FA ramblings and thoughts

**Oviedo** · 02-01-2016, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by steeler_george

We probably have 4 starting positions open, CB1(Gay), CB3 (Boykin), FS/SS (W. Allen), LG (Foster) .... who is next in line? FA or draft?

WILLIAM GAY

After reading an article today, about Gay's worth or signing price, it got me asking, "Is he, the best option, a must do FA signing? The article stated that Gay how underpaid compared to Cortez, and that the asking price for a CB of his caliber is around 3-4 million/ year. Is he truly worth that price? He may be our best corner, but is that saying much? Would it be wise to let him walk, and time for us to venture off in FA signing a younger cheaper upside player? Help me out FA nerds, How much did Lewis take, or how much did Miami sign Mccain (sp)? Are there any players in FA like that?

At one point, I was thinking he is must sign, but now I am not sure he will be worth that. Maybe a clean slate is what we need back there.

Beachum

As a good story he was, is he worth paying true LT money? I read reports how he is top 5 top 10 LT, but how much was the drop off to A.V?

I think Beachum can go, AV is just as good and cheaper and maybe with more upside. In additon, Adams will be the swing tackle in 2016, so we sort of have depth and experience there. Can the returns of him signing elsewhere for big bucks reward us a comp 3rd rounder next year?

FOSTER

I would love to have him back, and think he is the key off season in house signing we need to make. He brings maturity and stability to our OL, maybe more so a captain than Pouncey. With him being signed, we can go concentrate on retooling our DBs via draft and FA.

Golsten (sp)

Maybe his time has come, and the light clicked on for him. I like what he brought to a table, not a great athlete, nor specimen, but read react skills improved, or is it again, that we had a void at safety. Is he truly starting material?

Comments please, and I know I left out DL, OLB ... I am not even sure were to go there to help the depth.

Do you mean Robert Golden aka Golsten? And no he isn't starting material at Safety. He is a career back-up.

**birtikidis** · 02-01-2016, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Oviedo

Do you mean Robert Golden aka Golsten? And no he isn't starting material at Safety. He is a career back-up.

I think he means last years #2 pick Senquez Golson

**Oviedo** · 02-01-2016, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by birtikidis

I think he means last years #2 pick Senquez Golson

Then I'm confused because Golson is a CB not a Safety

**pittpete** · 02-01-2016, 03:40 PM

Hes talking about free agents so it most be Golden.

-GAY I think Gay is a must sign, but not if you break the bank.

-BEACHUM AV despite his not knowing the position filled in admirably with the help of Foster. I've read that Foster was constantly helping him with who to block. Which leads me to....

-FOSTER Would be great to have him back and keep some consistency on the line. Cant afford to lose both him and Beachum though.

-GOLDEN For some reason i love this kid. I believe all he needs is a chance. He's only 25 and he has more upside then trying to resign Allen.

**Oviedo** · 02-01-2016, 06:04 PM

Originally posted by pittpete

Hes talking about free agents so it most be Golden.

-GAY I think Gay is a must sign, but not if you break the bank.

-BEACHUM AV despite his not knowing the position filled in admirably with the help of Foster. I've read that Foster was constantly helping him with who to block. Which leads me to....

-FOSTER Would be great to have him back and keep some consistency on the line. Cant afford to lose both him and Beachum though.

-GOLDEN For some reason i love this kid. I believe all he needs is a chance. He's only 25 and he has more upside then trying to resign Allen.

I agree GAY is pretty much a must resign. I'll think that will get done. GAY left once already and it wasn't a positive experience for him

FOSTER would be nice to resign but it has to be at the right price. I really think we will see it be an either or situation with FOSTER and BEACHUM. They will likely only be able to retain one of them.

GOLDEN would be a nice signing as a back up. Despite his age, ALLEN is more starter capable than GOLDEN. I'd love to have ALLEN back for one more until we can train a potential 2016 Safety draftee however rumors are he wanted to retire last year and may this year. IMO Safety is our priority free agent target with Weddle.

**Steelerphile** · 02-01-2016, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by pittpete

Hes talking about free agents so it most be Golden.

-GAY I think Gay is a must sign, but not if you break the bank.

-BEACHUM AV despite his not knowing the position filled in admirably with the help of Foster. I've read that Foster was constantly helping him with who to block. Which leads me to....

-FOSTER Would be great to have him back and keep some consistency on the line. Cant afford to lose both him and Beachum though.

-GOLDEN For some reason i love this kid. I believe all he needs is a chance. He's only 25 and he has more upside then trying to resign Allen.

I don't always agree with you but I like Golden also. I think he looked very good when he got some opportunities. I think he would be better than Allen if he got a chance. I'm not knocking Allen, I liked how he disguised his blitzing, especially. He did a decent job, savvy vet. But I think an upgrade to Allen is needed. If they draft to the secondary, they could go safety, but I think Golden may just need an opportunity to play.

**pittpete** · 02-01-2016, 06:35 PM

Yes, Golden as a backup OVI.

On another note, Heath Miller's $4 mil base salary is scary. He just isnt the player he used to be.
Obviously Timmons will be extended to free up space.
After looking over the cap hits, there is no way possible the Steelers keep Cortez Allen with that $4,400,000 base salary.I predict he's a post Jun 1 cut.
Cap situation isnt looking that great right this moment.

**Steelerphile** · 02-01-2016, 06:57 PM

Now Ovi is right!!. That's good. I rather keep my status as the opposition party to these guys.

**NorthCoast** · 02-01-2016, 07:56 PM

I keep reading the same refrain; Gay left for greener pastures but found out it wasn't. Where is this coming from? Has he ever stated that his time away was a bad experience? I have seen no comments he has made that lead me to believe he came back because he made a terrible mistake. Maybe he missed LeBeau and his coaching style?

**pittpete** · 02-01-2016, 10:09 PM

Cardinals released CB William Gay.
He had one year remaining on a two-year deal. Gay started 15 games last season, but was a major liability in coverage. He's still only 28 years old, but the Cardinals apparently weren't banking on a return to form. Arizona has created $5.25 million in cap space by releasing Gay

Getting cut was a positive experience?

**Captain Lemming** · 02-02-2016, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by pittpete

Cardinals released CB William Gay.

Getting cut was a positive experience?

I always laugh when people say its "the system" not the players when it comes to our secondary. OUR BEST DEFENSIVE BACK was a bust on another team as were almost our entire secondary. You cant fill an entire unit with players who are cut casualties and expect the unit to be solid.

Still, we have to sign him because he is our best guy. Dont worry about breaking the bank, he aint getting paid, he "needs" the cushion. He actually is the only guy who makes plays as a result (almost always his pick sixes he is well off his man which allows him to read the QB and attack the ball). If he had to get up on the receiver outinely, he would get toasted all day long. He is OK in THIS system, would be terrible elsewhere.

Brings to mind an idea. He might be a much better free safety than he is a corner. Freed up to read a QB all the time might be a better fit.

**steeler_george** · 02-02-2016, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by Oviedo

Do you mean Robert Golden aka Golsten? And no he isn't starting material at Safety. He is a career back-up.

WTF? How did I spell Golden as Golsten! Sheesh! I do think he is a capable player,would be great to watch him grow into a bigger role, but there has to be better talent out there. ( draft?)

Quick question, I been reading reports, that Foster and Gay new contracts combine might total 8-9 million! Do you let them both go, and spend that on 1 player in FA, such as a top tier CB? Is there anyone worthy? Trumiane Johnson, Janoris Jenkins, Prince. Sean Smith etc... or even a top tier S Berry, Weddle, Gibson.

**steeler_george** · 02-20-2016, 06:34 AM

Originally posted by pittpete

Yes, Golden as a backup OVI.

On another note, Heath Miller's $4 mil base salary is scary. He just isnt the player he used to be.
Obviously Timmons will be extended to free up space.
After looking over the cap hits, there is no way possible the Steelers keep Cortez Allen with that $4,400,000 base salary.I predict he's a post Jun 1 cut.
Cap situation isnt looking that great right this moment.

Nostradamus! Just makes you wonder, did thoughts of Polumolou "force to retire" play a role in his decision to go out now with class, dignity, and quietly . Very Heathish, huh?

Post Miller thoughts:

Now with 4 million in cap savings from his retirement, could we use that 4 + 4 from C. Allen, and don't resign Gay and Foster to make a splash in FA for the D.... one of the top YOUNG Safeties ( no Weddle) or Young CB? Berry, J.Norman, Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson. ( LA has cap space now)

CB1 FA
CB2 Golsen
CB3 Cockrell
CB4 Rookie/ Blake/ Mcain caliber player/ on current roster...even gay if takes a discount

Hunter Henry is starting to look the BPA in the draft for us, especially if we can trade back and get a combo of :

TE Henry,
S Darian Thompson/ Bell
OL Vadal Alexander, Joshua Garnett,
DL/ LB

**Slapstick** · 02-20-2016, 10:31 AM

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...