You play the GM

If you are Kevin Colbert, what moves are you making, who are you drafting, what free agents are you signing, ect...? Colbert said there would be moves made, so what will they be?

The salary cap was announced last week at 123 mill. After the restructures of Brown, Timmons, Roethlisberger, and Woodley (which hasn't actually happened yet), the anticipated tenders for our 7 restricted free agents, the 4.7 mill rookie draft pool (for this years picks), and the signing of William Gay we are right around 1 mill over the cap.

-I would cut Harrison(will be sad to see him go but it is needed at this point) and Colon, this would save roughly 6.3 mill in cap space putting us 5.3 mill under.

-Next we need to address corner. I would love to resign Keenan, but in my opinion doing so would mean you have to cut Ike. Cutting Ike would save 2.6 mill and the kind of deal we could possibly sign Keenan to we could get around 3 mill cap hit for 2013. If we don't get Keenan signed we definately need to keep Ike. I feel better about either since I believe they brought Gay back to play the Nickel. I'm going to go with sign Keenan 5 yrs 33 mill or so and get a 2.9 mill cap hit, then cut Ike. This would put our Cap at 5 mill under.

-Next lets look at our own free agents. I would bring back Plax and Hampton to start. I know they said they won't bring Casey back, but i think it would be risky not to. If we could get reason able deals done with each i'm all for it. Probably only dropping our Cap number to 3 mill or so due to the rule of 51.

-Now time to look at what free agents we could possibly sign. I'm all in for Steven Jackson. I don't beileve we have a capable starting RB on the team and i'm not sure there is one in the draft that could be very good as a rookie. I really think we could get a deal done that the 2013 cap hit would be around 3 mill, putting us even. If we can't get him there are a few other back worthy of spending money on, but ideally Steven Jackson or Michael Turner here. This would likely put us at close to even on the cap.

-I would love to sign a ILB also, but another restructure or two or even cut would need to be made. I like Larry Grant or Dan Connor (if he is cut). Would be open to a guard instead if the price is right. I think we could get a cap friendly deal.

-Will the additional restructure or cuts from above we still would have a little bit of money to sign a vet or two for depth.


-In the draft I would be looking for Harrison replacement in Jarvis Jones, Mingo, Ansuh, or Dion Jordan. If none of them are there we can bolster the middle of our oline with Cooper or Warmack in the 1st rd. Depending on the areas addressed in free agency, id go ILB, RB, S or OLB/Guard (whichever we didn't address in the first) in the 2nd and 3rd rds. I like Authur Brown ILB, Larry Warford G, Eric Reid S, Eddie Lacy RB, Magus Hunt DE for 2nd rd and Jaime Collins OLB, Monte Ball RB, TJ McDonald S in the 3rd. Fill in needs later on and maybe find some late round steals. Wouldn't mind grabbing an explosive return guy.

What does everyone think? What would you do?

 

First of all I admit we're rebuilding. I may not say it publicly, but my decisions will say that that is exactly what we're doing. I'm planning for 2 years down the road to get us back to the Superbowl.

* I clean house as far as vets go. It's time to stop paying so much money to guys that are past their prime. I start a youth movement. Will there be growing pains? Yes. But we'll have a better idea of who's ready to step up, and where we need to fill holes in future drafts. I'm cutting Colon, Harrison, Keisel, and Ryan Clark. I might also see if San Fran (who has a ton of picks and a need at CB) is interested in a trade for Ike Taylor.

* Hopefully that saves us enough money to re-sign Keenan Lewis. Lewis and Allen sets us up with a solid future at our top 2 CB spots. With so few young contributors we need to find a way to hold onto one of the few young studs we have on our roster.

* I look to free agency to fill holes as band-aids for the next year or two. Particularly at safety (Patrick Chung, Madeiu Williams, Chris Crocker) and wide receiver (Plaxico, David Nelson, Ramses Barden, Jerome Simpson, Braylon Edwards).

* In the draft I'm looking safety and wide receiver in the first 2 rounds. Running back and maybe OLB or ILB in the 3rd and 4th. Guard /CB/QB after that.



I think this could set us up for success down the road. If we make the tough cuts now we'll have the cap space to keep guys like Pouncey, Heyward, Allen, McClendon. It would also allow us to fill holes with some mid-level guys like the Ravens did this year with Bryant McKinnie and Jacoby Jones.

 

If we are cutting Clark, Kiesel and Harrison (proven pro bowl type players) only to replace them with the guys you mention, then we might as well keep who we have and draft their replacements.Besides when you factor in the cap hits from the cuts with what it costs to sign these new guys you're not really saving much and I think you would be taking a step back on the field.
Based on the moves they have made so far with the restructures and signing Gay we are not Rebuilding. If they make the moves you are sugesting then yeah, but as of right now they are not giving any indication of rebuilding.

 

You're right, they're not rebuilding... which is why we are going to remain a mediocre team that can't keep our own guys.

The restructures now will just make it harder to re-sign guys like Pouncey later.

 

I'm for doing whatever it take to be competitive now and the future. If that means rebuilding then fine. I just don't see the mediocre team scare, we had an 8-8 season and two 12-4 seasons before that. We have the talent (if we don't cut them all) to win. The bottom line last year was injuries and mistakes by coaches and players, things that can easily be fixed. Yes some of the restrutures may hurt a bit later, but with the cap increasing each year I think we will be just fine and we'll find a way to keep the players that we want to.

 

Sorry Guys/Gals, I vehemently object to anyone on this board playing GM for the Steelers!

The Bengals are in bad need of a GM. Play over there boys and girls. Move along now.

 

The mention of Jerome Simpson really has me scratching my head.

Maybe the Rooneys are aging to being senile faster than they ever have before, but the thought of bringing on FA WR who had 6 lb.s of high grade Northern California Ganja sent to his residence and another 2 1/2 lbs inside the condo, plus scales, paraphanalia and sandwhich baggies just seems a far stretch to me.

But then again, he was never convicted but was suspended by Roger. They must have found those sandwhich to be completely legal and therefore no charges.

 

Well, better delete the whole thread, apparently we're not allowed to have a hypothetical conversation according to WardsWay.

 

I don't see anything wrong with this thread.

 

Sorry, Just my dry sense of sarcasm. But, in all honesty the Steelers might win 2 games a season if they took all of the fans advice.

 

Got to agree with you!

 

Do most of you believe the Steelers will actually sign some free agents this season? I feel that in order to be competitive we will need to upgrade a position or two through free agency.

If anything we need to get a solid RB through free agency. I don't believe there is a rookie capable of starting their first season and i'm not sold on what we have on our roster.

 

Remember Pittsburgh never rebuilds!!! We reload. Thats why we are so successful.

 

That's because we drafted so well. Lately we haven't done as well.

 

I think it will depend upon a couple of things:

1. Are they able to keep the UFAs they want and the vets they want on the roster? Harrison, Colon, Foote, and Lewis in particular. If those guys stay, there aren't a lot of holes on the D side of the ball. Yes, areas we can make better, but there aren't a lot of holes.

2. What kind of talent are they able to find in the draft? Are they able to find a receiver they think can contribute right away? How about a RB? Can they fill the holes for depth on the Oline in the draft?

3. Price tag... This one is the most important. If a guy comes available, even if it fits our need, it doesn't mean we can afford him. We need guys who want to win more than they want the $$$$.

 

Why would we play the GM ?
We should use the players on the roster during the game, who are younger and in better football shape.

 

Great thread, and I appreciate the thoughtful responses above, to issues I hate to think about.
I don`t pretend to know the numbers involved, so my initial response to the original question is...
I PUNT!!!!
Just ask Omar Khan who we can afford, out of who I want to keep...
Out of all the previous posts, the only things I REALLY disagree with, are...
1) Bringing Hampton Back...
No!!!! He WAS awesome.... he is done, and I believe McClendon will shine, given a chance...
2)Get rid of Keisel...
HELLLL NOOOO!!!!
He is one of the few veterans we have, that does not cost a boatload of money, and not only provides "Leadership", but still contributes signifigantly on the field!!!
3)Same with Ryan Clark... Best, most reliable safety we have... Care to make a bet, on who plays more minutes on the field, between him and Troy, next year?
4)yeah, I will still keep Troy, because, well.. He`s troy, and if he can stay healthy, is still a game changer... Not sure that that`s a good decision, tho...
5)Harrison...
Damnint, I LOVE the dude, he is exactly what a Pittsburgh Steeler Linebacker should be, unfortunately, I think he may be overpriced now, even though he is only getting his due, for when he was underpaid before, and...
with the way the rules are changing, he can`t hit people the way he should be allowed to, anymore.
Roger would rather see him held, with no flag, than let him crush a qb, LEGALLY!!!,
So, it might be in our best interest to let my current favorite player go. DAMMIT!
6)... I dunno... Glad I don`t have to make these choices.
Here is a good link to what the team has to decide this offseason.(P.s. Even though I thought it was a bad idea to bring Plax back, now, I`m thinkin I was wrong... Wouldn`t be so bad to see him here again this year, if he comes cheap!)
http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3508772-74/steelers-running-draft#axzz2Mobsa5py
GO STEELERS!!!

 

The reason i want them to keep Hampton is for depth. I wouldn't want him to start, just be a role player and get 20 plays or so a game. My fear is Mclendon hasn't played a ton and i don't want him to wear down, being a smalled NT. Also, without Hampton, we put a lot of stock in Taamu if there is an injury and for spelling Mclendon. Doesn't matter they aren't bringing Hampton back.

 

I think its funny that as Steeler fans most of us talk about what Steelers we would bring back or not and who we may draft but signing Free Agents is a non discussion. As Steeler fans we become numb to free agency, like it doesn't exist. I really think based on Colbert"s comments i think this the year we actually dip into free agency to fill some holes. I saw on NFL Live Merril Hodge predicted Steven Jackson coming to Pittsburgh (I would love this, and i have been saying this all along) and Marck Schelrith predicted Reggie Bush comming to Pittsburgh (I'd be ok with this). I really think we sign one of the top tier backs. Remember we are letting a 1st rd draft pick RB walk because he didn't work out. Had he worked out, i guarantee we could have found a way to get a deal done, so there should be no problem with them getting a deal done for a replacement.

 

I am thinking through our roster right now, and this is a team that is FULL of holes.

QB: Ben, ???, ???
RB: Batch, ???, ???,???
FB: Will Johnson
WR: Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, ???, ???
TE: Heath, Paulson, ???
OT: Adams, Gilbert, Beachum, ???
OG: Decastro, Colon, ???
C: Pouncey, ???

DLine: Hood, Heyward, Keisel, Woods, Fangupo, Ta'amu, McLendon
OLB: Woodley, Worilds, Carter, Robinson, ???
ILB: ???, Timmons, ???, ???
CB: Ike, Allen, Gay, Brown, ???
S: Troy P., Clark, Golden, ???

THAT is a lot of holes to fill.

I count 16 holes. We have probably 8 draft picks. That means we either keep 8 UDFAs or we sign some guys back who used to play for us and are currently UFAs or we sign guys who are UFAs of other teams.

 

We will tender all of our restricted free agents and resign some of our guys for depth. My big concerns are at RB, ILB, OLB (if we cut Harrison), and LG.

 

I agree with this, yet I might try to restructure Colon. If no restructure then he is gone. I don't like to mess with the line too much as I think they did better last year, but he definitely is overpaid. Also, If Harrison doesn't redo his deal, he is gone. I like Harrison, but at 34 he is not worth the price. restructure or paycut.

Mike

 

As i mentioned right after the season on a thread, lots of work needs to be done
this off season. And I was not sure if Colbert and coach cliche
are up to the task. We have to upgrade our talent level alot
I could purge 15 players from this current roster. 3 new starters
ARE NEEDED IN THIS DRAFT.