This year's Brice McCain

Who do you think the Steelers can realistically target in free agency this year who will outperform your expectations the way McCain did last season? I mean someone who seems like a second or third tier free agent signing but may surprise you.

I'm thinking:
CB Chris Cook (off-field issues I think, but I remember really liking him prior to his draft)
CB Kyle Wilson (former first-rounder who may come alive under Lake's tuteledge)

 

Safety possibilities:

Nate Allen
Chris Prosinski

I remember liking both these guys before their respective drafts.

 

Are you guys thinking we will pick up a CB in FA and not in the draft?

 

I'd be surprised if they didn't do both. Pick up some young-ish vets for cheap, then look for the future in the early rounds of the draft. I still think they go S higher than CB though.

 

Agreed. The normal Steelers MO is to fill in with FA's so they don't have to reach in the draft, then take BPA. Unfortunately, FA CBs tend to be over priced, so even if they do sign a FA CB, it will be a low rent one, and I don't see any of us getting too excited.

 

I definitely think they will do both. That's why I was wondering who you guys thought the second or third-tier FA corner or safety they sign might be.

 

Is Brice McCain...

 

I'd say blake and McCain fit the bill of 2nd tier players. we have a whole roster full of futures signed players that could fit that billing also. that's not really the players we need signed. we need some quality proven players signed.

 

Trent Cole. Yes, he's older, but this team DESPERATELY needs some type of pass rusher. His 6.5 last year is only one sack off from the co-team leaders, one of which isn't even under contract. I think Cole could be had for a reasonable contract, although I wouldn't get in a bidding war over him.

 

I would rather draft in later rounds for DB's I also would put Shamarko in Troy's spot. Draft a rookie SS and who ever starts starts, the other will be a backup

 

Blake is pretty serviceable on ST as well. I think McCain has good hands and he seems to really play with heart. I don't think he's a future Hall of Famer or anything but I like him.

 

You want a SS early? I wasn't really sure if you meant you'd take like a corner later and get a SS early to compete against Thomas. If there was a "Troy" type of player there early I wouldn't care if they took him first. Although I doubt we'll ever see another Troy. I have no hard feelings against the man and he's one of my all time favorite players but every dog has their day ya know? I think his is clearly past. If we can't get another Troy I would settle for the "next" Ed Reed. He's the only rat I ever respected and I'd love for us to have a guy with a mind for the game like he had.

 

I like Coles game but he is more suited to a 4-3 and is a bit long in the tooth.

 

Who the heck is Chris Prosinski?

 

I believe he is a vodka distiller. You have never heard of Prosinski Vodka?