Steelers Potentially More Active in FA

[phillyesq]

According to ARII, it appears that the Steelers may be more active in free agency this year:

[url]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/01/28/Art-Rooney-II-proud-of-Steelers-recognizes-mistakes-likes-the-direction-they-are-headed/stories/201601280206[/url]

[Oviedo]

I'll believe it when I see them sign more than a second or third string player. Weddle would be a good start and eliminate the need to reach for a Safety early in the draft.

[SS Laser]

Why Weddle and not say Eric Berry? If the same player as before I don't see the Chiefs letting him go but you never know.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Why Weddle and not say Eric Berry? If the same player as before I don't see the Chiefs letting him go but you never know.

I think you answer your own question. I would prefer to see Berry in B&G, but doubt that he ever hits the market. Too much combination of great player + great story for KC to let him leave.

[phillyesq]

I'll believe it when I see them sign more than a second or third string player. Weddle would be a good start and eliminate the need to reach for a Safety early in the draft.

I'm not expecting a huge influx of free agents, but I could see the Steelers adding 1 free agent starter on defense, and maybe a depth player as well.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Yeah...I'd guess it's 99% certain that Weddle is available and only a 1% chance that Berry is available. Even so, we would likely be able to afford what Weddle would likely command at his age, but would likely not be able to win a bidding war for Berry's services in the slight possibility that he somehow does become available. And I'm a guy that had a full blown man crush on Berry when he was coming out, but I realize that it's just not realistic. It's like we know that Josh Norman in the best CB about to hit free agency by far, but since we have a snowball's chance in hell of actually landing him, people are talking about a Sean Smith tier of corner instead...more realistic.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I'm not expecting a huge influx of free agents, but I could see the Steelers adding 1 free agent starter on defense, and maybe a depth player as well.

Yup...I think Cortez Allen is a designated post June 1 cut, and we use his savings to get one defensive starter.

If we land Eric Weddle, I could see us then re-signing William Gay, Ramon Foster, and Steve McLendon, and moving on from Will Allen.

If we land Damon Harrison, I could see us then re-signing William Gay, Ramon Foster, and Will Allen, and moving on from Steve McLendon.

[SteelerMaine83]

I too would love to land Berry, but I don't think it's very realistic, either. However, the Chiefs do have a lot of big name FA's and they'll only be able to keep so many. Imagine the Steelers doing something totally out of character and inviting Berry in on day one of FA and throwing down the big bucks--that would totally rock! Not much chance of that, but nice to dream!

[Keyplay1]

Apparently someone agrees with [believes] you [Las Vegas]. The Steelers are one of the favorites to win it all next year.?

There is a link in the 5 potential FA's thread.

[phillyesq]

Yup...I think Cortez Allen is a designated post June 1 cut, and we use his savings to get one defensive starter.

If we land Eric Weddle, I could see us then re-signing William Gay, Ramon Foster, and Steve McLendon, and moving on from Will Allen.

If we land Damon Harrison, I could see us then re-signing William Gay, Ramon Foster, and Will Allen, and moving on from Steve McLendon.

Reading between the lines on ARII's comments, I agree with you that Cortez Allen is likely gone. He seemed to be one of the "mistakes" in the secondary. Even without getting rid of Cortez, there are a few other moves that all but have to be made. Something needs to be done with Timmons contract (likely a short extension). A new contract for DD might also create a bit of extra room.

[RuthlessBurgher]

A new contract for DD might also create a bit of extra room.

That's what we did when we when we were faced with Cam Heyward's fifth year option...long term extension between season 4 and 5 which reduced that cap hit.

[Slapstick]

Yeah, if you want DeCastro around for the long haul, there is no reason for him to have a one-year $8 million deal...

[ikestops85]

I know many of you want to dump Cortez but I'd like to give him a shot as a FS. His confidence as a corner is gone and he has been horrible playing with his back to the ball but a move to FS might be the ticket for him. He's shown flashes that he has talent, has a nose for the football, and is physical. I think he would benefit from the move much like McCourty in New England. Then we would be able to move Mitchell to the SS position which I think is where he belongs. I'm not that impressed with him as the FS.

If he looks lost in pre-season at that position we can still give him the boot.

[pittpete]

I like your thinking Ike...
Lets hope they give him that chance.
I agree on Mitchell

[RuthlessBurgher]

If the team brings back Blake (in spite of the protest of many fans, I think that could happen), I would be interested to see what he can do at safety. Sure, he's undersized there, but so was Bob Sanders. For all of his shortcomings, dude is not afraid to come up and lay a lick on someone. Hopefully his hand heals and that improves his overall tackling ability. And he'd have decent ball skills back there in center field (provided that he doesn't hold the ball like a loaf of bread on INT returns).