SB Nation User Blog: smashmouthsteel

Uncapped Year pushing Steelers Agenda?

smashmouthsteel — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:45:49 -0000

First off - I've been a reader for some time now - took a break from posting and commenting so much due to time constraints. Lots of new names on the board and all of the discussion/posts/info has been great. I just read an article that I'm posting below - I know there's issues sometimes with posting links - long and the short it's an article on SI.com by Don Banks outlining discussions at the Owner's meeting and his point is that most Owner's have accepted 2010 uncapped. It gets really interesting when he delves into the nitty gritty detail that most of us don't hear about.

Uncapped Season

I've wondered this offseason how any why we've been so ridiculously quiet. A few of the key points in the article make some real sense.

- If Season goes uncapped then the rule on free agency reverts to players only gaining free agency after their 6th season - think about the implications for our team (Santonio, Heath, and the rest of our young core won't be eligible to go anywhere

- This means they'll be less guys that qualify for free agency - teams can also use the transition tag and the franchise tag - again - We could push Deebo's discussion out until next season and just tag him - and tag whoever else we might need.

On to the second point of the article - which is scary to think about. I'm no expert and this is strictly though - but that's what the offseason is for. An uncapped 2010 would lead into a strike in 2011 - this means teams will not be bringing in any revenue and if you couple that with where the economy is at - you could think that someone smart. Like the Rooney's are battenining down the hatches and ensuring that the Steelers balance sheet is as strong as possible heading into this uncertainty. Think about Jerry Jones in Dallas - with his new billion dollar stadium about to open (That he helped to personally finance) - I bet he just might be worried about that investment.

In any case let the discussion begin - lots of interesting implications for the Steelers!!!

Big Ben - Respek!!!

smashmouthsteel — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:40:16 -0000

I don't know if I've just been drinking the kool aid for too long or what - but I really feel like Big Ben is one of the top three to five QBs in the league. I know that the majority of talking heads out there don't seem to watch too many of the games - but it still bothers me when just the other night I hear on some channel that Carson Palmer is the premier QB in the North and one of the tops in the league. I think last year Ben was overshadowed by Brady's unbelievable year. I can talk about Big Ben's year with Friends and Co Workers but those that aren't Steeler fans don't really have any idea what I'm talking about. When you look at last year and look at all the trouble we had on the line it makes Ben's magician act seem that much more amazing. So what are your thoughts??? Is Ben a legit top three to five? Will he best the best QB in the league in the next two to four years??? I think so - what about you?

Rumor: Vanderlinden

smashmouthsteel — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:28:35 -0000

Fun rumor for Friday .. A sales guy I work with was a former PSU lineman back in the early 70s was in today and we chatted up this season.. He told me word on the street is that it's Joe's last year for sure.. and that Joe wants Jay to take over.. but the word on the street is that it will be Ron Vanderlinden - not Tom Bradley... Purely rumor and speculation from a former letterman who's connected to the program - but .. fun to think about.

Steelers Still Interested in Kevin Jones???

smashmouthsteel — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:33:36 -0000

For some reason the Steelers are still being mentioned in the hunt for Kevin Jones. This article reports that his agent has said it is down to us or the Bears.

I do believe it makes sense for him to sign with the Bears. They've cut Cedric Benson and it looks like right now Rookie Matt Forte would be the starter there. Seriously, theres been a lot of smoke to this point - could there be fire? Why are we continuously brought up? We are loaded to the gills at the Running Back position - Parker, Mendenhall, Moore, Russell. Thoughts?

Shake Up!

smashmouthsteel — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:52:50 -0000

With all the chatter in the news over the past several years regarding the staff once Joe moves on. Let's have some fun with this and see what everyone thinks. For my money I think Tom Bradley will slide in the HC position. I wonder then if LJSR might take over for him on the DC side - he sure has developed some beasts on the DLine and he is also a recruiting beast. I would then think that Hall will most likely leave too - I think he's near 70 if he isn't there yet (total speculation). I then wonder if someone from the staff would slide into that role - NOT Jay. Maybe McQuery? Who knows - I also wonder what Jay's role will be once Joe hangs it up. Thoughts? Guesses?

PSU - Oklahoma

smashmouthsteel — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:23:25 -0000

Just taking a stab - anyone out there live in Oklahoma??? I'm a PSU alum who's trying to put together a crew to watch the games and throw down this season. Let me know if your close.. kansas or somewhere.. we'll find a bar and work some volume based discounts It will be a great time - let your friends know too.. I've also started a facebook group - Penn State Oklahoma Ho Down Club..

Snitch

smashmouthsteel — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:15:28 -0000

Take a gander at this..

Patriots guard arrested, aids sting

Posted: Wednesday June 04, 2008 06:08AM ET

Starting Patriots offensive lineman Nicholas Kaczur was arrested in April on a charge of illegal possession of prescription painkillers and then secretly cooperated with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in a sting operation that resulted in the indictment of his alleged drug supplier, according to a lawyer and two people briefed on the investigation. Kaczur - a 28-year-old, 315-pound offensive tackle - wore a hidden recording device during three different drug transactions in May at gas stations in Foxborough and North Attleborough and a supermarket parking lot. Kaczur, approached yesterday afternoon by a Globe reporter as he stood on the front porch of his Attleboro home, denied participating in a DEA investigation or buying drugs.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/06/04/patriot_arrested_then_aids_drug_sting/

I really hope that Goodell comes down hard on Kaczur - he should at least be suspended for four to eight games - this is substance abuse. I wonder what other Patriots have been involved - we had the Rodney Harrison episode last year.

Homecoming - Michigan - Rent???

smashmouthsteel — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:22:28 -0000

I've been reading this blog for a good while but I've never posted. Here's my question - does anyone want to make some money over Homecoming weekend??? I graduated a few years ago and It's finally got to that point where I have no buds left at school that I can crash with. I got tickets to the Michigan game but all the hotels in State College are sold out. The question I have is - is there anyone that is still a student or has a house or something in State College they want to rent out over that weekend??? I'm willing to throw a real nice slab of loot down - three, four, five hundred bucks for a place... Let me know if you have anything or any thoughts

Sleeper Pick

smashmouthsteel — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:01:47 -0000

I think the pick from our draft that might have some real overall value is Ryan Mundy. I think this is a guy that can truely play - he started as a true freshman at Michigan in 2003. He started the following season as well and during his Junior year he ended up getting hurt and having to Redshirt. After his Redshirt Junior season he transferred to WVU. The year before his arrival the D wasn't very good - last year with Mundy at Safety they ended up being one of the top five. In his final game when WVU blew out OU Mundy ended up with 11 tackles. We've had some issues in the defensive backfield the past few years. I really think Mundy might be able to help out and turn into a valuable backup who sees the field in some nickel/dime situations.

Greatest Draft Day Trades

smashmouthsteel — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:16:21 -0000

In keeping with the theme I'd like to bring up the biggest Draft Day trades of all time. For my money and I'm sure many of you we'd all agree on that magical day in '96 when we traded for Jerome Bettis. I believe we gave up our '96 second round and our '97 fourth round for Jerome Bettis and the Rams third choice in '96. In my mind we gave up virtually nothing and just might have made the greatest Draft Day Value trade of all time. I know some people might point at some different trades like the 49ers trading up for Rice. This for me was the best - Bettis fit the mold in PGH. Destroying defenses and taking names. What do you think the best Draft Day trade was???