Saturday, February 28, 2009

AFC North Free Agency Updates

From the bottom up:

Browns
Big news is that Winslow was trades to TB.  I think this is a good move by the Browns, as Winslow's act was getting old.  They got rid of a bad locker room guy, and got a 2009 2nd and 2010 5th (or so it seems) for him.  They need picks badly.

The other big story is that Shawn Rogers and Mangini have some issues.  I think that Dutch from Postgameheroes has it right.  http://www.postgameheroes.com/?p=5799&cpage=1#comment-4333

Bengals
No big news yet.  Let's see where TJ lands.

Ravens
Bart Scott is gone to the Jets.  Scott is an OK player.  He is pretty average at ILB, but I think the Jets want him to be the signal caller for the defense as he knows Ryan's schemes.  Not a huge loss for the Ravens, but they'll need to find a way to get another average ILB, or hope one of their backups steps up.  I'm sure Scott is relieved to not see Hines Ward twice a year anymore.  BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Ray Ray has slowed, and he's not getting many offers from the outside.  He's a liability in coverage, and has lost a step.  If you run right at him, he's pretty effective.  He will probably stay with the Ravens as they have already lost Scott.

Ravens cut McAlister and Leonhard from their secondary.

Steelers
Starks get franchised and Kemo is re-signed.  Colon gets a RFA tender.  Looks like the only position to be fixed is RG.

Harrison's new deal is not finished yet.  We'll see how this works out.

Who knows where Nate and McFadden will land?  Good riddance to Anthony Smith.

Steelhead

Steel Curtain Radio #3


Steelhead

Friday, February 27, 2009

Leigh Bodden

As McFadden looks like he's heading away from the Steelers, an option to replace him would be Leigh Bodden.  Bodden was cut from the Lions today, and is an UFA.  Pro's for Bodden's signing:

1.  He knows the AFC North after being on the Browns squad from 2003-2007.
2.  He can compete in for the starting CB position with Gay.  Townsend, Bodden and Gay competing for that position would be fun to watch.
3.  I do not think there would be any appreciable drop off in the secondary.
4.  He'd be cheaper than McFadden.

You have to wonder why he was cut from Detroit.  Was he really that bad, or was he a casualty of the new regime purge?

I hope the Steelers re-sign McFadden, but Bodden might be a good Plan B if McFadden bolts.

Steelhead

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Kendall Simmons is released

Kendall Simmons has been released.  In 2007, he signed a 4 year extension worth $23.1 million.  His release will not save the Steelers several million in cap space in 2009, which will not help put together the contract for Silverback.  What does this mean for the OL?  It means it will get better.  Simmons was playing sub-par football prior to his Achilles injury.  Stapleton, an average OG, came in and added some stability to the RG position.  Look for the Steelers to target the best interior lineman in the draft.

Anthony Smith will become an UFA, as he did not receive a tender.  It will be interesting to see if anyone signs him.

Also released is ILB Mike Humpal.  He might be re-signed for the practice squad at a later date.

Steelhead

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Jeff Saturday to the Steelers?

Rumor and reports have it that Jeff Saturday, the former center for the Colts, would be OK with being a Steeler.  I think this is good, as it may provide some leverage in the Kemo negotiations.  It may reduce the price the Steelers have to pay Kemo to keep him.  Saturday made $3.5M last year, and is 34 years old.  He was an undrafted FA, so his salary history has not been too crazy.  Let's look at the pros and cons for signing Saturday:

Pros
1.  You know what you are getting from him.  Jeff is a known quantity.
2.  Jeff has played in the zone blocking scheme that Zierlein likes to run.  I'm not a fan of it, but get guys that know it if you are going to do it.
3.  He is position flexible in the interior.  Jeff is an established center and guard who can certainly pass protect.  Pass pro and short yardage situations seemed to be the Achilles heel for the Steelers OL in 2008.
4.  He is smart and can make all of the protection adjustments.  Currently Ben runs those calls, but it would be good to have another pair of experienced eyes to help him.
5.  Hartwig is in the last year of his 2-yr $3.725M deal.  This would give some flexibility if Hartwig does not re-sign.

Cons
1.  He's 34.
2.  He might not want to take a pay cut.  I think the Steelers would want to pay him at most $2.7-$3M per year.  With Starks and Harrison getting new deals, how much will be left?
3.  Jeff has had an increased injury problem the past two years.

The Steelers did sign Hartings when he was 30, but that gave him 6 years with the team.  At 34, the Steelers will probably get 2-3 good years from Saturday.

So, my hunch is that the Steelers will not sign Saturday due to his age and injury situation.  The Benglas, however, are a team who will overpay for an aging player that will not provide a long term answer.

Steelhead

Friday, February 20, 2009

Starks gets tagged

So, the Steelers have franchised Starks.  The non-exclusive tag will cost around $8.7M if they cannot reach a long term deal.  I think some in Steeler Nation will be upset about franchising Starks, but what else could they do?  Gross is too expensive, and there realyl are not many FAs that provide a big upgrade over Starks.  

This means that keeping Marvel Smith will be difficult, unless he takes a very low salary (maybe even league minimum).  I do not think that any other team will look seriously at Smith because of his injury history.  

I think that Colon will get an RFA offer that will keep him with the Steelers, at least for one more year.

Here is what we know about the OL through the offseason to date:

Starks - ? - Hartwig - ? - Colon?

What will happen with Kemo and the RG position.  Will Simmons return from his Achilles injury? Does that even matter?  Will Stapleton play RG again, or will the Steelers sign a FA or draft a guy to plug into RG right away?  Will they take Mack with the 32nd pick and move Hartwig to OG?  We'll see...

Steelhead

Steel Curtain Radio #2

http://media.libsyn.com/media/wtcb/SCR2.mp3

Steelhead

Monday, February 9, 2009

Defensive End Prospects

Let's look at an area of the roster that is getting older.  The Smith and Kiesel are pretty good, especially Smith.  His domination in the run game was evident in the playoff loss to the Jags.  The Steelers struggled to stop the run when he was not playing.  Let's look at good 3-4 DE prospects, and what they need to fit the Steeler's system:

1.  Size:  6-2 or taller, 275 to 300 lbs.  Not a typical DE that is a little lighter in the pants.  Steeler DEs are big and powerful, like smaller DTs.
2.  Need to be able to handle double teams well.  If they get double teamed by the OL, they need to be able to hold the point of attack.  A DE in this position will probably not make the tackle, but they will give the ILBs plenty of room to shut down the run.

The prospects:
1.  Tyson Jackson  6'4"  295 lbs  
McShay grades Jackson out as a 93. 

2.  Robert Ayers  6'3" 273 lbs  
Looks to be a second day pick.  Grades out as an 87.

There is really only one prospect that fits the Steeler DE mold and can be a starter in the future.  That is Tyson Jackson.  The Steelers will probably need to take him at the end of Rd 1, as he will be gone by the 64th pick.  Tyson is an established player with a lot of film.  He stops the run in dominant fashion, and is an adequate, not dominating, pass rusher.  He has no off the field problems.

Jackson is most likely on the draft board as a first pick option for the Steelers.

Steelhead

Sunday, February 8, 2009

James Harrison

Here is a good article from James', and my, hometown paper:


What a great thought that two of the best Steelers are from Ohio - Ben and Deebo.  The fact that the Browns did not sign Deebo when he was available makes his performance even sweeter.

Go Steelers!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Prospects

The OL prospects are abundant in the 2009 draft.  This bodes well for the Steelers, as that seems to be their only weakness on the team.  Here are prospects that the Steelers are probably going to watch closely at the combine:

OT
Eben Britton  6'6"  310lbs
Phil Loadholt  6'8"  337lbs
Alex Boone  6'8"  312lbs

Most draft boards have Britton and Loadholt going by the 32nd pick.  If the Steelers can re-sign Starks and secure Colon, not too hard with a RFA, then look for an OT in rounds 3-4.  I like Alex Boone around there.  I do not think that OT is as big a priority as the interior line, although an upgrade at RT would be nice.

OG
Duke Robinson  6'5"  335lbs
Andy Levitre  6'3"  317lbs
Herman Johnson  6'7"  386lbs  (!!)
Kraig Urbik  6'6"  332 lbs

There are a few monsters in here at OG.  A lot of draft boards have the Steelers taking Duke Robinson with the 32nd pick.  That would be fine with me.  He looks to be the best OG prospect.  Herman Johnson with the 96th pick would be good, but I do not think that he would fit into the Steelers blocking schemes at LG as he has lower mobility...i.e. he has trouble pulling.  However, at RG he could be a complete monster in the running game.  Urbik is another good RG prospect and would be an assest in the running game.  I think this is where the Steelers need to improve the most, at either RG or LG.  If the Steelers re-sign Kemo, look for a draft pick to play RG immediately.  I do not think Simmons or Stapleton will make the team if that happens.

C
Alex Mack  6'4"  316lbs
Max Unger  6'5"  300lbs
Antoine Caldwell  6'3"  305lbs

Many draft boards have the Steelers taking Mack with the 32nd pick.  There is about a 45/45 spilt between Mack and Robinson.  The other 10% has the Steelers taking an OT.  Hartwig was adequate at center, but drafting an upgrade might be nice.   I think Mack is a great pick at 32.  If the Steelers go OG, look for them to take Caldwell in the 3-4th rounds.

The ideal scenario for 4 rounds:
Rd 1:  Duke Robinson
Rd 2:  Max Unger
Rd. 3:  CB or DE
Rd 4:  Alex Boone

This is ideal as it permits the Steelers to offer Colon a one year max RFA offer, and to prep Boone at RT in case he looks as good as or better than Colon in pass pro.  This puts a stud at RG, assuming Kemo re-signs, or offers his replacement at LG.  Unger can play C or compete for the RG position.

The OL might look like this:  Starks - Kemo - Hartwig/Unger - Robinson- Colon
Without Kemo:  Starks - Robinson - Hartwig - Unger - Colon
Depth:  Boone, Hills, Stapelton, Essex

Second Option:
Rd 1:  Alex Mack
Rd 2:  Herman Johnson
Rd 3:  CB orDE
Rd 4:  Kraig Urbik

What to do with Hartwig if Mack plays C?  This lets the Steelers part with Kemo and put Urbik in his place.  Johnson could play RG with Stapleton as depth.  Hartwig could provide depth at C/G.  Hills and Essex would have to be the depth for OT.

The OL might look like this:  Starks - Urbik - Mack - Johnson - Colon
Depth:  Hartwig, Stapleton, Hills, Essex

Either way, this draft is coming at the right time for the Steelers, even with the last pick in each round.

Steelhead

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

WOW!!

Awesome game!  The Steelers are now the proud owners of SIX championships.  Congrats to the Rooneys, the Steeler organization, and all of Steeler Nation.

Now let's look forward to the off-season, free agency and the draft.  Here is a positional analysis for the Steelers:

Offense
QB - The QB position is obviously set.  The backup position will be interesting though.  I think Leftwich will be offered a good contract, and will leave.  The Steelers will have Ben, Batch and Dixon on the roster next year.

RB - After spending a 1st round pick on Mendenhall, the Steelers will be OK at RB next year.  Look for Moore, Davis and Russell to return.  However, Russell might be on the bubble if they do not keep 5 RBs.  Hopefully, the goal line offense gets better with Mendenhall.  I'd like to see a blocking upgrade at the FB position, but I do not think we'll see that.  

WR - Obviously Ward and Holmes will be back.  After that, things get interesting.  Nate is an UFA after this year, and it is unknown whether he will get an offer worth considering from somewhere else.  If Nate thinks Sweed will challenge him for the #3WR spot, and he gets a decent offer, he might be gone.  If he stays, the competition at the #3WR spot will be intense.  If Sweed matures a bit, the Steelers will have good depth and a formidable 4WR set.

TE - No issues here.  Dekker won't be back, but Heath, Spaeth and McHugh will man this position just fine.  McHugh will have to be re-signed, but he'll come pretty cheap.

OT - Now things get interesting.  I'm 99.9% sure that Marvel will not be re-signed.  It is a shame, but his back is just too tweaked to be reliable.  Colon is a RFA, so either they'll give him the highest 1 year offer (no one will give up a 1st and a 3rd), or they'll get him into a 3-4 year contract.  Starks is an interesting one to watch too.  Some people have been clamoring to sign Gross from Carolina, but he'll get the franchise tag.  They let Smith walk, so they will try to re-sign Starks for 2-3 years.  They will use Essex as the backup LT.  The backup RT will depend on the draft, or might just be Hills.

OG - More intrigue.  Kemo is up.  I think Kemo gets a new contract, but for reasonable money.  Hopefully, he works on his pass pro in the off-season.  If Simmons comes back well from his Achilles injury, they might NOT re-sign Kemo, and they might move Simmons to LG.   Stapleton has done a decent job, but lacks the size and strength to go against big DTs.  Good in pass pro.  If you could combine Stapleton and Kemo, you'd have a pretty good OG.   I think OG is one of the positions that the Steelers will address on the first day of the draft, maybe even Rd 1 if the prospect is good enough.

C - Hartwig has done a good job so far.  I think the Steelers will be looking for a future center in the draft, particularly the 1st and 2nd rounds.  This happened to Hartwig when Carolina took Kalil.

Defense
DL - The Steelers DL is quality, but is aging.  I think they will draft on day 1 here.  Roye got his ring and will retire, opening up a roster space.  Look for a DE to be taken in rounds 2-3.

OLB - No issues, except for maybe giving Harrison more money.  Some of the backups are UFAs, but I do not think that is a big deal as they will be eager to re-sign or will be easily replaced.  Hopefully, Bruce Davis can get some things together and contribute next year.

ILB - There are rumors that Foote wants to go to Detroit.  I think that would be OK.  I think Timmons is now ready to play inside.  Timmons is not the ideal mac backer, so look for a player to be drafted for the future mac position.  Farrior will stay at the buc position until he retires, and then Timmons will take his spot.  Look for Humpal to make it from the practice squad and be a backup ILB.  I think Fox gets re-signed for ST and as a backup.  

CB - McFadden will not get a big offer as a UFA, and he will be back with the Steelers.  Other than some backups and ST players, there will not be a lot of movement here.

S - Anthony Smith is really the question mark here.  As a RFA, will he be given an offer?  I think so, but he seems to be in Tomlin's doghouse...or at least toward the bottom of the depth chart.  when the Steelers use 3 safeties, they insert Carter.  Does an OK job on ST though.

Special Teams
K - No changes.
P - Thank goodness Sepulveda comes back.  Berger is gone and can retire with a ring.  Good for him.

Draft Needs
Here are the Steelers needs:

1.  Interior offensive line - Look for the Steelers to get the best C or OG available with the 32nd pick.  They might address this need twice on the first day of the draft.
2.  DL depth - Look for the Steelers to address this in the 2nd or 3rd round.  Look for some late round picks here too.
3.  Kick Returner - The return game for the Steelers has no pop.  The Steelers need to draft a DB or a WR that can return kicks.  Imagine this team if they can get field position past the 35 once or twice a game.  Sometimes, they need to flip the field and take pressure off of the defense.
4.  MLB - an ideal mac backer.

We'll look at potential FA signings in a late post.

Enjoy the Championship!!