Tweet
Steelers stuck with Smith? It could happen
February 12, 5:08 PM
by Matt Pawlikowski, Pittsburgh Sports Examiner
[url="http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m2d12-Steelers-stuck-with-Smith-It-could-happen"]http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsbur ... uld-happen[/url]
PITTSBURGH - The free-agency period looms right around the corner, and even though they are the Super Bowl Champs, don't expect the roster to remain the same.
Unlike the Steel Curtain Dynasty days where the faces constantly remained the same, just one look at what occurred after Super Bowl XL should be a good measuring stick of what could happen.
It didn't matter they were World Champs, because the Steelers still lost three key players to the new 'dollars talk philosophy' of today's ballplayer - safety Chris Hope, wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen.
On Feb. 27, the Steelers have 13 players who can be unrestricted free agents. Already the team has said it wants to make a pitch to sign cornerback Bryant McFadden. They have discussed possible contract extension offers, but now the most pressing issue is the left side of the line. Marvel Smith ( eft) with former Steeler Alan Faneca
“We haven’t made any definite offers or decisions on any of our guys at this point,” Steelers Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert said. “But it’s safe to say that we will try to keep as many of our own guys as possible, fully understanding that it may not be possible. We may have to go outside, either through free agency or through the draft, to replace some guys we potentially could lose.”
So why the left side? For starters, left guard Chris Kemoeatu who replaced All-Pro Alan Faneca is a unrestricted free agent. And then there is the fact both Marvel Smith and Max Starks could also hit the open market.
According to Scott Brown of the Tribune Review, Smith would be the most logical option to sign for this reason alone; He is 31 and has the most experince, but also added the injury factore considering Smith has missed 29 games since 2003.
Unreliable might be an understatement to describe him.
Starks would be the better choice, but is sure to be coveted around the NFL and could attract the big dollars since he plays at a position that is in high demand. While he allowed just four sacks in the ten games he played, there is the question as to whether or not the Steelers would want to overpay for him.
There is another option if they feel the necessity when it comes to Starks; putting the franchise tag on him.
But , can you imagine an angry Starks? It could prove to be a major distraction. This would be a last resort in my opinion for the team since a player who is under duress, usually is a cancer in the lockers. The Steelers say they are family, but contract squabbles can become major distractions.
Last year to keep Starks, they put the transition tag on him, and many scoffed at the idea, but without him this year No. 6 may have been much tougher to come by.
Which brings us back to Mr. Smith. Avoiding Starks should he delve into the open market may leave the team with little options, but again, this would be a huge mistake. Don't tell me the continuity thing either. Again, Smith has a history of injuries, and is 31.
I've been asked over and over about Trai Essex. Well guess what? He is a UFA also, making it not out of possibility that the team could be without a veteran left tackle meaning they would have to address it in the draft, something tough with the 32nd pick.
Essex is a good backup, but only has one career start.
So here is a name to think about, Vernon Carey. Who you ask? Probably one of the top tackles on the market, the Miami Dolphin UFA could be out of the Steeler price range. But Carey wants to play for a winner and can play both left and right tackle. The Steelers do have money under the cap so keep his name in mind, especially if they decide not to go for Starks and Smith.
"It goes all the way back to the Chief setting the standards and how this organization was formed and that continuity has always been there," said Colbert. " The stability in the organization from the Rooney's everyone understands the message. The standard has been set, you are expected to contend for a championship."
February 12, 5:08 PM
by Matt Pawlikowski, Pittsburgh Sports Examiner
[url="http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m2d12-Steelers-stuck-with-Smith-It-could-happen"]http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsbur ... uld-happen[/url]
PITTSBURGH - The free-agency period looms right around the corner, and even though they are the Super Bowl Champs, don't expect the roster to remain the same.
Unlike the Steel Curtain Dynasty days where the faces constantly remained the same, just one look at what occurred after Super Bowl XL should be a good measuring stick of what could happen.
It didn't matter they were World Champs, because the Steelers still lost three key players to the new 'dollars talk philosophy' of today's ballplayer - safety Chris Hope, wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen.
On Feb. 27, the Steelers have 13 players who can be unrestricted free agents. Already the team has said it wants to make a pitch to sign cornerback Bryant McFadden. They have discussed possible contract extension offers, but now the most pressing issue is the left side of the line. Marvel Smith ( eft) with former Steeler Alan Faneca
“We haven’t made any definite offers or decisions on any of our guys at this point,” Steelers Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert said. “But it’s safe to say that we will try to keep as many of our own guys as possible, fully understanding that it may not be possible. We may have to go outside, either through free agency or through the draft, to replace some guys we potentially could lose.”
So why the left side? For starters, left guard Chris Kemoeatu who replaced All-Pro Alan Faneca is a unrestricted free agent. And then there is the fact both Marvel Smith and Max Starks could also hit the open market.
According to Scott Brown of the Tribune Review, Smith would be the most logical option to sign for this reason alone; He is 31 and has the most experince, but also added the injury factore considering Smith has missed 29 games since 2003.
Unreliable might be an understatement to describe him.
Starks would be the better choice, but is sure to be coveted around the NFL and could attract the big dollars since he plays at a position that is in high demand. While he allowed just four sacks in the ten games he played, there is the question as to whether or not the Steelers would want to overpay for him.
There is another option if they feel the necessity when it comes to Starks; putting the franchise tag on him.
But , can you imagine an angry Starks? It could prove to be a major distraction. This would be a last resort in my opinion for the team since a player who is under duress, usually is a cancer in the lockers. The Steelers say they are family, but contract squabbles can become major distractions.
Last year to keep Starks, they put the transition tag on him, and many scoffed at the idea, but without him this year No. 6 may have been much tougher to come by.
Which brings us back to Mr. Smith. Avoiding Starks should he delve into the open market may leave the team with little options, but again, this would be a huge mistake. Don't tell me the continuity thing either. Again, Smith has a history of injuries, and is 31.
I've been asked over and over about Trai Essex. Well guess what? He is a UFA also, making it not out of possibility that the team could be without a veteran left tackle meaning they would have to address it in the draft, something tough with the 32nd pick.
Essex is a good backup, but only has one career start.
So here is a name to think about, Vernon Carey. Who you ask? Probably one of the top tackles on the market, the Miami Dolphin UFA could be out of the Steeler price range. But Carey wants to play for a winner and can play both left and right tackle. The Steelers do have money under the cap so keep his name in mind, especially if they decide not to go for Starks and Smith.
"It goes all the way back to the Chief setting the standards and how this organization was formed and that continuity has always been there," said Colbert. " The stability in the organization from the Rooney's everyone understands the message. The standard has been set, you are expected to contend for a championship."
...But instead make sure Starks or Carey is here before the draft. This is a deep draft at OL for the Steelers at the end of the 1st & 2nd rounds to secure 2 starters (If needed) on opening day on the interior or RT spot. It would be a shame to throw that opportunity away by pushing the panic button for a LT!!!
Comment