Colbert (1/16)

[squidkid]

how dare colbert criticize this team. he must not be a 'real' fan.

[papillon]

I like the part when he said they Are not married to anybody. Meaning a lot of the underperformed overpriced players are trade bait.

They may not be married to anybody, but I hope they at least bought the engagement ring for Keenan Lewis.

Pappy

[Dee Dub]

They may not be married to anybody, but I hope they at least bought the engagement ring for Keenan Lewis.

Pappy

Yeah propose to him at least.

[7 UP]

Just not very realistic. Why would they weaken their team to benefit us? Turbin will be a starting caliber RB that can sub in for an injured Beast.

How about Jones-Drew from the Jaguars if he is healthy?

I would love to have Jones Drew, and I think he would fit in well here. There is no way we would have the cap space to make that happen. Not to mention, it certainly wouldnt be a move the Steelers typically make.

[NW Steeler]

Probably one semi-surprise cut and hopefully one surprise FA signing in the works this spring, before the draft.

[lloydroid]

Sounds like an upgrade is coming at RB: "Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position.''

Well, did he forget about the part where they need decent O line play to make the rushing game productive? I mean, he is doing this for a living, right? How many times do they try to rush the ball and their is a mass of defenders at the exact point of where they play was designed to go? Did he fail to notice that?

[NW Steeler]

Regardless of our oline play, the RB position needs an infusion of talent.

[phillyesq]

Regardless of our oline play, the RB position needs an infusion of talent.

Absolutely. I remember one play in particular where Batch cut the wrong way and got blown up for a loss; had he cut the other way, he had a lot of open space. Just one play, but highlights the need for a RB to make the right decisions. Bad RBs can make the line look worse than it is.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Ben and Heath are both 30 years old. Ben has 3 years left on his current deal and Heath has 2 years left. Instead of being candidates for restructure (where Ben's $11.2 million base salary for 2013 and Heath's $5.162 million base salary for 2013 is converted to a signing bonus that is spread out evenly over the remaining years of the contract for cap purposes...saving us about $7 million against the cap for Ben and about $2.2 million against the cap for Heath) might they consider extending their contracts outright (essentially the last big deal for each so they can retire as Steelers). They'd get a big money signing bonus now (but spread throughout the life of the entire new long-term deal...not just 2 or 3 years) with a minimal base salary in year 1 to help out our cap immediately. There is some risk involved with Heath since he just blew out his knee, but all indications are that the tears were clean (surgery didn't need to be delayed because of added swelling) and we know that he is a hard worker and dependable guy who has come back from major injury before (we drafted him in the midst of sports hernia rehab).

[lloydroid]

Regardless of our oline play, the RB position needs an infusion of talent.

I don't disagree, but if we don't fix the OL it won't matter regardless. But, that upgrade could indeed happen if nothing more than our OLmen get healthy and improve from experience and if they wake up and realize they need Starks back.

Starks, Foster, Pouncy, DeCastro, Adams/Gilbert could end up being fairly decent.

[BigRob]

How much more complicated will this become if Omar Khan (sp?) gets the GM job with the Jets?

Kindle

Khan isn't indispensable. Khan is a good cap guy and has probably learned personnel, but he isn't a devastating loss.

[NW Steeler]

I don't disagree, but if we don't fix the OL it won't matter regardless. But, that upgrade could indeed happen if nothing more than our OLmen get healthy and improve from experience and if they wake up and realize they need Starks back.

Starks, Foster, Pouncy, DeCastro, Adams/Gilbert could end up being fairly decent.

Well hopefully they keep Starks or Foster, or both. If nothing else just for depth and in case of injury, which seems a forgone conclusion with these guys. But it doesn't sound like Starks or maybe even Foster will be back.

[BigRob]

If Keenan Lewis hits the open market he will never wear another Steeler uniform again. Some team will throw ridiculous money at him. That is just the way it is. And it sucks because he has started to develop into a solid CB.

Lewis may be the 2nd or 3rd corner in free agency. There will be a couple of studs available in Asomugha and Gamble (Carolina) available due to contract and cap issues.

Asomugha didn't fit into Philly's system. He's still a really good cover guy.

Lewis is more Tracey Porter than Brandon Carr. He will not command the same dollars.

More than likely with Lewis it means that he is seeking a huge deal and the Steelers told him to go ahead and shop in free agency to see if he coudl get it.

I could see Baltimore or Cinci going after Lewis.

[NW Steeler]

If the Steelers let Lewis walk, they almost HAVE to sign a replacement in FA, don't they?

[BigRob]

If the Steelers let Lewis walk, they almost HAVE to sign a replacement in FA, don't they?

If that happened it would be Taylor/Allen starting and I believe they would take a CB in the first round of the draft.