We may not be done dealing?

I look for safety help also. I am praying for it actually.

 

The Broncos are still shopping Ward probably the best available even after cuts but as many have said he and Mitchell are the same.

 

Polamalu will come out of retirement and ride off into the Victorious Superbowl sunset with Big Ben and Silverback.

Bettis will drive them all to Disney World.

 

Any upgrade would do, I am still not sure we can't package players to get an upgraded safety somewhere.

Like I said I am praying.

 

If they extend Tuitt and rework his money this year does that move the needle?

 

I'm hoping that they don't restructure anyone this year to get extra money because that to me always just means they have to get creative down the road. So it will be interesting to see how everything shakes out after tomorrrow night.

 

Yeah pretty sure it cost at least Heath and Troy from finishing out their contracts, can't remember if money owed played into Hines release too. Just those huge base salaries as the contract ends got closer.

 

I'll be looking to see who Chicago cuts out of their safeties. Kavon Frazier from Dallas may also be worth a look. Young guys who won't contribute much this year perhaps but down the road???

 

Essentially, both Ross Cockrell and Justin Hunter could now possibly be great trade bait for Pittsburgh to nab a quality depth safety and a pick or load up on some picks then scan the waiver wire.


This was well executed by Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert; yet another reason why both received extensions. Both understand the importance of value and need and both continue to showcase their expertise of it.

 

Yep.


I think that, especially after the restructuring of the contract of my Avatar, Kevin and Tomlin both finally stated enough is enough. However, given the fact that our window with that defense was still open, I do not fault them for it.


Now, maximizing this window with Ben for as long as we can is top priority.

 

I can't help but wonder if it was Ben's intention all along to light a fire under management's ass when he openly contemplated retirement this past summer. If so, I'd say it was his best play since the 2008 Superbowl toss to Holmes.

 

Interesting you bring this up as I was also contemplating this as well.


A players influence as powerful as Big Ben's will sway even a stalwart organization like the Steelers.


In the same vein however, I believe that Mike Tomlin has also seen enough of some of his corners (or corner in this instance) getting burned for over 25 yards or more while not following the principles and basics of man coverage would be more than likely though.


Even so, to have one's franchise quarterback to come out and comment on the "retirement" adjective must have given even Tomlin some incentive.

 

They should restructure Tomlin's deal. For being a supposedly great defensive secondary coach, the secondary he puts on the field in Pitt is pathetic.

 

I have no doubt that watching his secondary get torched time and again this past preseason factored into this move. Maybe he was willing to wait and see if Cockrell was going to continue to make strides, or if Golson would be able to contribute, or even if the rookies (Sutton and Allen) could beat the odds and provide the immediate upgrade necessary to compete with the Bradys and the Rogers this year. And when it was obvious that was not the case he went out and took advantage of the opportunity that presented itself in Haden.

 

A veteran or two will be cut and those saving put toward Haden, Tuitt, and perhaps others. Moats, Gay, Golden are prime candidates.

 

Now with Haden on the team I wonder if they have any plans to slowly transition Gay into a Safety type roll. I have heard this offseason they have been playing him in some Corner/Safety hybrid-type situations.

 

Given the fact that he had to rebuild the front seven first I do not think it is quite fair to placate blame on Tomlin for the development of the secondary these last couple of years. Keep in mind that, after the conclusion of the 2012 season, Mike Tomlin took it upon himself to draw up the next great defense he could call his own as the one bequeathed to him from Bill Cowher could no longer continue their dominance.


If anything, in an alternative universe, Jarvis Jones pans out and drafting the likes of Kevin King or even Obi Melifonwu is more likely than T.J. Watt given the fact that Bud Dupree and Artie Burns would have ended up drafted by Pittsburgh anyway given the circumstances of both when they were drafted.


Getting back to this reality though, since 2014, three straight years to rebuild and seeing some of those results in just two is stellar given the financial and competitive balance of the league implemening constant changes. Mike Tomlin took on this "rebuild" in 2014 and has done a job that is nothing short of phenomenal.


Of course, he may have hit some "speed bumps" along the way, such as Jarvis Jones' athletic deficiencies and inability of consistency or Senquez Golson's inability to see the field, I give him the benefit of the doubt and commend him on taking on an ambitious project that most teams, who have had similar forms of defensive dominance, would take four to six years to complete.



Ultimately, I say outstanding job to him for succeding in the aspect of putting together his ideal defense in a short span of time. As such, he does not deserve the flak he receives on a daily basis from local beat writers or fans regarding specific areas such as the secondary and all things considered, the results from 2015 onward showcased his plan has worked out well.

 

My friend, Ben's clock is running out, the Rooney's know this. it's now or wait possibly a long time
for our next great QB and Superbowl Winner.

 

I like your thinking NVS.

 

All 3 of those players were done

 

yes there still could be some cuts made for money if needed.

 

Well said. They also did not know that Woodley would be a big money contract bust. That alone ate up a lot of money that could have been used elsewhere.