Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

From what I gather the Hokester is done. Mister Pittsburgh is thinking draft a NT in Rnd 1 or 2, get Casey down to a low salary to stick around, and have Zigmeister flash as the emergency NT. Let's get real here...doesn't take a rocket scientist to be a huge manbeast in the middle of the Dline and eat up blockers unless you are not strong enough coming out so a rookie could start at NT with Hampton backing him up and rotating here and there.

Referring to onesself in the third person in a Chadman thread...not sure if that is a fitting tribute or outright blasphemy.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Heath Miller - 7 million, who knew?

Pappy

I'll bet Heath was well aware

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

From what I gather the Hokester is done. Mister Pittsburgh is thinking draft a NT in Rnd 1 or 2, get Casey down to a low salary to stick around, and have Zigmeister flash as the emergency NT. Let's get real here...doesn't take a rocket scientist to be a huge manbeast in the middle of the Dline and eat up blockers unless you are not strong enough coming out so a rookie could start at NT with Hampton backing him up and rotating here and there.

Referring to onesself in the third person in a Chadman thread...not sure if that is a fitting tribute or outright blasphemy.

Mister Pittsburgh purely did it as a tribute to Chadman....I always enjoy reading his stuff and think he has some good input!

[Dee Dub]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Chadman I was looking at your Steeler mock draft in your signature and have to say I dont think Poe would be a good idea at #24. He, like Hiloti Ngata, is best suited as the DT in a 3-4 and the Steelers are pretty well covered at that positions. Plus there is talk that Hood will move to NT. Since they dont know yet that Hood can do that I think drafting another DT at #24 isnt a good idea. Just my thoughts. Caring on.

[Slapstick]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

The Ravens play a 3-4...

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

We are covered at NT in the 3-4???

Hoke - Broken Neck (not really but jacked up neck to point he has to retire)
Snack - ACL & OLD
McLendon - Unproven
Hood - Unproven at NT

I think we need to draft a NT in the first 3...seems there are some quality prospects available this year.

[Dee Dub]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

We are covered at NT in the 3-4???

That isnt what I said. I said....

He (Poe), like Hiloti Ngata, is best suited as the DT in a 3-4 and the Steelers are pretty well covered at that positions.

I think we need to draft a NT in the first 3...seems there are some quality prospects available this year.

Agreed. See my signature.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

[quote=Dee Dub]

We are covered at NT in the 3-4???

That isnt what I said. I said....

He (Poe), like Hiloti Ngata, is best suited as the DT in a 3-4 and the Steelers are pretty well covered at that positions.

I think we need to draft a NT in the first 3...seems there are some quality prospects available this year.

Agreed. See my signature.[/quote:3f84pt34]

I am confused. The 3-4 is two DE's and a NT correct? Is it two DT's and a NT? If Ngata is best at DT, do you mean DE?

[Dee Dub]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

[quote=Mister Pittsburgh][quote="Dee Dub":2edjrohd]

We are covered at NT in the 3-4???

That isnt what I said. I said....

He (Poe), like Hiloti Ngata, is best suited as the DT in a 3-4 and the Steelers are pretty well covered at that positions.

I think we need to draft a NT in the first 3...seems there are some quality prospects available this year.

Agreed. See my signature.[/quote:2edjrohd]

I am confused. The 3-4 is two DE's and a NT correct? Is it two DT's and a NT? If Ngata is best at DT, do you mean DE?[/quote:2edjrohd]


Well you see I am old school and we use to call them DT. Anything inside the tackle was called as such. The OLB in the 3-4 who lines up where a 4-3 DE lines up was considered the DE. But I get what you are saying.

[Oviedo]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Go to a 4-3 and you will eliminate the NT issue which is going to be more and more problematic as more teams play the 3-4. Just sayin' so I don't disappoint anyone

[Chadman]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Chadman I was looking at your Steeler mock draft in your signature and have to say I dont think Poe would be a good idea at #24. He, like Hiloti Ngata, is best suited as the DT in a 3-4 and the Steelers are pretty well covered at that positions. Plus there is talk that Hood will move to NT. Since they dont know yet that Hood can do that I think drafting another DT at #24 isnt a good idea. Just my thoughts. Caring on.

No worries DD, this is only an early version of the mock anyway. Chances are, as Chadman sifts through this thread there will be a much more in-depth look at Chadman's mock to come.

Curious about your comparison of Poe to Ngata though. Poe is a plug at 350lbs, with really only short area quickness, not the same sort of pass rushing threat as Ngata. Poe strength is...his strength. Even his strength conditioning coach agrees- he's stated that Poe could give up football & be a competitive weight lifter if he put his mind to it. With that sort of strength & size, he'd be an ideal NT, along the lines of Joel Steed in the past.

For those posters that have a hard time drafting DL early in the 3-4, don't get caught up in 'how it used to be' drafting for the 3-4. With more teams moving in this direction, the popularity of big 3-4 DL players increases, which raises draft stocl. So the guys you used to be able to draft in the 3rd round onwards are suddenly 1st round guys.

And of all the 3-4 positions that are 'priority', NT is the #1- it's from this position that you get the follow-on pressure from the DE's, your OLB's & your ILB's. It's the play of the NT that determines the effectiveness of the run defense. Be it a pass rushing NT, or a run stuffing NT- if he can'y occupy at least 2 blockers, the rest of the 3-4 Defense struggles to play effectively.

Just because we've been spoiled with stellar play from Steed & then Hampton does not make it an 'easy' position to fill.

[Chadman]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Ok, moving along slightly...

If there is one thing we all pretty much know, it's that the Steelers under Coach Cowher, and now Coach Tomlin, rarely put themselves in a position where a Rookie HAS to start. Even if they expect the Rookie to win the job soon, they will always cover themselves with a Vet to help ease the transition period.

Rookies are not handed starting jobs.

Let's go through the positions on the roster that will face change & see how the Steelers will prepare, most likely, for a season that might see some fairly significant roster changes.

QB- Ben is securely under contract & no threat of losing his job. It would seem likely that Dennis Dixon will move on. Jerod Johnson was signed the other day & might very well be pencilled in as #3 QB going forward. The #2 position is unfilled at this point. Both Leftwich & Batch are UFA's. It's pretty reasonable to predict that Leftwich will be resigned, as interest in him should border on non-exsistant, at least so far as being more than a back-up. He provides a steady Vet, if healthy, that could easily step in if Ben was hurt & give decent service at QB. Batch has been around for some time, and the coaches obviously feel comfortable with him. However, when inserted he isn't trusted with too much throwing responsibility- this is likely a sign that his arm isn't what it used to be. Batch may go to Training Camp, but likely won't come out of it with a jersey. He's only a phone call away if needed anyway.

RB- Mendenhall will be brought back for the last year of his contract. His injury makes his complete return somewhat doubtful, but no point moving on without him at this stage. He won't be re-signed before the beginning of next season, which makes the guys behind him a little more interesting. Isaac Redman is an ERFA, which essentially means he's staying a Steeler. He's a good back-up RB, and might steal some carries away from Mendy next season. Jonathon Dwyer, John Clay, Chad Spann & Baron Batch will fight it out for 1 or 2 spots. Mewelde Moore is an UFA & may be brought back if Batch doesn't carry on where he left off last TC. You would think if Batch plays even close to his level last TC that he's got 3rd down RB duties covered. That leaves 1 spot for Dwyer, Clay & Spann. Here's betting Dwyer is retained.

TE- Heath Miller is about as safe a roster spot as you get. Behind him Wes Saunders looked decent as an UDFA in his first year. But he's not a blocker. David Johnson is a RFA. His play is up & down, but mostly down. His blocking is willing, if unispiring. He'll likely get tendered the lowest tender & challenged by a draft pick, low end UFA or another UDFA in Training Camp.

OL- Pouncey, Gilbert & Colon appear safe- no real chance of being cut. Chris Kemoeatu lost his starting spot to such awe-inspiring OG's as Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster & Trai Essex. This is a bad sign. And with his inflated contract, one of the most likely cuts on the roster. Legursky, Foster & Essex are all FA's this season (Foster is RFA). Foster will likely get a low tender, Legursky could get a multi-year low-end deal. Essex? Not sure. His value may be tied to the outcome of the OT position, where Jonathon Scott is a candidate for release, Max Starks is an UFA & Jamon Meredith is a RFA. Can't see Scott surviving on his contract number. Gilbert is moving to LT, Colon back to RT. This could signal the goodbye for Max Starks, who is unlikely to come back 'cheap'. Scott could be brought back at a friendlier cap number to be the swing OT, but is it cheaper to just get Essex to do that job? Meredith is no guarentee to stick. Chris scott is the only guy not really mentioned. He had good wraps from the FO going into camp, then proceeded to be worse than our already crap interior OL. Given that the Steelers are unlikely to hand a starting spot to any rookie, expect at least 2 OG's & 1 OT to be brought back- Chadman's guess is Legursky, Foster & Essex. 1 or 2 rookies could be added here, maybe even a UFA from outside of the team too.

[pick6]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Ok, moving along slightly...

If there is one thing we all pretty much know, it's that the Steelers under Coach Cowher, and now Coach Tomlin, rarely put themselves in a position where a Rookie HAS to start. Even if they expect the Rookie to win the job soon, they will always cover themselves with a Vet to help ease the transition period.

Rookies are not handed starting jobs.

Let's go through the positions on the roster that will face change & see how the Steelers will prepare, most likely, for a season that might see some fairly significant roster changes.

QB- Ben is securely under contract & no threat of losing his job. It would seem likely that Dennis Dixon will move on. Jerod Johnson was signed the other day & might very well be pencilled in as #3 QB going forward. The #2 position is unfilled at this point. Both Leftwich & Batch are UFA's. It's pretty reasonable to predict that Leftwich will be resigned, as interest in him should border on non-exsistant, at least so far as being more than a back-up. He provides a steady Vet, if healthy, that could easily step in if Ben was hurt & give decent service at QB. Batch has been around for some time, and the coaches obviously feel comfortable with him. However, when inserted he isn't trusted with too much throwing responsibility- this is likely a sign that his arm isn't what it used to be. Batch may go to Training Camp, but likely won't come out of it with a jersey. He's only a phone call away if needed anyway.

RB- Mendenhall will be brought back for the last year of his contract. His injury makes his complete return somewhat doubtful, but no point moving on without him at this stage. He won't be re-signed before the beginning of next season, which makes the guys behind him a little more interesting. Isaac Redman is an ERFA, which essentially means he's staying a Steeler. He's a good back-up RB, and might steal some carries away from Mendy next season. Jonathon Dwyer, John Clay, Chad Spann & Baron Batch will fight it out for 1 or 2 spots. Mewelde Moore is an UFA & may be brought back if Batch doesn't carry on where he left off last TC. You would think if Batch plays even close to his level last TC that he's got 3rd down RB duties covered. That leaves 1 spot for Dwyer, Clay & Spann. Here's betting Dwyer is retained.

TE- Heath Miller is about as safe a roster spot as you get. Behind him Wes Saunders looked decent as an UDFA in his first year. But he's not a blocker. David Johnson is a RFA. His play is up & down, but mostly down. His blocking is willing, if unispiring. He'll likely get tendered the lowest tender & challenged by a draft pick, low end UFA or another UDFA in Training Camp.

OL- Pouncey, Gilbert & Colon appear safe- no real chance of being cut. Chris Kemoeatu lost his starting spot to such awe-inspiring OG's as Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster & Trai Essex. This is a bad sign. And with his inflated contract, one of the most likely cuts on the roster. Legursky, Foster & Essex are all FA's this season (Foster is RFA). Foster will likely get a low tender, Legursky could get a multi-year low-end deal. Essex? Not sure. His value may be tied to the outcome of the OT position, where Jonathon Scott is a candidate for release, Max Starks is an UFA & Jamon Meredith is a RFA. Can't see Scott surviving on his contract number. Gilbert is moving to LT, Colon back to RT. This could signal the goodbye for Max Starks, who is unlikely to come back 'cheap'. Scott could be brought back at a friendlier cap number to be the swing OT, but is it cheaper to just get Essex to do that job? Meredith is no guarentee to stick. Chris scott is the only guy not really mentioned. He had good wraps from the FO going into camp, then proceeded to be worse than our already crap interior OL. Given that the Steelers are unlikely to hand a starting spot to any rookie, expect at least 2 OG's & 1 OT to be brought back- Chadman's guess is Legursky, Foster & Essex. 1 or 2 rookies could be added here, maybe even a UFA from outside of the team too.

Great thread Chadman. Cant find this kind of stuff anywhere else. And apparently, many Steeler fans could moonlight as GMs. Some of you really know your football. I doubt if other team boards get into like this.

So basically I am still stuck on building our team for the Ravens. The birds have obsessed over us for a decade and they are now pounding us in the trenches. Our cap maneuvers, draft, and free agency acquisitions must be predicated upon not just getting better in the trenches but getting excellent in the trenches. This is how we go back to beating the birds twice a year and obtaining the 1 or 2 seed with the much needed bye and some home field games in the post season. Pouncey needs help in the middle. If we can get someone who is strong enough to give Ngata & company some trouble or combined with Pouncey blow a friggin hole in that line like the good old days and make the 3rd and 3 an easier situation for us we will be sitting pretty. Conversely, on the dline, love Casey, and he has an important role to play, I also really like McClendon, but we need another awesome NT who blows things up in the middle. Let's face it Bmore has a very strong oline and they have been giving us the business as of these last few years. If we can stop Ray Rice then Flacco is put on the spot and I like our chances sans that last drive he had against us ( a complete anomaly lol). Buckle down and get excellent in the trenches legursky and foster are overachievers and I appreciate that but they need to play a more periphery role as we try to go on a serious run while we still have Ben.


Ok, I agree with the "Chadman Way" for the most part. I would keep Hines, Foote, and of course Casey, but would cut their money in half or as much as I could. I don't know if Casey would go for that as he knows how important he will be next year. Maybe some kind of restructure to get us some cap space.

Here's the tough part. A. smith,Farrior, Bmac, W. allen and A. battle, and Kemoeatu would all be cut. Not yet sure what to do with OL J. Scott. My 2 cents so far.

[Chadman]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Wide Reciever- The Steelers have one of the youngest & most exciting groups in the NFL with Brown, Wallace & Sanders emerging. Experienced players like ward & Cotchery just enhance an already good group. That said- Wallace as we know is a RFA. And Cotchery is an UFA. Ward is 1000 years old & cost $4 million as the 4th/5th WR. Chadman would be absolutely shocked if Wallace is allowed to leave. He'll recieve the #1 tender & get paid around $3.5 million, unless he gets a multi-year deal (which Chadman predicts will happen). There isn't room for both Cotchery & Ward, at least, not at their current salary levels. Both may come back if Ward takes a significant pay-cut, and Cotchery is happy with the #4 WR role. Ward's pay-cut seems more likely than Cotchery's happiness. Arnaz Battle is a WR by name only, and costs too much for a guy that only play's ST. Rookies can do that job, cheaper. Expect Arnaz to be one of the first to go.

DL- The area that could experience the greatest change. Aaron Smith & Chris Hoke are likely retiring. This removes 1 starter & a quality back-up. Casey Hampton could also go as his contract number & his age/injuries don't equate to a good deal. Steve McLendon, the #3 NT is an ERFA, and will likely be kept around. Depending on what the team does with Hampton, it is possible McLendon becomes the starting NT. Keep in mind, McLendon is largly untested, so relying on him is quite a risk- an unusual move for the Steelers. Cam Heyward, Brett Keisel & Ziggy Hood will be holdovers next season. Corbin Bryant & Al Woods may get a look. If Smith, Hoke & Hampton are removed from the line-up, it is extremely likely an early draft pick will be used to help fill this group, as well as a potential UFA signing to help with the rotation. At the very least, if both Hoke & Hampton are removed, a rookie NT will be added to support McLendon.

[Chadman]

Re: Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

Linebacker- No FA's at all in the LB group. However, James Farrior is on the wrong side of 35, let alone 30, and his playing time is reducing. He is, however, paid like a starter. He might retire (unlikely), asked to take a paycut (likely) or be released (very possible). Either way, he won't be paid as a starter going forward, you would assume. The situation with Farrior effects 2 players. First, Larry Foote. Foote is 32, and knows the system well. If Farrior is removed from the roster, it is a very safe bet that Foote steps up as the starter. He might be in line for an extension on his contract to reduce his cap number. If Farrior is brought back, Foote & Farrior could split time. This is unlikely, however, as both would need to take paycuts for this situation to be viable & affordable. If Farrior takes a paycut & splits time, it's more likely to be with the Second player effected by Farrior's status- Stevenson Sylvester. He is largely untested, like McLendon, so the same theory stands- it's unlikely he'll get the starting job without some cover in the way of an experienced Vet around. Either Farrior or Foote could be that guy. Morrty Ivy is more a ST player than LB, but his cap value makes him a good player to have around. LaMarr Woodley & Timmons both got contract upgrades last summer. Both are safe on the roster. Both are due Roster Bonus payments, which might be absorbed into their signing bonus & spread out over the length of their contracts in order to save cap room. James Harrison is 33 & one of the highest paid players on the roster. It is unlikely that he'll be a casualty of cap economics though, as his level of play is still good. Behind Harrison is Jason Worilds who got good gametime this season. Although not a stand-out, he didn't look out of place, and provides solid support to Harrison & Woodley. Chris Carter is untested, but promising. Changes will come to the unit, but it's hard to tell just how significant. This group may return largely intact.