceable on special teams.

Conclusion: Cut, save 1.4 Million


Larry Foote: Salary: $3,000,000; competition for position (Sylvester and possible draft picks, not to mention Keyaron Fox possibly being retained)

Analysis: Foote is a good backup, but barely saw the field in the last half of the season. James Farrior is getting old, and injuries happen, but for the price, Foote is not better than the younger, cheaper guys still on the roster.

Conclusion: Cut and save 3 Million, draft another replacement and promote Sylvester to main backup.


Antwaan Randle El: Salary $2,300,000; competition for position (Randle El became the 5th wide-out for the Steelers, Sweed is coming back, possible cheaper 5th option as a FA or Draft Pick)

Analysis: Randle El was demoted from 3rd to 5th on the depth chart at wide-out. Sweed is coming back, and he might be a huge bust, but I think healthy he at least can play the 5th position (or a DFA or FA would be able to come in at a much cheaper level. Randle El doesn't have much up-side anymore, and he will be supplanted as the main punt-return man by either Brown or Sanders next year. He still adds thoughness, a veteran presence and sure hands.

Conclusion: Sorry Twaan, you just aren't worth that kind of money anymore. Cut and save 2.3 Million.

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[Chadman]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

Honestly?

Cut/Not Retain-

Trai Essex, Chris Hoke (2. something million..), Speath, Battle, Fox, Madison, McFadden & the big one- Aaron Smith.

Smith can't be relied on any more, yet earns more than nearly every other player on the roster- not a good return for the investment.

Would keep ARE, at least for now- in case Sweed doesn't come on, or no decent draft pick is brought in.

That being said...what's the cap going to be?

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

i have no problem with those cuts, but those are the easy ones. The difficult potential cuts will be Aaron Smith, James Farrior, and Flozell Adams. And before you say we "can't" cut any of those, remember, it may come down to cutting one or more of them to be able to re-sign Ike and Woodley this year, while making room for Timmons and Troy next year.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

here are the arguments for cutting Flozell and Aaron Smith:


Question: Whom should we cut?

Answer(s):

Flozell Adams: Salary: $5,000,000; competition for position (Draft Pick, Willie Colon, Jonathon Scott)

Analysis: Flozell is not worth the 5 million he is being paid. Willie Colon (if brought back) will likely be the starter, so 5 million for a backup is a lot to pay. Although we saw that we lack depth on the O-line this year, I think it might be wise to either keep Flozell as a transitional player until we draft a replacement, or just cut him lose and sign a bargain to be a back-up.

Conclusion: Cut Flozell and sign Colon for 4.5-5 million over 4 years.


Aaron Smith: Salary: $6,100,000; competition for position (Ziggy Hood, draft pick as backup)

Analysis: This is the toughest guy on this list of possible cuts. Smith is the best 3-4 DE to ever play the game. I would much rather him restructure for a lower salary, but since we aren't playing that game, we are looking at a 6.1 million hit for a guy who has had a hard time staying on the field and is 34. Ziggy was fantastic and finally lived up to that 1stround pick. He should be a starter next year. Brett Keisel made the pro-bowl, is younger and cheaper than Smith. With the age on our line, we need to get younger anyways, so most people think we will be drafting another high pick DL in this years or next years draft. Why should he stay? Well he is still fantastic and a game-changer when he is on the field. But who do we bench next year if not him? Ziggy who is finally living up to his potential and has nothing more to learn from the bench? Or maybe Brett who is younger and had his best overall year (a great year where he made amazing plays for us)?

Conclusion: Cut and save 6.1 Million. I would prefer a restructure, but as much as it pains me, Aaron doesn't have a spot in the starting lineup, and he is a huge injury risk. Cutting him could allow us to sign a true difference maker, or will at least free up room to keep our own guys.

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[Crash]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

I would rather pay Adams one season at $5 mil instead of giving Colon a multi-year deal that will probably cost them $8 mil in bonus money alone to sign him.

Starks/Pouncey/Legursky/Pouncey/Adams

I like that OL combo. It would be IMO the best OL combo we've had in the Tomlin era. That's what they should aim for. Send Kemo and his slow feet and his stupid penalties on his way.

You can re-sign Scott, and keep Essex around as the key backups.

[Oviedo]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

i have no problem with those cuts, but those are the easy ones. The difficult potential cuts will be Aaron Smith, James Farrior, and Flozell Adams. And before you say we "can't" cut any of those, remember, it may come down to cutting one or more of them to be able to re-sign Ike and Woodley this year, while making room for Timmons and Troy next year.

I think Adams, Farrior and Smith will be asked to take paycuts. Eventually though we need to off load some veterans we have become attached to as the keys to this generation of players.

[Oviedo]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

I would rather pay Adams one season at $5 mil instead of giving Colon a multi-year deal that will probably cost them $8 mil in bonus money alone to sign him.

Starks/Pouncey/Legursky/Pouncey/Adams

I like that OL combo. It would be IMO the best OL combo we've had in the Tomlin era. That's what they should aim for. Send Kemo and his slow feet and his stupid penalties on his way.

You can re-sign Scott, and keep Essex around as the key backups.

I'd rather cut Kemo and resign Colon.

They aren't moving their Pro Bowl Center to Guard. Why in the world would they even consider that when they have been trying to find a solid Center since Hartings retired? They finally got one who can play there for the next 8-10 years. He isn't moving.

[Steelers>NFL]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

i have no problem with those cuts, but those are the easy ones. The difficult potential cuts will be Aaron Smith, James Farrior, and Flozell Adams. And before you say we "can't" cut any of those, remember, it may come down to cutting one or more of them to be able to re-sign Ike and Woodley this year, while making room for Timmons and Troy next year.

I agree with just about everything you say. Except for Polomalu in a couple of years.
I really do not think he will play pass his current contract. I think he will retire. He just seems like that kind of person. Let's enjoy the next 2 season of Troy while we can.

[Shawn]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

Honestly?

Cut/Not Retain-

Trai Essex, Chris Hoke (2. something million..), Speath, Battle, Fox, Madison, McFadden & the big one- Aaron Smith.

Smith can't be relied on any more, yet earns more than nearly every other player on the roster- not a good return for the investment.

Would keep ARE, at least for now- in case Sweed doesn't come on, or no decent draft pick is brought in.

That being said...what's the cap going to be?

I can't completely agree with that list. Hoke is our only NT back up and he is a darn good one. I have heard Fox is falling out of favor with coaches but the dude can play. He can cover, and stop the run...very physical. Must be more than meets the eye there.

I must agree though with Smith, it's time.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

Hoke is a great value, very solid backup at NT, and Flozell was our best offensive lineman not named Pouncey. Both stay.

[Djfan]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

One can't help but wonder if the Troy not staying in the NFL long theory is true. It has crossed my mind, too.

As for A Smith, he's gone. It's too obvious. We have hia back up doing well, he is injury prone, older and expensive.

Foote can go, but keep Farrior.

Keep Fox. He is too athletically gifted. He may replace Farrior after next season - the one we won't have.

See ya Spaeth, ARE and Battle. Sepulveda, too. Maybe Lewis as well?

Moore needs to be on the edge, a casualty if the money isn't there, or if we can't get another FWP clone in the mix somewhere.

Keep Adams. The line looked better with him than not. Over the last 5 years that line has been a problem. He helped.

[pittpete]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

Send Kemo and his slow feet and his stupid penalties on his way.

Amen brother

Add the undisciplined Fox also.

Id keep Hoke/Foote/Smith on defense
Hoke is pretty solid

[feltdizz]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

Send Kemo and his slow feet and his stupid penalties on his way.

Amen brother

Add the undisciplined Fox also.

Id keep Hoke/Foote/Smith on defense
Hoke is pretty solid

some people really like Kemo... he is a very good run blocker but his pass protection is atrocious.

[Crash]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

Why in the world would they even consider that when they have been trying to find a solid Center since Hartings retired?

Because I think Pouncey at OG is more bang for your buck.

With this team I think stellar guard play is more important than center play. They made the playoffs with Mahan at center, and won a Super Bowl with Hartwig (on the downside of his career) at center.

You can find centers every season and win with almost anyone there. We've proven it in the Tomlin era.

But IMO if we want to play "Stiller Football" and run the ball? The guard play has to improve dramatically. Kemo's one good block a game doesn't cut it anymore.

Colon isn't moving to guard, his agent feels he's the best ROT in the NFL.

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Whom should we cut in order to save some salary cap mone

Cut Ward. He's a fan favorite, but the if the guy was making the money he is and everyone hated him, you know he'd be gone. What does he really bring besides leadership?

Kemo. almost worthless....ive never seen someone with that much potential, but instead of getting better, he is regressing somewhat.

Casey. He was awesome, but now he is just a little above average. Draft his replacement and let Hoke take over until he is ready. They just signed him to a 3 year deal last year, so it probably wont happen.

A Smith. You guys know why. Old and hurt a lot.

Thats my hard list excluding Kemo.