Steelers release DeCastro

Down

 

In span of 13 months, Steelers entire offensive line of DeCastro, Foster, Pouncey, Feiler, Al are gone.

 

That Friarmuth pick maybe not the best idea now.

 

Might be addition by subtraction?

Edit: He might also be back.

 

Hello Goodbye

 

There is going to be a FA move for sure they aren't rolling with the line where it is now.

 

Turner might be a decent stop gap but by all accounts he was very lucky to make those pro bowls, you'd have to wonder why the Chargers let him walk after trading for him, and why he is still unemployed in late June? They definitely need to bring somebody in though.


A big issue now is going to be leadership. They have nobody even resembling a leader on that offensive line, somebody will have to step up.

 

So he is either retiring or he wants to step away for a bit to heal.

 

Did we have to cut Decastro before signing Turner, because of the Cap Rules?

Right now this is like quitting your current job because you just had a good interview for a new job.

 

Trai Turners PFF grades last year, yikes

 

One could hope pro bowl form could return.
Could be a scheme fit issue also.

Better question I think, with DD gone how many games does Ben start now?
I'll set it at 6 ( continuous ) 13 total

 

Maybe the team wants to put Kendrick Green at guard this year, let him get a year under his belt and then move him to center in year two???

Maybe they like Finney enough at Center this year?

If Trai is rated so low, I think I just want to roll with a young guy who might have some upside.

 

Pitt reporters were hinting he may not be too keen not having his buddy Al on the team anymore.

I guess all his friends were gone so he is taking his ball and going home.

 

It's not a merger, it's synergy

 

Maybe he will come back like Vince? I have no idea how the market is for someone who may have issue passing a physical. Too bad these guys do not have stipulations in their contract where they need a post season physical but that would be a violation of maybe the union contract?

 

He was in and out of the line-up last year and only played in 9 games because of injuries. If he is fully healthy as he says he is then the Steelers would be getting a guy who made the Pro-Bowl the previous 5 years before that. It's a gamble but with Decastro gone it's one the Steelers might have to take.

 

My only feelings on the matter are next man up. Players are just cogs in the machine. When one wears out you replace it. Getting sentimental will just cause the machine to break down.

 

My thoughts as well, I posted earlier that if they can’t find a fit in free agency I think Finney will play Center with Green at Right Guard.

The line then looks like this

LT Chuks
LG Dotson
C Finney
RG Green
RT Banner

Backups: Moore, Coward, Haeg, Hassenauer

No idea what that’ll look like on the field.

 

In an article in the Trib by Chris Adamski;

"The official league transaction designated DeCastro’s contract termination as “non-football injury.” The NFL Network reported DeCastro recently had a chronically balky ankle evaluated. He missed five games because of injury the past three seasons after missing none for that reason the previous four."

Also said it saves $8.75 million in cap space, but $5 million in dead cap money has to be accounted for.

Seems to me, he was going to be hampered by this ankle injury all season, like last year. Hate to see him go, good player and total class. Hopefully they can bring in a vet like Turner.

 

Yeah, but he was on the slide in Carolina before that, they were quite happy to trade him away.

There will be lots of ‘what ifs’ no matter who starts. I’d have no issue with them bringing Turner in but my expectations will be tempered.

 

Tomlin lives by next man up and look at how well it works!