FA ramblings and thoughts

[papillon]

If the Steelers designate Cortez as a post June 1 cut, then the savings will not be available until after June 1...

They need to address Lawrence Timmons and David DeCastro prior to free agency if they want to be able to make a play for a free agent that will account for big money in this season...

The Steelers have to ask themselves is kicking the money to the future to keep Timmons on the team worth it? If Timmons retires (as Heath did) the Steelers would save 8 million in cap space and have 6 million in dead money, same scenario as Heath. Lawrence is 29 and probably has 2-3 more good years (maybe) left in the tank. What is that worth to the Steelers? Timmons? One thing is for sure, the Steelers have two options, restructure or release Lawrence, status quo is bad for the Steelers with a 15 million dollar cap hit.

Pappy

[Slapstick]

Personally, I would extend him as the team did with Miller and Polamalu a few years ago...Timmons is still only 29 (until May)...adding a few years at a reasonable price to reduce his cap hit while keeping his solidifying presence in the middle of the D might be the best idea...

[Oviedo]

Personally, I would extend him as the team did with Miller and Polamalu a few years ago...Timmons is still only 29 (until May)...adding a few years at a reasonable price to reduce his cap hit while keeping his solidifying presence in the middle of the D might be the best idea...

Timmons is still a difference maker on defense. He has a good 3-4 years left in him. Guy is a physical stud and never comes off the field. He may not get Harrison's or Brown's off season workout hype but clearly he is doing something pretty special.

It's crazy talk thinking Spence or Williams could step in. The drop off would be very noticeable.

You keep Timmons until you have to pay Shazier his first big contract. Try to synchronize rolling off Timmons' contract onto Shazier's.

[steeler_george]

If the Steelers designate Cortez as a post June 1 cut, then the savings will not be available until after June 1...

They need to address Lawrence Timmons and David DeCastro prior to free agency if they want to be able to make a play for a free agent that will account for big money in this season...

Thanks for clearing that up, I thought June 1st cuts could be used now towards signing future FA signings.

[Slapstick]

Thanks for clearing that up, I thought June 1st cuts could be used now towards signing future FA signings.

Post June 1 savings are helpful for signing rookies to their contracts and picking up emergency players or waiver claims...

[Rara]

I'd love to see the Steelers sign Jared Cook to replace Heath.

[Chadman]

What if... Jesse James, Matt Speath &..... Will Johnson were the three TE's next year?

[Captain Lemming]

Getting cut was a positive experience?

Only if one has the misfortune of being a Brown

[RuthlessBurgher]

What if... Jesse James, Matt Speath &..... Will Johnson were the three TE's next year?

That would mean that our offense could field a championship level QB, a championship level WR corps, championship level RB, a championship level o-line, and a woefully below average group of TE's. A third day draft pick with 9 career catches, a blocking TE only, and a fullback. An early draft pick or a free agent signing is needed here. A balanced offense cannot go single back with 4 wideouts as a base offense...the run and shoot died years ago.

[Northern_Blitz]

That would mean that our offense could field a championship level QB, a championship level WR corps, championship level RB, a championship level o-line, and a woefully below average group of TE's. A third day draft pick with 9 career catches, a blocking TE only, and a fullback. An early draft pick or a free agent signing is needed here. A balanced offense cannot go single back with 4 wideouts as a base offense...the run and shoot died years ago.

I think that the Steelers will sign an average veteran who misses out on the first week of FA. Then, they will watch the draft board and pick BPA at a position of need. Since TE will now be a position of need, maybe they pick a TE if he is available and grades out high enough.

Personally, I don't think that the O needs an amazing TE. As you point out, TE would be the only position where we'll be below average (maybe average after getting a moderately priced FA). I think it means that we'll rely more on a promising WR corps and Bell will pick up the dump offs that Heath used to get.

I'm OK taking a TE if they are BPA, but I would personally pick up a good player in the secondary (I'd prefer a safety) or the DL if there was a tie on the board.

I love Heath and I think he will be missed. But, I think that his production can be replaced by putting in a below average TE because we have a back who is great catching the ball out of the backfield and I'd like to see Coates get more catches. I think his contribution as a leader and friend of Ben is probably more difficult to replace.

[steeler_george]

I think that the Steelers will sign an average veteran who misses out on the first week of FA. Then, they will watch the draft board and pick BPA at a position of need. Since TE will now be a position of need, maybe they pick a TE if he is available and grades out high enough.

Personally, I don't think that the O needs an amazing TE. As you point out, TE would be the only position where we'll be below average (maybe average after getting a moderately priced FA). I think it means that we'll rely more on a promising WR corps and Bell will pick up the dump offs that Heath used to get.

I'm OK taking a TE if they are BPA, but I would personally pick up a good player in the secondary (I'd prefer a safety) or the DL if there was a tie on the board.

I love Heath and I think he will be missed. But, I think that his production can be replaced by putting in a below average TE because we have a back who is great catching the ball out of the backfield and I'd like to see Coates get more catches. I think his contribution as a leader and friend of Ben is probably more difficult to replace.

Why would you want to spend money in FA on an average veteran TE, when that lump change could be added in the price of resigning a better upgrade to someone in our DB???

On all accounts, HH has the same characteristics of Heath as being an above average blocker and receiver coming out of college. I would take that for anther 6-10 years then just a plug in player. He might the "heath of old", more speed and athletism compared to "heath of 2015".

And as Colbert sees this draft as being deep, especially in CB ,S, and DL. Hopefully that holds true, so one of those players should drop to us in round 2.

[Northern_Blitz]

Why would you want to spend money in FA on an average veteran TE, when that lump change could be added in the price of resigning a better upgrade to someone in our DB???

On all accounts, HH has the same characteristics of Heath as being an above average blocker and receiver coming out of college. I would take that for anther 6-10 years then just a plug in player. He might the "heath of old", more speed and athletism compared to "heath of 2015".

And as Colbert sees this draft as being deep, especially in CB ,S, and DL. Hopefully that holds true, so one of those players should drop to us in round 2.

I think that TEs (especially blocking TEs) are not really valued in the league and we can pick one up cheap. Basically, I'd try look for a TE equivalent of D.Williams. If we don't sign someone before the draft, we might be tempted to value need more than value in the draft. I don't think this is how the Steelers operate.

I think that draft picks are a more valuable currency than money (especially low cost FAs). I'd rather give out low value contracts so that we have a team I'd be comfortable putting on the field. Then in the draft, spend the valuable currency on BPA. I think that's how you build a team that consistently competes.

[phillyesq]

Why would you want to spend money in FA on an average veteran TE, when that lump change could be added in the price of resigning a better upgrade to someone in our DB???

On all accounts, HH has the same characteristics of Heath as being an above average blocker and receiver coming out of college. I would take that for anther 6-10 years then just a plug in player. He might the "heath of old", more speed and athletism compared to "heath of 2015".

And as Colbert sees this draft as being deep, especially in CB ,S, and DL. Hopefully that holds true, so one of those players should drop to us in round 2.

I've seen a lot of mixed thoughts on whether Henry is a first round caliber player. If the Steelers evaluate Henry as being a guy who can hold down the position and give Heath like production for the next decade, then you grab him and don't look back. But is he that guy? When I see his college highlights, he looks less explosive to me than Max Williams. And Max Williams has not been an explosive player at all in the NFL. Henry is by all accounts the better blocker.

I think the Steelers will sign a lower level FA. I'm not sure if Jared Cook offers enough as a blocker, but given that he was released and won't factor into the comp formula, it wouldn't shock me if the Steelers showed interest. I think that the Steelers will add somebody in free agency to avoid going into the draft with a glaring need.

They can allocate $2 million - about half of the savings from Heath - and still have more money to put towards a DB.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I'm OK taking a TE if they are BPA, but I would personally pick up a good player in the secondary (I'd prefer a safety) or the DL if there was a tie on the board.

You mention DL, and this is a very strong DL draft, particularly at DT, so I wouldn't be shocked if an excellent DT happened to fall into our lap at #25 and was the pick, but the only safety who should go in the first round is Jalen Ramsey (and he'll undoubtedly come off the board in the top 10...I think he could even go top 5...but he may not even be a safety in the NFL...he may be a CB instead). I wouldn't be surprised at all if we took a safety in rounds 2, 3, or 4, but you shouldn't take a Darian Thompson, Vonn Bell, Jeremy Cash, Miles Killebrew, Karl Joseph, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Jayron Kearse, or Keanu Neal at #25.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I've seen a lot of mixed thoughts on whether Henry is a first round caliber player. If the Steelers evaluate Henry as being a guy who can hold down the position and give Heath like production for the next decade, then you grab him and don't look back. But is he that guy? When I see his college highlights, he looks less explosive to me than Max Williams. And Max Williams has not been an explosive player at all in the NFL. Henry is by all accounts the better blocker.

I think the Steelers will sign a lower level FA. I'm not sure if Jared Cook offers enough as a blocker, but given that he was released and won't factor into the comp formula, it wouldn't shock me if the Steelers showed interest. I think that the Steelers will add somebody in free agency to avoid going into the draft with a glaring need.

They can allocate $2 million - about half of the savings from Heath - and still have more money to put towards a DB.

Maxx is certainly the more explosive player in terms of spectacular leaping one handed sideline catches and such, but in spite of that, Henry's overall productivity in the passing game was still quite similar. He runs solid routes and has great hands and blocks...a Heath Miller like total package that is rare in this day and age. He isn't going to try to be Jimmy Graham out there, and frankly, I wouldn't want him to.