BlackGold4vr
05-07-2007, 09:51 AM
By Dave Lolley
for SteelCityInsider.com
posted May 6, 2007
While new head coach Mike Tomlin was quick to dump linebacker Joey Porter rather than have Porter serve as a distraction because of a contract holdout, the team kept Faneca, who was in the same exact situation as Porter.
Both were heading into the final season of their contract with the Steelers and both were due a $1 million roster bonus at the beginning of March.
But the Steelers gave Faneca his roster bonus, but released Porter rather than pay his bonus only to have him skip mini-camp and/or training camp.
Could it be the Steelers know something about Faneca that others don't?
While Steeler fans have been up in arms about Faneca's supposed sins, the Steelers have been silent about the whole thing. There really have been no shots across the bow or any read-between-the-lines statements from the team about their star guard's status.
That could change this weekend if Faneca skips the team's mandatory mini-camp.
But the guess here is that Faneca will show up for the mini-camp. Despite the fact he's miffed about the team's initial contract offer, it would serve no purpose for Faneca to skip a three-day, non-contact camp other than to tick off Tomlin.
The opening of training camp might be another matter. But for now, look for Faneca to avoid a nasty confrontation. He hasn't missed anything to this point that would cause a problem and he's not a problem-causing kind of guy.
That's one reason why the Steelers chose to give Faneca his roster bonus while dumping Porter.
Faneca, who unlike Porter isn't clearly on the downside of his career just yet, has to know he can play out his current contract, bank $4.3 million this season and still cash in at the end of the season. He's never had a major injury. And even a serious knee injury wouldn't be devastating to his future earnings.
That likely had something to do with the decision as well.
***Not the Whole Article***
Not really sure how a serious knee injury could not effect his future earnings :scratch: I think he will play out this year and base his decision on whether he stays or goes next year on two things:
1. How well the team plays under coach Tomlin (winning can cure a lot of woes).
2. How wide the gap is between what the Steelers offer and what he feels he can garner elsewhere. (I feel that if the offer gets him in the ballpark he may choose to stay).
for SteelCityInsider.com
posted May 6, 2007
While new head coach Mike Tomlin was quick to dump linebacker Joey Porter rather than have Porter serve as a distraction because of a contract holdout, the team kept Faneca, who was in the same exact situation as Porter.
Both were heading into the final season of their contract with the Steelers and both were due a $1 million roster bonus at the beginning of March.
But the Steelers gave Faneca his roster bonus, but released Porter rather than pay his bonus only to have him skip mini-camp and/or training camp.
Could it be the Steelers know something about Faneca that others don't?
While Steeler fans have been up in arms about Faneca's supposed sins, the Steelers have been silent about the whole thing. There really have been no shots across the bow or any read-between-the-lines statements from the team about their star guard's status.
That could change this weekend if Faneca skips the team's mandatory mini-camp.
But the guess here is that Faneca will show up for the mini-camp. Despite the fact he's miffed about the team's initial contract offer, it would serve no purpose for Faneca to skip a three-day, non-contact camp other than to tick off Tomlin.
The opening of training camp might be another matter. But for now, look for Faneca to avoid a nasty confrontation. He hasn't missed anything to this point that would cause a problem and he's not a problem-causing kind of guy.
That's one reason why the Steelers chose to give Faneca his roster bonus while dumping Porter.
Faneca, who unlike Porter isn't clearly on the downside of his career just yet, has to know he can play out his current contract, bank $4.3 million this season and still cash in at the end of the season. He's never had a major injury. And even a serious knee injury wouldn't be devastating to his future earnings.
That likely had something to do with the decision as well.
***Not the Whole Article***
Not really sure how a serious knee injury could not effect his future earnings :scratch: I think he will play out this year and base his decision on whether he stays or goes next year on two things:
1. How well the team plays under coach Tomlin (winning can cure a lot of woes).
2. How wide the gap is between what the Steelers offer and what he feels he can garner elsewhere. (I feel that if the offer gets him in the ballpark he may choose to stay).