What about da beard?

Do you think we should bring him back at vet min for depth? Or is he done?

i think he still has some left in the tank. Thoughts?

 

I would ABSOLUTELEY bring him back, and maybe at more than the vet minimum, if we can afford it, and still field a decent team at the other 51 roster spots, which it sounds like we can, given recent news here...
Whether we have offered him anything, or he`s accepted/declined, I have no idea.
Pretty much the only name not in the recent news...
And just going by how he acted at the end of last season, it sounded like he didn`t expect to be back, but he wouldn`t mind, if he was invited...
Would be nice to still have here, IMO, but, if he`s too pricey, I could understand that, as well.
Highly doubt he would play anywhere else next season.(EDIT... By his choice, IMHO, not that he isn`t still capable, but I believe he is one of the very few, who wouldn`t want to put in the effort it takes, to play, for another team)
As it should be...
GO STEELERS!

 

No, older players tend to get injured more often Kiesel needs to move on. I would rather re-sign Al Woods besides Kiesel would be taking playing time away from the younger players. If they need help on the D-line sign some cheap veterans.

 

Who says Keisel has to be the starter?
He`s not a prima-donna type.
Very good to have a player of his caliber providing depth to rotate off the bench, or take over in case of injury to the kid...
He knows his role, and has started there very well, over the years...
Don`t think he is cryin like others, about, "If I don`t start, i ain`t playin for ya"...
Just sayin...
GO STEELERS!!!

 

I'm sorry but if the younger guys could outplay him then he wouldn't be the starter. The truth is that he outplayed the younger faster guys and while the team got younger on defense last season they weren't necessarily better just younger and inexperienced. Kiesel won't demand a brinks truck to resign and until these young guys can unseat him they don't deserve to get playing time.

 

IMO he is gone by Friday. Love the guy, but it is time

 

Better point, than mine!!!
Well said, Thorn!
GO STEELERS!

 

Younger players like Heyward should've started the season over Kiesel last season it's time to move on. We don't need to re-sign a 35 yr old player who most likely won't make it through the season healthy.

 

Heyward should have been starting over Hood and did get his start because Ziggy was so ineffective not because Kiesel couldn't go and up and until his injury Da'beard was playing some of the best defense on the line. Again if these young guys want starting time then impress the coaches in practice and unseat the vet. I know that Tomlin and DL have given playing time to vets past their prime but in this case the guy who deserved it was getting it.

Why not? didn't they just resign Troy?

 

Yeah but it is the same thing as I was talking about the other day with Ben in Mac's why is nothing happening thread. In this case Keisel didn't crack the starting line-up for a few years so the wear and tear is less than a full time starter who is now 35. I think Troy and Ben both at 32 have had more injuries than Da'beard has had in his whole career.

 

There are a lot of variables involved. I guess it just depends on how the organization feels about Woods, Arnfelt and Williams. I like Woods' versatility so I hope he is back, but it can't hurt to bring Kiesel back for camp. We could always cut him if the younger guys are better, right? In a perfect world the young guys will be good to go, but we just don't know a lot about our rookie 7th rounder Williams or our UDFA rookie Arnfelt other than last year's camp.

I'd rather sign a NT and move McLendon to DE or just straight up sign a younger FA DE to fill the spot. We could even draft Hageman in the first round of the draft. IMO, Kiesel should be a back up plan if we can't make any of the aforementioned happen.

 

Good problems to have....
Would you rather be the Clowns, trying to figure out how to replace D`Qwell Jackson, and whoever else, they recently cut, with no one to replace them?!?! LOL......
It could be MUCH worse...
I say, hang onto Keisel... He doesn`t HAVE to start...
But, he CAN!
GO STEELERS!!!

 

Bravo!

 

I am torn, depth only. I believe his body will beak down. Lets move on.I hope his replacement/s play with passion.

 

He's a FA right?

 

Younger doesn't always equal better. I get what you're saying though. Sometimes you just want to move on to a guy that may have more upside. Kiesel fits what you described, cheap veteran. He knows the system well. I'd be happy if they bring him back.
Still have to consider that they may bring Hood back?

 

I am told he doesn't expect to be back but he does expect to play next season. I don't know what was said after season but apparently it didn't sound promising for those of us who want him back. maybe if we cant grab anyone in free agency or draft we bring him back. again HE doesn't expect it. cant speak for the steelers

 

I'd like to see him back for at least 1 more year.

 

I love keisel and I think the team does too, BUT, I think the biggest factor may be IF we go with more of this sub package on defense.

in this defense keisel is more of a liability. the guys like mclendon and woods and arnfelt and heyward are more capable of playing like interior DT's.

we also won't need as much of a true old style NT very often, thus mclendon and woods are more than capable if we only use it on a limited basis.

I think the scheme will determine if he's needed this year. I'm seeing us transitioning more to this sub package to create a pass rush and pass defense against these bigger TE and receiver packages. keeping Woodley will also determine if we are leaning towards this style more and adding more SS/ILB types that are lighter then we are used to in the past.

 

Kiesel took on a leadership role too. This team needs leadership bad.

 

I'm with you. My heart says exactly what you've stated.

Problem is we must be realistic and look at the roster. If we are to stay in the 3-4 then we'll only carry 6 DL on the 53...possibly 7 at max depending on factors so lets go with 7 for now.

Heyward & McLendon are locks. Ziggy & Woods are FA. Arnfelt & Williams are/were rookies. Then we have Fangupo. He is the key, barring injurys of course.

In the 3-4 you've got to have 2 NTs. If Fangupo underperformed/s and they think Ziggy can play NT & be that swing DE like Woods did last yr Then they can cut Fangupo and keep Keisel 1 more yr as a back-up.

I don't won't to loose Woods. We must sign him 1st. I like what I saw in Arnfelt. Not sure about Williams. I predict we won't sign Keisel anytime soon. He may be a late addition seeing how the ziggy/woods chips fall.

Cajun-