Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

[Jooser]

Per PPG today:

Steelers close to putting franchise tag on Hampton

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers are trying to work out a long-term deal to keep nose tackle Casey Hampton from becoming an unrestricted free agent, but they will use the franchise tag on the five-time Pro Bowl selection if they can't, the Post-Gazette has learned.

The Steelers have until Thursday to place the franchise tag on Hampton, a designation that would keep him with the team for at least one more season and guarantee him the average salary of the top five defensive linemen in the National Football League.

The Steelers could then attempt to sign the 10-year veteran to a long-term contract, much like they did last season when they named Max Starks their franchise player and eventually signed him to a four-year, $26.3 million contract that included a $10 million signing bonus.

And it appears they are prepared to do that if they can't reach an agreement before Thursday's deadline.

Hampton, who will be 33 in September, has indicated to the Steelers he does not want to have the franchise tag placed on him.

Read more: [url="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10054/1037957-100.stm#ixzz0gNIyZhXr"]http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10054/10 ... z0gNIyZhXr[/url]

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

i hope they franchise him but don't work out a long term deal. I then hope they draft a capable NT in the draft and groom him for a season to take over in 2012 once the lockout is over.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Would anyone be opposed to giving him the franchise tag (like we did Starks) and then giving him the same deal we gave Starks (four-year, $26.3 million contract that includes a $10 million signing bonus)?

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Would anyone be opposed to giving him the franchise tag (like we did Starks) and then giving him the same deal we gave Starks (four-year, $26.3 million contract that includes a $10 million signing bonus)?

The difference with Casey is I think you risk more "dead money" because he is older and he has demonstrated he is unwilling to take conditioning serious. If there is a lock out next year the 4 year contract could essentially become a 5 year contract.

I'd rather see three years, $19M with a $9M bonus.

[phillyesq]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Would anyone be opposed to giving him the franchise tag (like we did Starks) and then giving him the same deal we gave Starks (four-year, $26.3 million contract that includes a $10 million signing bonus)?

The difference with Casey is I think you risk more "dead money" because he is older and he has demonstrated he is unwilling to take conditioning serious. If there is a lock out next year the 4 year contract could essentially become a 5 year contract.

I'd rather see three years, $19M with a $9M bonus.

I'm prefer a 3 year deal for Hampton as well. Either that or a deal that includes roster bonuses -- something to incentivize Snack each year.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Does anyone think that Casey will even be a part time player by the fourth year of a contract extension? I have my doubts. A 3-yr contract would be ideal, I guess. Even at that, I feel it should be incentive-laden.

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Would anyone be opposed to giving him the franchise tag (like we did Starks) and then giving him the same deal we gave Starks (four-year, $26.3 million contract that includes a $10 million signing bonus)?

The difference with Casey is I think you risk more "dead money" because he is older and he has demonstrated he is unwilling to take conditioning serious. If there is a lock out next year the 4 year contract could essentially become a 5 year contract.

I'd rather see three years, $19M with a $9M bonus.

I'm prefer a 3 year deal for Hampton as well. Either that or a deal that includes roster bonuses -- something to incentivize Snack each year.

The good thing is that the Steelers have the upper hand here slightly. They can and should franchise casey and then make their best offer. If he refuses then we look NT in the draft early and groom the player for a year.

Hampton would be insane to turn down a offer because he has to be very afraid that there will be a lock out. His value will decrease significantly if there is a lockout year because the teams needing NTs will essentially have a two year pool of players to draft from once they hold the next draft.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Would anyone be opposed to giving him the franchise tag (like we did Starks) and then giving him the same deal we gave Starks (four-year, $26.3 million contract that includes a $10 million signing bonus)?

The difference with Casey is I think you risk more "dead money" because he is older and he has demonstrated he is unwilling to take conditioning serious. If there is a lock out next year the 4 year contract could essentially become a 5 year contract.

I'd rather see three years, $19M with a $9M bonus.

I'm prefer a 3 year deal for Hampton as well. Either that or a deal that includes roster bonuses -- something to incentivize Snack each year.

The good thing is that the Steelers have the upper hand here slightly. They can and should franchise casey and then make their best offer. If he refuses then we look NT in the draft early and groom the player for a year.

Hampton would be insane to turn down a offer because he has to be very afraid that there will be a lock out. His value will decrease significantly if there is a lockout year because the teams needing NTs will essentially have a two year pool of players to draft from once they hold the next draft.

Actually, I have heard there will be a draft in 2011 regardless of the labor issues. I also heard it will be in January.

I said the same in another post. Hampton will be a 400 lb 35 year old looking for a long term deal. Hmm...The teams are already lining up for a shot at him.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Would anyone be opposed to giving him the franchise tag (like we did Starks) and then giving him the same deal we gave Starks (four-year, $26.3 million contract that includes a $10 million signing bonus)?

The difference with Casey is I think you risk more "dead money" because he is older and he has demonstrated he is unwilling to take conditioning serious. If there is a lock out next year the 4 year contract could essentially become a 5 year contract.

I'd rather see three years, $19M with a $9M bonus.

I'm prefer a 3 year deal for Hampton as well. Either that or a deal that includes roster bonuses -- something to incentivize Snack each year.

The good thing is that the Steelers have the upper hand here slightly. They can and should franchise casey and then make their best offer. If he refuses then we look NT in the draft early and groom the player for a year.

Hampton would be insane to turn down a offer because he has to be very afraid that there will be a lock out. His value will decrease significantly if there is a lockout year because the teams needing NTs will essentially have a two year pool of players to draft from once they hold the next draft.

Actually, I have heard there will be a draft in 2011 regardless of the labor issues. I also heard it will be in January.

I said the same in another post. Hampton will be a 400 lb 35 year old looking for a long term deal. Hmm...The teams are already lining up for a shot at him.

you make a very valid point, how much would Casey weigh when he reported for the 2012 season if he had a long-term contract and there had been no football for a year? it's for this same reason why i wouldn't choose Terrence Cody, players with no self-discipline will have a difficult time staying in shape for a whole year without anyone driving them to keep their weight down.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Franchise him and unless he gives the steelers a very friendly deal, then just keep it a one year deal. Draft his replacement this year and groom the heck out of him. Keep Hoke around to rotate a little with the youngster in 2012 if need be.

[birtikidis]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

if we franchise him and he doesn't sign a long term deal he's absolutely screwed. and that's why he said there "would be problems" because he knows that if there is a lockout then his career is essentially over.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

this is an old article but i posted it because of the mention of Ziggy Hood as a potential NT in our 3-4 defense...do you think this is a possibility, might we already have our future NT on the roster?


Steelers Sending Hampton A Message

Posted by Aaron Wilson on June 18, 2009


One year after hefty nose guard Casey Hampton showed up noticeably out of shape for the Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp and flunked a conditioning test, coach Mike Tomlin dropped a few hints that Hampton had better not repeat that scenario this year.

According to John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Tomlin didn't sound too enthused about Hampton's fitness and went out of his way to compliment versatile first-round defensive lineman Ziggy Hood.

When Hampton's conditioning level was broached by reporters, Tomlin replied: "I'm always in a wait-and-see position [with Hampton]."

Added Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell: "Casey, I think he was embarrassed when he came back with the weight situation."

Meanwhile, the Steelers talked up Hood's capacity to run and his ability to shoot gaps.

Although Hood is primarily working as a 3-4 defensive end, the Steelers don't seem uncomfortable with the idea of placing him over the center if they had to. For instance, if Hampton shows up at camp out of shape.

"The one thing that stands out about Ziggy is him running to the football," Tomlin said. "He covers a lot of ground for a big man. It's unique for his position.''

And Hood doesn't seem opposed to the idea of playing nose guard.

"I just know defensive end right now," Hood said. "If they move me to nose tackle, I'll have to pick up even more. With me playing end, I kind of know what the nose is doing.

"I'll just have to be able to put more weight on, plus become a better player at that position if they decide to move me. Not to say I'm going to develop as much as Casey, but I'll probably be a little quicker. Maybe on passing downs, I can come in and aid them a little bit."

It sounds like Hampton, who's entering the final year of his contract, might want to mix in a few salads before training camp and a few laps.

[Lebsteel]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

this is an old article but i posted it because of the mention of Ziggy Hood as a potential NT in our 3-4 defense...do you think this is a possibility, might we already have our future NT on the roster?


Steelers Sending Hampton A Message

Posted by Aaron Wilson on June 18, 2009


One year after hefty nose guard Casey Hampton showed up noticeably out of shape for the Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp and flunked a conditioning test, coach Mike Tomlin dropped a few hints that Hampton had better not repeat that scenario this year.

According to John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Tomlin didn't sound too enthused about Hampton's fitness and went out of his way to compliment versatile first-round defensive lineman Ziggy Hood.

When Hampton's conditioning level was broached by reporters, Tomlin replied: "I'm always in a wait-and-see position [with Hampton]."

Added Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell: "Casey, I think he was embarrassed when he came back with the weight situation."

Meanwhile, the Steelers talked up Hood's capacity to run and his ability to shoot gaps.

Although Hood is primarily working as a 3-4 defensive end, the Steelers don't seem uncomfortable with the idea of placing him over the center if they had to. For instance, if Hampton shows up at camp out of shape.

"The one thing that stands out about Ziggy is him running to the football," Tomlin said. "He covers a lot of ground for a big man. It's unique for his position.''

And Hood doesn't seem opposed to the idea of playing nose guard.

"I just know defensive end right now," Hood said. "If they move me to nose tackle, I'll have to pick up even more. With me playing end, I kind of know what the nose is doing.

"I'll just have to be able to put more weight on, plus become a better player at that position if they decide to move me. Not to say I'm going to develop as much as Casey, but I'll probably be a little quicker. Maybe on passing downs, I can come in and aid them a little bit."

It sounds like Hampton, who's entering the final year of his contract, might want to mix in a few salads before training camp and a few laps.

Perfect, draft Odrick and then move Hood to NT.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Nice find HawaiianSteel...never saw that article before. Well, it is commonly said it is a passing league now. Quicker NT make a little sense. Maybe get a guy in the 2nd through 5th round to bring in and train as the running down NT and put Ziggy in for passing downs or somethign along those lines.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Steelers Close to Franchising Big Snack

Ziggy already moves inside to DT in a 4 man front in the nickel or dime defense in passing situations.