SB Nation User Blog: steelguy99

More T-Rex O-line

steelguy99 — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:29:40 -0000

More T-Rex O-line

"Man, those arms are looking short."

Got to love Tomlin.

Larry Foote Officially Released

steelguy99 — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:22:43 -0000

Larry Foote Officially Released

No really, this time it is official. Unfortunately, the steelers were unable to exchange Foote for a draft pick. This may be because no one offered a pick good enough, or because the steelers were just being a swell organization and letting Foote go wherever he chooses for a new contract.

Shipley and Estermeyer impress

steelguy99 — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:54:19 -0000

Shipley and Estermeyer impress

I know one is a long-snapper, but...

Anyone think it is coincidence that Shipley's locker is next to Hartwig and Estermeyer's is next to Warren? Who gives a potential backup LS a real locker and Ziggy Hood a temporary one? Tomlin is a huge jerk, and I love him for it.

2010 FAs post-draft, Contract Extensions?

steelguy99 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:21:17 -0000

Commenting on the Larry Foote post, I thought about revisiting what the steelers free agency is going to look like next year. As we all know, the steelers are generally in the business of signing extensions to players they would like to keep who are going to be free agents the next year. I am curious what people think about the likelihood of extensions though.

With the draft it seems clear that the steelers are looking to get younger at certain positions. These positions are also ones that have key players coming up for FAship next year. No one will expect our draft picks to step into roles this year, but I wonder how much their potential impact in 2010 will prevent the steelers from signing contract extensions to those they may replace?

Here is the list of free agents and what potentially could happen with them. I'd love to hear everyone else's guesses regarding the outcomes. Some of these seem like no-brainers, others are much trickier.

Charlie Batch - UFA - Signed a one-year contract this year. Likely to be jettisoned after this year if Dixon shows enough, certainly will not be extended this year.

Willie Parker - UFA - Has a corral of RBs behind him. Depending on how the others do this year Parker may be resigned next year, but I don't see an extension happening.

~~Hines Ward~~

Heath Miller - UFA/RFA - If next year is uncapped Miller can be tagged as an RFA. Still, I see it in the steelers best interest to get Miller inked to a long-term deal at a modest TE salary. I don't think Miller is the type of TE that will get big money elsewhere, but for the steelers he is money.

Matt Spaeth - RFA - I believe the steelers will look to replace Matt Spaeth, but if not will tender him. I don't see an extension coming this year.

Jeff Reed - UFA - There are plenty of kickers in the NFL. Reed is a proven commodity. I expect the steelers will try to extend him this off-season for a reasonable price, assuming he doesn't destroy the steelers paper-towel dispenser.

Danny Sepulveda - RFA - A punter we will want to hang on to. Next year we may offer him a contract instead of tendering, but that will depend on this year. Certainly won't extend this year.

Justin Hartwig - UFA - Stumped on this one. Hartwig is not amazing but is not bad. He has Stapleton developing behind him. Maybe he sticks around next year, but I don't see him being extended this off-season.

Darnell Stapleton - RFA - No need to extend now.

Casey Hampton - UFA - Casey is wearing down and getting slower and fatter. Unfortunately for the steelers his backup is aging as well, and there really is no one in the wings to take over for him. I think he is too old to get an extension, and I'm guessing he is franchised next year, as there are teams that would kill for a 3-4NT, even an older one.

Brett Keisel - UFA - Brett is a solid if unspectacular player, but there will be a lot of teams that wouldn't mind his services. The steelers have drafted his potential replacement but won't know much about Ziggy during this off-season. I'm sure the steelers would like to have Keisel stick around as a starter or for depth. I have a hard time believing the steelers and Brett can come eye-to-eye on his worth in this off-season. I think Brett will want more money next year than the steelers will offer him in a long-term extension, and I don't believe he'll get extended.

~~James Harrison~~

William Gay - RFA - No need to extend this off-season, may see him get inked next year instead of RFA'd depending on his performance.

Deshea Townsend - UFA - Townsend will be 35 next year, way too old. Drafted two CBs this year. For depth though I could see the steelers offering him a low-money extension, and I could see Deshea taking it. I don't think it will happen though, as the steelers can wait until next year on this one. Townsend isn't going to be in line for big money next year ala McFadden.

Tyrone Carter - UFA - Carter is getting older and is already slow. There are potential replacements on the roster. I think Carter will be a lot like Townsend - the steelers would like to have him, but not much reason to work on an extension.

Ryan Clark - UFA - Tricky one especially with Carter coming up at the same time. If Clark or Carter are not signed you are relying on unproven guys to come in and be both starters and depth. I can see the steelers trying to get Clark signed for a reasonable amount. Clark will have demand on the open market. Even if Mundy or Lewis has a good year, do you really want to rely on them to start next year?

Anthony Madison - UFA/RFA - Will not be extended, maybe tendered next year depending on this year.

O-line on verge of mindreading

steelguy99 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:56:04 -0000

O-line on verge of mindreading

What a great fluff piece, with some truly amazing quotes from Colon.

"It was weird to see guys look around and see who is going to lead," said Colon. "I try to not lead by talking, but by actions. I thought I did a fair job of that this year."

"For Darnell and I it was about being on the same page. A lot of times when you do that you know each other without even talking. Some of the great lines do things without communicating. They just know. I think that’s what we are on the verge of becoming."

Sorry to dym if this was featured on a six-pack.

Mock Draft Help

steelguy99 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:28:48 -0000

originally posted by gimpsta7 as an oft-ignored fanshot

Hey guys (and girls) I am going to be putting out a mock draft a day or two before the actual thing, so I was wondering, are there any players you would trade up for? What you you be willing to give up to move into the top-10 of any round? Im mainly thinking the 2nd and on, but if you think giving up next year's first, this year's first and a 3rd to move up to number 8 or something is worth it, let me know. Thanks guys, Mike

Buccaneers to add QB Leftwich

steelguy99 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:45:51 -0000

Buccaneers to add QB Leftwich

Lord Byron is moving on to a team where he will probably get to compete for a starting roster position. It would have been nice if the steelers could have retained his services, but it is not surprising that Byron is moving on.

Best of luck to him and his new team. He was a class-act number two for the steelers. Without him we likely lose the skins game and things could have worked out a lot differently this past year.

Lets look for Batch to get resigned and Dixon to show enough in the pre-season to be active for game days.

Richard Quinn visits steelers

steelguy99 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:04:13 -0000

Richard Quinn visits steelers

Could definitely be Spaeth's replacement...

"Terrific size and bulk...Strong and powerful...Outstanding blocker...Is stout at the point of attack...Gets a good push in the run game...Able to fit in space...Understands leverage, positioning and angles...Adequate hands...Uses his frame well as a receiver...Real tough...A hard worker. "

Isn't going to WOW anyone with his catching ability or YAC, but when was the last time Spaeth has?

http://post-gazette.com/pg/09098/961392-100.stm

3b compensatory pick - a myth?

steelguy99 — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:17:09 -0000

Who did we lose to free agency that we are relying on to get our compensatory pick? The big name is Faneca who went on to sign with the jets for a big deal, who were the other small timers we might have lost?

We signed Memo and Fox in the off-season, any other small timer pickups I'm forgetting?

In addition to the 32 picks in each round, there are a total of 32 picks awarded at the ends of Rounds 3 through 7. These picks, known as "compensatory picks," are awarded to teams that have lost more qualifying free agents than they gained the previous year in free agency. Teams that gain and lose the same number of players but lose higher-valued players than they gain also can be awarded a pick, but only in the seventh round, after the other compensatory picks. Compensatory picks cannot be traded, and the placement of the picks is determined by a proprietary formula based on the player's salary, playing time, and postseason honors with his new team, with salary being the primary factor. So, for example, a team that lost a linebacker who signed for $2.5 million per year in free agency might get a sixth-round compensatory pick, while a team that lost a wide receiver who signed for $5 million per year might receive a fourth-round pick.

If fewer than 32 such picks are awarded, the remaining picks are awarded in the order in which teams would pick in a hypothetical eighth round of the draft (These are known as "supplemental compensatory selections").

From wikipedia

If you're going by the rules and assuming that the steelers broke even in FA, the steelers could only be awarded a pick in the 7th round. Does anyone know if these rules are incorrect or am I mis-interpreting them? Or am I missing lots of small-time FAs that were signed by other teams last season?

Max Starks Audio Interview

steelguy99 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:48:39 -0000

Max Starks Audio Interview

Steel Curtain Radio, a steeler podcast (for a steeler nation), lands an interview with Max Starks. Great to see the homegrown media get this kind of access.