This free agency period could be crazy

[BigRob]

There are going to be a lot of veterans cut and a lot of deals being cut. There are quite a few teams with cap space.

There will be more than a few veterans on the outside looking in. Hopefully the Steelers can find a way to bring in one or two veteran (not too old) free agents at a bargain that can help out.

My favorite right now is Larry Grant with the 49'ers. He started for Patrick Willis in the 49'er 3-4 and excelled at coverage and stopping the run.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Bring him in for a visit.

[papillon]

There are going to be a lot of veterans cut and a lot of deals being cut. There are quite a few teams with cap space.

There will be more than a few veterans on the outside looking in. Hopefully the Steelers can find a way to bring in one or two veteran (not too old) free agents at a bargain that can help out.

My favorite right now is Larry Grant with the 49'ers. He started for Patrick Willis in the 49'er 3-4 and excelled at coverage and stopping the run.

My favorite free agent right now is Keenan Lewis and James Harrison. I hope the Steelers can find a way to sign both to contracts to eliminate CB and OLB as potential first round draft options and maybe find that physical receiver that will fight for the ball or a TE that isn't an extra tackle that can be paired with Heath Miller.

Pappy

[BigRob]

My favorite free agent right now is Keenan Lewis and James Harrison. I hope the Steelers can find a way to sign both to contracts to eliminate CB and OLB as potential first round draft options and maybe find that physical receiver that will fight for the ball or a TE that isn't an extra tackle that can be paired with Heath Miller.

Pappy

They will let Lewis shop and then see if they can get a deal done. James Harrison is going to be cut, maybe they can sign him back at a vet minimum but it is doubtful.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

probably not a surprise, but I hope they find a way to sign Ramon Foster to a reasonable contract. His versatility at both OG spots and RT, combined with his durability are huge assets for this OL. I know he is much malingned here, but he has done a pretty damn good job everytime he has been called on. Plus, he justs plays with a nasty streak.

if the new OL coach believes he can fit his system, I think he is worth right around what Urbik got. It will be interesting to see what his value is.

[supersteeler]

There is no money for FA's, the Steelers will try and sign their own players and then look at the draft for the rest.
This is one year where a rookie could start especially at RB and it depends on if we keep foote. A rookie could compete with sylvester and spence for a spot, Spence is like a second year rookie and Slyvester isn't the answer only a backup.

Another position a rookie could start is TE since we don't know if Heath will be ready for the regular season. If he isn't then a TE has a chance to compete with Paulson. Overall I don't see them pursuing any FA's, where is the money coming from? Any good FA's won't come cheap so they might as well sign their own like Lewis.

[Sugar]

They will let Lewis shop and then see if they can get a deal done. James Harrison is going to be cut, maybe they can sign him back at a vet minimum but it is doubtful.

If they cut James and try and resign for vet minimum, I kind of hope he tests the market. That would be a slap in the face. Maybe they have to do it that way, but it's still a slap at a guy who has been a monster for this team and showed last year that, when healthy, he can still bring it. BTW- there's no reason to think he's not healthy now.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

If the Steelers had to pick between keeping Troy or James, who should they keep? Our defense played really well without Troy where the secondary played more of a straight coverage instead of having to adjust while Troy played a 5th LB spot. The pass rush struggled without James. I think I would choose to keep Harrison.

[winwithd]

If they cut James and try and resign for vet minimum, I kind of hope he tests the market. That would be a slap in the face. Maybe they have to do it that way, but it's still a slap at a guy who has been a monster for this team and showed last year that, when healthy, he can still bring it. BTW- there's no reason to think he's not healthy now.

I loved James in his prime, but last year he looked to me to always be a step slow, especially in coverage. I dont get where people say he was really coming on at the end cause he was finally getting healthy. I didn't see much difference. He made some plays but nothing extraordinary and he still usually was trailing whoever he was suppose to cover. I think it is time to let go of the past and move on.

Troy can still be that 'X' factor that the other team has to worry about for another year or two, IMHO.

[Slapstick]

I loved James in his prime, but last year he looked to me to always be a step slow, especially in coverage. I dont get where people say he was really coming on at the end cause he was finally getting healthy.

Mostly because he had five sacks in the last 7 games of the year...

[Mister Pittsburgh]

I loved James in his prime, but last year he looked to me to always be a step slow, especially in coverage. I dont get where people say he was really coming on at the end cause he was finally getting healthy. I didn't see much difference. He made some plays but nothing extraordinary and he still usually was trailing whoever he was suppose to cover. I think it is time to let go of the past and move on.

Troy can still be that 'X' factor that the other team has to worry about for another year or two, IMHO.

i think when people say he was coming on, they are referring to QB pressure. I wouldn't gauge my OLB's play on coverage skills over QB pressure.

[BigRob]

probably not a surprise, but I hope they find a way to sign Ramon Foster to a reasonable contract. His versatility at both OG spots and RT, combined with his durability are huge assets for this OL. I know he is much malingned here, but he has done a pretty damn good job everytime he has been called on. Plus, he justs plays with a nasty streak.

if the new OL coach believes he can fit his system, I think he is worth right around what Urbik got. It will be interesting to see what his value is.

I don't believe he fits with what Haley and the new O-line coach desire. It has been reported that Haley wants a much more athletic line. Neither Foster nor Colon fits the bill.

However, Colon is more likely to stay than Foster due to cap reasons.

Foster is a decent power player, but cannot move in space and never gets to the second level.

[BigRob]

There is no money for FA's, the Steelers will try and sign their own players and then look at the draft for the rest.

If they cannot re-sign Lewis, that will leave them a little bit of room for low level free agents with potential like Larry Grant. Grant will not command big dollars, but could have a big impact at MLB and on special teams.

They will restructure Taylor if they cannot sign Lewis to free up more room. If they sign Lewis, I agree with you 100%

[BigRob]

If they cut James and try and resign for vet minimum, I kind of hope he tests the market. That would be a slap in the face. Maybe they have to do it that way, but it's still a slap at a guy who has been a monster for this team and showed last year that, when healthy, he can still bring it. BTW- there's no reason to think he's not healthy now.

There is no reason to think he will stay healthy. Back and knee problems at his age in sports tends to become chronic.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

I don't believe he fits with what Haley and the new O-line coach desire. It has been reported that Haley wants a much more athletic line. Neither Foster nor Colon fits the bill.

However, Colon is more likely to stay than Foster due to cap reasons.

Foster is a decent power player, but cannot move in space and never gets to the second level.

personally, I wouldn't waste another red cent on colon.

foster may not fit the new scheme, but there is nothing behind him as far as depth.

will be interesting to see how it pans out.