Is anybody else worried that the Steelers aren't going to re-sign some of their key free agents-to-be at the end of this year?

The Steelers are famous for not usually working on player's contracts over the course of the season. I have heard numerous reports saying that if the Steelers don't sign some of these free agents before the start of the season, they will surely be gone next offseason. 

This list includes: Charlie Batch;unrestricted, Carey Davis;restricted, Willie Colon;restricted (doesn't seem right but he's on the list I found), Max Starks;restricted(?), Marvel Smith;unrestricted, James Farrior;unrestricted, Bryant McFadden;unrestricted, Anthony Smith;restricted.

*Note: There are a few more guys but I mainly went with our key players.  I am going to go in-depth on each of these player's with my own opinion of how it should be handled. If you have no interest in these matters I will save you 5-10 minutes of your life and warn you not to read my post. : )

-Will the Steelers resign Batch for a one or two-year deal if we don't like the quality of play from Rookie 5th-Round draft pick QB Dennis Dixon?  We do need a backup plan if our $100 million man breaks down...I say bring Batch back if Dixon still looks lost.

-If Carey Davis has another subpar year will Tomlin finally let go of one of "his guys" that he brought in here?  I personally believe we can find a better option elsewhere, or even from within (Russell?).  But, I do realize that it was Davis' first year in our offense and with the team.  So I will cut him some slack, BUT if I see the type of blocking that would insult Dan Kreider and make him cringe in disgust, then I will not be so merciful this offseason.

 -Does Willie Colon being a restricted FA make all the difference in whether or not we bring him back?  If Max Starks beats him out this camp for the starting RT spot, can Colon bounce back and be either a starting Guard or a reliable backup at both G and T?  "Position Flexibility" may help Willie Colon be a wanted piece of the Steelers O-Line for many years to come.

-I'm not sure if this Transition Tag that was placed on T Max Starks makes him an unrestricted or restricted FA this upcoming offseason, however I'm not sure if it makes a big difference.  We are already paying him $7 million essentially to be a backup at this point.  He has been reportedly seeing very limited time with the first team O-Line, which worries me.  If he does somehow crack that starting 5, and manages to keep his job this time throughout the whole season, then his stock will rise in the offseason.  Meaning, if he is an URFA then a team with plenty of cap space will surely sign him to a lucrative deal.  Of course this is assuming that Starks has a productive year for the Steelers.  If he does not, well...I'm not sure what will happen to the guy.  Should be an interesting thing to watch as the season unfolds.

-If Marvel's new back can hold up for an entire problem-free season then he deserves to be resigned to a large deal.  Problem is, we don't know that his back WILL hold up.  We have already been regretting that large sum of money we gave Kendall Simmons a few years ago after he had consecutive productive, injury free seasons.  So my question is, do we resign Marvel Smith to a multi-year deal?

-With the emergence of Lawrence Timmons and the resurgence of Larry Foote, is the resigning of James Farrior really a must?  Although, he has hinted he would take a pay cut in order to stay with the Steelers.  This shows that Farrior understands the time for him to step aside will one day be here soon.  I would like to see him stay, what do we think of resigning James Farrior?

-As the year's begin to catch on to Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden has been patiently wating for his opportunity to take the starting 2nd CB job away from Deshea.  McFadden undoubtedly has promise and has shown it along the way to our Super Bowl run, and the next year when he started most of the season.  However, Deshea is a crafty veteran who seems to always be in the right spot at the right time.  Deshea's best years are behind him, but I still think he is one of the best defensive backs on the team and does an adequate job as the 2nd CB.  I do think McFadden will overtake Deshea as the starter allowing Deshea to move into the Nickel as a CB (or even a backup Safety as it has been hinted).  I worry that McFadden will have a breakout year, earn a Pro Bowl and lead the team in INT's.  WHy does that worry me?  His agent is Drew Rosenhaus.  Rosenhaus will drive the bidding price for McFadden way way up, meaning unless McFadden is proud to be a Steeler and thankful we gave him a chance in the league, he will most likely sign elsewhere for buku bucks. I really don't see the Steelers being bidders for McFadden especially if we have to resign other free agents.

-And finally, there's Anthony Smith.  Not much to worry about here.  He is a restricted free agent, and notorious for his media rants, undisciplined nature, and attitude toward coaching.  Best of all is the mean streak he plays with when he's on the field.  Sounds like a perfect Steeler doesn't it? He should be back.

That concludes this very long post.  I'm hoping to simply strike up some good conversation with all my fine fellow Steeler enthusiasts.  I do enjoy hearing each and every one of your opinions on these sorts of matters.  So please, I encourage you all to input your own feedback! 

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/08/03/sports/doc489677c569dd6432358202.txt

I am worried about the latest news from Steelers camp. Sounds like Rashard looked very timid in his first impression as our goal-line solution.  Hopefully this is just a one time rookie thing but it did sound like Rashard was very intimidated by the defense.  If he turns out to be a stud in the NFL like we are all hoping for then he will have to quickly overcome this change in speed and size in the NFL.  Maybe Russell will get an opportunity to find some gametime after all, as the goal-line RB?