2014 NFL Compensatory Picks Announced, Steelers Receive 3

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The NFL has notified teams of the 2014 compensatory draft picks each club will receive. The Steelers will receive 3. A 3rd, a 5th, and a 6th- picks 97, 173, and 215. I projected the comp picks a few months ago, and I’ve always thought we’d get two- a 3rd and a 5th. Getting three is fantastic, especially in a draft that’s being touted as one of the deepest and best in the last ten years.

A comp pick “expert” had originally predicted a 3rd, 5th, and a 7th for the Steelers, but later revised it to a 3rd and a 5th.

The Steelers qualifying losses were Mike Wallace, Keenan Lewis, Rashard Mendenhall, and Ryan Mundy last year and only gained Bruce Gradkowski via free agency. The Steelers now have 9 picks this year in the 2014 draft. This article may be helpful in answering any questions about the process- http://thesteelersfans.com/1588/looking-at-the-2014-steelers-nfl-compensatory-picks/.

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Moats One Year Deal Qualifies For Minimum Salary Benefit

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The contract details for the Arthur Moats signing are available. The deal is for one year, with a base salary of $730,000- the minimum for a 4 to 6 year veteran. The deal also includes a low qualifying signing bonus of $65,000.

Being that the deal is for one year, includes a signing bonus of no more than $65,000, and is for the minimum non-guaranteed base salary, it will qualify for the veteran minimum salary benefit. His $730,000 base salary will only count $570,000 against the 2014 salary cap, the same as a 2nd year veteran’s minimum salary would. Expanding on that even further, his signing will ultimately only move the cap needle $150,000 due to rule of 51 displacement.

Last year, the Steelers saved over $1,375 Mil towards the cap by structuring deals this way. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

Kelvin Beachum Has Earned Performance Based Pay For 2013

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Steelers offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum has earned a payout of $236,666.97 for his production during the 2013 season. Beachum played 840 snaps for the Steelers last year, 722 of which were at left tackle. The 2012 7th round pick out of Southern Methodist had a base salary of $480,000 last year. In 2014, the 3rd year of his rookie deal, his base salary is $570,000. His contract included a signing bonus of  just $45,896.

The Performance Based Pay system was developed under the previous CBA to supplement player compensation. Each team gets $3.46 Mil as part of the agreement between NFL management and the NFLPA. Beachum, and several other players in the league, will get their checks April 1, 2016. The money does not count against the salary cap.

 

Steelers To Sign LB Arthur Moats To 1 Year Deal

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According to ProFootballTalk, the Steelers are signing linebacker Arthur Moats to a one year deal. According to Jerry Dulac, Moats met with Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin before they left for the league meetings in Florida.

Moats was slated to visit the team today, well…probably today, according to Alan Robinson yesterday.

The addition of Moats comes as a low risk move to add depth at the inside/outside linebacker positions. Moats was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 6th round of the 2010 draft. While playing most of his snaps as a DE and Sam LB in their scheme, he transitioned to inside linebacker last season, and proved to be a solid run blocker.

Moats, 26, has position versatility and is a solid special teams contributor. He started 12 games for the Bills last year, and of the 301 snaps he saw, he totaled 54 tackles.

This signing doesn’t particularly bode well for those hoping to see James Harrison return to the Steelers anytime soon.

Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk To Visit The Steelers

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Former Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk tells the Star-Telegram that he has a visit lined up with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seastrunk led Baylor’s rushing attack with 1,117 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns last season. A groin injury kept him out of two games and hindered him in a third. Lache (pronounced Lake) Seastrunk is quick and elusive. He is one of those backs that has uncanny balance at times. He is a big play threat, especially around the edge. His desire for the big play can occasionally backfire though, which results in yards being left on the field at times.

Seastrunk would be an interesting mid-round addition behind Le’Veon Bell. He has been known to make bold claims in the past, which don’t always work out to his advantage. Some examples would include predicting the Heisman trophy, and running a sub 4.3 at the combine.  His actual 40 time at the combine was 4.51. He ran a 4.46 at his pro day. His broad and vertical jumps were the highest by any back at the combine. You can view his combine numbers here: http://thesteelersfans.com/2014-nfl-combine-results-running-backs/

The 5’9, 201 lb back wouldn’t make a prediction about where he’d go in the NFL draft.

“I don’t want to put anything out there,” Seastrunk told the Star-Telegram. “I just want to go in there and play to the best of my ability. You guys want me to say like I’m going to be the best player to ever play in the NFL, huh? I haven’t even [played] in the NFL. I’m just going to earn my job and earn my keep. That’s it.”

Here are a couple videos of Seastrunk in action last year at Baylor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oKNvNZxzymw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cpmjGqi6hQY

Steelers Scheduled To Meet With LB Arthur Moats This Week

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The Steelers will host free agent linebacker Arthur Moats early this week, according to Alan Robinson of  the Tribune.

Moats was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 6th round of the 2010 draft. He played most of his snaps there at 4-3 defensive end and outside linebacker, but transitioned to ILB last year.  The 6’2, 250 lb ILB is rated as the highest remaining free agent inside linebacker by Rotoworld.

Moats is stout against the run, and possesses great position flexibility. A bit of trivia- he is the linebacker who became famous for ending Brett Favre’s starting streak in 2010. His catchphrase is “Don’t Cross The Moats”, which he has tatooed on his back.

Being that most of Steelers brass will be in Florida early in the week for league meetings, it’s hard to say who the linebacker will be meeting with exactly. Presumably, he’ll be meeting with front office, medical, and members of the defensive coaching staff. No other teams are in hot pursuit of Moats, at least, none that have been made public.

LeGarrette_Blount

Report: LeGarrette Blount’s Visit Rescheduled

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LeGarrette Blount was scheduled to visit the Steelers on Sunday night and Monday. According to the National Football Post, that visit has been rescheduled to Friday, after the league meetings have concluded.

Coach Tomlin and Kevin Colbert will be at the meetings this week, so Blount would not be able to meet with either of them if the visit wasn’t rescheduled. The Ravens are also rumored to be interested in the running back, as are the Patriots, but I can’t see Baltimore having a legitimate interest in him.

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RB LeGarrette Blount Is Scheduled To Visit Steelers

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The National Football Post reports that former New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount is scheduled to visit the Steelers Sunday night and Monday. Blount is 6’0″, 241 lbs and rushed for a total of 772 yards with 7 touchdowns. During the playoff victory over Indianapolis, Blount ran for 166 yards and had 4 touchdowns.

Blount would be a good number two behind Bell. While he is a poor pass catcher, he is a sledge hammer that can wear down opponents. The Patriots and other teams are also reportedly interested in Blount. I’d be very surprised personally if this meeting ends with a signing. The Steelers don’t have a lot of cap space to play with currently, and I imagine the Patriots are just letting other teams set the value for him.

This is the former Oregon running back’s first free agency visit. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

Steelers Sign WR Lance Moore To 2 Year Deal

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The Steelers have announced that they have agreed to terms with former Saints wide receiver Lance Moore. This is a good addition to a depleted wide receiver corps.


Moore is coming off a down year, but has been very productive in the past. 2012 was a huge year for him, where he averaged 16 YPC. Various factors led to his drop in production in 2013 including a nagging wrist injury and being behind names like Colston, Sproles, and Jimmy Graham on the roster. I think Steelers fans will be happy about this signing in the fall.

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