Asante Samuel

I think we found our CB opposite JPJ for the next 4-5 years. His market value atm looks like 4 years 48m, and I'd go outside the Steelers norm and get him signed long-term today before that value increases. Either way, getting a deal done prior to FA starts would be ideal.

 

Cook at LT and Samuel at CB are pleasant surprises. We haven't had those in a while. Let's hope they keep up the good work and they aren't one-game-wonders.

There..... I said something positive.

 

Would be nice to have two good CBs.

Would be nice to keep Ramsey at S too. But his contract will be at an important decision point at the end of the year. Maybe they can do something to restructure...or maybe just keep him at cap hits of ~ $17MM and ~$19MM for the next two years (the last year in his contract jumps him up to $31MM, so that's not staying that way).

 

My thoughts regarding Ramsey hasn't changed. He's a great talent and is worth every penny, but I just don't see him being on the next SB roster. I'm guessing he's worth around a 2R/3R pick and thats a worthwhile trade to me, especially if it means we can flip that pick into a trade-up for a QB.

 

You are probably right, but unless the Steelers are going with a rebuild mentality, I want to keep Ramsey. He has brought the swagger back to this defense.

 

I don't think trading Ramsey marks a rebuild mentality. Echols and Elliot are 28 with another year left, along with Samuel and JPJ on the back-end. All they'd really need to do is get another DL, ILB, and two S + a new scheme and I think this defense is ok in the short-term. Fill these holes via the draft and spend the money saved on WRs in FA. As well as Highsmith is playing, I just don't see them paying Highsmith, Herbig and Watt, so Highsmith is likely the odd man out. Again, not a rebuild mentality move, but more of a retool move.

 

The blind mouse found some cheese

 

Funny, but you just had to add hoping they are not one hit wonders

 

Well... we've been burned before.

 

I think Samuel has history in the league that proves he isn't a one hit wonder. He'll just get better and better, rep by rep. I'm sure he'll have setbacks as he settles back in, but he's an All Pro talent. He just gotta get those reps. Dylan, on the other hand, could definitely be a one hit wonder. Only time will tell.

 

I am still concerned about his health. How much do you want to count on a guy who had spinal fusion surgery long-term?

 

Good question. Everyone's body is obviously different, but Peyton Manning was able to play multiple years post a spinal surgery. 13 of 15 players returned within a year and 8 of those had long term careers. UPMC is pretty good in this regard and I'd definitely defer to them if a long-term deal is worthwhile or not.

 

Not disagreeing but he would be foolish to sign before FA

 

Everyone’s body is obviously different??
Mine’s been the same for quite a while.

 

Pierre, Echols, Samuel, and Porter....

...that is a nice group, I hope the Steelers FO keeps them all together.

 

For Ramsey to stick around it would likely require a contract restructure.

 

There isn't anything on this team (includes Tomlin) I wouldn't trade if it helped us get a reasonable shot at drafting a franchise QB.

 

I'd be interested in seeing what positions those guys played. Manning wasn't usually tackling people, which could put the neck and spine at risk.

 

for money reasons, sure. Maybe he likes his fit and role here though? For a guy that had a decent injury, a long term deal might be worth more to him than up front money.... Who knows though.

This is the value that Tomlin HAS to bring. Be the guy people want to play for and sign for. He has many flaws, but we need to lean in hard on the strengths.

 

The only thing is that Ramsey would only appeal to teams that are "contenders" at his age. Why would a team drafting in the top 10 want someone of his age and cap hit in a trade up scenario? I don't think the market is there, and quite frankly his attitude and leadership is worth more than his play (even if his play has been pretty good).

Highsmith could easily be moved for a good pick (maybe a second?) or in a package deal. He's young enough, productive enough, and is locked up at a good price for a long enough period of time to have a lot of value. If they want to trade someone, Highsmith would be the one. Then we'd be able to ink Herbig and then focus elsewhere (like signing Asante Samuel, or bolstering the DL or WR room, etc.).

 

He's no Ben