Offseason Moves/Free agent signings

Steelers seem to be prioritizing character (former captains) and pedigree(former probowlers).

They are still bargain hunting but the strategy seems a bit different.

 

Should be fun to watch him play Nose Tackle.

 

The Steelers aren't in cap hell, despite what you want they were never going to go out and sign a bunch of expensive free agents, the Steelers will always build mostly through the draft.

 

Mason has been down this road before and probably learned a lot last year about knowing when to commit to a team. He was the Starting QB going into free Agency, then he was the backup QB going into the draft, and then finally he became the 3rd string Inactive QB going into the season.

Mason probably doesn't want to relive that experience again. Wait until after the draft then pick a team that has not just drafted a QB in the 1st round.

 

Ugh… Please stop with exaggerations. It’s like debating with my wife. I never have said I think or want “a bunch of expensive free agents” ever. Or even close.

But when we have so many roster spots to fill and a few draft picks, yeah I’m looking for more moves especially with us having a rookie contract with QB and a bunch of other traditionally expensive positions. Unless they restructure they only have a few million to shop with in free agency because they need some for draft pics and a soft cushion for an emergency in season use like they always wisely do. In a few years if the they re-sign KFP things are going to be crazy difficult.

 

Agreed. Injuries are the worry.

 

Not expecting you to have read or remember my statements as of late. I agree and have referenced to unfortunate losses that the front office had nothing to do with and put into a very difficult position regarding not only those two great players, but I included Bell and AB in there (and could have also tossed in Martavius Bryant too).

But tell me, if they signed a banger CB or LB or DL player you are going to tell me you wouldn’t be happy? Why?

 

Would you prefer signing a “banger” or retain our own?

 

@S.T.D how'd he play for LSU?

 

Fehoko seems a little small to be playing nose, but like what little I saw in this breakdown

 

I thought He played DE in LSU.....So ...unless I'm totally mistaken, and not remembering correctly.

 

Not sure where you were going with this post.

I’m going to give my grade on these.

Patrick Peterson - C (hoping this pans out to a solid and realistically possible B+)

Nate Herbig - Solid B

Cole Holcomb - C+

Elandon Roberts - C

Isaac Seumalo - B+

Le’Raven Clark - D

Keanu Neal - D+

Breiden Fehoko - D

——————————————————

Larry Ogunjobi - B-

Damontae Kazee - B+

Zach Gentry - C-

So, from my perspective the organization is at about a C to C+ in free agency. Sorry, I was hoping for better. But I bet you’ll bump the grade to a B or B+. I sure wish I was feeling at the B level.

Opinions, we all have them.

 

I think they could have and should have done both. It doesn’t have to be an either or scenario.

 

Right

 

Well My opinion is ....I agree with all of Your grades.....except the ones You graded D. I dont think any of them are lower than a C, and just with that....the grade would be higher. Pat Ps could easily be a B+....it really comes down to how much He has left.

 

Its fine to have a different lens, and a lot of what you are saying has rational merit. I don't know the plan will work out any more than anyone else, but I do at least see a plan. We will know even more after the draft as well and should feel a lot differently about certain position groups in a month's time.

SS is the only spot I think we've gotten noticeably worse at so far, and we've gotten a lot better at the ILB position and OG position (at least theoretically based on the players in and out of the starting lineup). CB is minorly worse, but with the addition of a highly drafted young guy, I at least see the plan of bringing in a highly talented player a touch past his prime to mentor a young stud.

Ultimately the reason why the team was mediocre last year was because we had questionable QB play for a good portion of the season, and it makes a lot of sense we looked a lot better as KFP came into his own a bit. We could have stayed the exact same team and gotten quite a bit better just on the progression of KFP alone. I think we are marginally better as it stands now and will hopefully bring in some quality players with our first 3 picks in the draft. If KFP can become an above average to borderline top 10 QB by end of year this year, we should have no problem being a playoff team. We might even compete with the Bengals (although I'm not 100% sure we are quite there yet). But if KFP is no better at years end than he was at years end this season, we are probably a 9ish win team again.

 

Some opinions are worse than others, but everyone is entitled to them.

 

Addressing yes, but with “bargain hunting”.

Yes, slight upgrades except at both guard spots.

P2 may or may not be an upgrade over Sutton - we will all see how this one works out. It’s almost boom or bust due to his current age and obviously not his great history. I’m wondering if his heart is in it or he’s just looking for a last paycheck.

Our 3 resignings are not upgrades those are lateral moves.

Then what grades are you giving if criticizing mine?

I’ll admit that signing guys who have zero recognition and made it this far into free agency while being looked at by teams, coaches, scouts and other people who are professionally in-the-know and now landed on our depth chart that - yeah, I ain’t giving them any gold stars. If they deserved a better grade they would have been picked up a week ago given their age. If they were old, or known guys looking for big $$$ then I understand why they haven’t signed. But with youth on their side, and not known while being dropped by their team tells me they are at Kevin Dotson level - and that is a D.

Tell me why connecting those dots is wrong.

 

I see the XFL or USFL in Mason’s future.