***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2009 Thread (1 Viewer)

[Idiot Boxer]

Is this what we're doing with our free time while we wait for round 3 of free agency?

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

High expectations

By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Friday, March 6, 2009

Here is something that could make Maalox the beverage of choice for offensive coordinators around the league.

Steelers defensive coordinator **** LeBeau said there is still room for improvement for outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, who combined for 27.5 sacks last season.

"I think they will get better," LeBeau said. "It's a challenge for us from a coaching standpoint to keep expanding, giving them stuff that can make us better."

That challenge explains the notes that cover a white board in LeBeau's office at the Steelers' South Side practice facility.

LeBeau writes down innovations, ideas and plays that come to him during the course of a season. He sorts through all of those small pieces of paper and separates the ideas that are worth trying from the ones that wind up at the bottom of a wastebasket.

"I've probably got 50 ideas up there," LeBeau said.

Given LeBeau's success, probably few of his brainstorms are not worth at least a look during offseason practices.

Last season the Steelers nearly became the first team since the 1991 Eagles to lead the NFL in rushing, passing and total defense. Harrison and Woodley set a Steelers single-season record for sacks by a duo. Yet what leads LeBeau to conclude that both still have plenty of upside is that they only have three years of starting NFL experience between them.

Harrison, who is entering the final year of his contract, and Woodley will be among the returning leaders on a defense that may lose only one starter from last season. Cornerback Bryant McFadden, an unrestricted free agent, likely will sign elsewhere.

But the unit that yielded the fewest points in the NFL in 2008 may not miss a beat, as the Steelers are high on cornerback William Gay, the likely replacement for McFadden if the latter does not return.

Gay, a second-year man out of Louisville, started four games last season when injuries sidelined McFadden and Deshea Townsend. Gay did well enough that he logged significant playing time even after McFadden returned from a broken forearm.

When asked if Gay is ready to become a starter, LeBeau said, "B-Mac started (at the end of last season), but William played almost an equal number of snaps, so in my mind that question's already been answered. I think we've got a good, quality player there who should continue to grow."

Developing youngsters like Gay and squeezing even more out of supreme talents like Harrison and Woodley is something that still drives LeBeau.

He's 71 and is entering his 51st year in the NFL as a player or coach, but LeBeau has not given any indication that he is close to retiring.

He said he is "dumbfounded" about rumors, which surfaced before Super Bowl XLIII, that the 2008 season might be his last. LeBeau, who found out about the rumors from his son, assured his players that such speculation had not come from him.

He said he is as passionate about coaching as ever.

"Who would not want to be a part of these guys by how they played last year?" LeBeau said. "I suppose there will come a time physically when I won't be able to do it, but I don't think that time has come yet. I feel good, and these guys are a joy to coach.

"What would I be doing if I wasn't here? I'd be watching football, going to football games or writing a football book. I'd rather be coaching."

Notes: The Steelers and Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, talked Wednesday and Thursday about a contract extension. ... With the free-agent signing period a week old, the Steelers have yet to host a free agent.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_614727.html

 

[Evilgrin 72]

BTW - I have completely hijacked the "Cowboys release TO" thread and it's become a debate on whether Roethlisberger is an elite QB or not. Good stuff, I urge you to join the fun.

 

[Stillers Jr.]

BTW - I have completely hijacked the "Cowboys release TO" thread and it's become a debate on whether Roethlisberger is an elite QB or not. Good stuff, I urge you to join the fun.

heh, I saw that.Good work soldier

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I'm single-handedly arguing with like 5 different people.

 

[poopdawg]

I'm single-handedly arguing with like 5 different people.

Well played, sir!

 

[Evilgrin 72]

People are really starting to complain now. I just keep arguing.

Hey, if they go back and look at the origin of it, it was others that started the debate, not me. I just mentioend Ben was a top-3 QB in stating my reasons why Pittsburgh wouldn't necessarily be an illogical landing place for TO (we all know that ain't happening.) Several people took umbrage and started arguing. Who am I to stop it?

 

[Copeman]

The whole "6 time Champion Steelers" is already making some of them angry.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I think the best part of that whole thread, apart from the Owens apologists who STILL claim "he's just misunderstood", may be that you apparently touched enough of a nerve with Chase Stuart that he not only rose to your bait, but he's now being called on it by some dude for peeing in the pool.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The whole "6 time Champion Steelers" is already making some of them angry.

I know, and it's making me laugh every time I see it. You guys are doing a great job with it.

I think the best part of that whole thread, apart from the Owens apologists who STILL claim "he's just misunderstood", may be that you apparently touched enough of a nerve with Chase Stuart that he not only rose to your bait, but he's now being called on it by some dude for peeing in the pool.

Yep. That was one of the highlights for me. I just like debating with Chase, anyway - the guy can bring it, never resorts to stupid name-calling or insults, and always has #s to back him up. He's actually one of my favorite posters in the SP.

 

[Tom Servo]

***SHTICK IDEA***How annoying would it be if all of us that post in this thread did this between now and the start of the 2009 season?Every time you type 'Steelers' in a thread other than this one, instead of just writing 'Steelers', write "6-time Champion Steelers."Holy ####, everyone would want to kill us within a week or two.

I'm glad to now know this is shtick; I thought you'd gone off your nut EG. Whew.But, to make it even better, you could start abbreviating it as 6XSBCPS.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Looks like McFadden is joining the Cardinals:

Source: McFadden gets 2-year deal

With Kurt Warner secure as their quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals went out to help the defense by reaching a deal with cornerback Bryant McFadden.

McFadden, according to a source, agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract that has a simple structure. McFadden will make $5 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. The source indicated that the entire salary for 2009 is guaranteed.

As one of the best players remaining in free agency, McFadden had some interesting options. He could have returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a starter or signed with Philadelphia or Miami, which both expressed interest.

The 27-year-old cornerback came into his own in 2008 and helped the Steelers win a Super Bowl ring. He started eight games and had two interceptions, but he played particularly well during the final weeks of the season and during the playoffs.

A former second-round pick, McFadden had 18 starts in four seasons with the Steelers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3962667

 

[Godsbrother]

Looks like McFadden is joining the Cardinals:

Source: McFadden gets 2-year deal

With Kurt Warner secure as their quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals went out to help the defense by reaching a deal with cornerback Bryant McFadden.

McFadden, according to a source, agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract that has a simple structure. McFadden will make $5 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. The source indicated that the entire salary for 2009 is guaranteed.

As one of the best players remaining in free agency, McFadden had some interesting options. He could have returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a starter or signed with Philadelphia or Miami, which both expressed interest.

The 27-year-old cornerback came into his own in 2008 and helped the Steelers win a Super Bowl ring. He started eight games and had two interceptions, but he played particularly well during the final weeks of the season and during the playoffs.

A former second-round pick, McFadden had 18 starts in four seasons with the Steelers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3962667

I was holding out hope the Steelers might be able to re-sign him but to be honest the defense really didn't miss a beat when he missed all those games. Still, it would have lessened the urgency to draft a CB early in this year's draft.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Looks like McFadden is joining the Cardinals:

Source: McFadden gets 2-year deal

With Kurt Warner secure as their quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals went out to help the defense by reaching a deal with cornerback Bryant McFadden.

McFadden, according to a source, agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract that has a simple structure. McFadden will make $5 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. The source indicated that the entire salary for 2009 is guaranteed.

As one of the best players remaining in free agency, McFadden had some interesting options. He could have returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a starter or signed with Philadelphia or Miami, which both expressed interest.

The 27-year-old cornerback came into his own in 2008 and helped the Steelers win a Super Bowl ring. He started eight games and had two interceptions, but he played particularly well during the final weeks of the season and during the playoffs.

A former second-round pick, McFadden had 18 starts in four seasons with the Steelers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3962667

It makes you wonder what the Steelers were offering, because that really isn't that good of a contract.

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

Looks like McFadden is joining the Cardinals:

Source: McFadden gets 2-year deal

With Kurt Warner secure as their quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals went out to help the defense by reaching a deal with cornerback Bryant McFadden.

McFadden, according to a source, agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract that has a simple structure. McFadden will make $5 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. The source indicated that the entire salary for 2009 is guaranteed.

As one of the best players remaining in free agency, McFadden had some interesting options. He could have returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a starter or signed with Philadelphia or Miami, which both expressed interest.

The 27-year-old cornerback came into his own in 2008 and helped the Steelers win a Super Bowl ring. He started eight games and had two interceptions, but he played particularly well during the final weeks of the season and during the playoffs.

A former second-round pick, McFadden had 18 starts in four seasons with the Steelers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3962667

It makes you wonder what the Steelers were offering, because that really isn't that good of a contract.

Which also makes you wonder how much the staff likes William Gay.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Which also makes you wonder how much the staff likes William Gay.

I've seen LeBeau and Colbert both make statments in post-season interviews about how well Gay did when he was called upon to start(Hell, we all saw it. As GB mentioned, the defense didn't really miss a beat when McFadden got hurt). So, while I think they'd have loved to have kept McFadden, I'm thinking they probably feel pretty okay about Gay's chances.

 

[crowe1130]

That money will be used towards inking Milller and Harrison long term. And in no way did I want to lose BMac if we could keep him. But Im not upset.

It's a shame we couldn't keep him, but it isn't a huge blow.I'll remember him most for two good plays in the final minute to help win the 2005 Indy playoff game.

 

[Copeman]

"Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway is visiting with the Steelers today as the team begins its search for replacements for departed free agents.

Galloway, 37, who appeared in only nine games last season because of injuries, was brought in as a possible replacement for No. 3 receiver Nate Washington, who signed last week with the Tennessee Titans.

A No. 1 draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks in 1995, Galloway played five seasons in Tampa Bay, two while Mike Tomlin was the Buccaneers' secondary coach. Galloway has had six 1,000-yard receiving seasons during his 14-year NFL career, including three in a row from 2005 to 2007 with the Buccaneers.

However, he was limited to 13 catches, 138 yards and no touchdowns in nine games last season because of injuries. Galloway was released as part of a salary-cap purge several weeks ago and has also visited with the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots."

Link

 

[The Hank]

"Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway is visiting with the Steelers today as the team begins its search for replacements for departed free agents.

Galloway, 37, who appeared in only nine games last season because of injuries, was brought in as a possible replacement for No. 3 receiver Nate Washington, who signed last week with the Tennessee Titans.

A No. 1 draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks in 1995, Galloway played five seasons in Tampa Bay, two while Mike Tomlin was the Buccaneers' secondary coach. Galloway has had six 1,000-yard receiving seasons during his 14-year NFL career, including three in a row from 2005 to 2007 with the Buccaneers.

However, he was limited to 13 catches, 138 yards and no touchdowns in nine games last season because of injuries. Galloway was released as part of a salary-cap purge several weeks ago and has also visited with the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots."

Link

Just heard this on the radio --IMHO, Galloway would be a decent complement to the current Steelers WR, and would allow Sweed another year to develop. Not sure if he has alot of gas in the tank (he used to be quite the speed demon), but could be a decent guy to put on the outside, which would allow Hines to be used in the slot where he is most effective.

 

[Steeler]

I'd like to see Galloway join the Steelers if he's got anything left... seems like he'd be a perfect fit to play Nate's role... if he's willing to accept that role at this stage of his career.

 

[The Hank]

I'd like to see Galloway join the Steelers if he's got anything left... seems like he'd be a perfect fit to play Nate's role... if he's willing to accept that role at this stage of his career.

At age 37, I think he would want a chance to get a Super Bowl ring, even if it were as a water boy

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I'd like to see Galloway join the Steelers if he's got anything left... seems like he'd be a perfect fit to play Nate's role... if he's willing to accept that role at this stage of his career.

At age 37, I think he would want a chance to get a Super Bowl ring, even if it were as a water boy

That's basically what he's been saying for a month. I take it with a grain of salt though. What else is a 37 year old, coming off an injury riddled season, who hasn't exactly had teams beating a path to his door going to say?If he's 100% right, they could do worse than having Galloway running Go routes for a year cheaply. I'm skeptical that he isn't just starting to finally fall apart physically though.

 

[treat88]

I'd love to see Galloway as a Steeler.

He is a better WR at age 37 than Nate Washington at 25.

Only thing that concerns me is that the Pats let him walk without an offer. They might know something the rest of us don't.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I'd love to see Galloway as a Steeler.He is a better WR at age 37 than Nate Washington at 25.Only thing that concerns me is that the Pats let him walk without an offer. They might know something the rest of us don't.

I'm afraid they know the same thing the rest of us do: He's 37, looks to be breaking down and probably isn't willing to play for as little as he's been claiming.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

What is Deshea's cap number/contract situation? I kind of wish we wouldnt have extended him and signed McFadden instead.

 

[The Riv]

Joey Galloway in the Black & Gold. Huh. I'm not sure I wouldn't just want to have Sweed thrown into the mix instead. Maybe in 4-WR set Galloway'd be an asset.

 

[JoeSteeler]

What is Deshea's cap number/contract situation? I kind of wish we wouldnt have extended him and signed McFadden instead.

I think he makes just under $2 mil in 2009 and that is the least year he is signed.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I called a Galloway visit in another thread. I had a strong feeling he'd sign here, and I still think he will.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Random, weird story here:

Stolen AFC ring returned to owner nine years laterBy SOLANGE REYNER - Associated Press Writer 2009-03-10 02:54LOS ANGELES (AP) -Brenden Stai was in the middle of a move to Jacksonville in 2000 when he last remembers seeing the AFC championship ring he once donned.It was on his rolodex in his home office, but the hardware had to be packed up and shipped from Kansas to Jacksonville because Stai was being traded again.The ring was stolen and Stai never saw it again.Until this week.Nine years after losing track of the ring, which he earned when he was a rookie with the Steelers in 1995, the expensive jewelry turned up at Cash4Gold, a Florida-based company that buys gold from consumers.The 10-carat ring, valued at $3,000, was flagged by a data entry and testing employee at a Pompano Beach facility and taken to the in-house estate buyer before being handed over to law enforcement in Fort Lauderdale.Stai received a call soon after.``I thought I would never see it again,'' Stai said.``The last time I remember seeing the ring was in my office. It was such a whirlwind of events. I woke up in the middle of the night (in Jacksonville) and was like, 'Where is my ring?' The tough thing about it was I couldn't really get a grasp on where I had left it or if it was stolen by the movers in Kansas City.''Stai, who lives in Nebraska, ordered a replica of the ring with permission from Steelers ownership, the Rooney family.``I was very upset, but what can you do,'' Stai said.The Rooneys originally purchased the AFC rings in '95 for the team. Stai wanted it in his memorabilia.``It was more or less a second-place ring, but it was from the Rooneys themselves,'' said Stai, an All-American at Nebraska who also won a national championship in 1994.Even though the original ring was gone, Stai heard stories of its travels.While playing with the Lions in 2001, the team security guard told Stai that someone in Jacksonville had been using his ring to pose as him in an attempt to pick up women and extort money from older people.``A fan of mine called the Jacksonville front office and told them that somebody was using my ring to come off as me. The guy ended up getting prosecuted, but my ring never showed up,'' Stai said.It turned up in Florida, but the onyx on the top had been popped out and diamonds on the side had also been removed. The package came in from an address in Northern Florida and Cash4Gold turned the person's information over to law enforcement.``The ring was massively large in terms of thickness, gold and size,'' Cash4Gold founder and CEO Jeff Aronson said.``We've never had anything of that magnitude come in. This was shocking for me. I've been in the industry for 15 years and have never seen a championship ring. I tried it on and found out we were the same size.''

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Love to see the Steelers sign Galloway to a 1 year vet minimum deal. There's also been some rumblings that the Steelers have been talking to former Browns/Lions/Duquesne CB Leigh Bodden.

 

[Godsbrother]

Looks like the Browns have found the missing piece to the puzzle. Years from now people will point to this signing as the beginning of the Browns dynasty.

Browns | Poteat signs

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:39:37 -0700

The Associated Press reports the Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent CB Hank Poteat (Jets). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 

[The Hank]

Looks like the Browns have found the missing piece to the puzzle. Years from now people will point to this signing as the beginning of the Browns dynasty.

Browns | Poteat signs

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:39:37 -0700

The Associated Press reports the Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent CB Hank Poteat (Jets). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The beginning... of the end?

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

OK - so maybe I won't freak out if the Stillers don't land Mack or Unger.

TCU’s Schlueter works his way into draft consideration

Posted: March 6th, 2009 | NFL.com Staff | Tags: Blake Schlueter, Jason Phillips, Stephen Hodge

He entered college as a 236-pound (with his clothes wet) freshman. He left a well-chiseled 290-pound NFL prospect.

And now TCU C Blake Schlueter, who was not invited to last month’s scouting combine, might just have gotten himself into the latter rounds of April’s NFL draft with a pro-day workout on Friday morning that really opened some eyes.

The 40 scouts from all 32 teams came to see a pair of combine invites, linebacker Jason Phillips and strong safety Stephen Hodge. They left talking about Schlueter.

Schlueter (6-2 3/8, 290 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds, had a 35-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-3-inch long jump, a 4.28-second short shuttle, and a 7.42-second three-cone drill.

He reminds me of Colts C Jeff Saturday when Saturday came out of North Carolina. Same body build, although Schlueter is a little faster. A pure athlete, everything you want out of a center … except maybe size.

I don’t know if a 290-pound guy can play center in the NFL, but he was 236 when he came to TCU and still has room to grow. Probably moved into the seventh round with his performance on Friday. The guy’s a football player.

Schlueter’s an interesting fellow, too. His position coach at TCU, Eddie Williamson, told me he’s from a one-stoplight town named Ganado, Texas. Williamson remembers visiting the area — he goes to every corner of Texas to recruit — in 1999 and asked if they had anyone with D-I potential. Everyone had the same answer: no, but there’s this kid in the ninth grade you should keep your eye on and follow.

That kid was Schlueter, who ended up committing to TCU very early and kept his promise to the university even though he had multiple offers by the time he was a senior. That says a lot about him, that he would honor his word in this day and age.

Friday’s pro day at TCU was run with precision. One of the most efficient and well-organized pro days I’ve seen. I don’t even know if the Pentagon is that well organized.

C.O. Brocato, the Tennessee Titans’ national supervisor of college scouting, orchestrated the event, and it took all of 1 hour and 50 minutes. Everyone was served breakfast by TCU’s End Zone Club, and we were off and running by 8 a.m. on the FieldTurf of TCU’s beautiful new indoor facility. By the way, 10 years ago the Horned Frogs’ facilities — when LaDainian Tomlinson was there — were probably in the bottom 10 percent; now they’re in top 10 percent, and coach Gary Patterson and a generous alumni should be thanked for that.

Among those in attendance were Chargers senior executive Randy Mueller, Panthers GM Marty Hurney, Steelers special assistant Joe Greene, Broncos scouting consultant Cornell Green and Deion Sanders, who brought eight prospects from his Prime U. training program to witness how the pro-day process works.

Steeler staff also at the Ga Tech Pro Day. (A) to evaluate DE M. Johnson, but also another lineman.

An offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers helped work out Georgia Tech OT Andrew Gardner. The lineman, who measured 6-6 1/4 and 305 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.99 and 4.96 seconds. He had a 30 1/2-inch vertical, an 8-11 broad jump, a 4.70-second 20-yard shuttle time and a 7.51-second three-cone drill time. He decided not to participate in the bench press.

 

[The Hank]

Would be a giant upgrade to our KR/PR

link

Titans cornerback to visit Steelers tomorrow

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tennessee Titans cornerback Chris Carr, who is one of the top return specialists in the American Football Conference, will visit with the Steelers tomorrow -- the second unrestricted free agent to interview on the South Side this week.

Carr was a backup with the Titans last season after spending the previous three seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He finished third in kick returns (28.1-yard avg.) and eighth in punt returns (10.1 avg.) in the AFC last season.

The Steelers are looking for an extra cornerback after losing Bryant McFadden to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. Carr has also visited with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions and has not ruled out returning to the Titans.

First published on March 10, 2009 at 4:37 pm

 

[Irish]

Love to see the Steelers sign Galloway to a 1 year vet minimum deal. There's also been some rumblings that the Steelers have been talking to former Browns/Lions/Duquesne CB Leigh Bodden.

Pats just signed Bodden today. Orlando Pace just got released, think the Steelers would have any interest?

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Really like that they've finally brought Carr in for a visit. He makes a load of sense for them.

Pace.....I think that's probably like flushing money down the toilet at this point. Not the Steelers' M.O. anyway. They don't bring in faded/fading stars who're on their last leg(s).

 

[bucksoh]

Really like that they've finally brought Carr in for a visit. He makes a load of sense for them.Pace.....I think that's probably like flushing money down the toilet at this point. Not the Steelers' M.O. anyway. They don't bring in faded/fading stars who're on their last leg(s).

Pace is the Steelers MO, Hartings,Woolford,Gandy all where on there last leg before going to the Steelers.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Hartings and Wolford were on their last legs? Revisionist history much? Wolford was 31 and coming off of a Pro Bowl season as a LT for the Colts. Hartings was 28 and a five-year starter for the Lions. The only thing Hartings had going against him was the stink of playing for Detroit for so long. Gandy was a total "panic" signing because they allowed John Jackson to go FA in 1997 without a viable replacement on the roster, and then Wolford, who they shifted back to LT for 1998, retired at season's end. Gandy stunk his first year in Pittsburgh, but was still only 28-29 at the time. I don't recall any prior serious injuries hanging over his head, just questions about motivation.

Orlando Pace is 33 and coming off of 3 seasons in which he has missed nearly 50% of the games. If you can't see that he's not in the same sort of situation/shape those other guys were, at the point Pittsburgh acquired them, I can't help you. The risk with Pace is far greater than any of those three guys unless he's willing to play for practically free.

They should hire him to coach the damn OL.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I think we're losing ground in the AFC to the Patriots. They've added quite a few valuable, yet affordable, FAs while we've only even brought in 1.

 

[Franknbeans]

I think we're losing ground in the AFC to the Patriots. They've added quite a few valuable, yet affordable, FAs while we've only even brought in 1.

they needed to

 

[bucksoh]

Hartings and Wolford were on their last legs? Revisionist history much? Wolford was 31 and coming off of a Pro Bowl season as a LT for the Colts. Hartings was 28 and a five-year starter for the Lions. The only thing Hartings had going against him was the stink of playing for Detroit for so long. Gandy was a total "panic" signing because they allowed John Jackson to go FA in 1997 without a viable replacement on the roster, and then Wolford, who they shifted back to LT for 1998, retired at season's end. Gandy stunk his first year in Pittsburgh, but was still only 28-29 at the time. I don't recall any prior serious injuries hanging over his head, just questions about motivation.Orlando Pace is 33 and coming off of 3 seasons in which he has missed nearly 50% of the games. If you can't see that he's not in the same sort of situation/shape those other guys were, at the point Pittsburgh acquired them, I can't help you. The risk with Pace is far greater than any of those three guys unless he's willing to play for practically free.They should hire him to coach the damn OL.

Hartings had knee problems and Detoit was done with him as a guard, we switched him to C were he excelled foe a couple of years, Wolford and Gandy were both discarded from there repective teams. No revsionist history there just facts.

 

[Godsbrother]

I think we're losing ground in the AFC to the Patriots. They've added quite a few valuable, yet affordable, FAs while we've only even brought in 1.

they needed to

And most of their signings are far from sure bets and you have an injured Brady. The Steelers won't play the Pats in 2009 unless we meet in the playoffs and they are going to have their hands full with the AFC East.

 

[Godsbrother]

Steelers keep Colon with one-year dealPittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers retained the services of Willie Colon, inking the restricted free agent offensive tackle to a one-year contract.Colon, who will turn 26 on April 9, was originally selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He has started every game at right tackle for Pittsburgh over the last two years. The Steelers first inserted Colon into the starting lineup after right tackle Max Starks went down with an injury late in the 2006 season. Colon has been the starter ever since and helped the team to a Super Bowl championship last season.

This is a good news/bad news situation for the Steelers. The good news is we keep together the starting o-line from last year.Unfortunately that is also the bad news...

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I think we're losing ground in the AFC to the Patriots. They've added quite a few valuable, yet affordable, FAs while we've only even brought in 1.

they needed to

And most of their signings are far from sure bets and you have an injured Brady. The Steelers won't play the Pats in 2009 unless we meet in the playoffs and they are going to have their hands full with the AFC East.

I dunno. I'd welcome the additions of Bodden, FreddyT and Springs to the Steelers. Bodden would likely even start.The Pats were a 10 win team without their HOF QB. As much as I hate to say it, if they're healthy, they're WELL ahead of us.

 

[Godsbrother]

I think we're losing ground in the AFC to the Patriots. They've added quite a few valuable, yet affordable, FAs while we've only even brought in 1.

they needed to

And most of their signings are far from sure bets and you have an injured Brady. The Steelers won't play the Pats in 2009 unless we meet in the playoffs and they are going to have their hands full with the AFC East.

I dunno. I'd welcome the additions of Bodden, FreddyT and Springs to the Steelers. Bodden would likely even start.The Pats were a 10 win team without their HOF QB. As much as I hate to say it, if they're healthy, they're WELL ahead of us.

Meh. What has Bodden done that makes you think he's any good? He's coming into his 7th season and has played for such powerhouse defenses as the Browns and Lions. Last season he had a grand total of one interception.Freddy T is an old man that may or may not have something left -- I like the Steelers RB situation MUCH better. Springs is often injured and never lived up to his potential in Seattle (or Washington for that matter). Now he is 34 and looking at on the downside of his career. He doesn't scare me in the least.I am not saying these are bad moves but I don't see them as major improvements either and they all have question marks. Considering the Patriots schedule is going to be tougher, the division better, and they're going into the season with a banged up Brady I think the Pats have plenty to worry about. The only position where I think the Patriots have an edge over the Steelers is o-line and that is nothing new.

 

[The Hank]

I think we're losing ground in the AFC to the Patriots. They've added quite a few valuable, yet affordable, FAs while we've only even brought in 1.

they needed to

And most of their signings are far from sure bets and you have an injured Brady. The Steelers won't play the Pats in 2009 unless we meet in the playoffs and they are going to have their hands full with the AFC East.

I dunno. I'd welcome the additions of Bodden, FreddyT and Springs to the Steelers. Bodden would likely even start.The Pats were a 10 win team without their HOF QB. As much as I hate to say it, if they're healthy, they're WELL ahead of us.

Meh. What has Bodden done that makes you think he's any good? He's coming into his 7th season and has played for such powerhouse defenses as the Browns and Lions. Last season he had a grand total of one interception.Freddy T is an old man that may or may not have something left -- I like the Steelers RB situation MUCH better. Springs is often injured and never lived up to his potential in Seattle (or Washington for that matter). Now he is 34 and looking at on the downside of his career. He doesn't scare me in the least.I am not saying these are bad moves but I don't see them as major improvements either and they all have question marks. Considering the Patriots schedule is going to be tougher, the division better, and they're going into the season with a banged up Brady I think the Pats have plenty to worry about. The only position where I think the Patriots have an edge over the Steelers is o-line and that is nothing new.

If this were 2001, those moves the Patriots did would have been excellent moves.To be honest, I would've liked the Steelers to entertain Bodden or Springs for the veteran minimum, but for strictly as a nickel or dime package CB. Personally, I think Gay is ready to take the next step this season as he looked good in BMac's absence. Also, if the Steelers are confident in the guys they have in the secondary currently, or possibly willing to add in April, I'll trust their judgement. As for Fragile Freddy, no way in hell. You have Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenall, Mewelde Moore (who was a giant reason we were successful in the season filling in for FWP), Gary Russell... and you want to add a 33+ year old guy on the downturn of his career into the mix, whenever he is coming off of a statistical bad season? No thanks.Who would you rather have?2008 Stats Att Att/G Yds Avg Total TDs Rec RecYdsPlayer A - 140 8.8 588 4.2 6 40 325Player B -143 11.0 556 3.9 1 16 98I'd take player A. Mewelde Moore over player B. Freddy T... hell i'd rather have Freddie Mac!The Black and Gold brass know what they are doing.

 

[Fiddles]

I think we're losing ground in the AFC to the Patriots. They've added quite a few valuable, yet affordable, FAs while we've only even brought in 1.

they needed to

And most of their signings are far from sure bets and you have an injured Brady. The Steelers won't play the Pats in 2009 unless we meet in the playoffs and they are going to have their hands full with the AFC East.

I dunno. I'd welcome the additions of Bodden, FreddyT and Springs to the Steelers. Bodden would likely even start.The Pats were a 10 win team without their HOF QB. As much as I hate to say it, if they're healthy, they're WELL ahead of us.

im not sure that measuring up free agent signing has anything to do with what will happen when they play the gamesanything can happen on any given sunday and worrying about free agency signing seems like putting the cart way before the horseits kinda like worrying about our 2008 season chances based on strength of schedule and our Oline

 

[Ben Stiller]

Just heard the Steelers signed OLB Andre Frazier for two more years. At lunch I was reading Kiper & McShay's mock draft. Both have the Steelers going CB, one took Darius Butler, the other Alphonso Smith.

 

[The Hank]

http://postgazette.com/pg/09071/955127-66.stm

Steelers re-sign backup LB Frazier

Thursday, March 12, 2009

By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers have re-signed one of their linebackers, but it wasn't James Harrison.

Andre Frazier, a backup outside linebacker who was an unrestricted free agent, signed a two-year, $1.375 million contract to return to the team.

Frazier will receive a signing bonus of $125,000 and salaries of $625,000 in 2009 and $630,000 in 2010.

First published on March 12, 2009 at 12:31 pm

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Just heard the Steelers signed OLB Andre Frazier for two more years. At lunch I was reading Kiper & McShay's mock draft. Both have the Steelers going CB, one took Darius Butler, the other Alphonso Smith.

I'm more convinced by the day that CB is where they'll go in round 1 unless one of the top 5-6 tackles falls precipitously. I'd prefer OL, but I would rather see them draft a legit 1st round talent like Smith than reach for Loadholt, Unger, or Duke Robinson. Wright has Jarron Gilbert going to them in round 2. I don't think there's a fart's chance in a dust storm that he lasts until pick 64, but if he's there, I don't know how they pass on him, even if they didn't go OL in round 1. I know this will make IB's head explode, but Gilbert is a virtual lock to be a 5-10 year starter on the DL and maybe better than Aaron Smith.. I love the guy and would love to have him on the team.