Chadman's 2013 Off-Season Analysis Thread...

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Given your stance, and opinion, there's no way Lewis moves on then?

What if he has a Wallace-like attitude? I have no idea if that's the case, but suppose they're two peas in a pod?

[Chadman]

What if he has a Wallace-like attitude? I have no idea if that's the case, but suppose they're two peas in a pod?

If that's the case, then surely the Steelers will put the hard line through him, then turn around & sign Cortez Allen to an extended contract, even though he'll only be a RFA in 2014.......

[Chadman]

Just looking at the responses, it seems we are all quite prepared for A veteran of note to be cut- be it Harrison or Taylor, in order to keep Keenan Lewis.

Of the available Steelers FA's, it seems we think Ramon Foster might be one of the more affordable & could be retained, but we think Max Starks will prove too expensive.

Nobody really mentioned Wallace or Mendenhall, so let's assume we think they have already moved out of town.

Where are we on Larry Foote? Does he come back at a cheap rate, or run out of town?

Plaxico?

[Shawn]

You may be right. Not wanting this thread to disolve into another Wallace/Brown slugfest, so we'll agree to disagree about the reaction to Wallace's rejection of the Steelers offer & the subsequent signing of Antonio Brown. It's done now, anyway- and the Steelers need to get the ship sorted regardless of what happened there.

Given your stance, and opinion, there's no way Lewis moves on then?

The only way I see Lewis moving on is if he asks for stupid money. And Foote will be back.

[Chadman]

The only way I see Lewis moving on is if he asks for stupid money. And Foote will be back.

The Steelers might need to work hard at him never actually hitting FA, because if he does, 'stupid money' will be where his value sits...

[supersteeler]

I'm thinking Foote stays.
I haven't heard any news about spence, his recovery or anything. Its doubtful they would hand him the job @ ILB with no pro experience, and the other option is sylvester who can't even see the field on account of injuries.
Larry wants to return, had a decent year, and would be a safeguard until we groom another ILB.

[Slapstick]

If that's the case, then surely the Steelers will put the hard line through him, then turn around & sign Cortez Allen to an extended contract, even though he'll only be a RFA in 2014.......

Actually, I'd be okay with this...

[steelz09]

Conversley, this is the least likely scenario. The Steelers won't go into the draft thinking they need to draft a guy to start. Someone will be lined up to be a starter at ILB before the draft- be it Foote, Brandon Johnson or one of the young guys in Sylvester or Spence.

Chadman suspects that Spence is the guy the Steelers have identified for the future. But Chadman doubts the future is now. Foote will be back.

The Steelers don't "typically" draft a player to start immediately. You are right about that. With that being said, I disagree with you about Foote. The Steelers would have drafted Hightower last year. He would have started from day 1 over Foote. The Steelers feel Foote is a weakness but is a decent stop-gap. They are looking to replace him and this year might be the year. If it wasn't for DeCastro, Foote would have already been replaced.

[Chadman]

The Steelers don't "typically" draft a player to start immediately. You are right about that. With that being said, I disagree with you about Foote. The Steelers would have drafted Hightower last year. He would have started from day 1 over Foote. The Steelers feel Foote is a weakness but is a decent stop-gap. They are looking to replace him and this year might be the year. If it wasn't for DeCastro, Foote would have already been replaced.

Hmmm....ok, agree that the Steelers will be looking to move on from Foote- he's not the long term answer, but they won't go INTO the draft with Sean Spence pencilled in as the starter. Even if they are going to target an ILB, Chadman still thinks Foote gets re-signed to hold the spot until it's taken from him.

[Chadman]

Actually, I'd be okay with this...

Why doesn't this surprise Chadman.

[Chadman]

The [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/15/nfl/denver-broncos"]Denver Broncos[/URL] could show interest in [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] impending free-agent WR [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/20873/nfl/mike-wallace"]Mike Wallace[/URL] or [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/24/nfl/new-england-patriots"]New England Patriots[/URL] impending free-agent WR [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/10224/nfl/wes-welker"]Wes Welker[/URL] if they become available this offseason.

Read more: [URL]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=3#ixzz2JnXXqNeX[/URL]

[Chadman]

Annoyingly, it seems Chadman can no longer edit his FA post, so we'll just have to put rumours, updates & the rest of it in the main thread..

[Chadman]

The [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] likely will look for a wide receiver that can be a deep threat in the 2013 [URL="http://www.kffl.com/link/159"]NFL Draft[/URL]. The team has drafted only one receiver in the first round over the last 12 years but has had success in finding receivers in the later rounds of drafts.


Read more: [URL]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=0#ixzz2JsOFNlaS[/URL]

[URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] TE [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/26057/nfl/david-paulson"]David Paulson[/URL] may fill in as the team's starting tight end next season until TE [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/11312/nfl/heath-miller"]Heath Miller[/URL] (knee) is able to return for his injury.


Read more: [URL]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=0#ixzz2JsOJnCmQ[/URL]

[URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] TE [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/11312/nfl/heath-miller"]Heath Miller[/URL] (knee) will allow his damaged posterior cruciate ligament to heal on its own and will not need surgery. Miller did have surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and posterior ligament. The [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Steelers[/URL] are not sure when Miller will be able to return.


Read more: [URL]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=0#ixzz2JsOMry3V[/URL]

[Chadman]

Ok, looks like a couple of the figures were off in regards to Cap Cost & Savings. Here is the revised numbers, based on 'the site that shall not be named"

James Harrison- Cap Cost: $10,035,000 Savings if Cut: $5,105,000 Final Year: 2014
Troy Polamalu- Cap Cost: $10,137,500 Savings if Cut: $4,862,500 Final Year: 2014
Ben Roethlisberger- Cap Cost $19,595,000 Savings if Cut: $4,100,000 Final Year: 2015
Heath Miller- Cap Cost: $7,958,500 Savings if Cut: $3,812,000 Final Year: 2014
Ryan Clark- Cap Cost: $4,750,000 Savings if Cut: $3,500,000 Final Year: 2013
Brett Keisel- Cap Cost: $4,500,000 Savings if Cut: $2,825,000 Final Year: 2013
Ike Taylor- Cap Cost: $9,454,166 Savings if Cut: $2,545,832 Final Year: 2014
Ziggy Hood- Cap Cost: $2,990,860 Savings if Cut: $1,992,325 Final Year: 2013
Willie Colon- Cap Cost: $7,650,000 Savings if Cut: $1,200,000 Final Year: 2015
Shaun Suisham- Cap Cost: $1,762,500 Savings if Cut: $1,087,500 Final Year: 2014
Jerricho Cotchery- Cap Cost: $1,500,000 Savings if Cut: $1,000,000 Final Year: 2013


Following these guys it's just a whole lot of small savings.

Of note, in case you are one of the 'get rid of Woodley' crowd, cutting Woodley will cost $1,120,000 against the cap- so that'll never happen. Other players it will cost to remove are Cam Heyward ($845,000), Antonio Brown ($600,000), Maurkice Pouncey ($273,375) & David DeCastro ($3,161,772)


Something concerning to keep in mind- guys that have the final year of their contract in 2014- Ike Taylor, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu & Heath Miller are already top earners. Those contract numbers will go UP again next season. Both James & Troy are $10m+ this season, with Ike just under. At 35, 33 & 34 years old, respectively- those guys & their contract numbers are bad matches. And Miller is just under $8m this year- coming off major knee injury- and will be 32 next season. Is he going to be worth over $8m next season?

Put it this way- that's $40m on 4 guys all over the age of 32. How many players get 'better' at 32?

[Keyplay1]

This reply is because there is no green circle on the tread title. I'm surprised because I have read through everything a number of times. I suppose I have not replied because I must agree with just about everything being said. Keep it rolling everyone.