***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2012 Thread (3 Viewers)

[Kenny Powers]

@jimwexell: Colbert said with enthusiasm that Hampton will be back with the Steelers. Oddly, 3rd ACL rehab a positive.

Only at a very reduced cap number. There is no way they can afford to keep an aging, portly NT coming off an ACL unless he agrees to a pay cut or restructure.

Maybe the Steelers just keep him on the roster without restructuring until after selecting Poe in the draft. It's also insurance in case someone takes Poe before the Steelers' pick. If all goes according to plan and Poe is drafted, Hampton can be cut to pay for the rookie class.

I dont know how big the difference is moneywise, but I also heard that if they wait until June or July (forget which it was), that Snack's cap penalty will be significantly less that if they cut him now. With how tight they will be with the cap, I think that could be a reason and way they could save a mill or 2 (and also know how healthy he would be entering training camp).

 

[Kenny Powers]

@jimwexell: Colbert said with enthusiasm that Hampton will be back with the Steelers. Oddly, 3rd ACL rehab a positive.

Only at a very reduced cap number. There is no way they can afford to keep an aging, portly NT coming off an ACL unless he agrees to a pay cut or restructure.

If all goes according to plan and Poe is drafted

I hope that isn't the plan.Huge ceiling, huge risk.

Probably more of a 5 tech or 43 3 tech than a 0 tech, so unless LeBeau is switching to a 1 gap scheme...that's a awfully high risk proposition on a first rounder for a guy that doesn't fit.

This stuff is one of the few things I have no interest in learning/understanding, so in layman's terms, can you explain why Poe wouldnt be like any other huge strong fat NT/DT and eat up blockers inside like Hampton?

 

[Bojang0301]

Pretty much everything I see has the Steelers losing Wallace at this point. I'd love to keep him, but I have to agree that he would be overpaid at $9M/yr which is around what they are saying the Ravens are going to offer. Then if there is a large roster bonus for this season, it's game over.

I have to say though, that a roster bonus in the 1st year of a contract is kind of bull####.

Yeah, Im really getting the feeling that he'll be gone. I dont think he's worth more than $6.5M or so, and while I figure some team will offer him more than that, I hope the Steelers dont. I dont even know how they could afford paying him that much over 5 or so years, not to mention having so much invested in Wallace will make it more difficult to pay Brown and Sanders next year.Id also rather they make some of the damn cuts they need to already to even consider bringing back 60 Minutes.

I went from thinking/talking/texting that Wallace was as good as gone this afternoon to after Ben's restructure that he's probably back...Still think he's a top 15-25 WR more than top 10 in the NFL and hope the Steelers dont overpay...Franchise tag would be of: IMO, and I think best case is they extend him a few years in that $5-7M range.And if Hampton apparently wont be cut, for the love of god, cut the rest of them immediately

Santonio Holmes deal is Wallace's baseline. No chance he signs for 5-7 mil per without huge guaranteed money.6 years 50 mil...25 mil guaranteed is my guess.

but why is Santonio's deal the baseline????

Both are/were 25 y.o old WR's with a 3 year history of strong production that possibly are/were switching teams with further upside still. Only Wallace has been more productive with no character flags.Marshall may be another comp at 5 years 47.7 mil 25 mil guaranteed.

It's a little like buying a house in that an agent will use comparable players as an indicator of what his client should expect. Those guys are the most similarly productive WR's that have reupped recently that I know of.

AJ signed a 7 yr 62.7 mil deal with 48 million guaranteed so Mike could always shoot for the moon. There's some metrics that indicate Wallace is a better receiver.

I'm sure his agent will have a strong sales pitch.

With new TV money coming in 2014 Wallace is going to want a deal comparable to what he could get in UFA next season, either that or a Finley-like deal so he can hit UFA in 2014.

I could see 2 years 18 million fully guaranteed.

Hope not. 9 mil for Wallace is franchise tag steep. How much is Brown going to get when he out performs Wallace next season? I doubt the Steelers afford to spend 18 mil on two WR positions.

GB just signed Finley to a 2 yr/15mil deal I don't think 18 mil is out of the question or unreasonable.

 

[treat88]

@jimwexell: Colbert said with enthusiasm that Hampton will be back with the Steelers. Oddly, 3rd ACL rehab a positive.

Only at a very reduced cap number. There is no way they can afford to keep an aging, portly NT coming off an ACL unless he agrees to a pay cut or restructure.

If all goes according to plan and Poe is drafted

I hope that isn't the plan.Huge ceiling, huge risk.

Probably more of a 5 tech or 43 3 tech than a 0 tech, so unless LeBeau is switching to a 1 gap scheme...that's a awfully high risk proposition on a first rounder for a guy that doesn't fit.

This stuff is one of the few things I have no interest in learning/understanding, so in layman's terms, can you explain why Poe wouldnt be like any other huge strong fat NT/DT and eat up blockers inside like Hampton?

Because of his issues with leverage, due to both height and technique, I don't think he will command a G/C double team routinely enough to free up our ILB's to make plays.

 

[H8fulHuck]

@jimwexell: Colbert said with enthusiasm that Hampton will be back with the Steelers. Oddly, 3rd ACL rehab a positive.

Only at a very reduced cap number. There is no way they can afford to keep an aging, portly NT coming off an ACL unless he agrees to a pay cut or restructure.

If all goes according to plan and Poe is drafted

I hope that isn't the plan.Huge ceiling, huge risk.

Probably more of a 5 tech or 43 3 tech than a 0 tech, so unless LeBeau is switching to a 1 gap scheme...that's a awfully high risk proposition on a first rounder for a guy that doesn't fit.

Haven't seen anything listing him as 5 tech, do you have a link to any info on him?Link to an interesting discussion on Poe and whether or not the Steelers will draft a NT in the first round.

 

[H8fulHuck]

Pretty much everything I see has the Steelers losing Wallace at this point. I'd love to keep him, but I have to agree that he would be overpaid at $9M/yr which is around what they are saying the Ravens are going to offer. Then if there is a large roster bonus for this season, it's game over.

I have to say though, that a roster bonus in the 1st year of a contract is kind of bull####.

Yeah, Im really getting the feeling that he'll be gone. I dont think he's worth more than $6.5M or so, and while I figure some team will offer him more than that, I hope the Steelers dont. I dont even know how they could afford paying him that much over 5 or so years, not to mention having so much invested in Wallace will make it more difficult to pay Brown and Sanders next year.Id also rather they make some of the damn cuts they need to already to even consider bringing back 60 Minutes.

I went from thinking/talking/texting that Wallace was as good as gone this afternoon to after Ben's restructure that he's probably back...Still think he's a top 15-25 WR more than top 10 in the NFL and hope the Steelers dont overpay...Franchise tag would be of: IMO, and I think best case is they extend him a few years in that $5-7M range.And if Hampton apparently wont be cut, for the love of god, cut the rest of them immediately

Santonio Holmes deal is Wallace's baseline. No chance he signs for 5-7 mil per without huge guaranteed money.6 years 50 mil...25 mil guaranteed is my guess.

but why is Santonio's deal the baseline????

Both are/were 25 y.o old WR's with a 3 year history of strong production that possibly are/were switching teams with further upside still. Only Wallace has been more productive with no character flags.Marshall may be another comp at 5 years 47.7 mil 25 mil guaranteed.

It's a little like buying a house in that an agent will use comparable players as an indicator of what his client should expect. Those guys are the most similarly productive WR's that have reupped recently that I know of.

AJ signed a 7 yr 62.7 mil deal with 48 million guaranteed so Mike could always shoot for the moon. There's some metrics that indicate Wallace is a better receiver.

I'm sure his agent will have a strong sales pitch.

With new TV money coming in 2014 Wallace is going to want a deal comparable to what he could get in UFA next season, either that or a Finley-like deal so he can hit UFA in 2014.

I could see 2 years 18 million fully guaranteed.

Hope not. 9 mil for Wallace is franchise tag steep. How much is Brown going to get when he out performs Wallace next season? I doubt the Steelers afford to spend 18 mil on two WR positions.

GB just signed Finley to a 2 yr/15mil deal I don't think 18 mil is out of the question or unreasonable.

I guess my point is, the Steelers might hurt themselves by paying this much for Wallace. If someone else is willing to pay that much, at least Pgh would get a first round pick in compensation.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@gerrydulac: Former Ravens Coach Brian Billick said Dontari Poe of Memphis is "absolutely" perfect Steelers nose tackle.

@gerrydulac: Billick said he doesn't want Poe going to Steelers because he has too much Raven blood in him. "I want him to go somewhere else," he said.

@gerrydulac: Dontari Poe said his favorite NFL nose tackle

is Casey Hampton. Imagine that. "I like how aggressive he is," Poe said.

@ScottBrown_Trib: Poe's measurables: 6-4, 346. Said he is a big into lifting, and it looks like it. Didn't look like he had a lot of flab on him.

@ScottBrown_Trib: Poe on Hampton: "I've always followed him. Being one of the best as he is I've followed him for a

long time."

@gerrydulac: Poe benches 500 pounds, squats 700 and power-cleans 400. Expects to do 40 bench reps at combine. "I love the weight room, I do," Poe said.

 

[treat88]

@jimwexell: Colbert said with enthusiasm that Hampton will be back with the Steelers. Oddly, 3rd ACL rehab a positive.

Only at a very reduced cap number. There is no way they can afford to keep an aging, portly NT coming off an ACL unless he agrees to a pay cut or restructure.

If all goes according to plan and Poe is drafted

I hope that isn't the plan.Huge ceiling, huge risk.

Probably more of a 5 tech or 43 3 tech than a 0 tech, so unless LeBeau is switching to a 1 gap scheme...that's a awfully high risk proposition on a first rounder for a guy that doesn't fit.

Haven't seen anything listing him as 5 tech, do you have a link to any info on him?Link to an interesting discussion on Poe and whether or not the Steelers will draft a NT in the first round.

Poe played predominantly 5 tech and 43 3 tech at Memphis with a small mix of NT here and there.When I've watched him he had difficulty holding the POA against a double and I didn't see him split one inside or outside.

He can beat a C left or right man up which is what makes me view him in a more penetrating role 3 tech or 1 gap scheme.

He's certainly a big strong kid. Billick knows than I do so I may very well be wrong about him. I just see lots of risk to go along with that Ngata like upside.

 

[Kenny Powers]

@gerrydulac: Former Ravens Coach Brian Billick said Dontari Poe of Memphis is "absolutely" perfect Steelers nose tackle.@gerrydulac: Billick said he doesn't want Poe going to Steelers because he has too much Raven blood in him. "I want him to go somewhere else," he said.@gerrydulac: Dontari Poe said his favorite NFL nose tackle is Casey Hampton. Imagine that. "I like how aggressive he is," Poe said.@ScottBrown_Trib: Poe's measurables: 6-4, 346. Said he is a big into lifting, and it looks like it. Didn't look like he had a lot of flab on him.@ScottBrown_Trib: Poe on Hampton: "I've always followed him. Being one of the best as he is I've followed him for a long time."@gerrydulac: Poe benches 500 pounds, squats 700 and power-cleans 400. Expects to do 40 bench reps at combine. "I love the weight room, I do," Poe said.

Id still rather take Hightower or 1 of the OL guys but Poe is certainly getting the hype at the moment.Off topic, but I was kind of hoping we hired Billick to be the new OC, although I figured it would be unlikely not only due to BAL ties but moreso because I doubt he takes anything besides an attractice HC job at this point.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Cordy Glenn had a great combine yesterday. Pair that with a very good senior bowl week, and he might be gone by 24

Mike Adams also had a bad combine. 19 reps? And they were saying its easier for short armed guys like him and harder for a long armed guy like Glenn (who had 31)...I think Im ready to cross Adams off my want list.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Adams was never really on mine. Guy sorta has Coke machine feet. He lumbers. Speed rushers in the NFL are going to make him their kitty often.

Throw in the questions about work ethic, decision making and now low upper body strength? No thanks.

 

[Fiddles]

@gerrydulac

Bad news for Steelers: Poe just ran 4.87 in 40. Stock will only rise.

Jeff Darlington ‏ @JeffDarlington

Fun with Numbers: RGIII's 4.41 40 is proportionate to a 346-lb man running it in 6.84 secs. And Poe (at 346 lbs) just did it in 4.87 secs.

Pete Prisco ‏ @PriscoCBS

Poe was considered by some scouts just a nose. With that speed at that weight, he can do what he wants.

 

[The Hank]

@gerrydulacBad news for Steelers: Poe just ran 4.87 in 40. Stock will only rise.Jeff Darlington ‏ @JeffDarlingtonFun with Numbers: RGIII's 4.41 40 is proportionate to a 346-lb man running it in 6.84 secs. And Poe (at 346 lbs) just did it in 4.87 secs.Pete Prisco ‏ @PriscoCBSPoe was considered by some scouts just a nose. With that speed at that weight, he can do what he wants.

I want Poe!

 

[Cookiemonster]

@gerrydulacBad news for Steelers: Poe just ran 4.87 in 40. Stock will only rise.Jeff Darlington ‏ @JeffDarlingtonFun with Numbers: RGIII's 4.41 40 is proportionate to a 346-lb man running it in 6.84 secs. And Poe (at 346 lbs) just did it in 4.87 secs.Pete Prisco ‏ @PriscoCBSPoe was considered by some scouts just a nose. With that speed at that weight, he can do what he wants.

I want Poe!

Pretty sure a few teams inside the top 15 do to.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

I've come to the point I have only one draft wish... RB Doug Martin of Boise St. Maybe in in round 2.

A whole lotta Ray Rice and MJD in a bigger 223lb package.

:drool:

 

[Kenny Powers]

@gerrydulacBad news for Steelers: Poe just ran 4.87 in 40. Stock will only rise.Jeff Darlington ‏ @JeffDarlingtonFun with Numbers: RGIII's 4.41 40 is proportionate to a 346-lb man running it in 6.84 secs. And Poe (at 346 lbs) just did it in 4.87 secs.Pete Prisco ‏ @PriscoCBSPoe was considered by some scouts just a nose. With that speed at that weight, he can do what he wants.

I want Poe!

Pretty sure a few teams inside the top 15 do to.

Im not sure his combine has made him rise that much, but I do think that if the Steelers want him or Glenn, they will have to trade up 5 or so picks. I wouldnt mind trading our 3rd pick (4th if possible) to move up that far and take either.Silver lining is that even if both these guys arent feasible, Donta Hightower would still be a great 1st pick and almost certainly there for the taking. 3rd fastest 40 for an ILB, but what I really love are his instincts and knowledge/leadership.

 

[treat88]

We'll land a quality prospect without question.

Here's what worries me about Poe:

5 sacks, 17 TFL's in 35 games for MEMPHIS; playing against opposition that he should absolutely dominate as a 1st round talent.

Huge upside; huge risk.

Iloka in Round 2 would certainly help against those big TE's 34.5 in arms (LT length arms) and 20 reps on the bench...amazing.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

That's my trepidation with Poe as well. I like him a lot, but with so many Ngata/Hampton comparison being tossed around in my neck of the woods the past few days.....people seem to be forgetting this guy didn't exactly set Conference USA on fire.

Hampton dominated at Texas vs. Big 12 competion. Ngata dominated at Oregon against Pac 10 competiton. Poe did okay against East Carolina, UCF, et al.

If he's available at 24? Sure, take the shot. Trading up a passel of picks to move up the 10 spots it may take to get him? I'm passing on that.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Hines

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-to-release-Hines-Ward/ba693de8-74b6-4435-b879-091e6766736a

 

[Kenny Powers]

Hines http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-to-release-Hines-Ward/ba693de8-74b6-4435-b879-091e6766736a

Sorry Hines, but this was the right move

 

[hammerva]

Hines http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-to-release-Hines-Ward/ba693de8-74b6-4435-b879-091e6766736a

Sorry Hines, but this was the right move

Only if they take care of Mike Wallace. I am not sure that releasing Hines means that Wallace is 100% signed for the future. It should be

 

[Kenny Powers]

Hines http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-to-release-Hines-Ward/ba693de8-74b6-4435-b879-091e6766736a

Sorry Hines, but this was the right move

Only if they take care of Mike Wallace. I am not sure that releasing Hines means that Wallace is 100% signed for the future. It should be

It was the right move regardless of Wallace IMO. If Wallace leaves, Ward isnt still good enough to be our #3 anyway. There are a ton of FA WRs out there that we could pickup if need be.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

/salute Hines Ward

you were one bad ### mutha ####ah!

 

[hammerva]

Hines http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-to-release-Hines-Ward/ba693de8-74b6-4435-b879-091e6766736a

Sorry Hines, but this was the right move

Only if they take care of Mike Wallace. I am not sure that releasing Hines means that Wallace is 100% signed for the future. It should be

It was the right move regardless of Wallace IMO. If Wallace leaves, Ward isnt still good enough to be our #3 anyway. There are a ton of FA WRs out there that we could pickup if need be.

Yeah but is Ward as a #3 worse than Antonio Brown as a #1? Brown had a really good year but one year doesn't make you the top receiver on the team. Looking at the free agent receivers available:Welker - probably franchisedBowe - I know there is the Haley factor as the OC but I just don't like this guy attitude. Not comfortable giving him #1Desean Jackson - worse than Bowe in terms of attitudeReggie Wayne - 4 years ago definitely not sure now plus he is probably more than Wallace was going to be worthThe only WR that I see them going after is Colston or Vincent Jackson. Plus this is the Steelers we are talking about here. It isn't like the skins who doesn't give a crap about money.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Yeah but is Ward as a #3 worse than Antonio Brown as a #1? Brown had a really good year but one year doesn't make you the top receiver on the team. Looking at the free agent receivers available:Welker - probably franchisedBowe - I know there is the Haley factor as the OC but I just don't like this guy attitude. Not comfortable giving him #1Desean Jackson - worse than Bowe in terms of attitudeReggie Wayne - 4 years ago definitely not sure now plus he is probably more than Wallace was going to be worthThe only WR that I see them going after is Colston or Vincent Jackson. Plus this is the Steelers we are talking about here. It isn't like the skins who doesn't give a crap about money.

Our team is far more likely to add lower level vet and just use the draft pick to reload for the long term.

 

[duaneok66]

the wallace situation and the Ward release are two independent events.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

the wallace situation and the Ward release are two independent events.

Except that Hines release frees $3.4 million on the 2012 cap, presumably to sign Wallace long-term.

 

[treat88]

Hines http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-to-release-Hines-Ward/ba693de8-74b6-4435-b879-091e6766736a

Sorry Hines, but this was the right move

Only if they take care of Mike Wallace. I am not sure that releasing Hines means that Wallace is 100% signed for the future. It should be

It was the right move regardless of Wallace IMO. If Wallace leaves, Ward isnt still good enough to be our #3 anyway. There are a ton of FA WRs out there that we could pickup if need be.

Yeah but is Ward as a #3 worse than Antonio Brown as a #1? Brown had a really good year but one year doesn't make you the top receiver on the team. Looking at the free agent receivers available:Welker - probably franchisedBowe - I know there is the Haley factor as the OC but I just don't like this guy attitude. Not comfortable giving him #1Desean Jackson - worse than Bowe in terms of attitudeReggie Wayne - 4 years ago definitely not sure now plus he is probably more than Wallace was going to be worthThe only WR that I see them going after is Colston or Vincent Jackson. Plus this is the Steelers we are talking about here. It isn't like the skins who doesn't give a crap about money.

It's a moot point as Wallace is going nowhere. Worst case scenario is he is tagged.Ward is simply not an NFL caliber WR anymore. They had to scheme him open behind the line of scrimmage to get his 1000 catches. So, yes Brown is far more of a #1 than Ward is a #3.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I certainly want to keep Wallace, but there are worse things in the world I can think of than the 2012 Steelers lining up with Brown, Sanders, and Cotchery as WR1/2/3.

to Hines. It's been a lot of fun.

 

[H8fulHuck]

I certainly want to keep Wallace, but there are worse things in the world I can think of than the 2012 Steelers lining up with Brown, Sanders, and Cotchery as WR1/2/3.

to Hines. It's been a lot of fun.

into the sunset for Hines. The man truly bleeds Black n Gold.That said, I really liked Cotchery last season and felt he was under utilized. Did I miss him signing with the Steelers for 2012? :FingersCrossed:

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@JeromeBettis36: Hines was the toughest teammate I ever played with his passion for the game inspired me! ALL HAiL HINES WARD!!

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

ESPNStatsInfo: Hines Ward to be released by Steelers; 1 of 8 players in NFL history with 1,000 catches, he & Rice only ones with multiple Super Bowls.

That says it all.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Hines http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-to-release-Hines-Ward/ba693de8-74b6-4435-b879-091e6766736a

Sorry Hines, but this was the right move

Only if they take care of Mike Wallace. I am not sure that releasing Hines means that Wallace is 100% signed for the future. It should be

It was the right move regardless of Wallace IMO. If Wallace leaves, Ward isnt still good enough to be our #3 anyway. There are a ton of FA WRs out there that we could pickup if need be.

Yeah but is Ward as a #3 worse than Antonio Brown as a #1? Brown had a really good year but one year doesn't make you the top receiver on the team. Looking at the free agent receivers available:Welker - probably franchisedBowe - I know there is the Haley factor as the OC but I just don't like this guy attitude. Not comfortable giving him #1Desean Jackson - worse than Bowe in terms of attitudeReggie Wayne - 4 years ago definitely not sure now plus he is probably more than Wallace was going to be worthThe only WR that I see them going after is Colston or Vincent Jackson. Plus this is the Steelers we are talking about here. It isn't like the skins who doesn't give a crap about money.

When I said we could sign a FA WR if Wallace walked, I didnt mean a top end guy that would almost make Wallace cash...If 60 Minutes walks, there are under the radar WR, whether young or vet, that the Steelers could sign cheap.

 

[Kenny Powers]

And heres to Hines

Hopefully he hangs them up and doesnt have that 1-2 yrs elsewhere, although right now he is thinking otherwise.

 

[Cookiemonster]

@JeromeBettis36: Hines was the toughest teammate I ever played with his passion for the game inspired me! ALL HAiL HINES WARD!!

Those two shouldered the offensive load for my favorite Steelers era (started watching in '89). Both will be missed and remembered.I for one, hope he can sign on somewhere that can afford him some catches. Ward can do whatever the hell he wants. He's earned it.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I think releasing Hines is a mistake, I hope he re-signs for the vet minimum. His contribution to that team goes way beyond what he does on the field.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

If certain reports are to be believed, they aren't re-signing him. They never even gave him an option to take a pay cut(which he claims he would have). If that's the case, that tells me they aren't interested in having him on the team that much.

One report, that IIRC was from Bouchette(who I would be inclined to trust), intimates that some on the coaching staff(read:Tomlin, according to Ed) didn't want Ward retained a year ago. I can't feature he'll be in any hurry to bring him back now as a shell of his former self if that's the case.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Hines was past his useful life I guess. But I hate that he couldnt retire on his own terms with the team.

They better sign Wallace (at a reasonable price) and retain Cotchery. Wallace, Brown, Cotch, and Sanders are a solid WR Corps.

 

[belljr]

If certain reports are to be believed, they aren't re-signing him. They never even gave him an option to take a pay cut(which he claims he would have). If that's the case, that tells me they aren't interested in having him on the team that much.One report, that IIRC was from Bouchette(who I would be inclined to trust), intimates that some on the coaching staff(read:Tomlin, according to Ed) didn't want Ward retained a year ago. I can't feature he'll be in any hurry to bring him back now as a shell of his former self if that's the case.

I find that tough to believe since they went out of their way to get him 1000 catches. May have to buy a Ward jersey now (no risk of ruining his career now, I have a history)

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I certainly want to keep Wallace, but there are worse things in the world I can think of than the 2012 Steelers lining up with Brown, Sanders, and Cotchery as WR1/2/3.

to Hines. It's been a lot of fun.

into the sunset for Hines. The man truly bleeds Black n Gold.That said, I really liked Cotchery last season and felt he was under utilized. Did I miss him signing with the Steelers for 2012? :FingersCrossed:

No, but I sure hope I'm not going out on a limb in thinking that if they lost Hines AND Wallace that they'd make sure they kept Cotch around.

 

[eric rymer]

As much as I hated seeing him on the other side of the field I always admired and respected the way Hines plays the game. What an amazing run with the Steelers and to me he is exactly what you want from a football player and a team mate. Kudos to you Hines.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

As much as I want to see him retire as a Steeler, it is the reality of today's cap-driven league that you can't afford to keep your aging franchise players past their usefulness. The Steelers are an incredibly loyal organization and I can't fault them for this decision.

 

[Godsbrother]

Hines was a great a Steeler and it is sad to see him go out this way. Hopefully he retires but I am guessing that Hines still has the desire to play and wants to show the Steelers and everyone else that he still has gas in the tank.

If he signs with a non-AFC North team then I wish him well but I suspect that father time has caught up with him.

This one is for you, Hines.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I just hope he doesn't go to Baltimore.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I just hope he doesn't go to Baltimore.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/03/01/ed-bouchette-ward-would-love-to-play-in-baltimore/?src=fb

 

[The Hank]

I just hope he doesn't go to Baltimore.

I think he's more likely to go to a system he is familiar, as well as a team with a need for a #3-4 WR.Teams that instantly match that description:Jacksonville, Arizona, Indianapolis, Chicago, Houston

 

[36th Chamber]

Gonna miss Hines

I wish him the best of luck in whatever he chooses to do.



Do we think he will be back with the team, at some point, in some coaching capacity?

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Next on the plank...

@RalphCindrich: Percentages are not w/ #Steelers keeping @JamesFarrior. He wanted to retire a PS but he is healthy & ready-wants to play. Good morning!

 

[Godsbrother]

Next on the plank...@RalphCindrich: Percentages are not w/ #Steelers keeping @JamesFarrior. He wanted to retire a PS but he is healthy & ready-wants to play. Good morning!

Again not a surprise. The real surprise is that Aaron Smith and Chris Kemoeatu are still on the team.

 

[Godsbrother]

I just hope he doesn't go to Baltimore.

I think he's more likely to go to a system he is familiar, as well as a team with a need for a #3-4 WR.Teams that instantly match that description:Jacksonville, Arizona, Indianapolis, Chicago, Houston

I could definitely see these teams being interested.