Zachintosh66
01-17-2010, 10:52 PM
1. What to do with Casey Hampton?
This question is prolly the most important this offseason and would have a domino effect to several other decisions this offseason.
a. Let him leave. Looking back at Steelers history this seems to be the direction the Steelers may be leaning. Usually if they plan on keeping a player they usually try to resign him in advance. He will be 33 by the beginning of the ’10 season and his weight seems to an issue just about every training camp.
b. Tag him or sign to a one year deal. This may be an option if they don't feel so comfortable about Hoke as a everyday guy. Backups would be Steve McLendon, Scott Paxson and spot play by Kirschke.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High if Hampton is gone.
2. Are changes on the horizon w/ Willie Colon and the OL?
With a salary cap Colon will be a RFA and without a cap will result in him being UFA. RFA would almost be a lock for him to return to the team. UFA would push things back to a so-so status of a return. Colon leads the Steelers OL. If I were to rank the OL from best to worst:
Colon -Best OL on the roster, hands down.
Kemo - Turning into a beast.
Hartwig - Average. But just singed a 4 year deal last season. I don't expect him to go anywhere despite how much the Message Boards online bitch about him.
Essex -Showing Promise.
Foster -Coaches are behind this kid.
Starks -Way too much $ for his horrible play. (UFA)
Legursky -Seems to be gaining momentum. May make a play at starting unless a Rookie or FA shows up in Latrobe.
Stapleton (RFA) -Fringe Player, Only started b/c Simmons landed on IR, Simmons is now burried on Bills roster (and on IR again).
Hills -Grade Incomplete (still).
Urbik - 3rd Rounder spent most of the year not even in uniform. Incomplete.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High.
3. Will we make a play on a CB?
The reality of the CB’s is sad. We miss McFadden more than we all thought. Reality is Ike is really a #2 CB and Gay (RFA) is about a #4. We all love Deshea (UFA) but his best days are behind him. Burnett looks like he may get more of a shot to prove himself. Madison is a main stay on ST’s and the coaches were made to look like a goof for keeping Ratliff over him last year. But Madison wont help us out on passing downs. There still is Keenan Lewis, but sounds like he may take a shot a FS next camp.
The Option is always there for a FA or Draft pick to come in. Personally Id like to see at least one of each welcomed into the ’10 Camp.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High.
4. Who will end up FS?
Will Clark be back? Thats iffy. Is Mundy read to take over? Thats iffy. Rumors have been heard with Deshea and/or K. Lewis moving back there.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High to Mid.
5. Will there be allot of UFA Turnover?
Now chances are that usually the RFA come back unless a team bids on them (Colon) or the team itself decides ahead of time not to bring them back (Davis, Gay, Spaeth, Stapleton). I have listed them with their chances of return to the Steelers in 2010.
UFA’s
Batch -Questionable
Boiman -Doubtful
Carter -Questionable
Clark -Questionable
Eason -Fringe
Hampton -Questionable
Kirschke -Probable
Parker -Questionable
Reed -Questionable
Townsend -Questionable
Galloway -Doubtful
RFA’s
Bailey -Probable
Colon - #1 Priority (UFA, if no cap)
Davis -Probable
Gay -Probable
Spaeth -Probable, May lose his spot with Johnson and McHugh.
Stapleton -Fringe
6. Can Farrior still be an effective ILB?
Remains to be seen. Yes, Farrior lead the team in tackles (again), but alot of the Steelers faithful is now questioning is age and his skills. Sure the Steelers DL was banged up most of the year, starting an the age-less wonder Kirshke and fringe player Eason. Those DL take on the OL to leave the LB’s free to make plays. Missing Smith Im sure hurt Farriors play.
Possible FA Target? Maybe
Possible Draft Target? Possible, High if the FO feels Farrior is “over the hill”. If thats the case Farrior might find himself cut after the contract he signed last year.
7. Will we sign any FA’s?
History shows we may sign one, maybe two FA this offseason. None will break the bank. Couple adequate DB’s may be out there.
8. Reed vs Czech?
Reed turned down a contract last preseason and then started off the year a little rocky on and off the field. Was arrested (again) and the Steelers don't take that stuff lightly. Czech made it all the final roster cut last season and played some ball in the UFL. Was resigned to the offseason squad in the front end of January 2010.
Possible FA Target? Low Possibility.
Possible Draft Target? Low Possibility.
9. Who will be added to the Coaching Staff?
Its likely that Tomlin will be extended this offseason. If its short term or long term depends if you ask a pro-tomlin guy or a anti-tomlin guy.
OL Coach Zierlein (out), Sean Kugler (in from Buff).
ST’s Ligashesky (out), so far April has declined.
Def Specialist Spanos (out to Wash).
LB Coach Butler to be interviewed by Mia. but is staying in the 'burgh.
Khan, football and business administration coordinator has been contacted by Sea.
10. Who will we draft?
This is where math comes into the equation. Add questions 1 to 9 and that will equal the answer to this one. Biggest glaring needs of course are OL, CB, DL, FS and ILB.
This answer is to be continued...
Dates to Remember:
Feb 24th - NFL Scouting Combine.
March 3rd - FA Starts
April 22 - NFL Draft
This question is prolly the most important this offseason and would have a domino effect to several other decisions this offseason.
a. Let him leave. Looking back at Steelers history this seems to be the direction the Steelers may be leaning. Usually if they plan on keeping a player they usually try to resign him in advance. He will be 33 by the beginning of the ’10 season and his weight seems to an issue just about every training camp.
b. Tag him or sign to a one year deal. This may be an option if they don't feel so comfortable about Hoke as a everyday guy. Backups would be Steve McLendon, Scott Paxson and spot play by Kirschke.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High if Hampton is gone.
2. Are changes on the horizon w/ Willie Colon and the OL?
With a salary cap Colon will be a RFA and without a cap will result in him being UFA. RFA would almost be a lock for him to return to the team. UFA would push things back to a so-so status of a return. Colon leads the Steelers OL. If I were to rank the OL from best to worst:
Colon -Best OL on the roster, hands down.
Kemo - Turning into a beast.
Hartwig - Average. But just singed a 4 year deal last season. I don't expect him to go anywhere despite how much the Message Boards online bitch about him.
Essex -Showing Promise.
Foster -Coaches are behind this kid.
Starks -Way too much $ for his horrible play. (UFA)
Legursky -Seems to be gaining momentum. May make a play at starting unless a Rookie or FA shows up in Latrobe.
Stapleton (RFA) -Fringe Player, Only started b/c Simmons landed on IR, Simmons is now burried on Bills roster (and on IR again).
Hills -Grade Incomplete (still).
Urbik - 3rd Rounder spent most of the year not even in uniform. Incomplete.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High.
3. Will we make a play on a CB?
The reality of the CB’s is sad. We miss McFadden more than we all thought. Reality is Ike is really a #2 CB and Gay (RFA) is about a #4. We all love Deshea (UFA) but his best days are behind him. Burnett looks like he may get more of a shot to prove himself. Madison is a main stay on ST’s and the coaches were made to look like a goof for keeping Ratliff over him last year. But Madison wont help us out on passing downs. There still is Keenan Lewis, but sounds like he may take a shot a FS next camp.
The Option is always there for a FA or Draft pick to come in. Personally Id like to see at least one of each welcomed into the ’10 Camp.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High.
4. Who will end up FS?
Will Clark be back? Thats iffy. Is Mundy read to take over? Thats iffy. Rumors have been heard with Deshea and/or K. Lewis moving back there.
Possible FA Target? Yes
Possible Draft Target? Yes, High to Mid.
5. Will there be allot of UFA Turnover?
Now chances are that usually the RFA come back unless a team bids on them (Colon) or the team itself decides ahead of time not to bring them back (Davis, Gay, Spaeth, Stapleton). I have listed them with their chances of return to the Steelers in 2010.
UFA’s
Batch -Questionable
Boiman -Doubtful
Carter -Questionable
Clark -Questionable
Eason -Fringe
Hampton -Questionable
Kirschke -Probable
Parker -Questionable
Reed -Questionable
Townsend -Questionable
Galloway -Doubtful
RFA’s
Bailey -Probable
Colon - #1 Priority (UFA, if no cap)
Davis -Probable
Gay -Probable
Spaeth -Probable, May lose his spot with Johnson and McHugh.
Stapleton -Fringe
6. Can Farrior still be an effective ILB?
Remains to be seen. Yes, Farrior lead the team in tackles (again), but alot of the Steelers faithful is now questioning is age and his skills. Sure the Steelers DL was banged up most of the year, starting an the age-less wonder Kirshke and fringe player Eason. Those DL take on the OL to leave the LB’s free to make plays. Missing Smith Im sure hurt Farriors play.
Possible FA Target? Maybe
Possible Draft Target? Possible, High if the FO feels Farrior is “over the hill”. If thats the case Farrior might find himself cut after the contract he signed last year.
7. Will we sign any FA’s?
History shows we may sign one, maybe two FA this offseason. None will break the bank. Couple adequate DB’s may be out there.
8. Reed vs Czech?
Reed turned down a contract last preseason and then started off the year a little rocky on and off the field. Was arrested (again) and the Steelers don't take that stuff lightly. Czech made it all the final roster cut last season and played some ball in the UFL. Was resigned to the offseason squad in the front end of January 2010.
Possible FA Target? Low Possibility.
Possible Draft Target? Low Possibility.
9. Who will be added to the Coaching Staff?
Its likely that Tomlin will be extended this offseason. If its short term or long term depends if you ask a pro-tomlin guy or a anti-tomlin guy.
OL Coach Zierlein (out), Sean Kugler (in from Buff).
ST’s Ligashesky (out), so far April has declined.
Def Specialist Spanos (out to Wash).
LB Coach Butler to be interviewed by Mia. but is staying in the 'burgh.
Khan, football and business administration coordinator has been contacted by Sea.
10. Who will we draft?
This is where math comes into the equation. Add questions 1 to 9 and that will equal the answer to this one. Biggest glaring needs of course are OL, CB, DL, FS and ILB.
This answer is to be continued...
Dates to Remember:
Feb 24th - NFL Scouting Combine.
March 3rd - FA Starts
April 22 - NFL Draft