"Stategic Patience"

[Ernie]

Well guys...

Call it what you want... but if (and I say IF) Haden plays to his potential, and stays healthy.. the FO now look like geniuses.

Now, all of a sudden, this past draft looks A TON better... and whether you call it "Strategic patience"..."Luck".. or just flat out "Slopping" into a guy like Haden... We've potentially turned a weakness into a strength, and have put some clubs in the AFC on notice.

[SteelerMaine83]

A field-stretching TE and a top tier CB in 24 hours. Nice haul.

Push for 7.

[Ernie]

A field-stretching TE and a top tier CB in 24 hours. Nice haul.

Push for 7.

Exactly... as was said in another thread...they got a better corner (v Kirkpatrick, Gilmore, etc) for cheaper...

they allowed things to play out in training camp... and took advantage of the opportunities they were given the last few days. Better late than never! Push for 7!

[Oviedo]

I'm always amused how people act shocked when the front office for one of the most successful franchises in the NFL does something good. This is far more the norm for us and it has spoiled us.

[feltdizz]

I'm always amused how people act shocked when the front office for one of the most successful franchises in the NFL does something good. This is far more the norm for us and it has spoiled us.

lmao... it's hilarious

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I'm always amused how people act shocked when the front office for one of the most successful franchises in the NFL does something good. This is far more the norm for us and it has spoiled us.

Too often, I believe, people confuse smart move with exciting move. Signing the top FA on the first day that signing season begins is rarely the smart move for a team. It's exciting, but more often than not it ends up backfiring and the signing team is stuck paying off an over-inflated contract that sets them back years.

In this case, exciting is smart. A player who upgrades your weakest position, a player who should fit into the scheme that your team wants to run, at a cost that should not tie the team up for years.

Best case scenario: Fully recovered from injuries, returns to, or near, former self, a bargain at an average cost of $9M per.

Worst case scenario: He doesn't perform up to that level, injuries still lingering or maybe he has lost too much over the last two years. We don't know contract details at this time, but I'm guessing that the SB is not going to be so high that the penalty for cutting him after one or two years will set the team back.

The downside should not keep you from risking the deal, especially if you think the guy is healthy.

[Northern_Blitz]

Too often, I believe, people confuse smart move with exciting move. Signing the top FA on the first day that signing season begins is rarely the smart move for a team. It's exciting, but more often than not it ends up backfiring and the signing team is stuck paying off an over-inflated contract that sets them back years.

+1,000,000

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I'm always amused how people act shocked when the front office for one of the most successful franchises in the NFL does something good. This is far more the norm for us and it has spoiled us.

just not the typical move by the team. it's rare for the steelers to pay big money for a FA this late into the game. Typically, they've got their ducks in a row coming into camp, then sign role players during cuts.

perfect storm of 1) having cap space and 2) not actually filling a HUGE need before camp. can't recall the last time the steelers were in that position.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

We don't know contract details at this time, but I'm guessing that the SB is not going to be so high that the penalty for cutting him after one or two years will set the team back.

i've been tryin to find that, myself. i'm figuring anything $10mil or lower is a good SB - if you can cut him for ~$3mil or less dead money, it's a good risk/reward signing

[Captain Lemming]

just not the typical move by the team. it's rare for the steelers to pay big money for a FA this late into the game. Typically, they've got their ducks in a row coming into camp, then sign role players during cuts.

perfect storm of 1) having cap space and 2) not actually filling a HUGE need before camp. can't recall the last time the steelers were in that position.

Exactly!
The fact that this "is not typical" is more about these circumstances than any philosophical change.

More available money+huge need at position+relatively modest investment= Haden is a Steeler

[Sugar]

Exactly!
The fact that this "is not typical" is more about these circumstances than any philosophical change.

More available money+huge need at position+relatively modest investment= Haden is a Steeler

Add to that- he apparently wanted to be a Steeler. It's my understanding that there were other teams that would have been willing to offer more, but yet he signed within 30 minutes of being able to do so.

[Slapstick]

Add to that- he apparently wanted to be a Steeler. It's my understanding that there were other teams that would have been willing to offer more, but yet he signed within 30 minutes of being able to do so.

I stated this in another thread, but Haden has never experienced a winning season, let alone the playoffs...the opportunity to win a ring (and play the team that cut you twice a year) might be more important to him than an extra million or two...

[Shawn]

Well guys...

Call it what you want... but if (and I say IF) Haden plays to his potential, and stays healthy.. the FO now look like geniuses.

Now, all of a sudden, this past draft looks A TON better... and whether you call it "Strategic patience"..."Luck".. or just flat out "Slopping" into a guy like Haden... We've potentially turned a weakness into a strength, and have put some clubs in the AFC on notice.

It was out of the Steeler box...and they know they need to make a run this year. It's what most of us have been saying. It was a strong move if he stays on the field and plays well.

[Ernie]

Exactly, Shawn... the FO is one of the best in the league. Certainly uncharacteristic... but I applaud the move. The sense of urgency is there.