Steelers FA wishlist: Bring CB Byron Maxwell to Pittsburgh

[Iron City Inc.]

I don't know how much I like any 5'9" corner. Skrine is 5'9". Wide outs and TE's are just to tall and size is a talent. #3 slot corner perhaps but length is needed outside the numbers.

[Rara]

We need atleast 1 or 2 corners atleast coming from the draft or from free agency. I'd like to get Davon House over Buster Skrine..but wouldn't complain if the Steelers signed Skrine and draft Marcus Peters in the first (but would more than likely be Quinton Rollins from Miami of Ohio).

[hawaiiansteel]

I'd like to get Davon House over Buster Skrine

Davon House: “I think my film shows I’m a starter”

Posted by Mike Wilkening on February 14, 2015



In some ways, Packers cornerback Davon House fits the bill of a player whom teams could covet in free agency.

For one, House plays a premium position. Secondly, he doesn’t turn 27 until July. Finally, he he has good size for a corner (6-0, 195), and he was timed in a solid 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine.

However, House has primarily been a backup in four seasons with Green Bay, starting just 14 games. He has also dealt with injuries to both shoulders. Moreover, he has just two interceptions in 40 regular season contests.

Nevertheless, House is probably hitting the market at a good time. His potential could entice a club, Green Bay or otherwise, to sign him long-term.

In a story published Saturday by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, House said he is seeking a starting job.

“I don’t like the role just playing special teams, especially when I know I can contribute,” House told the Journal Sentinel‘s Tom Silverstein.

Added House, according to the paper: “I know I can play. I truly believe the film says I can play in this league. If my film doesn’t show it, I don’t mind playing special teams. But I think my film shows I’m a starter.”

House told the Journal Sentinel he believed the Packers would try to re-sign wide receiver Randall Cobb and offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga before they got a deal done with him, but if that is the club’s approach, he is OK with it.

“Randall isn’t done, Bulaga isn’t done, so I’m not going to be done. I won’t be back until they all get done. It makes no sense for me to get done before them,” House told the paper.

No matter where he lands, House is one of the players to watch at his position in free agency. Though his résumé isn’t especially full, interested teams will bank on the best being yet to come for the New Mexico State product

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/14/davon-house-i-think-my-film-shows-im-a-starter/[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

FIVE FREE AGENTS ABOUT TO BE OVERPAID

Posted by Matt Verderame on Feb 15, 2015

National Football League free agency does not officially begin until March 10. Before then, teams can sign their own free agents and can begin applying the franchise tag on Feb. 16.

With over 500 players scheduled to hit the market, both unrestricted and restricted, the teams will be busy trying to construct their 2015 rosters. This rush on players will lead to plenty of competition and ultimately some cumbersome contracts.

Below are five players guaranteed to get more money than they are worth:

5. Jordan Cameron

Cameron has been an absolute non-factor three of his four years with the Cleveland Browns. However, Cameron became a name in 2013 when he caught 80 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, the former USC star had 24 catches for 424 yards and two scores in 10 games. Cameron is nothing more than a second tight end on a good team, but somebody will pay him like a solid No. 1 option.

4. Pernell McPhee

McPhee is going to be overpaid because of the position he plays. The 26-year-old outside linebacker put together a nice campaign in 2014, registering 7.5 sacks. The two years prior? A grand total of 3.5 sacks and 42 tackles in 28 games. McPhee should be brought in as a complementary pass-rusher, but one general manager will see potential and give an oversized contract.

3. Byron Maxwell

Maxwell is a good player, but he will be paid like a great one. Maxwell has had the luxury of having Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas behind him, allowing Maxwell to play with ample aggressiveness. There is a good chance Maxwell will go to the Atlanta Falcons where former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn took the head coaching position. Atlanta also has cap space and the worst defense in football, so the fit seems perfect. Maxwell will be paid top money, but is a better fit as a No. 2.

2. Julius Thomas

Thomas has enjoyed the effect of Peyton Manning. With Manning at the helm, Thomas has become one of the top red zone targets in the league, hauling in 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons. However, Thomas is a walking red flag. He has been bitten constantly by the injury bug, playing just 32 games in three seasons. Without Manning and the incredible supporting cast in Denver, it is foolish to expect Thomas to be anything more than an average player.

1. DeMarco Murray

Murray is a great player, but the shelf life of a running back is short. Murray led the league in touches last season, totaling 392 carries and 57 receptions, putting on plenty of mileage. Despite being only 27 years old, Murray is likely living on borrowed time. The last two players to get new contracts after leading the league in carries are Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander. Neither rushed for 1,000 yards again and both were in their 20’s at the time. A team will give Murray a major payday and it will become a major mistake.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/author/article_external/18279155?widget=true[/URL]

[Shawn]

Until he tests I'm not so sure. It's early in the process.

I agree. If Waynes runs a 4.55+, he will likely drop to the 20's.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Cameron is nothing more than a second tight end on a good team

I could see the New England Cheetahs signing him to play the Aaron Hernandez role as the second TE with Gronk as #1.

[Shawn]

If Cameron can stay healthy I believe he is the real deal. The problem is he hasn't had health or a QB.

[hawaiiansteel]

What is cornerback Byron Maxwell's value on the market? I would say around $5 million or $6 million per year. But with a cornerback class coming in that lacks depth, Maxwell could see that number jump up to $8 million or even $9 million, given his ability to play press-man outside of the numbers.

"It would be hard to see him (Maxwell) leave, but I would think his market will be pretty strong," Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Thursday.

Based off the film from 2014, press-man technique in the NFL is poor right now, overall. There are too many cornerbacks who open the hips, fail to use their hands and chase instead of challenging receivers on the release. That leads to big plays outside of the numbers and penalties down the field as defensive backs panic at the point of attack. That's when we see guys grab, pull, etc., because they are beat.

Maxwell might not be a true No. 1 cornerback on some rosters in the NFL, but given his ability to play press and compete on the outside, he should get paid some good money this offseason as a free agent. NFL coaches want corners who can win at the line of scrimmage. That's what you get with Maxwell.

[URL]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2370748-nfl-combine-2015-matt-bowens-day-2-notebook[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers could use savings on free agent CBs

By NJ Steel on Feb 26, 2015

Yesterday, the free agency wheels in Pittsburgh started turning when the Steelers cleared salary cap room by restructuring three contracts. One position of undoubted need that could be filled with the additional space is cornerback. There are more than 40 free agent cornerbacks this off-season, and the Steelers have three in Ike Taylor, Brice McCain, and Antwon Blake (restricted). Unfortunately, most of the free agents this year are injury-prone and/or will commend higher-end contracts due to the lack of positional depth in the league. A lot of mediocre cornerbacks will be signed to contracts beyond their worth, which will most likely move them out the Steelers' price range.

Even after the restructures, the most likely scenario is still that the Steelers will have to gamble on a few 1-year rentals like they did last year to string together a secondary alongside Cortez Allen and William Gay. That being said, maybe the added cap room will make one of the top free agent cornerbacks below a bit more affordable.

1) Brandon Flowers

The Steelers pursued Flowers last year, and I believe he is the best free agent cornerback available this offseason. Last year, he signed a one year, $4 million deal with the Chargers and impressed to the point where he will likely command $5 million or more this year. Flowers has shown that he can play in multiple defenses and could be a great fit for Butler's new defense.

2) Antonio Cromartie

Cromartie is arguably one of the best corners in the NFL, as long as he's not injured. He will probably re-sign with the Cardinals at a hefty price tag, but he does have leverage to play for a team with lots of cap space if he chooses to sign a lucrative contract elsewhere. He would be great for the Steelers, but I don't see a way he could be signed.

3) Byron Maxwell

Maxwell lived in Richard Sherman's shadow in Seattle, but he's one of my favorite CBs. I have been waiting for Maxwell to be a free agent, and the Steelers should attempt to sign him. He has shown flashes of elite play, but does have bad games and can get beat. Most of Seattle's linebackers and secondary signed team-friendly deals last season, but Maxwell didn't - which suggests that he may be looking for the largest contract possible. Again, the Steelers may simply not be able to afford him.

4) Kareem Jackson

Jackson is another great corner when healthy. He could be a great addition to the Steeler's secondary, and due to his health issues he won't see many suitors offering large contracts.

5) Tramon Williams

Williams is an older CB who has already played his best football. Still, the Packers have a history of retaining their own, and will probably re-sign him to a 2-year deal.

6) Chris Culliver

A very underrated corner that often gets overlooked. After tearing his ACL in 2013, he proved himself to be reliable last season. Steelers should take a look at Culliver if the 49ers do not re-sign him.

7) Walter Thurmond

Thurmond is another ex-Seattle star, but didn't play well in 2014 before tearing a pectoral muscle. He should an affordable CB with a proven history of success.

8. Darius Butler

Butler is injury prone, but when healthy can be a shut-down CB.

9) Tarell Brown

Brown may be worth the gamble. His play was mediocre last year for the Raiders, but then again, which player impressed on that team? He might be able to get a 1-year deal from the Steelers.

10) Buster Skrine

For a while early in the 2014 season, Skrine led the league in interceptions. Then, his play declined rapidly as the Browns devolved to their natural state. He might be worth a look at for a reasonable price.

Other free agent CBs:

11. Zach Bowman

12. Robert McClain

13. Rashean Mathis

14. Sterling Moore

15. Patrick Robinson

16. Antwon Blake

17. Carlos Rodgers

18. Davon House

19. Brice McCain

20. Charles Tillman

Will the Steelers spend their newly found cap room on a free agent cornerback? Only time will tell. But the options are there, so it will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2015/2/25/8107715/free-agency-2015-available-cbs[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Alex Kozora retweeted
Dov Kleiman @NFL_RealUpdates -

#Eagles will sign former #Seahawks CB Byron Maxwell to a 5-year, $54 million deal

[URL]https://twitter.com/Alex_Kozora[/URL]