What to do with Beachum???

[Chadman]

He won't ask for the kind of dollars that "white" Joe Thomas is making.

We have found our off-season catch cry..

[K Train]

EVERYONE who isn't a liar was surprised he was able to step in and excel at LT. Height and arm length play a major role when talking about LT traits and success/failure and no scouts and certainly the Steelers didn't draft him thinking he'd be a stud LT as some of you believe he is. If they had he wouldn't have been passed every single round until we finally took him. And that is with us not having much on the line at either tackle spot. I am not saying he isn't good because he is. RT tend to be bigger bodied and slower less athetic than their LT counterparts because LT failures usually end up there not because that is some requisite trait for the position...and LT tend to be tall and massive with long arms. I just think as good as KB is at LT his physical limitations would be a moot point at RT and he could actually be one of the best in the game. He really isn't the 5th best LT despite the ranking..at least to me. I'm just tired of the bad RT play and obviously desperate enough to move a decent LT to shore it up and finally draft a 1st round talent at LT for the first time in what...decades? Doesn't seem fair to Ben...almost every other franchise QB has a standout LT

Gilbert was fine at RT....definitely not "bad RT play"

[RuthlessBurgher]

Doesn't seem fair to Ben...almost every other franchise QB has a standout LT

Aaron Rodgers has David Baktiari.
Drew Brees has Terron Armstead.
Andrew Luck has Anthony Castonzo.
Philip Rivers has King Dunlap.
Tom Brady has Nate Solder.
Peyton Manning has Ryan Clady.

Of the tackles on that list, I'd say Clady is the only standout LT (and Peyton hasn't always had standout LT...he has some pretty poor ones back in Indy).

[K Train]

Aaron Rodgers has David Baktiari.
Drew Brees has Terron Armstead.
Andrew Luck has Anthony Castonzo.
Philip Rivers has King Dunlap.
Tom Brady has Nate Solder.
Peyton Manning has Ryan Clady.

Of the tackles on that list, I'd say Clady is the only standout LT (and Peyton hasn't always had standout LT...he has some pretty poor ones back in Indy).

Elite left tackles are a luxury. Getting a franchise LT before you have a QB is one of the dumbest strategies. Ask the Browns. You need 2 decent to good tackles and the idea that LTs are vastly more important just isnt true anymore

[RuthlessBurgher]

No contract talks for Steelers, Kelvin Beachum yet

Posted by Josh Alper on June 21, 2015, 2:41 PM EDT

There was a report earlier this month that the Steelers are expected to sign defensive end Cam Heyward to a contract extension before training camp, but that deals with any of the rest of the team’s pending free agents were considered unlikely.

That group of players includes left tackle Kelvin Beachum and he confirmed on Sunday that there haven’t been any discussions with the team about a new deal at this point in the calendar.

“I don’t know when that call is gonna come,” Beachum said in an interview with Alex Marvez and Zig Fracassi on Sirius XM NFL Radio. “It’s not the priority right now. My priority is my daughter and my wife. I know when they’re ready to talk business, we’ll talk business. Up until then, I’ll keep working hard and bettering my craft.”

Beachum has started 28 straight games for the Steelers, who have seen their line develop into a dependable part of a strong offense. He’s signed for $1.542 million this season and will see a significant raise one way or another before the 2016 season.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/21/no-contract-talks-for-steelers-kelvin-beachum-yet/[/URL]

[Discipline of Steel]

Man, in the comments section of this article, everyone wants to keep Beachum over DeCastro....crazy talk

[url]http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2015/06/29/steelers-kelvin-beachum-contract-extension-negotiation-2015/?ref=yfp[/url]

From the outside looking in, professional football seems like greatest job in the world. Glory, recognition, big paychecks and a comfortable life are all perceived attributes of a solid NFL career, but more than anything else, the NFL is a business, and playing for one of its 32 teams is simply a job.
Kelvin Beachum pays his Allegheny County taxes just like everyone else in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area, but by this time next season he could very well be in another state; unless the Steelers sign him before the season starts.
Despite his slight frame, low draft standing and relatively unknown name, Beachum has quietly transformed into a quality left tackle. He’s not the best in the league or even the third best, but he’s certainly earned consideration among the top eight to 10 players at that position. The problem is he won’t be paid accordingly; at least not this season.
If Beachum produces another season similar to his solid 2014 campaign, he will be paid like a top-10 left tackle, potentially earning between $8 and $10 million a year. For a team like the Steelers that have dealt with struggles along the offensive line for several seasons, retaining Beachum and allowing him and the solid Pittsburgh line to continue their growth is a dream scenario. The problem for Beachum, and perhaps more so for the Steelers, is the fact the Steelers have a ton of young talent elsewhere on the roster. The Seahawks are realizing this now, and the Steelers aren’t too far off from dealing with it, but in the NFL, young talent is expensive.
For three or four years, the Richard Shermans and Antonio Browns – the late-round picks that transform into superstars – play for a bargain, but won’t play under a late-round salary forever. Even worse is the fact first-round picks sign extremely team-friendly deals. Look at the Colts and Seahawks current quarterback situations: Seattle’s Russell Wilson is already reportedly seeking to become the league’s highest paid player, a paycheck that will likely net him over $21-22 million a year. Wilson was a third-round pick. Andrew Luck, on the other hand, a player has more talent, if not success, than Wilson, is under team control for both 2015 and 2016, since he was a first-round pick. The Colts will probably sign him before the 2016 season, but it still buys them an extra season of budget-based team-building.
In addition to Beachum, the Steelers have Cam Heyward in need of a new contract, David DeCastro, who will likely be re-signed after the 2015 season and both Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, whose future contract demands will be staggering. [URL="http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2015/05/14/cameron-heyward-contract-extension-2015-steelers-salary-cap-aaron-smith/"]Heyward will likely be paid in the $10 million a year range[/URL], DeCastro will become one of the league’s richest guards, Brown could see a restructuring that nets him a higher yearly salary and Bell will most likely become the second- or third-richest running back in the history of the NFL. Throw in existing deals for the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Lawrence Timmons and Maurkice Pouncey, and it would seem, unfortunately, as if Beachum might be the odd man out.
Now, if the team were to offer Beachum a contract prior to the 2015 season, they will likely save themselves some money. Beachum has only produced a little over a season of solid production, so his contract would likely be relatively small. But, if the team waits until after the season to sign Beachum, it creates some problems.
If Beachum isn’t signed by the beginning of the season, it means the team has effectively made the remaining year on his contract a “prove it” year to determine if he’s worth an investment. If Beachum finds his way into the Pro Bowl this season, though, he could potentially play himself out of the Steelers’ price range. The team reportedly hasn’t reached out to him yet, so that could be indicative of their intentions.
Either way, the 2015 season will tell a lot about the future of Kelvin Beachum. If he plays as well as he did last season or improves on that performance, then he’ll be in line to secure a hefty contract extension. Unfortunately, it may be an extension the Steelers can’t afford.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Doesn't DeCastro have 2 years left on his contract? I don't think they have to work out a new deal for him until next summer.

I think they will get Heyward done, and then try to come up with something for Beachum this summer (if they really want to re-sign him).

[papillon]

I don't see how the author can compare the Seahawk youthful talent with the Steelers. The Seahawk talent is proven and thus deserving of raises, the Steeler youth, not so much, they could let any of them go for greener pastures and not really feel bad about it, because the Steeler's young players haven't produced a lick yet save for Brown, Bell and Heyward. And, only Brown has really produced for any length of time, Bell - one year, Heyward is tough judge production, but lets say two years. The following are still earning their stripes:

Jarvis Jones
Ryan Shazier
Vince Williams
Sean Spence
Cortez Allen
Stephon Tuitt
Any 2015 draftee

There's no comparison to Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson, the linebacker (I can't think of his name), Chancellor...absolutely no comparison. If the Steelers kept their young players at the salaries the Seahawk players are going to demand they would be in cap hell in a hurry and probably not competing for SBs.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

Beachum has only produced a little over a season of solid production

Beachum had 5 starts as a rookie, 12 starts in year 2, then started all 16 games last year. Protecting Ben's blind side for 33 starts on an ascending o-line is more than just a little over a season of solid production.

[Oviedo]

I don't see how the author can compare the Seahawk youthful talent with the Steelers. The Seahawk talent is proven and thus deserving of raises, the Steeler youth, not so much, they could let any of them go for greener pastures and not really feel bad about it, because the Steeler's young players haven't produced a lick yet save for Brown, Bell and Heyward. And, only Brown has really produced for any length of time, Bell - one year, Heyward is tough judge production, but lets say two years. The following are still earning their stripes:

Jarvis Jones
Ryan Shazier
Vince Williams
Sean Spence
Cortez Allen
Stephon Tuitt
Any 2015 draftee

There's no comparison to Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson, the linebacker (I can't think of his name), Chancellor...absolutely no comparison. If the Steelers kept their young players at the salaries the Seahawk players are going to demand they would be in cap hell in a hurry and probably not competing for SBs.

Pappy

Wait til Seattle pays Russell the market rate for a Very good QB. Watch the cap hell they will be in. I head on the radio today that Russell has made less than $4M total his first three years in the NFL and taken the team to the Super Bowl twice. He is going to see a massive increase in his cap hit real soon. Seattle is living in the calm before the salary cap storm right now but the storm is coming.

We will have to let some talent walk too because of Ben's contract. That is why I think Beachum will not be resigned unless he takes less than market value. Not sure we can sign both Beachum and Decastro.

[papillon]

Wait til Seattle pays Russell the market rate for a Very good QB. Watch the cap hell they will be in. I head on the radio today that Russell has made less than $4M total his first three years in the NFL and taken the team to the Super Bowl twice. He is going to see a massive increase in his cap hit real soon. Seattle is living in the calm before the salary cap storm right now but the storm is coming.

We will have to let some talent walk too because of Ben's contract. That is why I think Beachum will not be resigned unless he takes less than market value. Not sure we can sign both Beachum and Decastro.

This is what I was trying to explain. Do we really have talent that will walk or do we have potential that will walk?

Antonio Brown - No brainer they'll figure out how to sign him
Le'Veon Bell - Same as above
Cam Heyward - Is he worth breaking the bank over?

Jarvis Jones
Ryan Shazier
Cortez Allen
Shamarko Thomas
Stephon Tuitt
Sean Spence
Vince Williams

I don't see any young player in that list that has "proven" anything and if they have to let one or more walk to sign Brown, Bell or Heyward I think they have to do that. The above 7 are the "potential", but not proven young players. Certainly if any of those players salary demands were much more than they are making now you have to let them walk.

Pappy

[Oviedo]

This is what I was trying to explain. Do we really have talent that will walk or do we have potential that will walk?

Antonio Brown - No brainer they'll figure out how to sign him
Le'Veon Bell - Same as above
Cam Heyward - Is he worth breaking the bank over?

Jarvis Jones
Ryan Shazier
Cortez Allen
Shamarko Thomas
Stephon Tuitt
Sean Spence
Vince Williams

I don't see any young player in that list that has "proven" anything and if they have to let one or more walk to sign Brown, Bell or Heyward I think they have to do that. The above 7 are the "potential", but not proven young players. Certainly if any of those players salary demands were much more than they are making now you have to let them walk.

Pappy

My assessment: Antonio Brown - No brainer they'll figure out how to sign him-YES
Le'Veon Bell - Same as above-YES
Cam Heyward - Is he worth breaking the bank over?-YES...worth it

Jarvis Jones-Not looking like a keeper now
Ryan Shazier-I bet he begins to look like a keeper and timing works for him since Timmons likely at end of his time when Shazier would need to resign
Cortez Allen-Not looking like a keeper now, but under contract for 3 more years so there is hope
Shamarko Thomas-Not looking like a keeper now
Stephon Tuitt-I bet he will be a keeper and potentially better than Heyward
Sean Spence-Nope, let him go
Vince Williams-Nope, let him go

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

This is what I was trying to explain. Do we really have talent that will walk or do we have potential that will walk?

Antonio Brown - No brainer they'll figure out how to sign him
Le'Veon Bell - Same as above
Cam Heyward - Is he worth breaking the bank over?

Jarvis Jones
Ryan Shazier
Cortez Allen
Shamarko Thomas
Stephon Tuitt
Sean Spence
Vince Williams

I don't see any young player in that list that has "proven" anything and if they have to let one or more walk to sign Brown, Bell or Heyward I think they have to do that. The above 7 are the "potential", but not proven young players. Certainly if any of those players salary demands were much more than they are making now you have to let them walk.

Pappy

Not as bad a situation as it seems here.

On this list, Brown already has a cap hit close to $10M, and both Heyward and Cortez are almost $7M. How much higher are they going? It is not like any of them are on a first contract number like $2M and we need to increase to $10M. Even if Cortez turns it around he has four years left on his deal.

Williams and Spence are backups at the moment. For either of them to breakthrough, it means that Shazier won't be getting a big contract, or that Timmons is being pushed aside. By the time that happens, it will clear out Timmons' $12M number.

That leaves Shamarko, Tuiit, and Bell. Shamarko can go either way now because he is about to become a first year starter with no track record. I can't see him progressing so much by the time his deal is done that they will have to pay large.

Bell and Tuiit are the two players on the list who I can see being big jump players. One good thing is that they come due in different years. Another thing is that Woodley and Troy hits are off the books by the time that these two are due.

Honestly, not a bad cap situation at all.

[steelz09]

You should keep at least Williams and/or Spence to replace Timmons. I see no reason why you would voluntarily make one of your deepest positions your weakest. Both Spence and Williams are only 25 y/o and a lot cheaper than Timmons at 12.5 million this year and 11.5 million next. In addition to that, Timmons is going on his 9th season. That's a lot for a ILB.

[Bluto]

You should keep at least Williams and/or Spence to replace Timmons. I see no reason why you would voluntarily make one of your deepest positions your weakest. Both Spence and Williams are only 25 y/o and a lot cheaper than Timmons at 12.5 million this year and 11.5 million next. In addition to that, Timmons is going on his 9th season. That's a lot for a ILB.

Timmons has played a lot of football. But he is still young as he was a Baby when drafted. He was drafted at like 19 or 20 maybe even 18 if I recall. Be anxious to see if those miles do start to wear him down. The middle of the field Sure he takes a beaten