Free Agency so far

[RuthlessBurgher]

Terence Garvin says he’s signed with Redskins
Posted by Josh Alper on March 17, 2016, 1:33 PM EDT


Linebacker Terence Garvin took a couple of visits after free agency opened last week as he looked for a spot to play football during the 2016 season.


One of those visits was with the Redskins and it appears Garvin found what he was looking for in Washington. The former Steeler tweeted out a picture of a signed contract laying on top of Redskins gear on Thursday afternoon.


Garvin was not tendered by the Steelers as a restricted free agent, leaving him free to sign with any team without any chance for Pittsburgh to match the deal. Garvin joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and has primarily seen action on special teams during his three NFL seasons.


His most notable NFL play came while doing special teams work. Garvin broke Bengals punter Kevin Huber’s jaw with a block during a punt return in 2013, ending Huber’s season and earning himself a $25,000 fine from the league.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/17/terence-garvin-says-hes-signed-with-redskins/[/URL]

[Oviedo]

Terence Garvin says he’s signed with Redskins
Posted by Josh Alper on March 17, 2016, 1:33 PM EDT


Linebacker Terence Garvin took a couple of visits after free agency opened last week as he looked for a spot to play football during the 2016 season.


One of those visits was with the Redskins and it appears Garvin found what he was looking for in Washington. The former Steeler tweeted out a picture of a signed contract laying on top of Redskins gear on Thursday afternoon.


Garvin was not tendered by the Steelers as a restricted free agent, leaving him free to sign with any team without any chance for Pittsburgh to match the deal. Garvin joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and has primarily seen action on special teams during his three NFL seasons.


His most notable NFL play came while doing special teams work. Garvin broke Bengals punter Kevin Huber’s jaw with a block during a punt return in 2013, ending Huber’s season and earning himself a $25,000 fine from the league.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/17/terence-garvin-says-hes-signed-with-redskins/[/URL]

Damn...there goes our chances for making the Super Bowl.

[phillyesq]

Terence Garvin says he’s signed with Redskins
Posted by Josh Alper on March 17, 2016, 1:33 PM EDT


Linebacker Terence Garvin took a couple of visits after free agency opened last week as he looked for a spot to play football during the 2016 season.


One of those visits was with the Redskins and it appears Garvin found what he was looking for in Washington. The former Steeler tweeted out a picture of a signed contract laying on top of Redskins gear on Thursday afternoon.


Garvin was not tendered by the Steelers as a restricted free agent, leaving him free to sign with any team without any chance for Pittsburgh to match the deal. Garvin joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and has primarily seen action on special teams during his three NFL seasons.


His most notable NFL play came while doing special teams work. Garvin broke Bengals punter Kevin Huber’s jaw with a block during a punt return in 2013, ending Huber’s season and earning himself a $25,000 fine from the league.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/17/terence-garvin-says-hes-signed-with-redskins/[/URL]

The Steelers are now even more likely to take a mid-late round developmental linebacker with both Spence and Garvin gone. It would be great if Jordan Zumwalt could fill Garvin's special teams role (or AJ Fort, for that matter), but I'd think that the Steelers will want one more guy to keep the good depth that they had at ILB.

[RuthlessBurgher]

By Darin Gantt
March 17, 2016, 4:54 PM EDT
Kelvin Beachum agrees to one-year deal with Jaguars, could get longer

Kelvin Beachum signed a one-year contract with the Jaguars. Unless he didn’t.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Jaguars’ previously agreed-to deal with the Steelers free agent is a one-year contract worth $4.5 million.

The deal includes a four-year option which could make it worth $40 million, which is an interesting way to build it considering he’s coming off a torn ACL.

It will be interesting to see how Beachum responds from his injury, and also what the Jaguars intend to do with him. They spent the second pick in the 2013 NFL Draft on Luke Joeckel, who now has some competition.

Beachum has some versatility, but the move definitely creates a more solid situation up front for a Jaguars offense that made tremendous strides last year.

[Chadman]

Chadman feels that Cockerill will surprise a few people this season. Stepped in very fresh & had immediate playing time before fading toward the end part of the season. A full off-season with the team would do him wonders.

Looked like an actual playmaker.

[Slapstick]

Chadman feels that Cockerill will surprise a few people this season. Stepped in very fresh & had immediate playing time before fading toward the end part of the season. A full off-season with the team would do him wonders.

Looked like an actual playmaker.

I agree. Some size and a nose for the ball...

[RuthlessBurgher]

I agree. Some size and a nose for the ball...

Which means that our front office is due to overpay him any time now, since those were the same traits Cortez Allen showed early on (until whatever ball skills he seemed to be showing early on magically disappeared entirely, of course).

[Chadman]

Agreed. Good size for a Steeler CB, plus seems just a touch cocky, which helps.

And while his technique isn't down yet, he seems to throw himself about.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Steelers GM: Defense-heavy draft affected free agency approach


By Mark Kaboly 
Sunday, March 20, 2016, 8:30 p.m.
Updated 13 hours ago

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Steelers need a cornerback … or two.


While on the topic, they could use a defensive end, a nose tackle, another inside linebacker and a safety, too.


Instead, through the first two weeks of free agency, the Steelers prioritized the most stable part of their team: the offense.

Turns out, there is a method to their madness: Address the offense in free agency and hammer the defense in the draft.


Speaking to a small group of reporters Sunday at the NFL's annual meeting at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said a deep defensive draft has affected the way the team has approached free agency.


“The philosophy this offseason was, we tried to address whatever offensive needs we had through free agency because it still looks like it's a defensive draft,” Colbert said.


The Steelers are sticking to that plan.


Their only signings since free agency opened March 9 were on offense with tight end Ladarius Green and tackle Ryan Harris. Before that, they locked up a couple of their own free agents in guard Ramon Foster and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.


The Steelers prioritized keeping veteran cornerback William Gay and signed him to a team-friendly, three-year deal. They also brought back safety Robert Golden, but he's hardly a shoo-in to be the opening-day starter next to Mike Mitchell.


The defense was much improved in defensive coordinator Keith Butler's first year but still struggled at times, especially in the secondary. The Steelers finished almost last in the league against the pass.


With immediate, affordable help leaning more toward offense in free agency, the Steelers decided against pursuing anybody of significance, thus relying on the influx of defensive talent in the draft.


Colbert said it typically doesn't work out that way.


“You really put it together at the same time,” Colbert said. “Once all the juniors declared, we got our evaluations on them. That was happening at the same time we were putting free agency groups together. So you could see where the two could mesh and how we could hopefully best address what we wanted to get accomplished in the offseason. That was more evident if we did anything free agency-wise, it probably was going to be on offense because we should be able to draft some good players on the defensive side.”


The Steelers pick 25th in April's draft, where it is almost a sure thing they will address the defense at one of three positions: pass rusher, safety or cornerback.


Even though the Steelers never have selected a cornerback in the first round in Colbert's 16 drafts, that might change this year.


The Steelers have only Mitchell, Gay, Ross Cockrell and Cortez Allen with any experience on the roster in the secondary. Cockrell was a Buffalo castoff last year, and the Steelers can't go into the preseason relying on Allen regaining the form that earned him a $25 million contract two years ago.


The Steelers have two young players they drafted last year in Senquez Golson and Doran Grant, but the two combined for one defensive snap last year. Golson missed the season with a shoulder injury, and Grant was cut out of training camp before spending a good portion of the season on the practice squad.


With the four top cornerbacks in free agency this year signing for close to $7 million per season and with two of them being 32 years old, Colbert couldn't rationalize spending that kind of money on something that isn't a sure thing.


“You have to be careful about what the market is,” Colbert said. “You respect where it is because it's real. You see the numbers come in. Can we make it work? Not really in our situation this year, especially when you know you are going to have options.”


Those options are going to come in the draft.


Colbert admitted to “tracking the top cornerbacks” at their pro days (Clemson and Ohio State), including heading to Houston later in the week to watch William Jackson, but that doesn't necessarily mean a cornerback is a sure thing the first day of the draft.


“I can't say we will take a cornerback in the first, second or third round, but there's enough cornerbacks where we should be able to add somewhere along the line, and a good one,” Colbert said. “But you have to measure that against putting, say $10 million, into a starting-caliber cornerback that you really don't know. You don't know the draft kids either, but there's a lot less of a risk from a cap and financial standpoint to draft and develop your own. So we are more comfortable with doing that.”

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/10172306-74/free-steelers-draft[/URL]

[Oviedo]

Call me crazy, but I just have this feeling that Cortez Allen is going to make us happy this season

[feltdizz]

Call me crazy, but I just have this feeling that Cortez Allen is going to make us happy this season

by getting cut or by taking a pay cut and remembering how to play football again?

[RuthlessBurgher]

What the Steelers opponents are up to
Posted Mar 19, 2016


Teresa Varley
Steelers.com


Key signings and departures for the Steelers' 2016 opponents.

The Steelers know who they will be playing in 2016 as opponents have been determined, but who are some of the new faces that will be on those teams?

Rosters continue to undergo changes as free agency is ongoing, and there have been some big names making the move to other teams.

Here is a rundown of what has transpired so far in free agency to keep you updated on what the Steelers' 2016 opponents will look like.

Baltimore Ravens
Additions:
WR Mike Wallace
TE Benjamin Watson
FS Eric Weddle
Subtractions:
WR Chris Givens
G Kelechi Osemele
QB Matt Schaub
FS Brynden Trawick

Buffalo Bills
Additions:
None to date
Subtractions:
LB Nigel Bradham
CB Ron Brooks
DT Stefan Charles
WR Chris Hogan
CB Leodis McKelvin
DE Mario WIlliams

Cincinnati Bengals
Additions:
None to date
Subtractions:
WR Marvin Jones
LB Emmanuel Lamur
WR Mohamed Sanu

Cleveland Browns
Additions:
OT Alvin Bailey
LB Demario Davis
FS Rahim Moore
LB Justin Tuggle
Subtractions:
WR Travis Benjamin
FS Tashaun Gipson
C Alex Mack
T Mitchell Schwartz

Dallas Cowboys
Additions:
DE Cedric Thornton
Subtractions:
G Mackenzy Bernadeau
QB Matt Cassel

Indianapolis Colts
Additions:
QB Scott Tolzien
Subtractions:
TE Coby Fleener
LB Jerrell Freeman
FS Dwight Lowery

Kansas City Chiefs
Additions:
T Mitchell Schwartz
WR Rod Streater
Subtractions:
G Jeff Allen
DB Tyvon Branch
QB Chase Daniel
CB Sean Smith
T Donald Stephenson

Miami Dolphins
Additions:
SS Isa Abdul-Quddus
C Andre Branch
T Jermon Bushrod
DE Mario Williams
C Sam Young
Subtractions:
LB Quinton Coples
CB Brent Grimes
WR Rishard Matthews
RB Lamar Miller
DE Derrick Shelby
DE Oliver Vernon

New England Patriots
Additions:
TE Martellus Bennett - via trade
G Jonathan Cooper - via trade
WR Chris Hogan
LB Ramon Hunter
DE Chris Long
LB Shea McClellin
Subtractions:
DE Akiem Hicks
DE Chandler Jones - via trade
DT Sealver Siliga
SS Tavon Wilson

New York Giants
Additions:
NT Damon Harrison
CB Janoris Jenkins
LB Keenan Robinson
DE Olivier Vernon
Subtractions:
CB Prince Amukamara
DE Robert Ayers

New York Jets
Additions:
RB Matt Forte
DE Jarvis Jenkins
NT Steve McLendon
RB Khiry Robinson
Subtractions:
DB Antonio Allen
LB Demario Davis
NT Damon Harrison
RB Chris Ivory

Philadelphia Eagles
Additions:
LB Nigel Bradham
CB Ron Brooks
G Brandon Brooks
QB Chase Daniel
WR Chris Givens
CB Leodis McKelvin
FS Rodney McLeon
Subtractions:
QB Thad Lewis
DE Cedric Thornton

Washington Redskins
Additions:
SS David Bruton
DE Kendall Reyes
Subtractions:
T Tom Compton
LB Keenan Robinson

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/What-the-Steelers-opponents-are-up-to/5d1244f8-084d-423d-a814-c3e9e5e47f67[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

GM: Free agency gone according to plan
Posted 23 hours ago


Bob Labriola
Steelers.com



GM Kevin Colbert addressed a variety of issues as the NFL Owners Meetings opened.


There typically are a lot of comings and goings during the NFL’s annual free agency period, and that certainly describes what has been happening with the Steelers since the 2016 version began at 4 p.m. back on March 9. In the 11 days following, they have re-signed five of their own free agents, lost five of their own, added two from other teams, and had a receiver suspended for a full year for violations of the league’s drug policy.


It might not seem like it to fans, but with the notable exception of Martavis Bryant’s suspension, General Manager Kevin Colbert is able to see order amidst the chaos.



“I think the plan has unfolded pretty much the way we thought it would,” said Colbert as the NFL Owners Meetings opened today in Boca Raton, Florida. “We went into it knowing we’d love to keep everybody. We also knew that some other teams may have better opportunities for some of our guys, some of our backups may be given chances to start, or play a different role. We knew that it could unfold that way. When we entered free agency, we didn’t know about Heath Miller retiring, but once he retired we felt we had to address that. We had the opportunity to address it with a guy like Ladarius Green. The philosophy this offseason was we tried to address whatever offensive needs we had through free agency, because it still looks like it’s a defensive draft.”


So far, the bulk of the free agent activity for the Steelers has come along the offensive line, where the team re-signed Ramon Foster, lost Kelvin Beachum, and added veteran Ryan Harris to compete for the starting job at left tackle with Alejandro Villanueva.


“(Ramon) probably understood what was out there for him, and he also understood our desire to keep him,” said Colbert. “Ramon is a very valuable part of the intangibles within our team. He is one of our respected leaders. We recognize that. Plus, he’s coming off probably his best season in recent years. Ramon was a big part of keeping that unit together when we did suffer injuries (to Maurkice Pouncey and Beachum). We value that probably more than other teams that didn’t know his intangibles.”


What never was part of the plan was losing Bryant for a full season as a result of additional failed drug tests, but Colbert was firm in reiterating the Steelers’ previously stated intent to try to help him get back on track.


“No. None whatsoever,” said Colbert in response to a question about if the Steelers ever considered simply cutting Bryant. “He has to do what he has to do from a league standpoint. He has to do what he has to do from a personal standpoint. We have to prepare for what we have to do without him in 2016. After all that is taken care of, we will revisit it. As of right now, as Art Rooney II said, we support him. But in all honesty, what happens is totally up to him.”


While Colbert said free agency has gone according to plan so far for the Steelers, he also emphasized that the team isn’t necessarily finished searching for help through that option, with a potential target being defensive linemen.


“You might think as free agency winds down that it’s less and less (possible), but we kind of think the opposite,” said Colbert. “As the market dries up a little bit, we can maybe find a guy we can make fit, because we don’t have a lot of cap flexibility. We will stay active in free agency, really up through the draft and after.”


Colbert also addressed the following issues:


ON THE BACKUP QUARTERBACK SITUATION:
“Landry Jones came through big time for us last year. I think we went into training camp hoping for that to happen, and in all honesty, in training camp, you saw some flashes, but maybe not enough to really say he’s our No. 2. And then we get into the season, and he saved a couple of games for us. So that was very encouraging. He’s proven to be a viable backup on a short-term basis. Can he do that on a long-term basis? He has to prove that, and he’ll be the first to tell you he has to prove that. Bruce Gradkowski is coming off shoulder surgery, so we have to see where he is physically and whether or not we add him back into the mix.”


ON LE’VEON BELL’S REHABILITATION PROGRESS:
“Yeah, so far (he’s on schedule). I wouldn’t say ahead (of schedule), because I don’t know what the schedule is. We’ve told him all along, your schedule is that when you’re ready to go, you’re ready to go. We’re never going to tell him he has to do this by this time. The doctors and the trainers are going to want to see progress, but they’re not saying, ‘You have to be (at this point).’ Coach Tomlin and I certainly haven’t told a player, ‘We have to have you by game No. 1.’”


ON JAMES HARRISON RETURNING:
“I think he’ll be (back), but again, when I said that before, I said there’s no reason in our minds that we wouldn’t want him back. You know, James is not going to come back just to be here. He wants to feel and know that he’ll be a contributor. If he does that and feels good about it, then he’ll come back. We’re not going to work him out. He’ll participate very little in OTAs. He’ll be there, but physically he won’t, and that’s really not a true test. The real test won’t come until a real game, not even a preseason game. But he has to know. He knows where he wants to be physically, and if he feels that, he’ll come back. If not, he won’t.”


ON SHAMARKO THOMAS’ FUTURE:
“I can’t really speak to it, because I’m not involved with it day to day. I think Shamarko has proven to be a valuable special teams player for us. Has he held onto a starting job? No, but when you have reliable guys who have come through in the past, it was a little easier to go back knowing they could, if one guy wasn’t measuring up. So are we going to have those options this year? Probably not as many.”


ON MIKE ADAMS:
“He’s progressing and we’ll see where he is. The hard part is that right now you can’t mandate for those guys to do anything. So we’re just kind of waiting until we get our hands back on him when (the players) come back and start doing some of the physical work.”


ON EXERCISING JARVIS JONES’ FIFTH-YEAR OPTION:
“No decision has been made. I think the date is May 4, but no decision has been made.”

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/GM-Free-agency-gone-according-to-plan/4fdc7526-f80b-486a-8836-bbdeedac5eba[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

3 takes from Kevin Colbert
Posted 4 hours ago


Teresa Varley
Steelers.com


GM Kevin Colbert gave his thoughts on a variety of topics at the NFL Owners Meetings.

The NFL Owners Meetings are in full swing in Boca Raton, Florida, and Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert weighed in on a variety of topics during it.

•Chopping it: The NFL Competition Committee has a proposal on the table to eliminate the chop block, something Colbert reiterated that the Steelers are in favor of doing. Steelers President Art Rooney II said that the Steelers would support making all chop blocks illegal, a rule that has evolved over the years.

“We’ve been advocating that for over 10 years,” said Colbert. “I think finally enough people realize it shouldn’t be part of football. We’ve always argued that a defender can’t protect himself. I think hopefully enough teams recognize that now and we can get that changed.”


•Character counts: The Steelers have made it a practice to focus on character as well as athletic ability via the NFL Draft and free agency, something Colbert said he embraces but the wheels were in motion before he ever arrived in Pittsburgh.

“The organization is built on character, and I think they look for that in all their people who work for them,” said Colbert. “Leadership, it’s a very valuable quality. Think back to Joe Greene in the ‘70s, he was the ultimate leader. I think when you see guys like that, you know Ramon (Foster), having the same types of intangible qualities, there’s value in that because it’s a team game. What they can do off the field, from a football-character standpoint, it’s huge. Like I said, we probably value it more than other teams with our players because we know them. Other teams don’t know them. Now, all they do is watch film and watch them play like we do with other team’s players. If we don’t know them, we can’t talk about another team’s player’s intangibles, because we haven’t seen it or witnessed it. In Ramon’s case, we have.”


•By a nose: Colbert also talked about free agency, including changes to the Steelers’ roster. Once such change was the loss of nose tackle Steve McLendon, an unrestricted free agent who signed with the New York Jets. Colbert said the team likes what Dan McCullers has shown, but will also still be looking along the line.

“Dan has shown when he has played, he’s really been productive,” said Colbert. “On production per snap, the basics, his production is pretty good. So, can he continue to develop and help us, we think so. Will there be depth on the defensive line in this draft, absolutely. Again, it’s a very deep draft on defense, particularly on the defensive line. Could we still add a guy from free agency, yes, if it makes sense, as the market continues to evolve? So really all of those things come into play.”

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/3-takes-from-Kevin-Colbert/13c85b37-64e1-4e51-ac35-a6e83a9089a2[/URL]

[Oviedo]

What the Steelers opponents are up to
Posted Mar 19, 2016


Teresa Varley
Steelers.com


Key signings and departures for the Steelers' 2016 opponents.

The Steelers know who they will be playing in 2016 as opponents have been determined, but who are some of the new faces that will be on those teams?

Rosters continue to undergo changes as free agency is ongoing, and there have been some big names making the move to other teams.

Here is a rundown of what has transpired so far in free agency to keep you updated on what the Steelers' 2016 opponents will look like.

Baltimore Ravens
Additions:
WR Mike Wallace
TE Benjamin Watson
FS Eric Weddle
Subtractions:
WR Chris Givens
G Kelechi Osemele
QB Matt Schaub
FS Brynden Trawick

Buffalo Bills
Additions:
None to date
Subtractions:
LB Nigel Bradham
CB Ron Brooks
DT Stefan Charles
WR Chris Hogan
CB Leodis McKelvin
DE Mario WIlliams

Cincinnati Bengals
Additions:
None to date
Subtractions:
WR Marvin Jones
LB Emmanuel Lamur
WR Mohamed Sanu

Cleveland Browns
Additions:
OT Alvin Bailey
LB Demario Davis
FS Rahim Moore
LB Justin Tuggle
Subtractions:
WR Travis Benjamin
FS Tashaun Gipson
C Alex Mack
T Mitchell Schwartz

Dallas Cowboys
Additions:
DE Cedric Thornton
Subtractions:
G Mackenzy Bernadeau
QB Matt Cassel

Indianapolis Colts
Additions:
QB Scott Tolzien
Subtractions:
TE Coby Fleener
LB Jerrell Freeman
FS Dwight Lowery

Kansas City Chiefs
Additions:
T Mitchell Schwartz
WR Rod Streater
Subtractions:
G Jeff Allen
DB Tyvon Branch
QB Chase Daniel
CB Sean Smith
T Donald Stephenson

Miami Dolphins
Additions:
SS Isa Abdul-Quddus
C Andre Branch
T Jermon Bushrod
DE Mario Williams
C Sam Young
Subtractions:
LB Quinton Coples
CB Brent Grimes
WR Rishard Matthews
RB Lamar Miller
DE Derrick Shelby
DE Oliver Vernon

New England Patriots
Additions:
TE Martellus Bennett - via trade
G Jonathan Cooper - via trade
WR Chris Hogan
LB Ramon Hunter
DE Chris Long
LB Shea McClellin
Subtractions:
DE Akiem Hicks
DE Chandler Jones - via trade
DT Sealver Siliga
SS Tavon Wilson

New York Giants
Additions:
NT Damon Harrison
CB Janoris Jenkins
LB Keenan Robinson
DE Olivier Vernon
Subtractions:
CB Prince Amukamara
DE Robert Ayers

New York Jets
Additions:
RB Matt Forte
DE Jarvis Jenkins
NT Steve McLendon
RB Khiry Robinson
Subtractions:
DB Antonio Allen
LB Demario Davis
NT Damon Harrison
RB Chris Ivory

Philadelphia Eagles
Additions:
LB Nigel Bradham
CB Ron Brooks
G Brandon Brooks
QB Chase Daniel
WR Chris Givens
CB Leodis McKelvin
FS Rodney McLeon
Subtractions:
QB Thad Lewis
DE Cedric Thornton

Washington Redskins
Additions:
SS David Bruton
DE Kendall Reyes
Subtractions:
T Tom Compton
LB Keenan Robinson

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/What-the-Steelers-opponents-are-up-to/5d1244f8-084d-423d-a814-c3e9e5e47f67[/URL]

None of our opponents gotten significantly better but of course we have done terrible...just ask you know who