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

[Chadman]

Hello all, once again.

Chadman has decided it is time to begin his annual Off-Season review & discussion thread so that, by draft time, we can have as much possible information at our fingertips to play around with.

We'll look at the current squad, the salary cap, the draft, FA's, rumours, rookie interviews....as much as time allows. Then at the end, we might even see a mock draft or two just to spice things up.

Hopefully this won't be too boring for you guys...

[Chadman]

2013 Player Roster & Salary:

QB'S:
Ben Roethlisberger- Salary $11,600,000.00 Cap Cost $20,595,000.00

RB'S:
Will Johnson- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00

TE'S:
Heath Miller- Salary $5,162,000.00 Cap Cost $7,958,500.00
David Paulsen- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $491,474.00
Jamie McCoy- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00
Zack Pianalto- Salary unconfirmed

WR'S:
Antonio Brown- Salary $2,000,000.00 Cap Cost $6,200,000.00
Jericho Cotchery- Salary $1,000,000.00 Cap Cost $1,500,000.00
David Gilreath- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00
Derek Moye- Salary $405,000.00 Cap Cost $405,000.00
Bert Reed- Salary $405,000.00 Cap Cost $405,000.00

OT'S:
Marcus Gilbert- Salary $668,402.00 Cap Cost $880,204.00
Mike Adams- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $805,375.00
Kelvin Beachum- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $491,474.00
Joe Long- Salary $405,000.00 Cap Cost $405,000.00

OG'S:
Willie Colon- Salary $5,500,000.00 Cap Cost $7,650,000.00
David DeCastro- Salary $745,177.00 Cap Cost $1,775,886.00
John Melecki- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00
Justin Cheadle- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00

OC'S:
Maurkice Pouncey- Salary $977,250.00 Cap Cost $2,527,875.00

DE'S:
Brett Keisel- Salary $2,825,000.00 Cap Cost $4,500,000.00
Ziggy Hood- Salary $660,000.00 Cap Cost $2,990,860.00
Cameron Heyward- Salary $984,548.00 Cap Cost $1,828,644.00
Al Woods- Salary $630,000.00 Cap Cost $630,000.00

NT'S:
Alemeda Ta'amu- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $588,328.00
Hebron Fangupo- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00

OLB'S:
LaMarr Woodley- Salary $9,000,000.00 Cap Cost $13,240,000.00
James Harrison- Salary $6,570,000.00 Cap Cost $10,035,000.00
Jason Worilds- Salary $630,000.00 Cap Cost $985,000.00
Chris Carter- Salary $555,000.00 Cap Cost $595,700.00
Adrian Robinson- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $481,666.00

ILB'S:
Lawrence Timmons- Salary $5,375,000.00 Cap Cost $11,160,000.00
Sean Spence- Salary $500,000.00 Cap Cost $636,345.00
Stevenson Sylvester- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $488,853.00
Marshall McFadden- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00
Kion Wilson- Salary $405,000.00 Cap Cost $405,000.00

CB'S:
Ike Taylor- Salary $6,000,000.00 Cap Cost $9,454,166.00
Curtis Brown- Salary $555,000.00 Cap Cost $685,300.00
Cortez Allen- Salary $555,000.00 Cap Cost $652,875.00
Josh Victorian- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $480,000.00
Isaiah Green- Salary $405,000.00 Cap Cost $405,000.00
Justin King-Unconfirmed Salary at this point

SS'S:
Troy Polamalu- Salary $7,500,000.00 Cap Cost $10,137,500.00
Robert Golden- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $481,666.00

FS'S:
Ryan Clark- Salary $3,500,000.00 Cap Cost $4,750,000.00
Damon Cromartie-Smith- Salary $550,000.00 Cap Cost $550,000.00

K'S:
Shaun Suisham- Salary $1,425,000.00 Cap Cost $1,762,500.00
Danny Hrapmann- Salary unconfirmed

P'S:
Drew Butler- Salary $480,000.00 Cap Cost $481,166.00

LS'S:

[Chadman]

Free agency-

Steelers FA's:
QB Charlie Batch
QB Byron Leftwich

RB Rashard Mendenhall
RB Baron Batch (ERFA)
RB Jonathan Dwyer (RFA)
RB Isaac Redman (RFA)

WR Mike Wallace
WR Plaxico Burress
WR Emmanual Sanders (RFA)

TE Leonard Pope

OT Max Starks

OG Ramon Foster
OG Doug Legursky

OC Greg Warren

NT Casey Hampton
NT Steve McLendon (RFA)

LB Larry Foote
LB Brandon Johnson

CB Keenan Lewis
CB Demarcus Van Dyke (ERFA)

FS Ryan Mundy

SS Will Allen

Signings:
CB Justin King (Steelers)
LB Brian Rolle (Eagles)
TE Zack Pianalto (Bills)
K Danny Hrapmann (Steelers)
WR Kashif Moore (Colts)

Losses:
RB Chris Rainey (Released- Moron)


Rumours:
NT Casey Hampton not expected back (29/1/13)

WR Mike Wallace- Steelers don't expect to match his demands of $10-$11m per season, but expect some teams will. (28/1/13)

There is a youth movement on the defensive side of the football for the [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL], but DL [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/5818/nfl/brett-keisel"]Brett Keisel[/URL] is expected to return and serve as the only player on the defensive line over the age of 30 in 2013. He is coming off one of his best seasons, recording 4.5 sacks, all in the final eight games of the season. He also had 40 quarterback pressures, which was twice as many as any other player on the roster.


Read more: [URL="http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=3#ixzz2JJZTssVl"]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=3#ixzz2JJZTssVl[/URL]

Updating a previous report, [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] DL [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/1510/nfl/casey-hampton"]Casey Hampton[/URL] said he plans to play at least one more season, if not for the Steelers, then for another [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/77/nfl/nfl"]NFL[/URL] team. The [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Steelers[/URL] are prepared to move on without him despite the fact he started all 16 games in 2012.


Read more: [URL="http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=4#ixzz2JJZlFkgT"]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=4#ixzz2JJZlFkgT[/URL]

The [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] may look to add a nose tackle this offseason if they decide to release DT [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/25857/nfl/alameda-taamu"]Alameda Ta'amu[/URL].


Read more: [URL="http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=6#ixzz2JJaS0xc9"]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=6#ixzz2JJaS0xc9[/URL]

29/1/13- Ryan Clark may be released as a Cap casualty.

[Chadman]

The Draft:

Rumours:
Steeler pay close attention/ have a chat with FS/SS Jonathon Cyprien (Florida Int) at Senior Bowl.
[URL="http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=837459-steelers-wr-a-top-priority-in-the-draft"]Steelers | WR a top priority in the draft [/URL]
Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:03:41 -0800
The [URL="http://www.kffl.com/team/30/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] will make wide receiver a top priority in this year's draft with TE [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/11312/nfl/heath-miller"]Heath Miller[/URL] (knee) injured and WRs [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/22341/nfl/antonio-brown"]Antonio Brown[/URL] and [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/22700/nfl/emmanuel-sanders"]Emmanuel Sanders[/URL] both similar receivers that won't strike fear in opposing secondaries due to their lack of threat on the deep routes. California WR [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/27509/nfl/keenan-allen"]Keenan Allen[/URL] may be a target, as he's considered a top-15 pick. Tennessee WR [URL="http://www.kffl.com/player/27588/nfl/cordarrelle-patterson"]Cordarrelle Patterson[/URL] is another prospect expected to be taken in the first round, but he's not as polished as Allen and lacks top-end speed.
[URL="http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=837459-steelers-wr-a-top-priority-in-the-draft"]0 Comments[/URL] | Source: [URL="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-sunday-spotlight-speed-kills-and-so-does-the-lack-of-it-673215/"]Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Ed Bouchette[/URL]


Read more: [URL]http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=2#ixzz2JzHCwuZx[/URL]

Confirmed visits:

Confirmed pro-day Visits:

[Slapstick]

Man, it blows to have to start this thread so early, eh?

[squidkid]

not sure of the cap ramifications if released but these guys are way overpriced for what they bring to the table:
colon
woodley
harrision
polomalu

somewhat overpriced:
keisel
taylor
miller
hood

[Chadman]

not sure of the cap ramifications if released but these guys are way overpriced for what they bring to the table:
colon
woodley
harrision
polomalu

somewhat overpriced:
keisel
taylor
miller
hood

If Miller & his 70+ catches is 'somewhat overpriced' at about $7.9m, what is Antonio Brown on $6.2m? Miller outperformed any other Offensive player this season- he's about the one guy that genuinly earned his money.

Brown had a poor return on his big contract extension.

[Chadman]

Man, it blows to have to start this thread so early, eh?

Yeah.... but at the same time, how lucky are we normally that starting this thread 'this early' is unusual?

[pfelix73]

Gonna have to restructure some of those contracts.. Including Ben's. Try to create some cap room for a FA or 2.

[Chadman]

Gonna have to restructure some of those contracts.. Including Ben's. Try to create some cap room for a FA or 2.

Agreed- but mainly the younger, higher paid guys like Woodley, Timmons & perhaps even Colon- you can spread that cap hit out, without their level of play decreasing (in theory). Restructuring the older guys like Polamalu, Ike, Keisel & Harrison... that just bites the team.

[Chadman]

2012 REVIEW- QUARTERBACK



Alright, let's get this thing started properly. First, we'll look at the play of the QB's this season, and see where we are at with that position.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER: (Under Contract)
13 games started, 7 wins 6 losses, 284 completions 449 attempts (63.3%), 3,265 yards, 26 TD's 8 INT's, 30 sacks.

Prior to his injury, Ben was having an outstanding season. Even factoring in a 'bad turn' towards the back end of the year (post-injury), Ben still, statistically, was great. Despite reports that he was at odds with Haley over the offense, it certainly looks like the offense agreed with Ben. The losses to the Chargers, Cowboys & Bengals were all post-injury & it's quite believable that had Ben been fit, these would have been W's instead of L's. Too many crucial turnovers late in the season- a complete contrast to the Ben we had at the beginning of the year. He's clearly the #1 QB on this roster, and if we can get those sack numbers down, and keep him healthy, Chadman expects that Ben could have an outstanding 2013.

CHARLIE BATCH: (FA)
2 games started, 1 win 1 loss, 45 completions 75 attempts (64.3%), 475 yards, 1 TD 4 INT's, 3 sacks.

Charlie had 1 abysmal game (Cleveland.... nobody ever talk about Cleveland) & followed that up with a heroic victory over the Ravens. He's an efficient, clever QB, without any significant arm power or ability to move around much. He is, however, 1 million years old. How long can he go for? Chadman is pretty convinced that the Steelers should entertain the idea of bringing him back to be the #2 QB next year (officially) but really serving as Ben's sounding-board & the mentor for any new QB brought into Pittsburgh. He'd cost vet minimum to bring back.

BYRON LEFTWICH: (FA)
1 game started, 0 wins 1 loss, 25 completions 53 attempts (47.2%), 272 yards, 0 TD's 1 INT, 3 sacks.

Byron stepped in after Ben got hurt, and was clearly out of sync in the fill-in role. His next game start was better, but not great. Leftwich is about 6 years younger than Charlie Batch, and has experience in Pittsburgh under his belt. To be honest, Chadman quite likes him. He's a talented QB, even if he has that slow release. He has a genuine cannon arm. He's about as mobile as Charlie, but a little less accurate.



No doubt, Ben was great in the first half of the season. There is no reason to believe that, should the OL keep him upright, that he can't be just as great next season. The real question at QB is what to do about the back-up spot. Chadman has no doubt that at least 1, or perhaps even both of Batch & Leftwich will be back in Training Camp. 1 of these guys should probably serve as the back-up QB next season- but not both. At some point, the Steelers will need a younger guy, if only to serve as career back-up. Would not be surprised to see a "future contract" QB signed, like the way Troy Smith & Jerrod Johnson were brought in last season.

[Slapstick]

Yeah.... but at the same time, how lucky are we normally that starting this thread 'this early' is unusual?

No argument here, Chadman...

[Eddie Spaghetti]

eddie enjoys chadmans writeups.

but if they bring back leftwich and batch as the two backup QBs, eddie must question mike tomlins sanity.

[Chadman]

eddie enjoys chadmans writeups.

but if they bring back leftwich and batch as the two backup QBs, eddie must question mike tomlins sanity.

Agreed that both shouldn't be the back-ups next year, but it wouldn't surprise to see both in Training Camp. Pretty sure at least 1 of the 2 will be Ben's back-up next year.

[Chadman]

2012 REVIEW- RUNNINGBACK/FULLBACK

Moving on from QB, we take a look at a position in a state of flux- the RB.

RASHARD MENDENHALL: (FA)
4 games started, 51 attempts 182 yards (3.6 YPC), 0 TD's, 9 catches 62 yards 1 TD, 3 fumbles.

Rashard was coming back from a significant knee injury suffered last season, and the result was this year never really got going. To top that off, there was his ongoing issue of ball control as well as his questionable decisions to not attend a game where he was inactive, resulting in a 1 game suspension. He is, at his best, the most talented RB on the roster & he has several years of results on his resume to back that up. He still gives many fans the heebie-jeebies though with his ball control & his 'dancing'. He's a FA, and after his suspension issue, and his decreased role this season, it would seem unlikely he'll return.

ISAAC REDMAN: (RFA)
5 games started, 110 attempts 410 yards (3.7 YPC), 2 TD's, 19 catches 244 yards 0 TD's, 3 fumbles.

Redman is a bit of a fan favourite because of his hard running style, and possibly because he's doing all this against the odds as an UDFA. Redman was effective without being outstanding, proving he's a useful guy to have on the roster, but not a 'lead back' type guy. Interestingly, he's the most effective RB in the passing game. 3 fumbles ties him with the much maligned Mendenhall, but without the fan-ire.. as a RFA, Chadman expects he'll be back next season, playing the same kind of role as he did this year- a solid rotational RB at low cost.

JONATHAN DWYER: (RFA)
6 games started, 156 attempts 623 yards (4.0 YPC), 2 TD's, 18 catches 106 yards 0 TD's, 2 fumbles.

The Steelers leading RB in 2012, Dwyer emerged somewhat from obscurity. He's a similar type of RB to Redman, with perhaps a few extra moves. Runs well after contact, but needs better conditioning. Fits well into a RB rotation, as he's relentless in his style on every run, regardless of how many snaps he's played. Had only 1 less catch than Redman, but did significantly less with those catches. For all his hard running, could still only produce 2 TD's. Like Redman, Chadman expects there will be no question of Dwyer's return as a RFA, and like Redman, he'll return to a similar role- 1 part of a RB rotation at a moderate to low cost.

CHRIS RAINEY: (Under Contract)
0 games started, 26 attempts 102 yards (3.9 YPC), 2 TD's, 14 catches 60 yards 0 TD's, 4 fumbles.

Rainey looks like an exciting player- fast, agile, dangerous. But he's young, small & needs better control of the ball. He's actually the only RB under contract at this point. There was a fair bit to like of Rainey's first season in the NFL. He runs harder than you'd expect for a guy his size. Chadman can see him playing some part in the offense- similar to Dexter McCluster in KC. He'll never be a feature RB, but as a situational guy, he has value. Also can contribute as a WR & obviously, in his most prolific role as a returner.

BARON BATCH: (ERFA)
0 games started, 25 attempts 49 yards (2.0 YPC), 1 TD, 4 catches 31 yards 0 TD's, 0 fumbles.

Batch might be facing an uphill battle. He's not overly fast, not overly powerful, not overly shifty, not an overly effective blocker. That said- he's not bad in any of those areas- just not special in any. If a guy could succeed simply because people 'want' him to- it'd be this guy. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. He'll be in Camp, and with luck, might find a role in the RB rotation. But he's possibly the easiest piece of the rotation to replace.

WILL JOHNSON: (Under Contract)
7 games started, 2 attempts 7 yards (4.5 YPC), 0 TD's, 15 catches 137 yards 1 TD, 0 fumbles.

Johnson's first year as a Steeler, and he looked capable. Seems pretty efficient at catching out of the backfield, and Chadman can't remember him being particularly bad at blocking at any time. Certainly worth another go around, but it's possible the Steelers might kick the tyres of another FB if they become available- just not likely.


Despite a few fans saying that the Steelers need a RB to become the 'lead guy', Chadman thought the RB rotation was working OK. It lacks that 'take it to the house' type guy though. That said, the 'rotation' gained 1,300 odd yards on the ground this season- about the same as a modest lead RB. A younger Mewelde Moore type RB that can catch, block & run would be a useful addition- there is no real '3rd down RB' on this roster. Would not be surprised to see another mid-round type RB added through the draft.