Steelers (2007) (1 Viewer)

[Memphis Foundry]

That's a good thought. You know, even if we don't land a new DE in the first day, maybe Chris Hoke could line up at end. He looked surprisingly good in 2004 in place of Casey Hampton but he's actually quite a bit closer to the Aaron Smith mold. Or there could be a scheme adjustment where we play two tackles (Hoke and Hampton) an end (Aaron Smith) with Keisel in an "elephant" role. Lots of good possibilities.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

2 free agents visit SteelersThursday, March 08, 2007By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Steelers entertained their first two unrestricted free agents today when Seattle offensive lineman Floyd Womack and Baltimore wide receiver Alex Bannister paid a visit to their facility on the South Side. Punter Andy Lee, a restricted free agent, is the only other player to visit the Steelers since free agency began Friday. The Steelers signed Lee and await word whether his team, the San Francisco 49ers, will match the offer.Bannister stands 6 feet 5 and made the Pro Bowl as a special teams player in 2003. Seattle drafted him on the fifth round in 2001 from Eastern Kentucky and waived him in June. Baltimore signed him last Dec. 19. Womack, nicknamed "Pork Chop" by his mother, is a 6-4, 330-pound versatile lineman who has played every position except center. Seattle also drafted him in 2001, on the fourth round

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Porkchop! There was talk a couple offseasons ago that he was being considered for PIT. They must like the chop.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Pork Chop would be a nice upgrade over Barrett Brooks.

 

[Barry]

Pork Chop would be a nice upgrade over Barrett Brooks.

and Kendall Simmons

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

That's a good thought. You know, even if we don't land a new DE in the first day, maybe Chris Hoke could line up at end. He looked surprisingly good in 2004 in place of Casey Hampton but he's actually quite a bit closer to the Aaron Smith mold. Or there could be a scheme adjustment where we play two tackles (Hoke and Hampton) an end (Aaron Smith) with Keisel in an "elephant" role. Lots of good possibilities.

\Hoke, Chris NT 6-2 305 . Is this right??? I can't believe hes 6-2 I always thought he was too short to play anything but nose, I guess I was wrong, maybe he could play DE. Really like the guy, hes tough and mean and ugly, perfect mold for the Steel Curtain.

 

[jetpack]

Pork Chop would be a nice upgrade over Barrett Brooks.

Left today without signing.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

It's official -- the Niners matched our offer sheet for Andy Lee.

Niners match Steelers' offer to punter Lee

Thursday, March 8, 2007

(03-08) 17:28 PST Santa Clara, Calif. (AP) --

Punter Andy Lee will stay with the San Francisco 49ers, who matched the Pittsburgh Steelers' contract offer to the restricted free agent on Thursday.

Lee, who played collegiately at Pitt, agreed to a six-year contract worth more than $7 million with the Steelers on Monday. The 49ers quickly agreed to match the deal for Lee, who has spent each of his three pro seasons with San Francisco.

Lee had his best season in 2006 after beating out veteran Tom Rouen in training camp, posting the highest average by a San Francisco punter in 41 seasons. Lee averaged 44.8 yards per kick, finishing seventh in the NFL and barely missing Tommy Davis' franchise record of 45.8 in 1965.

 

[Godsbrother]

It's official -- the Niners matched our offer sheet for Andy Lee.

As long as we still can Gardocki I am glad this fell through

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Pork Chop would be a nice upgrade over Barrett Brooks.

Left today without signing.

He probably wants to start and get paid for it, while the Steelers are probably offering backup money, as they should. Guys not all that good. Not sure he'd be any upgrade over Simmons, though if they moved Simmons to center, he might be better than Kemoeatu.

 

[Irish]

Linebacker visits SteelersFriday, March 09, 2007By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteColby Bockwoldt became the first linebacker in free agency to visit the Steelers when he arrived at their UPMC facility on Pittsburgh's South Side this morning.Bockwoldt, 25, started all 16 games for the New Orleans Saints at outside linebacker in 2005 but he was waived before last season. Tennessee claimed him off waivers and he played primarily as a backup and special teams player for the Titans, where he started one game.Bockwoldt, a seventh-round draft pick from BYU in 2004, became an unrestricted free agent when the Titans did not issue him a qualifying contract offer last week that would have made him a restricted free agent.He became the fourth player to visit the Steelers in free agency. A fifth, Tampa Bay offensive lineman Sean Mahan, is scheduled to visit this afternoon.

 

[Irish]

Steelers try again with free agents Mahan, Bockwoldt By Scott BrownTRIBUNE-REVIEWFriday, March 9, 2007The Steelers could be close to signing their first free agent.After visiting the team's South Side practice facility today, linebacker Colby Bockwoldt said he hoped the details could be worked out for a deal that would bring him to the Steelers and reunite him with some of his former Brigham Young teammates like defensive end Brett Keisel.Bockwoldt, who played for the Tennessee Titans last season, said he has offers from the Titans and San Francisco 49ers but that he would prefer to sign with the Steelers."Whether it's comparable with other offers I have out there, we'll see," Bockwoldt said, "but this is the place where I want to be, so if it comes down to a close call this is where I hope I end up."Bockwoldt played two seasons with the New Orleans Saints, the team that drafted him in 2004, before getting released. He had 89 tackles for the Saints in 2005.Offensive lineman Sean Mahan also met with the Steelers Friday about possibly taking over for the retired Jeff Hartings at center.Mahan, who has played four seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said the Steelers want him to compete with Chukki Okobi and possible Kendall Simmons for Hartings' old job.He also has met with the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks and is talking with the Buccaneers about re-signing with them.Mahan said the Browns and Seahawks are courting him to play right guard."I plan on being a starter so I'm not going to go someplace and not play," he said when asked how much potential playing time will factor into where he signs.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

Bockwoldt sounds promising. Its a new name to me honestly, but he seems like a good addition.

 

[Irish]

Steelers, lineman close to deal; LB visitsSaturday, March 10, 2007By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Steelers last night made significant progress on a contract with free agent offensive lineman Sean Mahan and the sides hope to have a deal in place by today.Mahan, a starter the past three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would become the first free agent to sign with the Steelers this year.Linebacker Colby Bockwoldt of Tennessee also visited the Steelers yesterday but talks did not produce a contract.They were the third and fourth players in the past two days to visit the Steelers.Mahan, who has started 36 games at both guard spots and at center for the Buccaneers the past three seasons, played in Tampa Bay when new Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was the Buccaneers' secondary coach.Bockwoldt is a former starting outside linebacker in New Orleans who played primarily on special teams with the Titans last season.Mahan would compete with Chukky Okobi, the longtime heir apparent, and guard Kendall Simmons to replace the retired Jeff Hartings at center if he were to sign with the Steelers.That's what their coaches told him, anyway.Mahan, 26, also visited Seattle and Cleveland -- teams that want him to play guard, he said -- and the Buccaneers want him to return to play center."Jeff Hartings retired and there's another center on their roster, Chukky Okobi, and they also have the idea of maybe trying Kendall Simmons out at center, too, so they want me to come in and compete for the starting job," Mahan said.Mahan, a fifth-round pick from Notre Dame in 2003, started eight games at center for the Buccaneers in 2004 after a season-ending injury to John Wade. He started 16 games at right guard in 2005 and 12 games at left guard last season."I don't have a favorite position," Mahan said. "I like them both."Bockwoldt, 25, became the first linebacker in free agency to visit the Steelers. He started all 16 games for the New Orleans Saints at outside linebacker in 2005 but was waived before last season.Tennessee claimed him off waivers and he played primarily as a backup and special teams player for the Titans, where he started one game.He has offers from Tennessee and San Francisco, he said.Bockwoldt, a seventh-round draft pick from BYU in 2004, became an unrestricted free agent when the Titans did not issue him a qualifying contract offer last week that would have made him a restricted free agent.He played with some of the current Steelers at BYU."I know a few players here: Brett Keisel, Chris Hoke, Shaun Nua, all my BYU guys. And they had nothing but great things to say about this team, this city, this organization, the people that work here. So I hope the business side of it can be taken care of and we can show up for work on the 19th."The Steelers admittedly are thin at outside linebacker and Bockwoldt will at least provide some experience at the position. He said they will give him an opportunity to start, but it's more likely James Harrison will move into a starting job with Clark Haggans unless a rookie changes those plans."Special teams is a must," Bockwoldt said of his role with the Steelers. "And with the departure of a great linebacker here, obviously spots need to be filled. [i'd] probably come in as an outside linebacker for now and spend the offseason figuring out where we all fit."

 

[-OZ-]

Very interesting thought by Dale Lolley (Wash Observer) in his blog today:

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Keisel to OLB

http://www.o-ronline.net/weblog/football/

Now that Joey Porter is gone and the Steelers have been rebuffed in their efforts to acquire a veteran outside linebacker in free agency - not that the crop was that good to begin with - many are asking what they will do now?

One possibility is to move defensive end Brett Keisel to outside linebacker and select a young defensive end in the draft to take his place. Nebraska's Adam Carricker certainly would fit and could be available when the Steelers make their first-round pick, the 15th overall.

The Steelers have been smart not to dive into this free agent pool. Some of the contracts being given out are way over the border for ridiculous.

The Steelers will restock through the draft this year. And it's a deep draft, much deeper than the free agent pool.

posted by Dale Lolley at 12:01 AM 0 comments

I've heard that Keisel is one heck of an athlete so maybe this is a possibility.

This is a very distinct possibility although he's going to have to drop some weight. He's about 25-30 lbs too heavy.

Odd, I thought I had heard Keisel could move to DT in a 4-3.

 

[The Hank]

Very interesting thought by Dale Lolley (Wash Observer) in his blog today:

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Keisel to OLB

http://www.o-ronline.net/weblog/football/

Now that Joey Porter is gone and the Steelers have been rebuffed in their efforts to acquire a veteran outside linebacker in free agency - not that the crop was that good to begin with - many are asking what they will do now?

One possibility is to move defensive end Brett Keisel to outside linebacker and select a young defensive end in the draft to take his place. Nebraska's Adam Carricker certainly would fit and could be available when the Steelers make their first-round pick, the 15th overall.

The Steelers have been smart not to dive into this free agent pool. Some of the contracts being given out are way over the border for ridiculous.

The Steelers will restock through the draft this year. And it's a deep draft, much deeper than the free agent pool.

posted by Dale Lolley at 12:01 AM 0 comments

I've heard that Keisel is one heck of an athlete so maybe this is a possibility.

This is a very distinct possibility although he's going to have to drop some weight. He's about 25-30 lbs too heavy.

Odd, I thought I had heard Keisel could move to DT in a 4-3.

I've been hearing A.Smith's name when talking about DT.

 

[wefcpa]

Done deal for offensive lineman

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/07069/768538-100.stm

Steelers sign offensive lineman Sean Mahan

Saturday, March 10, 2007

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers today signed Tampa Bay offensive lineman Sean Mahan to a five-year contract as an unrestricted free agent.

Mahan, 26, has been told by the Steelers coaches that he will compete with Chukky Okobi and Kendall Simmons to replace the retired Jeff Hartings at center.

A fifth-round draft pick from Notre Dame in 2003, Mahan started eight games at center for the Bucs in 2004 after a season-ending injury to John Wade. He started 16 games at right guard in 2005 and 12 games at left guard last season.

He is the first free agent to sign with the Steelers this year.

 

[msommer]

Bockwoldt sounds promising. Its a new name to me honestly, but he seems like a good addition.

He apparently sucked so badly that they cut him so they could go with Simeneau, Fujita and Shalne, and Danny Clark

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Mahan seems like a solid add -- lots of options now in the middle of the line.

 

[3C's]

Mahan seems like a solid add -- lots of options now in the middle of the line.

Agreed. And a guy that has played 3 spots in the NFL. Gotta love a guy like that.

 

[Irish]

The Pittsburgh Steelers provided themselves depth, flexibility and competition on the offensive line Saturday afternoon, reaching an agreement with unrestricted free agent blocker Sean Mahan.The five-year deal is worth $17 million and includes a signing bonus believed to be about $4 million.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

Bockwoldt sounds promising. Its a new name to me honestly, but he seems like a good addition.

He apparently sucked so badly that they cut him so they could go with Simeneau, Fujita and Shalne, and Danny Clark

Yeah, and its widely agreed Tenessee is the definitive judge of talent. The guy played very well for the Saints in 05.

 

[Balco]

The Mahan signing is interesting. It looks like the Steelers will have to decide between Fanaca and Palamalu next season, this could be the sign that they are going with the safety over the guard.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

The Mahan signing is interesting. It looks like the Steelers will have to decide between Fanaca and Palamalu next season, this could be the sign that they are going with the safety over the guard.

Polamalu's best years are ahead of him. I don't think the same can be said of Faneca.

 

[msommer]

Bockwoldt sounds promising. Its a new name to me honestly, but he seems like a good addition.

He apparently sucked so badly that they cut him so they could go with Simeneau, Fujita and Shalne, and Danny Clark

Yeah, and its widely agreed Tenessee is the definitive judge of talent. The guy played very well for the Saints in 05.

Actually it was the Saint that cut him - since he was such a force to be reckoned with

 

[SteelerMurf]

The Mahan signing is interesting. It looks like the Steelers will have to decide between Fanaca and Palamalu next season, this could be the sign that they are going with the safety over the guard.

I vote sign Troy anyway...it's easier to find a guard than a playmaking safety, especially since Faneca will be 31

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Interesting -- Ed Bouchette speculates that Mahan will be given a starting spot somewhere in the line based on his salary. After looking at the salaries on the board for our linemen, I think he's 100% right.

That would probably make Okobi the odd man out if he does not win the starting C job since he's not as flexible as Simmons (no experience that I know of at G) and he's making a lot more money than either Marvin Philip ($379,716) or Chris Kemoeatu ($455,584). According to the PG salary cap chart, Okobi will count $2,456,000 against the cap this year if we keep him but only about $456,000 if he is cut. And given that he makes it past June 1 (a virtual certainty) we'd only take half of that cap hit this year if we release him during cutdowns.

Assuming Simmons gets a reasonable number of snaps at C in training camp and can fill in in a pinch and Philip makes the final roster, I agree with Bouchette -- I think Okobi has to win the starting job or get bounced.

Steelers add to center competition

Free-agent Mahan signs 5-year, $17 million deal

Sunday, March 11, 2007

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers certainly did not take the retirement of two-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings sitting down.

After signing free agent offensive lineman Sean Mahan, 26, to a five-year, $17 million contract yesterday, the team is awash in centers.

Mahan, who received a $4 million signing bonus as part of his deal, was told by the coaching staff that he will compete with six-year veteran Chukky Okobi and guard Kendall Simmons to replace Hartings. Marvin Philip, a sixth-round draft choice last year, also is on the roster.

A fifth-round draft pick from Notre Dame in 2003, Mahan (6 feet 3, 301 pounds) started eight games at center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004 after a season-ending injury to John Wade. He started 16 games at right guard in 2005 and 12 games at left guard last season.

He is the first unrestricted free agent to sign with the Steelers this year.

The logjam at center could be resolved in any number of ways. Simmons could remain at right guard or, if Simmons wins the job at center, Mahan could play at right guard, a position where other teams wanted him, including the Cleveland Browns.

The future of Okobi also comes into question. He and Hartings both took pay cuts last year to remain on the team and Okobi long has been regarded as the heir apparent at the position.

Okobi is scheduled to make a $2 million salary this season and that would be an unusually high amount for a backup. Even backup quarterback Charlie Batch is set to earn $645,000 less than that.

The signing of Mahan is important to the Steelers in other ways as well. It gives them a young lineman with versatility and experience at three different positions as a starter. And it also gives them some protection as Simmons and All-Pro left guard Alan Faneca enter the final years of their contracts with no progress made toward extensions on either.

New Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was the Buccaneers' secondary coach for all but one of Mahan's seasons there.

"To be honest, I'm not sure when I opened [the Steelers'] eyes," Mahan said. "Talking with their O-line coach, I've obviously known Mike Tomlin for a number of years, him being in Tampa with me. The O-line coach previously had seen me on film back at Notre Dame and Tampa.

"They want me to come in and play center so they've seen [videotape] back to 2004 when I played center. Me playing left guard was because of injuries primarily. Tampa wanted me to play center and then we had injuries on the line so I moved out to left guard, right guard because I'm a versatile player."

One thing's for sure, Mahan will start somewhere after the Steelers paid him that much money.

"I plan on being a starter, so I'm not going to go someplace and not play," he said on Friday.

"We are happy to add Sean to our roster," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said in a statement released by the team. "Having started at both guard and center, he will provide competition through his experience and versatility."

(Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com. )

Link

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

Bockwoldt sounds promising. Its a new name to me honestly, but he seems like a good addition.

He apparently sucked so badly that they cut him so they could go with Simeneau, Fujita and Shalne, and Danny Clark

Yeah, and its widely agreed Tenessee is the definitive judge of talent. The guy played very well for the Saints in 05.

Actually it was the Saint that cut him - since he was such a force to be reckoned with

Your mom is a force to be reckoned with.Go Steelers.

 

[msommer]

Bockwoldt sounds promising. Its a new name to me honestly, but he seems like a good addition.

He apparently sucked so badly that they cut him so they could go with Simeneau, Fujita and Shalne, and Danny Clark

Yeah, and its widely agreed Tenessee is the definitive judge of talent. The guy played very well for the Saints in 05.

Actually it was the Saint that cut him - since he was such a force to be reckoned with

Your mom is a force to be reckoned with.Go Steelers.

How did you know that?She really is.Back to Colby (and away from the infantile jabs) - you should not expect a lot from Colby Bockwoldt, except on Special Teams.

 

[east2west]

Mahan seems like a solid add -- lots of options now in the middle of the line.

I remember catching a Tampa game last year and hearing him mentioned a couple times.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Mahan seems like a solid add -- lots of options now in the middle of the line.

I remember catching a Tampa game last year and hearing him mentioned a couple times.

That's more often bad than good when it comes to the OL.

 

[Irish]

Agent pleased with Steelers center Okobi's status By John HarrisTRIBUNE-REVIEWWednesday, March 14, 2007Joe Linta can do the math. Chukky Okobi, one of his clients, has three years remaining on his contract and is scheduled to earn about $2.5 million in 2007.Okobi will challenge Kendall Simmons and new addition Sean Mahan to become the starting center as the Steelers look to replace Jeff Hartings. The fact that Okobi wasn't asked to take a pay cut is good news for his client, Linta said.Linta spoke with Steelers management and was told Mahan's signing doesn't mean Okobi is no longer a part of the team's plans. Linta said Mahan's five-year, $17 million deal, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, isn't excessive and doesn't guarantee he will start."We've talked. Everything's fine. Chukky's been told, I've been told, he will be given every opportunity to start," Linta said Tuesday. "If they gave this kid (Mahan) Eric Steinbach money, that would indicate he was going to start. This is middle-of-the-pack, lower starting guard money."Steinbach, who plays guard, signed a seven-year, $49.5 million free-agent contract with Cleveland. Mahan, who started at guard for Tampa Bay last season, has the versatility to play center.Linta said it's incorrect to assume Mahan's signing means Okobi is on the way out.For starters, the Steelers didn't ask Okobi to take a pay cut, which would be the normal procedure for a player at Okobi's salary level if he were going to be the backup."Chukky's premature death was misrepresented," Linta said. "The fact that they didn't ask Chukky to take a pay cut is huge. That tells me they're going to treat him fairly. He won't be making backup pay. If he doesn't beat the guy out, he's going to be a well-paid backup."Note: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was among 100 NFL personnel in attendance yesterday to watch Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson, defensive tackle Keith Jackson and cornerback Chris Houston at the school's pro day. Anderson and Houston are projected first-round picks. Tomlin is expected to attend Louisiana State's pro day today to watch projected first-round picks Laron Landry (safety) and Dwayne Bowe (wide receiver).

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

http://www.o-ronline.net/weblog/football/

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Steelers open talks

Word is that the Steelers have opened contract talks with three 2008 potential free agents - Troy Polamalu, Alan Faneca and Kendall Simmons.

Of those three, Simmons is the surprise. But remember, the contract talks are preliminary and the team could be just feeling him out to see what his demands would be.

posted by Dale Lolley at 11:31 PM 0 comments

 

[Godsbrother]

http://www.o-ronline.net/weblog/football/

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Steelers open talks

Word is that the Steelers have opened contract talks with three 2008 potential free agents - Troy Polamalu, Alan Faneca and Kendall Simmons.

Of those three, Simmons is the surprise. But remember, the contract talks are preliminary and the team could be just feeling him out to see what his demands would be.

posted by Dale Lolley at 11:31 PM 0 comments

Where has this Dale Lolley been? The word the Steelers have opened talks with Polamalu and Faneca is sveeral weeks old. Simmons is a surprise though...

 

[SomeGuyNamedDavid]

Very interesting thought by Dale Lolley (Wash Observer) in his blog today:

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Keisel to OLB

http://www.o-ronline.net/weblog/football/

Now that Joey Porter is gone and the Steelers have been rebuffed in their efforts to acquire a veteran outside linebacker in free agency - not that the crop was that good to begin with - many are asking what they will do now?

One possibility is to move defensive end Brett Keisel to outside linebacker and select a young defensive end in the draft to take his place. Nebraska's Adam Carricker certainly would fit and could be available when the Steelers make their first-round pick, the 15th overall.

The Steelers have been smart not to dive into this free agent pool. Some of the contracts being given out are way over the border for ridiculous.

The Steelers will restock through the draft this year. And it's a deep draft, much deeper than the free agent pool.

posted by Dale Lolley at 12:01 AM 0 comments

I've heard that Keisel is one heck of an athlete so maybe this is a possibility.

This is a very distinct possibility although he's going to have to drop some weight. He's about 25-30 lbs too heavy.

Friend of mine saw Kiesel play in a charity bball game and said the guy is a freak. Said he was fast and was dunking with ease. Sounds like he definitely has the athletic ability to play lb. I don't imagine dropping the weight would be that hard.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

We re-signed Chidi Iwuoma to a one year deal today:

Steelers Re-Sign Cornerback Iwuoma

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers retained the services of unrestricted free agent cornerback Chidi Iwuoma today when they signed the sixth-year veteran to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Iwuoma (5-9, 184) had been a member of the Steelers from 2002-05, but was released on Sept. 6, 2006, prior to the start of the regular season. The Steelers re-signed him to their active roster on Dec. 4, and he played in two games before being placed on the team's reserve/injured list Dec. 20 due to a wrist injury.

Iwuoma served as the Steelers' special teams co-captain in both 2004 and '05. He has recorded 72 special teams tackles with the Steelers since joining the team in 2002. Iwuoma began his NFL career in 2001 as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions, and finished that season with 11 special teams tackles.

GB that. . .

 

[Memphis Foundry]

. . . because Sean Morey signed a three year deal with the Cardinals:

Morey leaves Steelers for Cardinals

By The Tribune-Review

Friday, March 16, 2007

Sean Morey, a special teams standout and reserve wide receiver for the Steelers the past three seasons, signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday. Terms were not disclosed. Morey will reunite with former Steelers coaches Ken Whisenhunt (head coach), Russ Grimm (assistant head coach/offensive line) and Kevin Spencer (special teams) in Arizona.

Morey appeared in all 16 games last season for the Steelers, collecting a team-high 21 special teams tackles and returning eight kickoffs for 202 yards (25.3 yard avg.). He appeared in 15 regular-season games and all four playoff contests for the Super Bowl champion Steelers in 2005 and collected 18 special teams tackles.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

How would Steeler fans feel if their squad reached a bit to fill a big need at RT by taking Joe Staley?

His recent workouts have been outstanding. He has quick feet that would really help in the passing game (as opposed to the cement-footed Max Starks), and obviously lead the way for FWP.

I'm just speculatin' about a hypothesis here.

 

[mcintyre1]

I would be OK with an OL in the first round, but it would be so much more... I don't know... exciting(?) if we just went BPA and ended up with a talented WR or something.

 

[kevinray]

. . . because Sean Morey signed a three year deal with the Cardinals:

Morey leaves Steelers for Cardinals

By The Tribune-Review

Friday, March 16, 2007

Sean Morey, a special teams standout and reserve wide receiver for the Steelers the past three seasons, signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday. Terms were not disclosed. Morey will reunite with former Steelers coaches Ken Whisenhunt (head coach), Russ Grimm (assistant head coach/offensive line) and Kevin Spencer (special teams) in Arizona.

Morey appeared in all 16 games last season for the Steelers, collecting a team-high 21 special teams tackles and returning eight kickoffs for 202 yards (25.3 yard avg.). He appeared in 15 regular-season games and all four playoff contests for the Super Bowl champion Steelers in 2005 and collected 18 special teams tackles.

I always thought Morey was overrated. For the life of me I can't think of anytime he's had an amazing special teams game. Kerwaldt, Harrison, even Chidi I can pick out great plays or just hearing their names mentioned regularly, but Morey... not so much.

 

[kevinray]

How would Steeler fans feel if their squad reached a bit to fill a big need at RT by taking Joe Staley?His recent workouts have been outstanding. He has quick feet that would really help in the passing game (as opposed to the cement-footed Max Starks), and obviously lead the way for FWP.I'm just speculatin' about a hypothesis here.

I've just always been wary of first round lineman. Especially tackles. They went through a 3 year period in the nineties when a first round tackle was golden and since then they've been more miss then hit at least in terms of dollar to level of play ratio. I'd rather wait until 2nd or third round to get a guy less talented but infinitely cheaper.

 

[Godsbrother]

I would be OK with an OL in the first round, but it would be so much more... I don't know... exciting(?) if we just went BPA and ended up with a talented WR or something.

Last year the Steelers o-line was erratic in run blocking and downright crappy in pass protection. On defense they didn't have much of a pass rush. These are the two areas I would like the Steelers to work on.It makes no sense to me spending another #1 on a WR when your QB doesn't have enough time to get the ball to him.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

. . . because Sean Morey signed a three year deal with the Cardinals:

Morey leaves Steelers for Cardinals

By The Tribune-Review

Friday, March 16, 2007

Sean Morey, a special teams standout and reserve wide receiver for the Steelers the past three seasons, signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday. Terms were not disclosed. Morey will reunite with former Steelers coaches Ken Whisenhunt (head coach), Russ Grimm (assistant head coach/offensive line) and Kevin Spencer (special teams) in Arizona.

Morey appeared in all 16 games last season for the Steelers, collecting a team-high 21 special teams tackles and returning eight kickoffs for 202 yards (25.3 yard avg.). He appeared in 15 regular-season games and all four playoff contests for the Super Bowl champion Steelers in 2005 and collected 18 special teams tackles.

I always thought Morey was overrated. For the life of me I can't think of anytime he's had an amazing special teams game. Kerwaldt, Harrison, even Chidi I can pick out great plays or just hearing their names mentioned regularly, but Morey... not so much.

Yeah, his return against Cleveland this year was the only thing that sprung immediately to mind. I like the pair of moves because I think even if their special teams abilities are close to a wash, Iwuoma is significantly closer to being a decent option at CB for us (especially if we move more toward Cover 2) than Morey was as a WR.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

I'm still pulling for Polznusky or however you spell it for LB in the 1st round. Morey wasn't much, no big loss, I like Iwouma but if I remember correctly he got hurt in each of the last 2 years. With the way he hits its not really surprising.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I would be OK with an OL in the first round, but it would be so much more... I don't know... exciting(?) if we just went BPA and ended up with a talented WR or something.

Last year the Steelers o-line was erratic in run blocking and downright crappy in pass protection. On defense they didn't have much of a pass rush. These are the two areas I would like the Steelers to work on.It makes no sense to me spending another #1 on a WR when your QB doesn't have enough time to get the ball to him.

I'm more of a BPA guy. You take the guy who is the best value at your pick.. I'm not a big fan of drafting for need. You telegraph who you're going after for one, plus there are always the later rounds and free agency to deal with need spots as well. I'd draft the top heavy positions early and deeper positions later. In this draft, WR and DE are positions where at #15 you can likely get a talent that might be a top 10 pick in another draft, that's the only reason I've advocated taking a WR.To answer the question AD posed - I actually really like Staley but am not sure if he'd go at #15 - that's quite a reach. I'd be very happy to get him in round 2, and I would have no problem with the Steelers trading down in round 1 and picking up another 2nd or 3rd rounder and grabbing Staley then.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

To answer the question AD posed - I actually really like Staley but am not sure if he'd go at #15 - that's quite a reach. I'd be very happy to get him in round 2, and I would have no problem with the Steelers trading down in round 1 and picking up another 2nd or 3rd rounder and grabbing Staley then.

ZERO chance Staley is there at 2.14 for the Steelers. None.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

To answer the question AD posed - I actually really like Staley but am not sure if he'd go at #15 - that's quite a reach. I'd be very happy to get him in round 2, and I would have no problem with the Steelers trading down in round 1 and picking up another 2nd or 3rd rounder and grabbing Staley then.

ZERO chance Staley is there at 2.14 for the Steelers. None.

I would say slim, but not zero. Most mocks I've seen have him going in the first 5-10 picks of round 2. I wouldn't mind if they traded down with a team looking to get a top CB or WR and pick up a late 2nd rounder, then grab him in the 20s, nor if they gave up a 4th rounder or future 3rd to move up 10 spots in round 2 to grab him there either. 15 is a bit of a reach, though.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

It makes no sense to me spending another #1 on a WR when your QB doesn't have enough time to get the ball to him.

It cant always be just about next year. If they wanna get Ben his second wideout for the next ten years (Holmes and ?) I see no problem with that, if they have determined that the talent level of the player being picked is superior. Ben+Holmes+Miller+Ginn (or Bowe or Jarrett)... for a decade. I am pulling for "big" player along one of the two lines who has a superior talent set, but would pretty damn excited if the FO thought enough of a WR to draft 'em in the 1st.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

It makes no sense to me spending another #1 on a WR when your QB doesn't have enough time to get the ball to him.

It cant always be just about next year. If they wanna get Ben his second wideout for the next ten years (Holmes and ?) I see no problem with that, if they have determined that the talent level of the player being picked is superior. Ben+Holmes+Miller+Ginn (or Bowe or Jarrett)... for a decade. I am pulling for "big" player along one of the two lines who has a superior talent set, but would pretty damn excited if the FO thought enough of a WR to draft 'em in the 1st.

Where I agree that a pick clearly Superior is always best, do you really believe the WRs in the first will be vastly greater than the OL and DE/LB options that will be available in the first? WHen was the last time a WR drafted in the first round by the Steelers lasted 10 years? The chances of a pick like that a minimal at best, it would be great to have another WR "force for a decade", but lets be real here man, the team was in the superbowl 2 years ago and could easily come back, to claim that "rebuilding" Pittsburgh's offense depends on drafting a WR is flawed logic, since the WRs Holmes, Ward, and Wilson (+ H.Miller) is already formidable and Free Agency is always another option. The team is also plenty young, with the "oldest" position being the LBs. I wouldn't shun picking a WR but he better be hands down the best guy there, otherwise there are positions that need more depth, which i mentioned above.

 

[zeus]

We play the steelers every year in a charity basketball game. Keisel was amazing for being so big---He was dunking left and right(not just the standard dunks either). He must have hit 5 3 pointers in the game. He doesn't look like athletic, but boy can he play! Randle El and Hines were both good players as well, but the best hooper of the bunch in the last ten years was Hank Poteat---He could drain from anywhere. Too bad he couldn't play CB worth a damn.