Steelers Salary Cap Blues; Several Impressive Prospects: Vaccaro, Cooper, Ball and Allen

Steelers Salary Cap Challenges


When taking the top 51 contracts for the Steelers, they need to clear about $14 million to comply with the projected $121 million salary cap.

The Steelers will undoubtedly try to restructure some of the high salary cap numbers including James Harrison at $10 million and Polamalu at $10.3 million. Harrison's agent is on record saying Harrison will not take a pay cut.

GM Kevin Colbert said last week, "We've got to be prepared, both from a salary cap standpoint and a talent standpoint to make these changes. It's really not any more sophisticated than in previous years."

Today it was reported the Steelers restructured Antonio Brown's contract. Brown reduced his $4.5 million contract to $650,000 with the remaining money rolled over into a signing bonus according to Pro Football Talk. According to the report, the deal will save the Steelers $3.08 million next season. It's also being reported that Roethlisberger is considering restructuring his contract as well to help create salary cap space.

Laurence Timmons contract was restructured on Tuesday.

Restructuring these contracts and more will enable the Steelers to meet the March 12, 2013 deadline. However, it may leave the Steelers little room to deal with free agents.


Steelers Have Their Eyes On Kenny Vaccaro, Jonathan Cooper, Montee Ball And Keenan Allen

With the first week of evaluations completed at the NFL combine, it appears the Steelers are taking a hard look at Kenny Vaccaro of Texas as insurance for Polamalu especially considering Troy's injuries the last two seasons.

It's also been reported that the Steelers are interested in Jonathan Cooper of North Carolina who would fill the need for third interior linemen. Cooper is smaller and a good athlete who is quick, exactly what offensive line coach Jack Bicknell, Jr., is looking for.

It's also no secret that the Steelers will be in need of good running back. It's been reported the Steelers met with Montee Ball of Wisconsin. At 5'10" tall and 214 pounds, Ball might just fit that need. In addition, his career 77 rushing touchdowns is impressive.

California's Keenan Allen might also make a tempting target for Roethlisberger at 6'2" with some impressive speed.

Sources: USA TODAY, Fox Sports, Bleecher Report, SBnation and PittsburghSteelers.com

Will James Harrison Be A Steeler Next Season? But What About Woodley? LeBeau Confident Troy Has Several Years Left

Will James Harrison Remain A Steeler?

Seems like many are asking that question. Ed Bouchette of the Pitt. Post Gazette is reporting the Steelers want Harrison back next season. The only obstacle might be Harrison's salary now at $6.5 million considering the Steelers need to come in under the cap.

But What About LaMarr Woodley?

Woodley, on the other hand, needs to show more during the off-season especially when it comes to his workouts.  Before the 2011 season started, LaMarr signed a $61.5 million contract but since that year, his performance declined. His sacks declined from 9 in 2011 to 4 in 2012.


Dick LeBeau Confident In Polamalu Hanging Around A Few More Years

We've heard the rumors. Does Troy have anything left in his gas tank? Well, Steelers Defensive Coordinator, Dick LeBeau is confident Troy does.  In fact, LeBeau believes Polamalu has "several more years" left.

Yardbarker, Fox Sports, Steelers Depot

Steelers Off-Season Needs; Keisel, A Viking No More; Hines Ward's Lifetime Achievement Award

Steelers Off-Season Needs

Look for movement by the Steelers next week.

It's apparent Steelers have some difficult issues to resolve in the off-season. One of these is dealing with a salary-cap that gives them little wiggle room. As reported several weeks ago, unrestricted free agents include Mike Wallace (WR), Rashard Mendenhall (RB), Keenan Lewis (CB), Casey Hampton (NT) and Larry Foote (LB).

At this time, the Steelers have 51 players under contract. Expect to see a half-dozen or more draft picks and at least a dozen or more undrafted free agents. The Steelers will pick at No. 17 meaning the stud players will be long gone. Keep in mind Woodley and Harrison are coming off disappointing seasons.

Bottom line: As commented on by Pete O'Brien of USA Today's Sports, "Reload or rebuild? Aging, expensive stars have the Steelers standing at a crossroads."

Add to the above issues, Roethlisberger is on the short side of his career now (entered league in 2004). Having said this, in 2012, Ben was on a tear to have his best season since 2007 with 32 TD's (11 interceptions). In addition, he's not had consistent running backs since Parker and Bettis were in the backfield. Right now, Heath Miller remains Ben's best target if Miller's knee holds up.

Folks, no need to panic. We've been here before.


Keisel, A Viking No More

Brett Keisel resemblance to Leif Ericksson is no more. Keisel shaved his famous beard last week benefiting Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.


Hines Ward Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Last Wednesday, former Steelers wide receiver received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ward , who retired in 2011, was honored for his 11 year career with the team.

"It's such a big honor for me...I am so grateful to the Steelers, the City of Pittsburgh and the Dapper Dan Charities for recognizing me in this way. It's very humbling," said Ward.

Ward finished his tenure with the Steelers with exactly 1000 receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. Ward also holds the team record for most 100-yard games at 29.

Dapper Dan Charities benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania along with many other charities.


USA TODAY, PittsburghSteelers.com, Steeler Depot

Danny Smith, Native Of Pittsburgh + Edinboro Coaching Alumni, Named Special Teams Coodinator; Jack Bricknell, Jr., Tagged As New O-Line Coach

Danny Smith Comes Home: New Special Teams Coordinator

Steelers hired Danny Smith, former Redskins Special Teams Coordinator, as the Steelers new Special Teams Coordinator. Smith is a native of Pittsburgh.

Smith comes to the Steelers with 18 years of NFL experience. He coached special teams with the Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. He also coached tight ends for the Detroit Lions.

Smith started his coaching career at my Alma Mater, Edinboro University, in 1976. He went on to coach at Clemson, William and Marry, The Citadel and Georgia Tech.



Jack Bricknell, Jr., New O-Line Coach

Steelers are wasting no time making changes in some key coaching positions.  Earlier this week, the Steelers announced the hiring of Jack Bricknell, Jr., as the Offensive Line Coach.

Bricknell, 49, comes to the Steelers from Kansas City. Prior to his stint with the Chiefs, he served as assistant line coach with the NY Giants. Bricknell was part of the Giant's coaching staff that led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLVI. Being part of the Steeler tradition is "really a dream come true," said Bricknell last week.

 

Steeler Roster Changes Coming; Salary Cap Challenges; Fans Pick Greatest QB In Steelers History

Steelers Could Be Seeing Big Roster Changes

One didn't have to listen closely to what Steelers general manager, Kevin Colbert, was saying last week.  Expect roster changes. In fact, expect some major roster changes. Referring to the 2012 season as "disappointing" and "unacceptable," it's clear what he meant. 

Colbert said the Steelers will rework some contracts and terminate others largely to make room under the salary cap. 

"If we don't change a roster that produced 8-8, we'd be silly to expect a better result," said Colbert.

Steelers President Art Rooney II threw his continued support behind coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley.



Salary Cap Challenges Facing Steelers

Salary cap goes into effect on March 12. On that day, every team's 51 man roster contracts must be below the 2013 salary cap estimated to be about $121 million. Some reports place the Steelers about $10 million over the cap. However, Rooney hinted that number might be low. In addition, salary cap issues could limit how many veterans would return.

Who Is The Greatest Quarterback In Steelers History?

We know all the names---Roethlisberger, Bradshaw, O'Donnel, Stewart, Maddox, and Hanratty. 

So who did fans choose as the best QB in Steelers history? According to Yardbarker (who ran the poll), Terry Bradshaw took it by a wide margin. Bradshaw received 79.3% of the votes. Roethlisberger received 18.8%. Neil O'Donnel edged out Slash by .08%. O'Donnel came in at 1.08% while Kordell slipped in at 1%.

Yardbarker, Fox Sports, Steelers.com

Bettis + Kevin Green Finalists In Pro Football Hall of Fame; Steelers Cut Chris Rainey; View From The Stands: Ron Cammarata

Jerome Bettis + Kevin Green: 2013 Hall of Fame Finalists

NFL Hall of Fame announced Jerome Bettis and Kevin Green as finalists in the 2013 NFL Hall of Fame.

Bettis was the Steelers leading rusher for a total of five years. He amassed 50 100-yard games with the Steelers.  He rushed for a total of 10,571 yards in his Steeler career and 13,662 total career yards (Bettis played for the LA Rams earlier in his career).

Kevin Green played linebacker and defensive end with the Steelers from 1993-1995. He also played for the LA Rams, Carolina Panthers and Forty-Niners.


Steelers Waive Rainey

Steelers cut rookies running back Chris Rainey after his arrest on a battery charge in Gainesville, FL.  According to police reports, Rainey got into an argument with his girlfriend about his cellphone. Witnesses reported Rainey allegedly slapped his girlfriend as he tried to pull her out of his car.

Rainey was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

From The Stands
Ron Cammarata
Section 110, Row CC-Seat 9

The best two days of the NFL season is arguably wild card weekend. The games aren't necessarily the high scoring events that we have come accustomed to during the regular season, and the balance displayed by these better teams comes to light.

In the playoffs, even teams that we don't associate as running teams find that very important element. Look at the Saturday night game with the Packers and Vikings. The Packers all season never established, or cared to run the ball with any great efficiency...but in the playoffs they ran the rookie back Harris with a lot of consistency.

In the earlier Saturday game between the Texans and Bengals, Mike Mayock (in my opinion the best TV analyst in the business), made an excellent point that he reiterated often throughout the broadcast. In reference to the Texans offense he claimed that in reviewing film of their entire season, that Matt Schaub was a much better quarterback (and, in turn, the offense was better) when Schaub was under center running a play/action style offense than standing in the shotgun. The Texans zone-blocking schemes of their offensive line lends itself to a run first team approach more so than the pocket protection needed for success in the shotgun. Recognizing Mayock's repeated comments make me think of exactly our own offensive trouble that plagued the Steelers propensity to run the shotgun in recent years, no matter Arians or Haley. In a recent article in the Tribune Review, it was pointed out that the Steelers passed the ball 162 more plays this season than they ran the football. Of course, down and distance, along with other contributing factors dictate pass over run...and that's OK. But in the post-Bettis era of Steelers football, it is obvious that this team is all about the quarterback and what and how the quarterback wants in conducting the offense.

We have heard repeatedly that Ben likes the shotgun, because he can keep the flow of the play in front of him...but that doesn't mean that it is the best approach for the rest of the team's offense.  An offensive line that can pass block out of the shotgun with great success is usually a line with a lot of cohesion and consistency like the Patriots or Broncos. The Steelers 2012 offensive line was a continual work in progress based on injuries and patch-worked all season. In addition, the Monday morning excuse after many losses in the Big Ben era is that the opposition shut down the run...when in reality we chose to stop trying to run.  Any time a team runs the ball less than twenty carries in a 60 minute game when the score is still close...is a philosophical choice. On first down we often saw bubble screens (a Ben favorite) and other college intramural looking formations for the entire series, with three and out results. How about those lame draw plays out of the gun...do you recall any of those run plays this year producing a significant gainer on the ground? In 2009, (the last time we did not make the playoffs), out of the shotgun/empty set Ben threw five interceptions in seven of our losses, all on first down in the opponents red zone.

We are fortunate to have a QB with Ben's ability to extend the play based on his sheer size and grittiness, but he does not have the ball release mechanism of a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning and that is OK. But in 2013, our offense needs to put our quarterback under center and use the shotgun when down and distance dictates...not as our primary offensive formation like it was in 2012.

Leave you with with the first two plays of OT with the Cowboys. Win the coin toss, take the ball on offense: first play out of the shotgun, ball thrown in the dirt...second play out of the shotgun, interception...all the time in the world to move the ball in a timely manner to kick a field goal and walk away with a win and regain some momentum going into the important Bengals game. After watching the Bengals (also never tried establishing a run game) against the Texans, it was evident that the Steelers could have and would have given a better performance in that wild card weekend, and may have even pulled out a win---strictly conjecture...a view from the stands.

Steelers 2012 Season Numbers; Free Agents; Initial Look At Draft Needs

Steelers 2012 Stats Of Note

Steelers ranked number one in defense in the NFL. They gave up the fewest yards per passing attempt. Sounds good. So where did they go wrong. Let's examine some of the numbers:

• Power Ranking: 17th (16th in USA Today)
• Ranked 25th in takeaways
• 26th in giveaways
• 26th in running defense.
• 22nd in offensive points per game...21
• 21st in total yards per game...332.8 yards per game
•  14th in passing yards per game...236.7
• Roethlisberger had a 97 rating with a total of 3265 yards
• Total Passing TD's: 35 ranked 18th
• Average Yards Per Passing Play: 6.6 ranked 17th
• Redman, Mendenhall and Dwyer averaged out to 3.76 yards per carry
• Wallace, Miller and Brown averaged out to 12.1 yards per reception
• Total First Downs: 307 ranked 17th
• Third Down Conversions: 94 ranked 5th
• Total Offensive Yards: 5324 ranked 21st
• Total Touchdowns: 35 ranked 18th
• Total Passing Plays: 574 ranked 12th
• Total Rushing Plays: 412 ranked 20th
• Zero Punt Return and Kick Return TD's
• One Defensive TD
• Total Interceptions: 10 for 127 yards.

List of Free Agents

Unrestricted: Allen, Batch, Burress, Foote, Foster, Hampton, Johnson, Leftwich, Legurski, King, Lewis, Mendenhall, Mundy, Pope, Starks, Wallace and Warren

Restricted: Dywer, McLendon, Redman, Sylvester, and Sanders.

News:

According to the Pittsburgh PG, the Steelers are unlikely to use their franchice tag on WR Mike Wallace. Wallace is set to hit the open market, and he's looking for a huge contract. It's unlikely Wallace will then remain with the Steelers considering the team's cap issues.

Current interest in Wallace is coming from the Miami Dolphins.


Initial Look At Draft Needs:

There is probably little disagreement that the Steelers need to look at the Outside Linebacker position. James Harrison's return is iffy. Woodley is coming off a disappointing season including sustaining injuries. And Chris Carter struggled to stay healthy for two seasons now.

Steelers should look at getting some young Tight Ends. Heath Miller will most likely have a long rehabilitation for the MCL and ACL injuries. Leonard Pope is unlikely to return. That won't be a big loss.

Troy Polamalu's injuries have been disturbing and there's really no one ready to slip into his spot. Steelers should take a long hard look at some young draft picks although the draft is not deep in strong safeties. Bottom line: Steelers need to address this position in the off season should Troy suffer yet another injury plagued season.

Steelers should start looking for a capable back-up for Roethlisberger. It's likely that Batch or Leftwich will return but not both of them.

 

Fox Sports, Yarkbarker, Steelers.com, Pittsburgh PG