***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2012 Thread (2 Viewers)

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@EdBouchette: #steelers restructure OT Willie Colon contract to save cap space. $3.8 M of his $4.5 M salary for 2012 becomes bonus pro rated over 4 years

 

[The Hank]

@EdBouchette: #steelers restructure OT Willie Colon contract to save cap space. $3.8 M of his $4.5 M salary for 2012 becomes bonus pro rated over 4 years

Ah.... Colon relief

 

[Godsbrother]

Schefter just sent this seconds ago...@AdamSchefter: Teams with least cap room today: Pitt ($11 million over cap); Oak ($11 mil over); Carolina ($9 mil over); Giants ($9 mil over); Jets (even).

Not too worried about the cap. I am pretty sure that Aaron Smith, Hines Ward, Casey Hampton, Chris Kemoeatu, Dan Sepulveda, Larry Foote and James Farrior's current contracts are all still counting against the cap. Shouldn't be too hard to clean up significant room by restructuring some and outright cutting others.

 

[Copeman]

Schefter just sent this seconds ago...@AdamSchefter: Teams with least cap room today: Pitt ($11 million over cap); Oak ($11 mil over); Carolina ($9 mil over); Giants ($9 mil over); Jets (even).

Not too worried about the cap. I am pretty sure that Aaron Smith, Hines Ward, Casey Hampton, Chris Kemoeatu, Dan Sepulveda, Larry Foote and James Farrior's current contracts are all still counting against the cap. Shouldn't be too hard to clean up significant room by restructuring some and outright cutting others.

This is how I feel as well. Don't know why others are so concerned about it when the writing is there for all to see.

 

[treat88]

Colon is now a Steeler for the length of his contract most likely.

Crap. Shoot. Darn.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@jimwexell: If Steelers pare another $7M off cap to franchise Wallace, and they could, they may as well just gamble & then match with those $$ instead.

 

[Fiddles]

agree with wexell. wait and see is best approach.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Haley hasn't even called Ben yet

Not good.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Schefter just sent this seconds ago...@AdamSchefter: Teams with least cap room today: Pitt ($11 million over cap); Oak ($11 mil over); Carolina ($9 mil over); Giants ($9 mil over); Jets (even).

Not too worried about the cap. I am pretty sure that Aaron Smith, Hines Ward, Casey Hampton, Chris Kemoeatu, Dan Sepulveda, Larry Foote and James Farrior's current contracts are all still counting against the cap. Shouldn't be too hard to clean up significant room by restructuring some and outright cutting others.

Even cutting all of them will leave them tight once rookies are signed and Wallace gets a deal. Here are the cap savings for the players you mentioned. Aaron Smith - 2.1 Hines Ward - 4Casey Hampton - 4.9Chris Kemoeatu - 3.6Dan Sepulveda - is an UFALarry Foote - 3James Farrior - 2.8

 

[Godsbrother]

Schefter just sent this seconds ago...@AdamSchefter: Teams with least cap room today: Pitt ($11 million over cap); Oak ($11 mil over); Carolina ($9 mil over); Giants ($9 mil over); Jets (even).

Not too worried about the cap. I am pretty sure that Aaron Smith, Hines Ward, Casey Hampton, Chris Kemoeatu, Dan Sepulveda, Larry Foote and James Farrior's current contracts are all still counting against the cap. Shouldn't be too hard to clean up significant room by restructuring some and outright cutting others.

Even cutting all of them will leave them tight once rookies are signed and Wallace gets a deal. Here are the cap savings for the players you mentioned. Aaron Smith - 2.1 Hines Ward - 4Casey Hampton - 4.9Chris Kemoeatu - 3.6Dan Sepulveda - is an UFALarry Foote - 3James Farrior - 2.8

Choose between Foote and Farrior and cut the rest and you've trimmed $17.6 million. You also can restructure Ben's contract to get down even more. They'll be fine.ETA: I don't think that Schefter's $11 million figure includes the $3.8 million savings from the Willie Colon restructure.

 

[The Hank]

Schefter just sent this seconds ago...@AdamSchefter: Teams with least cap room today: Pitt ($11 million over cap); Oak ($11 mil over); Carolina ($9 mil over); Giants ($9 mil over); Jets (even).

Not too worried about the cap. I am pretty sure that Aaron Smith, Hines Ward, Casey Hampton, Chris Kemoeatu, Dan Sepulveda, Larry Foote and James Farrior's current contracts are all still counting against the cap. Shouldn't be too hard to clean up significant room by restructuring some and outright cutting others.

Even cutting all of them will leave them tight once rookies are signed and Wallace gets a deal. Here are the cap savings for the players you mentioned. Aaron Smith - 2.1 Hines Ward - 4Casey Hampton - 4.9Chris Kemoeatu - 3.6Dan Sepulveda - is an UFALarry Foote - 3James Farrior - 2.8

Choose between Foote and Farrior and cut the rest and you've trimmed $17.6 million. You also can restructure Ben's contract to get down even more. They'll be fine.ETA: I don't think that Schefter's $11 million figure includes the $3.8 million savings from the Willie Colon restructure.

It didntSteelers are hovering around $8 mil over the cap as we speak.

 

[H8fulHuck]

Ed: What Is Mike Wallace Worth?

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 06:14

Written by Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Good morning,

Mike Wallace is back in the news this week because franchise tags were first permitted to be issued by teams Monday. No surprise the Steelers did not tag Wallace, although they can still do that until March 3.

Kevin Colbert pretty much acknowledged on 93.7 The Fan the other day that the Steelers were in no position to franchise Wallace because they had salary cap problems. The Steelers are about $10 million over the cap now. Franchising Wallace at more than $9 million for 2012 would put them close to $20 million over the cap.

Here is another issue that is more important -- Does anyone think Wallace should get more than $9 million in 2012. And, once they do that, the Steelers would have to start there if they wanted to negotiate a longer-term deal. Wallace is good, but not $10 million annually good. So, they will make him the more reasonable restricted free agent one-year tender and see what develops. Other teams can sign Wallace to a contract after free agency begins . The Steelers would then have two options -- do nothing and receive a first-round 2012 draft choice in return from the team that signed him, or they could match the contract he signed with the other team and keep him.

The Steelers are willing to have Wallace test the market, and if indeed he signs a contract and they deem it too high, they'll take a first-round draft choice in return and have two first-round picks for only the second time since the 1970s NFL merger (the other was 1989). So what is Mike Wallace worth? His first three seasons have been rocket-like, with him climbing higher and higher. However, in the middle of what seemed to be his best and record-setting season, Wallace fizzled.

Through the first eight games, Wallace caught 43 passes for 800 yards, on pace for a 1,600-yard season that would have obliterated the team record by more than 200 yards. However, in the final eight games he caught 29 passes for only 393 yards. He averaged 18.6 yards a catch in the first half of the season, just 13.6 in the second half to finish with a career low average of 16.6 yards per catch.

He topped it off with a miserable playoff game in Denver, where he caught three passes for 26 yards.

Here's the question the Steelers and other prospective suitors in free agency must determine: Did defenses figure out Mike Wallace finally as the one-trick pony that Mike Tomlin long declared he was? Wallace is at his best running the "go" routes and outside flag patterns, where he has a chance to outrun someone. However, when faced with cover two defenses and safeties hanging deep, he's not as effective. He does not seem to fight for the ball at times and even gives up on some when covered.

During this slump by Wallace in the second half of the season, Antonio Brown emerged like a Jeremy Lin. He clearly was the team's best receiver in the second half of the season. Curiously, Brown's rise should have helped Wallace because Brown's best asset is taking a short to medium range pass and running with it.

Maybe all the final eight games and one playoff game merely was a slump for Wallace and he will return to the kind of production he had in the first half of 2011. But as teams turn on the tape, they have to be surprised at the difference between the first half Wallace and the second half Wallace of 2011.

Onto some stuff:

-- YOU: Just wondering, never looked at it this way until now... if Wallace was offered a contract by another team, which he does not want to play for, does he have a choice to reject the contract and work something out with the Steelers? Or do the Steelers have to match that offer regardless? If they can't match the offer, would Wallace be forced to play for that team even if he did not want to accept the offer, kindof like a trade?

ME: Wallace would have to sign a contract before it goes into effect. The large majority of RFAs are never offered contracts, but if they are they certainly do not have to sign them. They can ignore offers and simply return to the Steelers, accept their one-year RFA tender or negotiate a multi-year deal.

-- YOU: What is Colon's status? Will he be healthy enough to play next year? If so do you think he'll renegotiate his deal to a more cap friendly and lower number (not just turning salary into signing bonus) so that he can stay with the team? I know he's right with Ben so maybe he'll give the team a little discount to hang around.

ME: Colon has recovered and is ready to return to play. I would be surprised if Colon gave the team a "discount" or paycut. He turned down a better offer from the Chicago Bears last summer to stay with the Steelers. With Max Starks a UFA with an ACL rehab, the Steelers will move Marcus Gilbert to left tackle. They need Colon and can go elsewhere to find someone who may be willing to take a paycut.

-- YOU: Not that I really care about the purported standoff between Ben and TH, but I am curious how these things work at HQ. Has Todd Haley had a formal meeting with his staff..........WR coach, TE coach, OL coach, etc. and Randy Fichtner? Lost in all this quasi-drama is Fichtner getting caught in the middle......especially after not getting the OC position. Do you get a chance to speak with Fichtner and has he been speaking with both Ben and Haley?

ME: Haley has met all of his coaches and some of the players including at least one quarterback, Charlie Batch. He still has not met Ben R. Fichtner is a good soldier and I assume he will work together with Haley.

--YOU: Worst case scenario on Mike Wallace – the Steelers can’t sign him to a long-term contract, do the appropriate RFA tender, and he gets some outrageous payday offer from a team like the 49ers or Patriots (both of which are in dire need of a deep threat) that the Steelers just cannot match. That would give the Steelers a very late 1st round pick (#30 or 31), which would appear to be poor value for Wallace. Do you know if the Steelers think this is a real concern?

ME: The Steelers are aware that scenario is possible.

The offense and notably Wallace's production tailed off sharply after Ben's injury. Ben lost mobility to buy time in the pocket and lost accuracy on the deep ball (had trouble with follow through). This is a bigger cause for the drop in production than anything Wallace was doing on the field.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I like Wallace as much as the next guy, but honestly it's not a bad fallback position to net an extra first and use some of the newly acquired cap space to play in the FA market that is extremely deep at WR.

May even be able to land a guy that is a little better compliment to Brown and Sanders. Colston or someone in that mold.

Agree with the bolded. It would be at the end of the first as a compensatory pick though, right? Im guessing Wallace will get $7-8M from whoever gets him. As good as he is, hard to see us paying him that considering our cap situation and the 2 young WRs behind him. An extra 1st would be huge in helping us fill our holes. I couldnt imagine getting 2 of Poe/Glenn/Adams/Konz/Hightower.That said, I dont see how losing Wallace frees up cap space though as he wasnt making much off his rookie contract, and I think he is the perfect compliment for Brown & Sanders as Wallace opens up all the stuff underneath.

The team signing Wallace would have to give up their original 1st round pick. For example: The Browns have the 4th and 22nd first round picks. If the Browns sign Wallace, the Steelers would receive the 4th overall pick in compensation. On the other hand, the Patriots have the 27th and 31st picks. NE would have to give up the 31st overall pick. Pittsburgh FO has to hope NE is going to stock up on defensive talent early in the draft as opposed to getting the one key cog their prolific offense is lacking.

Yeah, wasnt sure about this at first but that's how it would work. With this being the case, I wouldnt be too sad if a top 12 team decided to sign Wallace. It would be absolutely horrible if BAL, CIN, or NE signed him, although I think BAL is the least likely because of Torrey Smith. CIN and NE have a ton of cap space though.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I like Wallace as much as the next guy, but honestly it's not a bad fallback position to net an extra first and use some of the newly acquired cap space to play in the FA market that is extremely deep at WR.

May even be able to land a guy that is a little better compliment to Brown and Sanders. Colston or someone in that mold.

Agree with the bolded. It would be at the end of the first as a compensatory pick though, right? Im guessing Wallace will get $7-8M from whoever gets him. As good as he is, hard to see us paying him that considering our cap situation and the 2 young WRs behind him. An extra 1st would be huge in helping us fill our holes. I couldnt imagine getting 2 of Poe/Glenn/Adams/Konz/Hightower.That said, I dont see how losing Wallace frees up cap space though as he wasnt making much off his rookie contract, and I think he is the perfect compliment for Brown & Sanders as Wallace opens up all the stuff underneath.

The team signing Wallace would have to give up their original 1st round pick. For example: The Browns have the 4th and 22nd first round picks. If the Browns sign Wallace, the Steelers would receive the 4th overall pick in compensation. On the other hand, the Patriots have the 27th and 31st picks. NE would have to give up the 31st overall pick. Pittsburgh FO has to hope NE is going to stock up on defensive talent early in the draft as opposed to getting the one key cog their prolific offense is lacking.

Yeah, wasnt sure about this at first but that's how it would work. With this being the case, I wouldnt be too sad if a top 12 team decided to sign Wallace. It would be absolutely horrible if BAL, CIN, or NE signed him, although I think BAL is the least likely because of Torrey Smith. CIN and NE have a ton of cap space though.

Can a team that has traded its first round pick sign a RFA that has been give a first round tender?

 

[treat88]

I like Wallace as much as the next guy, but honestly it's not a bad fallback position to net an extra first and use some of the newly acquired cap space to play in the FA market that is extremely deep at WR.

May even be able to land a guy that is a little better compliment to Brown and Sanders. Colston or someone in that mold.

Agree with the bolded. It would be at the end of the first as a compensatory pick though, right? Im guessing Wallace will get $7-8M from whoever gets him. As good as he is, hard to see us paying him that considering our cap situation and the 2 young WRs behind him. An extra 1st would be huge in helping us fill our holes. I couldnt imagine getting 2 of Poe/Glenn/Adams/Konz/Hightower.That said, I dont see how losing Wallace frees up cap space though as he wasnt making much off his rookie contract, and I think he is the perfect compliment for Brown & Sanders as Wallace opens up all the stuff underneath.

The team signing Wallace would have to give up their original 1st round pick. For example: The Browns have the 4th and 22nd first round picks. If the Browns sign Wallace, the Steelers would receive the 4th overall pick in compensation. On the other hand, the Patriots have the 27th and 31st picks. NE would have to give up the 31st overall pick. Pittsburgh FO has to hope NE is going to stock up on defensive talent early in the draft as opposed to getting the one key cog their prolific offense is lacking.

Yeah, wasnt sure about this at first but that's how it would work. With this being the case, I wouldnt be too sad if a top 12 team decided to sign Wallace. It would be absolutely horrible if BAL, CIN, or NE signed him, although I think BAL is the least likely because of Torrey Smith. CIN and NE have a ton of cap space though.

Can a team that has traded its first round pick sign a RFA that has been give a first round tender?

Nope. No pick, no tender.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@jimwexell: Other ? for Steelers in RFA: Do they risk losing either undrafted starting OG w draft-round tender? 2nd-round tender'd cost add'l $667K each

 

[BigSteelThrill]

@jimwexell: Other ? for Steelers in RFA: Do they risk losing either undrafted starting OG w draft-round tender? 2nd-round tender'd cost add'l $667K each

Foster yes, Legursky no. Kemo cut. Sign Foster to a 3 year deal at about 650 average each season, but a tad less this year.

 

[The Hank]

@jimwexell: Other ? for Steelers in RFA: Do they risk losing either undrafted starting OG w draft-round tender? 2nd-round tender'd cost add'l $667K each

Foster yes, Legursky no. Kemo cut. Sign Foster to a 3 year deal at about 650 average each season, but a tad less this year.

??Legursky played much better than Foster IMHO... I would tender Foster and Legursky, and cut Kemo.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

@jimwexell: Other ? for Steelers in RFA: Do they risk losing either undrafted starting OG w draft-round tender? 2nd-round tender'd cost add'l $667K each

Foster yes, Legursky no. Kemo cut. Sign Foster to a 3 year deal at about 650 average each season, but a tad less this year.

??Legursky played much better than Foster IMHO... I would tender Foster and Legursky, and cut Kemo.

The limitations of Legursky make it so no team will try and snag him.Id prefer to keep both him and Foster. Both were rookie free agents.

 

[The Hank]

@jimwexell: Other ? for Steelers in RFA: Do they risk losing either undrafted starting OG w draft-round tender? 2nd-round tender'd cost add'l $667K each

Foster yes, Legursky no. Kemo cut. Sign Foster to a 3 year deal at about 650 average each season, but a tad less this year.

??

Legursky played much better than Foster IMHO... I would tender Foster and Legursky, and cut Kemo.

The limitations of Legursky make it so no team will try and snag him.Id prefer to keep both him and Foster. Both were rookie free agents.

Ok then, we're good brother!I like Legursky in the Steelers scheme offense with his ability to pull and create more openings at the LOS for RB's.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

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####.

 

[treat88]

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####.

I guess I'm just struggling to see how the Ravens are players for Wallace.They've got to deal with the Flacco, Rice, and Grubbs contracts. Plus they've got Ladarius Webb as an RFA, who is worth every bit the 1st rounder that Wallace is, and they need to figure out how to pay him as well.They might make a play for Wallace but it's going to come at the expense of opening up other holes on their roster.

 

[Godsbrother]

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####.

I guess I'm just struggling to see how the Ravens are players for Wallace.They've got to deal with the Flacco, Rice, and Grubbs contracts. Plus they've got Ladarius Webb as an RFA, who is worth every bit the 1st rounder that Wallace is, and they need to figure out how to pay him as well.They might make a play for Wallace but it's going to come at the expense of opening up other holes on their roster.

Agreed. I could see the Pats or 49ers making a play for him though and the Steelers are left with a low draft pick for compensation which would suck.

 

[treat88]

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####.

I guess I'm just struggling to see how the Ravens are players for Wallace.They've got to deal with the Flacco, Rice, and Grubbs contracts. Plus they've got Ladarius Webb as an RFA, who is worth every bit the 1st rounder that Wallace is, and they need to figure out how to pay him as well.They might make a play for Wallace but it's going to come at the expense of opening up other holes on their roster.

Agreed. I could see the Pats or 49ers making a play for him though and the Steelers are left with a low draft pick for compensation which would suck.

I struggle with the Pats as well. If they truly tag Welker and with their defensive needs a first and a Holmes like deal seems prohibitive. At least it doesn't seem like BB's MO.SF, Cin, and Chi seem like the teams they need to worry about.Question becomes does he think he makes more next year as a UFA vs what he's offered in a RFA tender this year. Someone's really going to have to step up with a contract offer to lure him away...should at least have to come close to matching what he'd expect on the open market next season, otherwise it makes more sense to play out the RFA tag and break the bank in a year.

 

[Kenny Powers]

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.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Cap takes a big bump in '13 & '14, IIRC, as well as having the salary floor that must be met turned on in '13. Keeping Brown/Sanders shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

GregABedard: No agent worth anything is going to do a long-term deal past 2013, unless it's top shelf. New TV money hits cap in 2014.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@jimwexell: Long-time Bengals beat reporter tells me Cincy won't chase Wallace. 'Not their style' and 'have 20 free agents to sign.'

 

[The Hank]

@jimwexell: Long-time Bengals beat reporter tells me Cincy won't chase Wallace. 'Not their style' and 'have 20 free agents to sign.'

This was my thought as well.More likely landing spots would be teams with history of spending $ on top free agents that have low draft position:New England, Baltimore, and San Francisco make most sense IMHO.I'm 75% confident Wallace remains a Steeler.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Hines Ward DUI charges dropped

http://is.gd/Ctq5pY

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Colbert from the combine:

@gerrydulac: GM Kevin Colbert: "we're going to do everything we can to keep mike Wallace with the Steelers."

@ScottBrown_Trib: Colbert says Steelers haven't ruled out using franchise tag on Wallace.

@gerrydulac: Colbert on Wallace: "we want mike to finish

his career with steelers and we're pretty sure he wants to end career w Steelers."

@gerrydulac: Colbert on Hines Ward: "We won't know until once we get salary cap number. We've already had terminations. There will be more to come."

@ScottBrown_Trib: Colbert says he likes Gilbert at left tackle but that "ultimately that's coach Tomlin's call."

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

We've now got Art Rooney II and Kevin Colbert on record saying that Mike Wallace is a priority. I'll be very surprised (and disappointed) if he ends up elsewhere but it takes two to make a deal.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

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

 

[Godsbrother]

@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.

 

[belljr]

When are roster cuts? March 1?

having trouble keeping track

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@gerrydulac: Colbert said it's possible both Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch could be back in 2012. "I hope so. I think they're open to that."

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

@ScottBrown_Trib: Ben Roethlisberger becomes the latest Steelers player to restructure his contract. Clears about $8 million under 2012 salary cap.

@EdBouchette: That $8 M in cap space saved by Ben's redone deal should put #steelers around the projected $120 M cap per team.

 

[The Hank]

@ScottBrown_Trib: Ben Roethlisberger becomes the latest Steelers player to restructure his contract. Clears about $8 million under 2012 salary cap.@EdBouchette: That $8 M in cap space saved by Ben's redone deal should put #steelers around the projected $120 M cap per team.

Should have more than enough salary for Wallace/rookies with cuts from Farrior ($3.8 mil) and/or Foote ($3.6 mil), Ward ($4.6 mil), Kemoeatu ($5.3 mil) and J Scott ($2.7 mil); as well as restructures from Polamalu ($11.3 mil), Harrison ($9 mil), Miller ($7.1 mil) and Hampton ($8.1 mil).

 

[Kenny Powers]

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

 

[Kenny Powers]

@ScottBrown_Trib: Ben Roethlisberger becomes the latest Steelers player to restructure his contract. Clears about $8 million under 2012 salary cap.@EdBouchette: That $8 M in cap space saved by Ben's redone deal should put #steelers around the projected $120 M cap per team.

Should have more than enough salary for Wallace/rookies with cuts from Farrior ($3.8 mil) and/or Foote ($3.6 mil), Ward ($4.6 mil), Kemoeatu ($5.3 mil) and J Scott ($2.7 mil); as well as restructures from Polamalu ($11.3 mil), Harrison ($9 mil), Miller ($7.1 mil) and Hampton ($8.1 mil).

I love Heath, and he is under-utilized (so far), but the Steelers really overpaid him on his deal a couple years ago...Jermichael Finley just got 7.5M per the other day from the Packers and he is a top 5 or so receiving TE. Miller is almost more a blocker than anything, and he's getting elite money.

 

[treat88]

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.

 

[Kenny Powers]

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.

I know as much as the next guy if he would sign a 3-4yr deal in the 5-7 range, thats really up to him/his agent, but why is Santonio's deal the baseline????I thought NYJ really overpaid Tone last year. His numbers give that credence, but I think of him the same as I do Wallace - a very good WR, a top WR for most teams, but not quite elite. And actually, I think Haley may/hope utilize Wallace more like Holmes was and give him some intermediate routes where he has room to YAC.I think it would be detrimental if the Steelers gave Wallace a deal like 6/$50 unless they were positive the cap was going to significantly increase the next 2 years

 

[Acrobat7]

Had a dream of letting Wallace go and signing Mario Williams. Oh well...

 

[The Hank]

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.

I know as much as the next guy if he would sign a 3-4yr deal in the 5-7 range, thats really up to him/his agent, but why is Santonio's deal the baseline????I thought NYJ really overpaid Tone last year. His numbers give that credence, but I think of him the same as I do Wallace - a very good WR, a top WR for most teams, but not quite elite. And actually, I think Haley may/hope utilize Wallace more like Holmes was and give him some intermediate routes where he has room to YAC.I think it would be detrimental if the Steelers gave Wallace a deal like 6/$50 unless they were positive the cap was going to significantly increase the next 2 years

Rumor is the TV money deal is going to raise the cap 10%+ under CBA starting 2013-2014.That'll boost the cap another $12-15 mil over the next few seasons.

 

[LTF]

Had a dream of letting Wallace go and signing Mario Williams. Oh well...

That would suck. He wouldn't start over either Harrison or Woodley. Been overrated his whole career.

 

[treat88]

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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

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.

 

[The Hank]

@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 think Hampton stays on the team (for a reduced price of course), only other NT is McClendon. We usually carry 2-3 of those guys during the season.

 

[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.