Steelers "Needs" Based on Cap Numbers & Roster Depth

[papillon]

Re: Steelers "Needs" Based on Cap Numbers & Roster Depth

The Steelers would be more likely to extend Keisel's deal for another 3-4 years (which would lower his '09 cap number) than to cut him. Although Keisel's no longer a young buck, he is not old either...he could still contribute for several more seasons. Although not a superstar, he does the job asked of him in this defense.

They could also extend Starks' deal for another 4-5 years (which would lower his '09 cap number). If they truly believe he is their LT of the future, just get the deal done already. He is young and could grow as a player as he enters his prime.

They could extended Ward's deal for another 2-3 years (which would lower his '09 cap number). He said that he wants to retire as a Steeler, and saw what Jerome did for the team at the end of his career here.

What exactly happens when you extend an existing contract? They ask the player to take the league minimum at their position, add it to what they owe him, give a small signing bonus and amortize for 2 or 3 years? Are there other options?

In the end, I'm a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and not Hines Ward, Casey Hampton or any other Steeler player. I'll be a fan long after their playing days are done and will be thankful to have had them, but, I don't want the Steelers to jeopardize being competitive to have Hines or anyone else retire a Steeler. At this stage of their careers they have to want that more than the team does. That's just my 2 cents, I think your scenario above only delays the inevitable.

Some of these vets need to step up to the plate now for the good of the organization or the organization has to take matters into their own hands. It's ugly, but, it's life in the NFL for teams, players and fans.

Pappy

[ANPSTEEL]

Re: Steelers "Needs" Based on Cap Numbers & Roster Depth

chadman- great post


I agree with pretty much all of your assessments- here is what i'll add.

I think that Parker, Foote, and Hampton are all potential trade options, for all of the reasons you mention.

But-

I think Casey is the most important to the team today. If he is traded- even though Hoke can fill in admirably, I would not want the middle of the D being
Hoke
Timmons / Farrior

What was a strength now becomes somewhat of a weakness. Teams will begin to run up the middle.

I think Foote and Parker are both more likely trades, as both of them will be coming of the bench this season.

Unfortunately, neither player will generate the type of return trading Casey would.

In respect to some other points-

Safety
The failure of the team to coach up Anthony Smith really hurts here- the guy has talent- but he just didn't fit in- and is almost certainly a better fit at SS.
I think the team will extend Ryan Clark
I think Mundy is likely resigned
and I think DeShae is considered to play free safety either as a back up to Clark or a short term starter (1 or 2 seasons)

Corner- I think the team will take a corner 1st - 3rd
DeShea, Bryant, and Lewis are serviceable as backups and in sub packages, but none are starters.

that is it for now- i've got to get back to work- or some such semblance of work.

[TallyStiller]

Re: Steelers "Needs" Based on Cap Numbers & Roster Depth

Pap - assume you were around to watch the mistakes that were made as the championship teams of the '70's became the also rans of the '80's because too many 30 something players played out their injury riddled final years in the Black and Gold while we watched our camp cuts go on to star elsewhere. Hopefully we learned that lesson... a little worried that Ambassador Dan giving way to Art II doesn't help in this regard, though...

Think Casey is in danger of being cut at the beginning of this camp if he shows up fat and out of shape again... that cap number is as grotesquely bloated as his waistline was last summer, and I think there might be a few folks around who have watched him struggle against single blockers repeatedly in recent years and remember Hoke's performance the 2nd half of '04 as we won out the schedule with Casey on IR. Hoke is a serviceable rotation player who actually gets more push on passing downs... and any coach with half a brain is going to watch the 4th quarter of that Super Bowl and figure out that the way to beat us is by spreading us out and throwing all over the place. Save the cap money, get rid of a player of marginal utility going forward, send a message about conditioning... it should happen. I believe Tomlin is a shrewd man. He'll see it, too.

[NorthCoast]

Re: Steelers "Needs" Based on Cap Numbers & Roster Depth

The Steelers would be more likely to extend Keisel's deal for another 3-4 years (which would lower his '09 cap number) than to cut him. Although Keisel's no longer a young buck, he is not old either...he could still contribute for several more seasons. Although not a superstar, he does the job asked of him in this defense.

They could also extend Starks' deal for another 4-5 years (which would lower his '09 cap number). If they truly believe he is their LT of the future, just get the deal done already. He is young and could grow as a player as he enters his prime.

They could extended Ward's deal for another 2-3 years (which would lower his '09 cap number). He said that he wants to retire as a Steeler, and saw what Jerome did for the team at the end of his career here.

What exactly happens when you extend an existing contract? They ask the player to take the league minimum at their position, add it to what they owe him, give a small signing bonus and amortize for 2 or 3 years? Are there other options?

In the end, I'm a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and not Hines Ward, Casey Hampton or any other Steeler player. I'll be a fan long after their playing days are done and will be thankful to have had them, but, I don't want the Steelers to jeopardize being competitive to have Hines or anyone else retire a Steeler. At this stage of their careers they have to want that more than the team does. That's just my 2 cents, I think your scenario above only delays the inevitable.

Some of these vets need to step up to the plate now for the good of the organization or the organization has to take matters into their own hands. It's ugly, but, it's life in the NFL for teams, players and fans.

Pappy

If I am understanding Colbert's comments correctly, the Steelers are unable to restructure without a CBA in place. He seemed to indicate they were hamstrung in their normal practice to extend players to reduce cap hits.

[Chadman]

Re: Steelers "Needs" Based on Cap Numbers & Roster Depth

Moving on to Round 2-

The PRIORITY positions at Interior OL, DE & OT still exist, but now we add the need for WR to the list.
With the Steelers selecting Limas Sweed last season in Round 2, Chadman is going to assume that the Steelers might look for WR in later rounds. This brings the focus back on the lines. Players the Steelers have expressed an interest in that fit here are OG Andy Levitre, OG Herman Johnson, OT Phil Loadholt, DT Dorrell Scott, DT Sammy Lee Hill & POSSIBLY Eric Wood. Wood though, will likely be gone by this point.
Drafting at the end of each round tends to mean the team will be grabbing the guys that are more graded for the following round. Case in point- Phil Loadholt will LIKELY be gone by #64, so chances are he won't be a Steeler.
Chadman thinks that the fact that a rookie OG COULD immediately contribute, while rookie DE's will likely sit & learn, pushes OG/OC further up the list at this point. Levitre is a solid prospect, but could be maxed out at this point. Mike Tomlin came from the Vikings, where they love their OL Big, BIG & BIGGER.
#64, in Chadman's thinking, will be man-mountain OG Herman Johnson. How'd the last OG from LSU drafted by the Steelers work out?

[Chadman]

Re: Steelers "Needs" Based on Cap Numbers & Roster Depth

Round 3-

The needs are still there at DE, OT & WR, but now CB & ILB become more of an issue to. Maybe not a GREAT need, but if BPA is ILB or CB, they could be the pick. Also, another Interior OL wouldn't hurt at this point. Still, if they've bypassed the need in Round 1 & 2 for the DL, chances are the Steelers will be tempted to look there in this round. 2 players immediately stand out as options- DE Dorrell Scott & DT/DE Sammy Lee Hill. However, this is about the territory where the Steelers don't 'stick' with visited players & look for better value picks. So, add the names of Terrence Taylor & Roy Miller to the list, along with Georgia's Corvey Irvin & Michigan's Will Johnson. Chadman believes the Steelers would look long & hard at Sammy Lee Hill here, simply because of his athletisism, however, with the 3-4 defence becoming so popular, it's likely he could be gone.
If you didn't know, the two schools that are 'most popular' at draft time for the Steelers under Kevin Colbert are Florida State &....Georgia. No reason to break from tradition-

Pick 96 is Georgia DE Corvey Irvin.