Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

[PSU_dropout43]

profootballtalk.com

by Mike Florio

Though the free agency period doesn't open until March 5, there's still plenty of offseason business to be done.

The Steelers, for example, have signed a pair of players: punter Adam Graessle and receiver Brandon London.

Graessle knows a thing or two about kicking the ball in Heinz Field; he punted for Pitt through 2008. Last year, Graessle punted in the UFL after being cut by the Packers as an undrafted free agent.

Current Steelers punter Daniel Sepulveda is eligible for restricted free agency. The decision to sign Graessle could be interpreted as protection against another team making Sepulveda an offer that the Steelers opt not to match.

London was out of football in 2009 after spending the prior season with the Dolphins. He appeared in 14 games and started one. The former Massachusetts wideout spent 2007 on the Giants' practice squad, which means that his jewelry collection includes a Super Bowl ring.

During the offseason, teams are permitted to carry 80 players on the roster. The number stays at 80 until late August.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

and who said the Steelers weren't active players in free agency?

[calmkiller]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Camp Fodder.

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Sepulveda won't be eligible for RFA will he? I thought with no CBA the window got longer and he has only been in the league 3 years.

[calmkiller]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Sepulveda won't be eligible for RFA will he? I thought with no CBA the window got longer and he has only been in the league 3 years.

You have to be in the league 6 years to register for FA.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

London had 4 catches in the Dolphins-Ravens playoff game last year. Some game experience with the Dolphins. Young, big, athletic guy who will provide some competition and could find his way on the PS.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

London had 4 catches in the Dolphins-Ravens playoff game last year. Some game experience with the Dolphins. Young, big, athletic guy who will provide some competition and could find his way on the PS.

at 6'4" London has great size for a WR and provides some depth, hopefully this means that we won't need to spend a draft pick on the WR position now as we have:

1) Hines Ward
2) Santonio Holmes
3) Mike Wallace
4) Limas Sweed
5) Tyler Grisham
6) Stefan Logan
7) Brandon London

[papillon]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

London had 4 catches in the Dolphins-Ravens playoff game last year. Some game experience with the Dolphins. Young, big, athletic guy who will provide some competition and could find his way on the PS.

at 6'4" London has great size for a WR and provides some depth, hopefully this means that we won't need to spend a draft pick on the WR position now as we have:

1) Hines Ward
2) Santonio Holmes
3) Mike Wallace
4) Limas Sweed
5) Tyler Grisham
6) Stefan Logan
7) Brandon London

I see you're moving the bust Limas Sweed up the depth chart.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Sepulveda won't be eligible for RFA will he? I thought with no CBA the window got longer and he has only been in the league 3 years.

You have to be in the league 6 years to register for FA.

You need 6 years now to qualify for unrestricted free agency. But Sepulveda will be a restricted free agent. If we give him the lowest RFA tender and someone offers him a contract that we choose not to match, we would get a 4th round pick in return (since he was originally a 4th round pick). If we increase the RFA tender amount, the required compensation could increase to a 2nd or even 1st round pick instead (we gave Colon the 1st round RFA tender last year, and will likely do the same this year), and that would really turn other teams off from wanting to make him an offer, virtually guaranteeing that we retain him.

[calmkiller]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Sepulveda won't be eligible for RFA will he? I thought with no CBA the window got longer and he has only been in the league 3 years.

You have to be in the league 6 years to register for FA.

You need 6 years now to qualify for unrestricted free agency. But Sepulveda will be a restricted free agent. If we give him the lowest RFA tender and someone offers him a contract that we choose not to match, we would get a 4th round pick in return (since he was originally a 4th round pick). If we increase the RFA tender amount, the required compensation could increase to a 2nd or even 1st round pick instead (we gave Colon the 1st round RFA tender last year, and will likely do the same this year), and that would really turn other teams off from wanting to make him an offer, virtually guaranteeing that we retain him.

Yes this is accurate and what I meant. I just didnt go into the detail that Ruthless did. When I said FA I meant UFA as opposed to RFA. Come on guys, you should be able to read my mind. GAH

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Big Ben to London


touchdown!

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Sepulveda won't be eligible for RFA will he? I thought with no CBA the window got longer and he has only been in the league 3 years.

You have to be in the league 6 years to register for FA.

You need 6 years now to qualify for unrestricted free agency. But Sepulveda will be a restricted free agent. If we give him the lowest RFA tender and someone offers him a contract that we choose not to match, we would get a 4th round pick in return (since he was originally a 4th round pick). If we increase the RFA tender amount, the required compensation could increase to a 2nd or even 1st round pick instead (we gave Colon the 1st round RFA tender last year, and will likely do the same this year), and that would really turn other teams off from wanting to make him an offer, virtually guaranteeing that we retain him.

I think I'd take a 4th for Sep as of this moment.

[Shawn]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Not me...I like Sep.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

Sepulveda won't be eligible for RFA will he? I thought with no CBA the window got longer and he has only been in the league 3 years.

You have to be in the league 6 years to register for FA.

You need 6 years now to qualify for unrestricted free agency. But Sepulveda will be a restricted free agent. If we give him the lowest RFA tender and someone offers him a contract that we choose not to match, we would get a 4th round pick in return (since he was originally a 4th round pick). If we increase the RFA tender amount, the required compensation could increase to a 2nd or even 1st round pick instead (we gave Colon the 1st round RFA tender last year, and will likely do the same this year), and that would really turn other teams off from wanting to make him an offer, virtually guaranteeing that we retain him.

I think I'd take a 4th for Sep as of this moment.

Yeah, maybe we can draft another stud like Tony Hills with that 4th round pick...no thanks, I would rather keep Sep.

[steelblood]

Re: Steelers sign two players: punter and WR

We better not give Sepulveda more than a 2nd round tender. That would be insane, but I could see our FO doing it. They always over do it with those tenders.