2013 NFL Draft: Steelers Draft Prospects by Position - Safety

[Keyplay1]

Steelers 2013 salary cap options - Safeties

By SteelCityRoller on Jan 19 [Who is the SteelCityRoller??]

First, Pittsburgh could release Polamalu - fear of injury or not - to clear some cap space in 2013, and all of his hit against 2014. His dead money would accelerate to a penalty of $5.775 million against 2013, but the Steelers would save $4,612,500 from his originally scheduled cap hit, while completely erasing his hit in 2014. The biggest problem with parting ways with Polamalu is the fact Pittsburgh doesn't have a definite replacement on the roster yet, leaving many to believe the Steelers will draft a safety early in the upcoming draft.

Should Pittsburgh decide to keep him for one more season, allowing a possible draft pick to understudy a future hall-of-famer, they could restructure his contract. Normally, team's don't restructure two year deals, but it would save some cap dollars without losing him in 2013. Should the team restructure $6.4 million of his $7.5 million base salary into a signing bonus, they could charge half ($3.2 million) to 2014, saving an equal amount in 2013. If Polamalu wants to play in 2014, the Steelers could offer him an extension without its own signing bonus, giving them extra years to spread restructured money across. An extension would allow the team to deal with a reduced dead money penalty in 2015, covering only money restructured out of 2013 and 2014.

The third option is to do nothing, allow him to play out 2013 and make the same tough decision prior to 2014, only with half of the penalty when considering release or retirement. The Steelers will most likely wish to retain him somehow, because all of the remaining safeties on their roster fit the mold of Clark, more than they do Polamalu.
First, Pittsburgh could release Polamalu - fear of injury or not - to clear some cap space in 2013, and all of his hit against 2014. His dead money would accelerate to a penalty of $5.775 million against 2013, but the Steelers would save $4,612,500 from his originally scheduled cap hit, while completely erasing his hit in 2014. The biggest problem with parting ways with Polamalu is the fact Pittsburgh doesn't have a definite replacement on the roster yet, leaving many to believe the Steelers will draft a safety early in the upcoming draft.

Should Pittsburgh decide to keep him for one more season, allowing a possible draft pick to understudy a future hall-of-famer, they could restructure his contract. Normally, team's don't restructure two year deals, but it would save some cap dollars without losing him in 2013. Should the team restructure $6.4 million of his $7.5 million base salary into a signing bonus, they could charge half ($3.2 million) to 2014, saving an equal amount in 2013. If Polamalu wants to play in 2014, the Steelers could offer him an extension without its own signing bonus, giving them extra years to spread restructured money across. An extension would allow the team to deal with a reduced dead money penalty in 2015, covering only money restructured out of 2013 and 2014.

The third option is to do nothing, allow him to play out 2013 and make the same tough decision prior to 2014, only with half of the penalty when considering release or retirement. The Steelers will most likely wish to retain him somehow, because all of the remaining safeties on their roster fit the mold of Clark, more than they do Polamalu.
First, Pittsburgh could release Polamalu - fear of injury or not - to clear some cap space in 2013, and all of his hit against 2014. His dead money would accelerate to a penalty of $5.775 million against 2013, but the Steelers would save $4,612,500 from his originally scheduled cap hit, while completely erasing his hit in 2014. The biggest problem with parting ways with Polamalu is the fact Pittsburgh doesn't have a definite replacement on the roster yet, leaving many to believe the Steelers will draft a safety early in the upcoming draft.

Should Pittsburgh decide to keep him for one more season, allowing a possible draft pick to understudy a future hall-of-famer, they could restructure his contract. Normally, team's don't restructure two year deals, but it would save some cap dollars without losing him in 2013. Should the team restructure $6.4 million of his $7.5 million base salary into a signing bonus, they could charge half ($3.2 million) to 2014, saving an equal amount in 2013. If Polamalu wants to play in 2014, the Steelers could offer him an extension without its own signing bonus, giving them extra years to spread restructured money across. An extension would allow the team to deal with a reduced dead money penalty in 2015, covering only money restructured out of 2013 and 2014.

The third option is to do nothing, allow him to play out 2013 and make the same tough decision prior to 2014, only with half of the penalty when considering release or retirement. The Steelers will most likely wish to retain him somehow, because all of the remaining safeties on their roster fit the mold of Clark, more than they do Polamalu.

---Hmm! Hadn't figured on that one. So now we can add a possible Safety to the list of possible #1 picks. Okay, if there is an Andrew Luck type valued player at that position this year why not?

Then if that does occur [which I doubt] I would take the Rollers option 2 for Troy and go from there.

[Chadman]

Due to age & contract length- Chadman thinks both Polamalu & Clark will play out their deals as they are.

Focosteeler has a guy in his mock that Chadman would like opinions of- Syracuse's SS Shamarko Thomas. Read that he's clocked at 4.39- which is Troy-like comming out of college. Watching tape, and he flies around the field. Anyone watch Syracuse much?

[NW Steeler]

No way in hell Polamalu gets released.

[phillyesq]

No way in hell Polamalu gets released.

Agree completely.

[NW Steeler]

I think we will obviously see several re-structures for the guys that have more years left on their contracts, and maybe a semi-surprise cut such as Harrison. Boy, talk about becoming paper thin at OLB. I sure hope Woodley re-discovers his mojo and Worilds is ready to take the next step.

[BigRob]

That is not what they said yesterday. And for what ever reason he waited till 3 days before the Senior Bowl week to inform he wasn't coming. Not good.

I wonder who is agent is. He's not a first round lock. He must be getting bad advice from whoever it is representing him.

By the way, Bacarri Rambo has looked atrocious at the Senior Bowl. I know better than to go just based on all star games, but scouts are going to scrutinize him even more.

Maybe it is just a lack of preparation for this week, but I bet he doesn't get selected before the 4th round. The safeties are just too deep of a class this year. If he runs out of this world, it will pick his stock back up.

[BigRob]

2013 Senior Bowl: Monday Risers-Fallers

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 22, 2013

While one practice won't change a player's evaluation, every action a prospect makes during Senior Bowl week will be under a microscope.

RISERS

SS Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International

In a talented safety group, Florida International's Jonathan Cyprien stood out on Monday with his aggressive playing style and active demeanor. He practiced at full speed and left it all out on the field, not shying away from getting physical. Whether it was a contact drill or not, Cyprien is going to meet the ballcarrier with a pop, refusing to let up. With Kenny Vaccaro (Texas) and D.J. Swearinger (South Carolina) deciding to skip Mobile, Cyprien has a chance to emerge as the top safety at this year's Senior Bowl.

[URL]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/21595095/2013-senior-bowl-monday-risers-fallers[/URL]

Started a post about this guy yesterday. I don't get Sun Belt games, but apparently this guy brings the heat every game.

[Dee Dub]

I wonder who is agent is. He's not a first round lock. He must be getting bad advice from whoever it is representing him.

By the way, Bacarri Rambo has looked atrocious at the Senior Bowl. I know better than to go just based on all star games, but scouts are going to scrutinize him even more.

Maybe it is just a lack of preparation for this week, but I bet he doesn't get selected before the 4th round. The safeties are just too deep of a class this year. If he runs out of this world, it will pick his stock back up.

I knew you would say this...but you are forgetting safeties going one on one with WR's (as we see in these Senior Bowl drills), is usually a fail. That is why they are not corners. I am not worried about how he stacks up versus a WR in one on one coverage. He will hardly ever be asked to do that. What he excels at is playing center field and playing the QB and ball. That is a true test of a free safety. And with 16 career INT's and 34 PD's we see he is very good at that.

[BigRob]

I knew you would say this...but you are forgetting safeties going one on one with WR's (as we see in these Senior Bowl drills), is usually a fail. That is why they are not corners. I am not worried about how he stacks up versus a WR in one on one coverage. He will hardly ever be asked to do that. What he excels at is playing center field and playing the QB and ball. That is a true test of a free safety. And with 16 career INT's and 34 PD's we see he is very good at that.

I wouldn't touch him before the 4th rd. His running mate Williams looks like a 6th rounder. His draft stock is going to hinge on how he runs, and I bet it isn't going to be real fast.

And to be real, he has looked just as bad in team drills and 11 on 11 in practice as he has individually. They aren't just doing one on one drills in practice.

[lloydroid]

The best free safety in this draft. He is big hitter and goes for the knock out a lot so on occasion yes he can miss a tackle here or there, however....

16 INT's, 34 PD's, and 6 FF's over his college career tells you about his cover skills as well as where he is in regards to where the ball is.

But as mention his mistake may take him off the Steelers board.

If he falls to the 4th grab him. I really don't like with Vacarro that they say, "He isn't an elite ball hawk." For a team lacking in pics, we can't afford a high pick on a guy who isn't an elite ball hawk. We need him to be, desperately.

[Shoe]

I'm all for BPA, but I gotta say: I HATE the idea of taking a Safety with our first pick. Unless there is a Polamalu/Ed Reed type instinctive guru available, I totally don't like the idea. Safety is a position where you can easily fill with a former Corner. Second, most Safeties I tend to remember who were drafted in the 1st round were disappointments.

[lloydroid]

I'm all for BPA, but I gotta say: I HATE the idea of taking a Safety with our first pick. Unless there is a Polamalu/Ed Reed type instinctive guru available, I totally don't like the idea. Safety is a position where you can easily fill with a former Corner. Second, most Safeties I tend to remember who were drafted in the 1st round were disappointments.

I'm not crazy about it myself. I'd say there are entire draft classes without safeties worth taking in the 1st round. Reed and Polamalu are the exceptions to the rule.

[Dee Dub]

Started a post about this guy yesterday. I don't get Sun Belt games, but apparently this guy brings the heat every game.

Just saw him talking to Mike Tomlin on the sidelines at the Senior Bowl practice. Interesting.

[hawaiiansteel]

Oklahoma football: Online report raises questions about NFL-bound Tony Jefferson

According to a controversial tidbit in a WalterFootball.com draft scouting report, OU coaches have told NFL scouts that Tony Jefferson had “horrible practice habits and a lack of work ethic in the weight room.”

By Jason Kersey | Published: January 23, 2013



Tony Jefferson (1) speaks to the press at a media availability for the University of Oklahoma Sooner (OU) football team following practice on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

NORMAN — Oklahoma football enters another offseason clouded by questions stemming from a second straight season largely defined by subpar defense.

The blame has fallen on two coordinators — first Brent Venables, then Mike Stoops — lacking talent on the defensive line, too much schematic tinkering and a conference filled with fantastic quarterbacks directing spread offenses.

But one online report raised questions about the second-team All-America safety, considered one of Oklahoma's defensive leaders the past two seasons.

According to a controversial tidbit in a WalterFootball.com draft scouting report, OU coaches have told NFL scouts that former safety Tony Jefferson — who chose to skip his senior season and enter April's NFL Draft — had “horrible practice habits and a lack of work ethic in the weight room.”

A spokeswoman for Octagon Football, which represents Jefferson, declined The Oklahoman's request Wednesday for an interview.

Jefferson, though, unleashed a barrage of tweets Tuesday in response to the report.

“Also y'all be careful who y'all let pat you on the back,” read the final part of Jefferson's several- tweet response. “They could be patting you on ur back to find a soft spot, just to stab you in it!”

In response to an OU fan on Twitter, Jefferson said, “been a leader in the weightroom since I got there.”

To another Twitter user, he said, “Coaches hate me man. It's all good tho.”

Sooner coaches never once specifically criticized Jefferson's work ethic or commitment; to the contrary, Mike Stoops often praised Jefferson for playing most of last season on a badly sprained ankle.

For much of his sophomore season, Jefferson played with a sprained knee.

ESPN.com ranks Jefferson as the fifth-best safety prospect available in the 2013 draft.

Last week on a conference call with reporters, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., said he expects Jefferson to be a second-round pick.

“I like the way he plays the game,” Kiper said. “He's got real good awareness. Real good instincts for the position. He's been a playmaker his whole career.”

[URL]http://newsok.com/oklahoma-football-online-report-raises-questions-about-nfl-bound-tony-jefferson/article/3748453[/URL]

[steelblood]

I like Vaccaro the most out of all of them, with rainey and his recent issues I think if a prospect has any off field issue they won't consider that player. Rainey had them and they won't get burnt again.

Vaccaro is good in man coverage on TEs and most WRs. He is physical and very athletic. That is impressive. What I don't understand is that scouts seem to overlook that he is a very spotty tackler and regularly whiffs (like most of the Texas defense). Also, and this is difficult to tell on TV, it seems like he does not have elite instincts/centerfielder skills when working the back half. He is often slow to react imho.