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

[RuthlessBurgher]

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

2 other players that might be able to be restructured are the LB brothers- Timmons & Woodley. Both only just got their pay increase, but there is a little trick included in both contracts. Both have 'Roster Bonus Payments" attached for this upcoming season- Woodley gets $5.5 million & Timmons gets $4.4 million. If the Steelers guarentee those roster bonus payments, before a certain time in March (not sure of the date), they can absorb those roster bonus payments over the life of the contract- similar to Signing Bonus payments. If both players do this, roughly $8 million is saved.

[quote:1m0sfkz7]Steelers reportedly restructured the contract of ILB Lawrence Timmons, freeing up $5.14 million in salary cap space.
The Steelers have saved $11.7 million against the 2012 cap by restructuring Timmons and LaMarr Woodley. Timmons' base salary was reduced to $700,000, but he's now due a $6.425 million signing bonus prorated at $1.285 million per over the next five years. The Steelers may not be done restructuring, as they need to free enough space to match offers for Mike Wallace now that the maximum tender for restricted free agents is at the first-round level.

Ahem! Ahem!

[/quote:1m0sfkz7]

While the extra cap room we get from the Timmons restructure is great new, this part of the press release was news to me. I thought the maximum RFA tender would bring back a 1st and 3rd round pick in return if we didn't match (it used to be). Now it's only a 1st (oof...this could be bad). Think about what New England's offense needs more than anything else...someone to stretch the field.

They could offer Mike Wallace a monster tender that we would not be able to match because of our current cap woes. Then, if we could not match that contract, the only thing that they'd owe us would be the 31st overall pick in this draft (which I'm sure they wouldn't mind parting with, since they 27th pick from New Orleans and two 2nd round picks as well).

Our WR room would suddenly weaken dramatically...Antonio Brown has been blossoming, but Sanders has been hurt as often as he's been healthy, Hines is over the hill and will need to accept a major pay cut to stick around, and Cotchery is an unrestricted free agent.

[pfelix73]

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

Maybe they'll put the tag on him. Alshon Jeffery would be a good pick then if that were the case.

[Chadman]

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

Ruthless- before you go quasi-Chicken Little on us, name the last player the Steelers lost in FA that they really wanted to keep....

[Jooser]

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

Ruthless- before you go quasi-Chicken Little on us, name the last player the Steelers lost in FA that they really wanted to keep....

That's good stuff.

[Oviedo]

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

2 other players that might be able to be restructured are the LB brothers- Timmons & Woodley. Both only just got their pay increase, but there is a little trick included in both contracts. Both have 'Roster Bonus Payments" attached for this upcoming season- Woodley gets $5.5 million & Timmons gets $4.4 million. If the Steelers guarentee those roster bonus payments, before a certain time in March (not sure of the date), they can absorb those roster bonus payments over the life of the contract- similar to Signing Bonus payments. If both players do this, roughly $8 million is saved.

[quote:25b29mzo]Steelers reportedly restructured the contract of ILB Lawrence Timmons, freeing up $5.14 million in salary cap space.
The Steelers have saved $11.7 million against the 2012 cap by restructuring Timmons and LaMarr Woodley. Timmons' base salary was reduced to $700,000, but he's now due a $6.425 million signing bonus prorated at $1.285 million per over the next five years. The Steelers may not be done restructuring, as they need to free enough space to match offers for Mike Wallace now that the maximum tender for restricted free agents is at the first-round level.

Ahem! Ahem!

While the extra cap room we get from the Timmons restructure is great new, this part of the press release was news to me. I thought the maximum RFA tender would bring back a 1st and 3rd round pick in return if we didn't match (it used to be). Now it's only a 1st (oof...this could be bad). Think about what New England's offense needs more than anything else...someone to stretch the field.

They could offer Mike Wallace a monster tender that we would not be able to match because of our current cap woes. Then, if we could not match that contract, the only thing that they'd owe us would be the 31st overall pick in this draft (which I'm sure they wouldn't mind parting with, since they 27th pick from New Orleans and two 2nd round picks as well).

Our WR room would suddenly weaken dramatically...Antonio Brown has been blossoming, but Sanders has been hurt as often as he's been healthy, Hines is over the hill and will need to accept a major pay cut to stick around, and Cotchery is an unrestricted free agent.[/quote:25b29mzo]


I'd have no issue with Wallace signing with NE and us getting a #1 back. There are a number of really good WRs who are available at #31 that we could get as replacements. It's not like Wallace is Jerry Rice as we saw when he faded badly in the second half of last season. What we need to consider is that he maybe topped out already and he can't beat those double teams thrown at him.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like Wallace to stay but not ready to break the bank on him especially given we have to really start to spend some money on the OL or Wallace won't have anyone to throw him the ball anyway. One potential benefit of his leaving is that maybe Ben doesn't hold the ball and wait for him to get open.

[phillyesq]

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

While the extra cap room we get from the Timmons restructure is great new, this part of the press release was news to me. I thought the maximum RFA tender would bring back a 1st and 3rd round pick in return if we didn't match (it used to be). Now it's only a 1st (oof...this could be bad). Think about what New England's offense needs more than anything else...someone to stretch the field.

They could offer Mike Wallace a monster tender that we would not be able to match because of our current cap woes. Then, if we could not match that contract, the only thing that they'd owe us would be the 31st overall pick in this draft (which I'm sure they wouldn't mind parting with, since they 27th pick from New Orleans and two 2nd round picks as well).

Our WR room would suddenly weaken dramatically...Antonio Brown has been blossoming, but Sanders has been hurt as often as he's been healthy, Hines is over the hill and will need to accept a major pay cut to stick around, and Cotchery is an unrestricted free agent.

Ruthless, I have shared your concern over Wallace for a while. The Pats* have a lot of picks, as usual. They also have a very poor recent history on the picks that they've actually used. Wallace taking the top off the D, with the TEs and Welker underneath, would be a pretty lethal offense.

I hope that the Steelers are able to retain Wallace, and if they want to, I think they will. However, the threat from the Pats* if he is not locked up is worth considering.

[RuthlessBurgher]

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

Ruthless- before you go quasi-Chicken Little on us, name the last player the Steelers lost in FA that they really wanted to keep....

True, but that's when we are doing the negotiating...we are typically able to work things out in a manner that keeps both the player and the team happy. But in this case, with an RFA, other teams doing the negotiating for us...we have no control whatsoever over the types of offers he'll receive. If they give Wallace a blockbuster $50 million deal with $30 guaranteed in the first year (or something else ridiculous like that)...with our salary cap situation, we simply can't match something like that no matter how much we want to.

To prevent this possibility, we'll need to work out a long term deal with Wallace before the RFA period starts. Restructuring Woodley and Timmons, and cutting McFadden and Battle now is a good start, but we have more work to do if we don't want to tempt New England (or other teams) from wanting to make Wallace an offer that he can't refuse (and that our salary cap will force us to refuse).

[NW Steeler]

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

I'd have no issue with Wallace signing with NE and us getting a #1 back. There are a number of really good WRs who are available at #31 that we could get as replacements. It's not like Wallace is Jerry Rice as we saw when he faded badly in the second half of last season. What we need to consider is that he maybe topped out already and he can't beat those double teams thrown at him.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like Wallace to stay but not ready to break the bank on him especially given we have to really start to spend some money on the OL or Wallace won't have anyone to throw him the ball anyway. One potential benefit of his leaving is that maybe Ben doesn't hold the ball and wait for him to get open.

I totally agree with you Ovi. I like Wallace too, but if someone is going to offer him a ridiculous contract I can see the Steelers allowing him to walk and spending the pick on another receiver - a BIG receiver with good hands. It seems only obvious that NE may make a play for him.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

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

Chadman's a man after my own heart. Apart from the season itself, peicing together next year's team is the most exciting part.

Having said that, my targets (apart from the restructures that have already happened).

Restructure:
James Harrison - I think he'd follow suit now that Woodley and Timmons have restructured. This one alone may get the team under the cap now.
Troy - that's a mighty big number there son. Help me help you; cut that number.
Hines - This is a "can't cut". Hines in any other uni is like Emmitt smith in a AZ Cardinals uni... Besides, I believe he'd restructure.
Ben - i'd save that one for a little later in the offseason - let him know he's helping to sign his new protection (or replacement for Wallace) - not just cuz he has a big contract.

Cuts:
1. Larry Foote - at 97 years old, Farrior is still better. I still think we're a year late in drafting an ILB, but, maybe we get lucky.

Notes:
I want to do something with Colon and Kemoeatu, but, just can't at this point. FA linemen will be too expensive and Pouncey can't do it alone.

-Not expecting many glamor picks in this draft; between the draft and FA, i see the team acquiring:
NT, OG, ILB and likely OT.

Expect to re-sign Antonio Brown this offseason to an long-term, mid-tier contract. I say 5 years, 20 million. In the end, it'll be a steal. I'd take him before Wallace 7 days a week and twice on Sunday. By year's end, he turned into Az Hakim. Having said that, i wanna keep Wallace - he'll just be the #2.

Finally, looking at this roster and the contracts up in the next 2-3 years, this roster will be significantly different in a season or two. They really need to knock some drafts out of the park. I imagine that starting the 2014 season, they will no longer have:
Ike, Casey, Kemo, Hines, Keisel, Farrior, Aaron Smith, Foote. That's more than half of your top 15 paid players.

[NJ-STEELER]

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

here's the thing if your the Pats (or any other team looking to sign wallace)

if there are WRs rated highly at around the 31 pick, (where we say we can find a good replacement). then why wouldnt that team just draft that guy instead of signing wallace?

to pry wallace away, any team would have to offer a lot more then the steelers are willing to pay. with the new rookie pay scale from last years CBA, a team would probably opt to draft a WR and save money on their cap.

i'd be more worried if he were an UFA. giving up a draft pick and paying him a big contract seems to me to be a bit much for any team to give up

[DrCalculus]

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

here's the thing if your the Pats (or any other team looking to sign wallace)

if there are WRs rated highly at around the 31 pick, (where we say we can find a good replacement). then why wouldnt that team just draft that guy instead of signing wallace?

to pry wallace away, any team would have to offer a lot more then the steelers are willing to pay. with the new rookie pay scale from last years CBA, a team would probably opt to draft a WR and save money on their cap.

i'd be more worried if he were an UFA. giving up a draft pick and paying him a big contract seems to me to be a bit much for any team to give up

I share your opinion on this one, Jersey. Why give up the big contract AND lose the pick?

If they want a quality young receiver, they can just use the pick and spend the money to shore up the defense with free agents.

On the other hand, if they want a veteran WR, there are oodles of UFA types they can throw the same kind of money at without surrendering the pick --- Dwayne Bowe, Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, Pierre Garcon, Roy Williams, Earl Bennett, Mario Manningham, Plaxico Burress, Stevie Johnson, Robert Meachem, Brandon Lloyd, & Laurent Robinson. They can get any of those guys without any draft pick compensation. Then use the draft pick on a DL.

Oh, and add to all of this that the PATS need to resign Brady's two favorites to keep him from being a pissy little girl: WELKER & BRANCH are UFAs, too. And the entire interior of their OL will be UFAs. And Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, half their LB crew, etc.

[NJ-STEELER]

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

whoa, i didnt even realize all those guys are UFAs

makes it even more likely they dont go after wally



PS, i wonder if ties with Bowe might help haley lure him here. i'd trade wallace for a even a 2nd rouder if we could bowe

[Captain Lemming]

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

here's the thing if your the Pats (or any other team looking to sign wallace)

if there are WRs rated highly at around the 31 pick, (where we say we can find a good replacement). then why wouldnt that team just draft that guy instead of signing wallace?

to pry wallace away, any team would have to offer a lot more then the steelers are willing to pay. with the new rookie pay scale from last years CBA, a team would probably opt to draft a WR and save money on their cap.

i'd be more worried if he were an UFA. giving up a draft pick and paying him a big contract seems to me to be a bit much for any team to give up

I share your opinion on this one, Jersey. Why give up the big contract AND lose the pick?

If they want a quality young receiver, they can just use the pick and spend the money to shore up the defense with free agents.

On the other hand, if they want a veteran WR, there are oodles of UFA types they can throw the same kind of money at without surrendering the pick --- Dwayne Bowe, Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, Pierre Garcon, Roy Williams, Earl Bennett, Mario Manningham, Plaxico Burress, Stevie Johnson, Robert Meachem, Brandon Lloyd, & Laurent Robinson. They can get any of those guys without any draft pick compensation. Then use the draft pick on a DL.

Oh, and add to all of this that the PATS need to resign Brady's two favorites to keep him from being a pissy little girl: WELKER & BRANCH are UFAs, too. And the entire interior of their OL will be UFAs. And Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, half their LB crew, etc.

Because NOBODY has Wallace's speed.
Wallace is indeed a one trick pony. He is not as complete as some others.

But that one trick is more valuable to the huge hole in the Pats offensethan any other alternative.

The back to the future Delorian had many flaws (bad millage, flux capacitor taking up back seat space etc ). But it did one thing really well, time travel. You don't always need to be complete to be more valuable, especially if that skill is a perfect fit for a need.

[NJ-STEELER]

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

i disagree. you're seeing more and more of that speed come out each year

torrey smith has that kind of speed, tj ford too

im sure they'll be a couple of guys coming out this year as well


i love wallace and what he brings to the team. dont know if he's worth top wideout money though. in my eyes he's the perfect #2 receiver. a deep threat at all times. with a bonafide #1 guy next to him.... that duo would be scary

[RuthlessBurgher]

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

By year's end, he turned into Az Hakim.

Antonio Brown is already better than Az Hakim ever was.

In just his second year, he had 69 catches for 1108 yards.

Hakim's best year out of 9 in the NFL was 53 catches for 734 yards.