Can we sign at least ONE decent free agent, for once?

[SS Laser]

What decent FAs have we signed lately?

Will Allen has had a little impact. Gay coming back was a good pick up. Spaeth should prove a good retread. The last few seasons it has been retreads coming back but it has paid off I think. Now no big name signings of course. Oh crap J. Cotchery has been a good #3 to have. Velasco was a must do in season but worked out very well. Was Farrior or even Clark thought to be bigger name FA's? Both to of the best FA's I can remember.

[Oviedo]

What has Pouncey done to prove he is worth big $? Both back ups played better than MP in my opnion. Sign one of those guys and dump MP. He is good in name only. He is a Steeler center and first round pick so he gets the assumption that he is good. I just don't see it.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not advocating giving Pouncey a big contract. I expect he will want to be the highest paid Center in the NFL and that is way too rich for what he has contrbuted especially given that he is always hurt with a lower body injury. Yeah, it was bad luck this year but he was hurt yet again.

Pouncey would have to be the most dominat Off LIneman in the NFL in 2014 before I would even consider a big contract for him. Besides, I don't doubt he would love to go to miami with his brother and play in a no tax state where he was raised and went to college. IMO we won't resign Pouncey for all the reason above.

[Shoe]

Seriously, you guys must be slightly retarded if you think either Velasco or Cody f'n Wallace are better than Pouncey. "What has he done" to prove his worth? Just went to three Pro Bowls in three years, until Decastro wrecked his season this year.

Not much.

[SidSmythe]

Seriously, you guys must be slightly retarded if you think either Velasco or Cody f'n Wallace are better than Pouncey. "What has he done" to prove his worth? Just went to three Pro Bowls in three years, until Decastro wrecked his season this year.

Not much.

when was the last time u saw him DOMINATE?? I say "Never"

[Slapstick]

Our cap situation is so bad we will be focused on making people go away versus adding anyone we have to pay for. Don't expect any change.

Plus we have to start to think how we clear even more cap space to set up for potential big contracts to Pouncey and others over the next couple of years.

Our cap situation isn't as bad as you think...

We are less than $10 million over the latest cap projection....cut Levi Brown and there is $6 million right there...

Offer Heath and Troy reasonable extensions and that puts you under...offer Ben a reasonable extension and that gives you some cap room...you could also offer Brown a simple restructure in the 2nd year of his deal for more room...get Woodley to agree to a pay cut for one season and either cut Ike or renegotiate....

Any of those things are moves that are completely within the realm of possibility (although the Woodley thing might be the least likely) and, arguably, in the best interests of the team...

Troy, Heath and Ben are all playing at a high level...adding 3 or 4 years on a backloaded, "cuttable" deal with a reasonable amount guaranteed would work just fine...

[SS Laser]

Our cap situation isn't as bad as you think...

We are less than $10 million over the latest cap projection....cut Levi Brown and there is $6 million right there...

Offer Heath and Troy reasonable extensions and that puts you under...offer Ben a reasonable extension and that gives you some cap room...you could also offer Brown a simple restructure in the 2nd year of his deal for more room...get Woodley to agree to a pay cut for one season and either cut Ike or renegotiate....

Any of those things are moves that are completely within the realm of possibility (although the Woodley thing might be the least likely) and, arguably, in the best interests of the team...

Troy, Heath and Ben are all playing at a high level...adding 3 or 4 years on a backloaded, "cuttable" deal with a reasonable amount guaranteed would work just fine...

The site that shall not be named has a good cap post to read. Very close to what Slap posted.

[pfelix73]

Signing Matt Spaeth was a good move. He's a good blocking TE and since he came in, there was a big difference. Definitely have to bring him back. Wallace has played quite well at C since he's been in there. Good depth now on the OL.

[SS Laser]

Signing Matt Spaeth was a good move. He's a good blocking TE and since he came in, there was a big difference. Definitely have to bring him back. Wallace has played quite well at C since he's been in there. Good depth now on the OL.

You know I hope the Steelers can build a better O line for 2014 with the guys they have. But a few times players had one good year then lost there spot the next because they did not play well. Foster has stuck around. But there have been a few that stunk it up there "2nd" year with the Steelers. I could go back and look at all the different players each year but no reason to. My point is I am not sold on LT, C, RT and even back ups just yet. Will not find out till camp and see what happens with the O line.

[Shoe]

when was the last time u saw him DOMINATE?? I say "Never"

All I know is that, save for an attack on his leg by his own teammate, it is likely that he is celebrating his 4th PB berth in four years in the league. The next time Velasco is mentioned for the Pro Bowl, will be the first time. And the only way Cody Wallace gets to Honolulu, is the same way you or I, get there. That is... buy a plane ticket.

BTW, I like Velasco. As a role player. A swing O-lineman, capable of filling-in at C or G. But I'm not confused at all--Velasco moved like an iceberg. That was the knock on him anyway. So moving ahead, putting his 300-lbs. on a reconstructed achilles, with a work ethic that was considered questionable coming out of college, DOES NOT inspire confidence.

I won't even talk about Cody Wallace, because I don't want to embarrass myself (thinking that anyone in their right mind would compare him to Pouncey). You guys must be talking about someone else who filled in for him, that is escaping me right now.

[focosteeler]

All I know is that, save for an attack on his leg by his own teammate, it is likely that he is celebrating his 4th PB berth in four years in the league. The next time Velasco is mentioned for the Pro Bowl, will be the first time. And the only way Cody Wallace gets to Honolulu, is the same way you or I, get there. That is... buy a plane ticket.

BTW, I like Velasco. As a role player. A swing O-lineman, capable of filling-in at C or G. But I'm not confused at all--Velasco moved like an iceberg. That was the knock on him anyway. So moving ahead, putting his 300-lbs. on a reconstructed achilles, with a work ethic that was considered questionable coming out of college, DOES NOT inspire confidence.

I won't even talk about Cody Wallace, because I don't want to embarrass myself (thinking that anyone in their right mind would compare him to Pouncey). You guys must be talking about someone else who filled in for him, that is escaping me right now.

Thank you

[SidSmythe]

One thing I know about LINEMAN in the NFL, they go to the ProBowl on Reputation more than anything. Especially with Fan Voting. Lineman on the decline (Like Alan Faneca) will still make the Pro-Bowl b/c it's a common name. Pouncey had a great rookie season and got his reputation. Since then I haven't been impressed. Not saying he's bad at all, just saying He's not DOMINANT and our team was able to move on w/out him.

[papillon]

One thing I know about LINEMAN in the NFL, they go to the ProBowl on Reputation more than anything. Especially with Fan Voting. Lineman on the decline (Like Alan Faneca) will still make the Pro-Bowl b/c it's a common name. Pouncey had a great rookie season and got his reputation. Since then I haven't been impressed. Not saying he's bad at all, just saying He's not DOMINANT and our team was able to move on w/out him.

I'm just curious what you're using as criteria for determining that Pouncey has regressed or hasn't gotten better since his rookie season. It would have been difficult to look bad in his rookie year since he was replacing names like Mahan, Okobi (on occasion), Phillip, Hartwig, Stapleton (I think he took some snaps at center), etc.

As fans, we also have no idea if the playbook is reduced when Pouncey doesn't play, I do know that Pouncey is asked to pull on some plays and to get into the second level and make blocks. I have no idea if Velasco or Wallace can do those things, my guess is that they can't.

IMO, Pouncey should be paid and either Velasco or Wallace be kept for backup purposes.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

I'm just curious what you're using as criteria for determining that Pouncey has regressed or hasn't gotten better since his rookie season. It would have been difficult to look bad in his rookie year since he was replacing names like Mahan, Okobi (on occasion), Phillip, Hartwig, Stapleton (I think he took some snaps at center), etc.

As fans, we also have no idea if the playbook is reduced when Pouncey doesn't play, I do know that Pouncey is asked to pull on some plays and to get into the second level and make blocks. I have no idea if Velasco or Wallace can do those things, my guess is that they can't.

IMO, Pouncey should be paid and either Velasco or Wallace be kept for backup purposes.

Pappy

He isnt the only one.... I guess you haven't received your "Pouncey hasn't improved since his rookie year" membersh card.

[pfelix73]

I'm just curious what you're using as criteria for determining that Pouncey has regressed or hasn't gotten better since his rookie season. It would have been difficult to look bad in his rookie year since he was replacing names like Mahan, Okobi (on occasion), Phillip, Hartwig, Stapleton (I think he took some snaps at center), etc.

As fans, we also have no idea if the playbook is reduced when Pouncey doesn't play, I do know that Pouncey is asked to pull on some plays and to get into the second level and make blocks. I have no idea if Velasco or Wallace can do those things, my guess is that they can't.

IMO, Pouncey should be paid and either Velasco or Wallace be kept for backup purposes.

Pappy

They can. Wallace had a nice game this past weekend.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Saw this on another site:

Free Safety

The IDEAL
Donte Whitner, SF, 28 yrs old
He's coming off a 3 year / 11.75 contract
That's the type of contact we can afford

Major Wright, CHI, 25
He's coming off a 4 year / 2.6 contract

The Safety Net
Chris Clemons, MIA, 28 yrs old
He's coming off a 1 year / 2.75 contract

Will Allen, PIT, 31 Yrds old
He's coming off a 1 year / 600k contract
He's cheap and he knows the system

The Reclamation Project
Usama Young, CLE, 28 yrs old
He's coming off a 1 year / 985k contract
He's got a ton of time at FS and he's still young. Never lived up to potential, but could be a stop gap FS/Depth player

Malcolm Jenkins, NO, 26 yrs old
coming off, 5 yrs / 19 million

The Long Shot
MD Jennings, GB, 25 yrs old
He's a RFA so it would take an offersheet
Potential break out talent

WR is another position that will need to be addressed with a free agent. Most likely bringing Cotchery back. But there are some interesting options out there, and the market for the position is absolutely flooded.

The Risk/Reward
Jeremy Maclin, PHI, 25 yrs old
He's coming off a torn ACL...

Kenny Brith, TEN, 25 yrs old
He's a huge health risk, a character concern... but he's got elite talent

Danario Alexander, SD, 25 yrs old
.... just kidding

The Safety Net
Jericho Cotchery, PIT, 31 yrs old

There's a nice collection of 34 DEs on the market... and we need a starter... this is an area where we can spend wisely

Realistic/Good Fit
Alex Carrington, BUF, 26 yrs old
- Wanted to draft him when he came out. Perfect fit. Signing would make a lot of sense.

Al Woods, PIT, 26 yrs old

Fili Moala, IND, 26 yrs old