Even though the 2010 NFL season is going to be uncapped, the Steelers have decided to set their own salary cap.
Steelers Dir. of Operations, Kevin Colbert, said "We will operate as we always have. We will operate as if we have a cap. You don't know what you're going to be dealing with. First of all, no one's been in an uncapped year since 1993, so it's a whole different era and no one knows how this will play out. We don't know, if there is a new [labor] deal at any point, what the new rules are going to be".
I believe most teams in the league will take a similar approach. Nobody knows what the future of the NFL will look like and the two sides (NFL & players) do not appear anywhere near a new labor deal. The off-season will likely business as usual in Pittsburgh.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Steelers Contract Talks to Begin
The Pittsburgh Steelers are planning to begin negotiating with their top 3 priorities: Unrestricted free agents Casey Hampton, Ryan Clark, and Jeff Reed.
I have been saying for a very long time that the Steelers poor drafting would eventually catch up with the team. The time has come. The organization has been hitting the ball out of the park in the first round...However, the Steelers have missed on too many picks after the 1st round in 6 of the last 7 years.
The Steelers usually let free agents over 30 years old to sign with a team like the Redskins or Cowboys that are willing to over-pay for older free agents. Pittsburgh has always had enough organizational depth and players ready to slide into the starting vacancies created from letting the over-the-hill, over-priced free agents walk. Beacuse of the poor drafting, the Steelers will likely have to over-pay for guys that are passed their prime.
Don't get me wrong, Casey Hampton is still very capable and he does a great job stuffing running lanes in the 3-4 defense. Ryan Clark is a nice complement to Troy Polamalu as well. However, they are both very expensive and we have no choice but to sign them. We have nobody ready to step in!
Speaking of older vets, the organization is also interested in bringing Charlie Batch back to be the #3 QB. I do like this move. Batch is capable of playing in an emergency role, but he has become a great leader and almost another coach on the field for the black and gold. He will likely play for the vet minimum as well.
I have been saying for a very long time that the Steelers poor drafting would eventually catch up with the team. The time has come. The organization has been hitting the ball out of the park in the first round...However, the Steelers have missed on too many picks after the 1st round in 6 of the last 7 years.
The Steelers usually let free agents over 30 years old to sign with a team like the Redskins or Cowboys that are willing to over-pay for older free agents. Pittsburgh has always had enough organizational depth and players ready to slide into the starting vacancies created from letting the over-the-hill, over-priced free agents walk. Beacuse of the poor drafting, the Steelers will likely have to over-pay for guys that are passed their prime.
Don't get me wrong, Casey Hampton is still very capable and he does a great job stuffing running lanes in the 3-4 defense. Ryan Clark is a nice complement to Troy Polamalu as well. However, they are both very expensive and we have no choice but to sign them. We have nobody ready to step in!
Speaking of older vets, the organization is also interested in bringing Charlie Batch back to be the #3 QB. I do like this move. Batch is capable of playing in an emergency role, but he has become a great leader and almost another coach on the field for the black and gold. He will likely play for the vet minimum as well.
Monday, March 16, 2009
James Harrison to attend off-season workouts
Steelers LB James Harrison is having difficulty getting a new deal with the Steelers. The 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is due to make a measly 1.4 million dollars (base salary) in 2009. He is largely underpaid and nobody disputes that.
The problem: In May, James Harrison will be 31 years old. Many could argue that he is simply a product of Dick LeBeau's 3-4 system and may fail in a different environment. Given that Harrison is on the wrong side of 30, I do not think a blockbuster deal is in the future. The two sides are said to be pretty far apart.
When Harrison's agent was asked if James would be attending the "voluntary" off season workouts, he replied, "Yep, James will be there."
Harrison seems to be handling the situation with class right now, but I wonder if his mindset will change as training camp nears.
I could see Harrison holding out for a new deal if a deal cannot be reached.
On the other side, it may be in Harrison's best interest to not be greedy and accept what the Steelers are offering. If he holds out the 2009 season, he will be a 32 year old free agent LB next year. How many teams are going to break the bank for that?
The problem: In May, James Harrison will be 31 years old. Many could argue that he is simply a product of Dick LeBeau's 3-4 system and may fail in a different environment. Given that Harrison is on the wrong side of 30, I do not think a blockbuster deal is in the future. The two sides are said to be pretty far apart.
When Harrison's agent was asked if James would be attending the "voluntary" off season workouts, he replied, "Yep, James will be there."
Harrison seems to be handling the situation with class right now, but I wonder if his mindset will change as training camp nears.
I could see Harrison holding out for a new deal if a deal cannot be reached.
On the other side, it may be in Harrison's best interest to not be greedy and accept what the Steelers are offering. If he holds out the 2009 season, he will be a 32 year old free agent LB next year. How many teams are going to break the bank for that?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Pirates curious about Pedro Martinez
Free agent pitcher, Pedro Martinez is still looking for a place to call home. A few teams are said to be "curious" about his services.The problem seems to be that Martinez is looking for a 1 year, 5-8 million dollar deal.
Advice to the Pirates: Aggressively pursue Pedro. Though Pedro is up in age and significantly less effective than in his hay-day, he will put butts in seats. With the roller-coaster seasons we have experienced from guys like Zach Duke, Tom Gorzelanny, and Ian Snell, Pedro could potentially be a nice change up.
Pedro will sell tickets and hopefully be a good mentor for our young pitching staff. Offer him a low base salary, incentive laden contract that could potentially pay him 5-8 million....and if he achieves his contract ceiling, then he was well worth the signing. Seems simple to me.
Pirates Pitcher, Craig Hansen, gets "mmm Bopped" by the Yankees
Though the Pirates lost to the Yankees 13-10 today in Grapefruit League action, the Pirates are able to take away several positives. First, and foremost, Ross Ohlendorf pitched 4 "perfect" innings against his former power-packed club. Ohlendorf is fighting for one of the 5 rotation spots and today's performance alone may be enought for him to lock up a spot.
A few other takeaways from today's game:
Jose Tabata is continuing to hit the crap out of major league pitching. Tabata went 2 for 3 with a run scored...improving his Grapefruit League batting average to .429.
Pedro Alvarez went 2 for 2 with a run scored and a RBI. Alvrez roped a pair of doubles. His batting average is currently .438....the team leader.
Alverez sis proving that he is already a mature hitter coming out of college. Look for his journey in the minor leagues to be short-lived.
On a sour note, Pirates pitcher, Craig Hansen was "mmm bopped" by the Yankees lineup as he allowed 5 ER in only 1/3 of an inning.
A few other takeaways from today's game:
Jose Tabata is continuing to hit the crap out of major league pitching. Tabata went 2 for 3 with a run scored...improving his Grapefruit League batting average to .429.
Pedro Alvarez went 2 for 2 with a run scored and a RBI. Alvrez roped a pair of doubles. His batting average is currently .438....the team leader.
Alverez sis proving that he is already a mature hitter coming out of college. Look for his journey in the minor leagues to be short-lived.
On a sour note, Pirates pitcher, Craig Hansen was "mmm bopped" by the Yankees lineup as he allowed 5 ER in only 1/3 of an inning.
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