Hampton and Clark the priority

cmerrifield · 01-27-2010, 02:23 PM

http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/01/27/stee...mpton-s-clark/

Jason La Canfora
Steelers expected to re-sign DT Hampton, S Clark
Posted: January 27th, 2010 | Jason La Canfora | Tags: Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Clark, Tyrone Carter

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made retaining DT Casey Hampton and S Ryan Clark an offseason priority and neither player is expected to hit the open market, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. This year’s free-agent class is already shaping up to be thin due to the absence of a CBA extension at this point, and the best prospects will be further limited as teams negotiate new deals with key free agents between now and March.

The Steelers began exploratory talks with Clark before the season, and it would be very surprising if they did not come to a deal in the coming weeks. Clark is coming off what may have been his best season, with Troy Polamalu out for much of the year. In the mean time, the team is likely to let another free agent safety, Tyrone Carter, hit the market.

Hampton’s weight issues have given the team concern at times, but he again was an anchor on defense in 2009. Given Hampton’s age — he will be playing his 10th season in 2010 — and the possibility the sides cannot agree on a long-term deal, the team could always end up using a franchise designation on him as well. Last year, the franchise tag for DTs was only roughly $6 million (Hampton earned aproximately $3.1 million in 2009) and though that figure will rise, it remains low compared to many other positions.

Also, if there is no new CBA, clubs can utilize an extra franchise designation in 2010, another tool that would restrict the quantity and quality of players to hit the market.

These two are my priority too. I do think that we need to find both their replacements in this draft. I also find it funny that this is the same guy who said Hampton would be traded at the beginning of this season.

steelersbabex25 · 01-27-2010, 02:42 PM

This makes me extremely extremely happy.

SnakeEyes43 · 01-27-2010, 02:51 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing both back

. I thought Hampton was a bigger priority than Clark, but I think Clark plays well as long as he has Troy back there to cover his ass. He needs to do a little less head-hunting and a little better coverage though

. But yeah, no one plugs up the line like big Casey, so I'll be happy if he returns.

Zachintosh66 · 01-27-2010, 02:59 PM

IMO Colon comes before Clark... but yeah.

As I understand Colon could be eiter RFA or UFA depending on the CBA and IF there is a cap.

--- Added 1/27/2010 at 02:59 PM ---

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeEyes43

He needs to do a little less head-hunting and a little better coverage.

and a little more tackling although he is WAYYYY better at tackling than TyWrong Carter!

NCSteeler · 01-28-2010, 01:11 AM

LaConfora = same jackass said we would trade Hampton last off season. Guy don't know jack.

Callax · 01-28-2010, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCSteeler

LaConfora = same jackass said we would trade Hampton last off season. Guy don't know jack.

WHO IS THIS GUY LaConfora????

addicts member??

Espn "guru"?

**JensK** · 01-28-2010, 02:43 AM

Im all for it, if they an sign Woodley and Holmes as well next year. I don't want either of them to take up too much space.

BlitzburghRockCity · 01-28-2010, 07:42 AM

Wood & Holmes won't be top priority right now because with the absence of a CBA right now they would only be RFA's and wouldn't be UFA's anyways; worst case scenario. You are right now, both of them better get new deals when their time comes.

Hampton, that's a given, the dude needs to be paid and finish his career here. We've got no one on the roster good enough to step in right now and do what he does. I do think starting next year or the year after, that drafting a new top flight NT will be in the cards for us so they are ready when Hamp finally leaves.

As far as Clark; he may have had his best year but he lost the respect of a lot of fans after that media stunt he pulled. Let's face it, without Troy our secondary is WAY below average right now so bringing him may be a good thing overall but considering who we don't have depth wise, it's almost a must at this point.

To be honest, Carter is not a bad strong safety. He's a good tackler when he's up close and he can play the run pretty well. His pass coverage is horrific though, we all know that. Letting him go isn't the worst decision they could make, assuming they actually go out and get us a decent guy to back up the starters.

**JensK** · 01-28-2010, 09:31 AM

i agree. Carter is a solid backup, and he played pretty well when he stood in for Clark against Denver. He just is not a good backup for Troy, because they ask him to do what Troy does, and he is just not capable. He is more than capable of being an older version of Clark. Hit hard, don't do too much in coverage and stop the run

JollyRob68 · 01-28-2010, 02:56 PM

Franchise Hampton and allow him to seek a trade. Rumor is KC wants him and they have the picks 1 rd one & two rd 2's. Try to sign clark it will allow you to get a safety later in the draft and can take Jared Odrick or Mike Iupati if Earl Thomas is not there.

01-27-2010, 02:23 PM	#1
cmerrifield 2nd String Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wilmore KY Posts: 598 - Gender: SA Gold: 62,877,768,286.09	Hampton and Clark the priority http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/01/27/stee...mpton-s-clark/ Jason La Canfora Steelers expected to re-sign DT Hampton, S Clark Posted: January 27th, 2010 \| Jason La Canfora \| Tags: Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Clark, Tyrone Carter The Pittsburgh Steelers have made retaining DT Casey Hampton and S Ryan Clark an offseason priority and neither player is expected to hit the open market, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. This year’s free-agent class is already shaping up to be thin due to the absence of a CBA extension at this point, and the best prospects will be further limited as teams negotiate new deals with key free agents between now and March. The Steelers began exploratory talks with Clark before the season, and it would be very surprising if they did not come to a deal in the coming weeks. Clark is coming off what may have been his best season, with Troy Polamalu out for much of the year. In the mean time, the team is likely to let another free agent safety, Tyrone Carter, hit the market. Hampton’s weight issues have given the team concern at times, but he again was an anchor on defense in 2009. Given Hampton’s age — he will be playing his 10th season in 2010 — and the possibility the sides cannot agree on a long-term deal, the team could always end up using a franchise designation on him as well. Last year, the franchise tag for DTs was only roughly $6 million (Hampton earned aproximately $3.1 million in 2009) and though that figure will rise, it remains low compared to many other positions. Also, if there is no new CBA, clubs can utilize an extra franchise designation in 2010, another tool that would restrict the quantity and quality of players to hit the market. These two are my priority too. I do think that we need to find both their replacements in this draft. I also find it funny that this is the same guy who said Hampton would be traded at the beginning of this season.

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01-27-2010, 02:42 PM	#2
steelersbabex25 Starter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DC Posts: 1,429 - Gender: SA Gold: 3,129,852.71	This makes me extremely extremely happy.

01-27-2010, 02:51 PM	#3
SnakeEyes43 Rookie Free Agent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 146 - Gender: SA Gold: 20,879.01	I wouldn't mind seeing both back . I thought Hampton was a bigger priority than Clark, but I think Clark plays well as long as he has Troy back there to cover his ass. He needs to do a little less head-hunting and a little better coverage though . But yeah, no one plugs up the line like big Casey, so I'll be happy if he returns.

01-28-2010, 01:11 AM	#5
NCSteeler Draft Pick Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Yadkin , NC Posts: 326 - Gender: SA Gold: 1,283,830.61	LaConfora = same jackass said we would trade Hampton last off season. Guy don't know jack.

01-28-2010, 02:43 AM	#7
JensK Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,042 - Gender: SA Gold: 375,965.13	Im all for it, if they an sign Woodley and Holmes as well next year. I don't want either of them to take up too much space.

01-28-2010, 07:42 AM	#8
BlitzburghRockCity Yes, it's TopGun Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central PA. Posts: 35,958 - Gender: SA Gold: 1,608,769,242,486,334.00	Wood & Holmes won't be top priority right now because with the absence of a CBA right now they would only be RFA's and wouldn't be UFA's anyways; worst case scenario. You are right now, both of them better get new deals when their time comes. Hampton, that's a given, the dude needs to be paid and finish his career here. We've got no one on the roster good enough to step in right now and do what he does. I do think starting next year or the year after, that drafting a new top flight NT will be in the cards for us so they are ready when Hamp finally leaves. As far as Clark; he may have had his best year but he lost the respect of a lot of fans after that media stunt he pulled. Let's face it, without Troy our secondary is WAY below average right now so bringing him may be a good thing overall but considering who we don't have depth wise, it's almost a must at this point. To be honest, Carter is not a bad strong safety. He's a good tackler when he's up close and he can play the run pretty well. His pass coverage is horrific though, we all know that. Letting him go isn't the worst decision they could make, assuming they actually go out and get us a decent guy to back up the starters.

01-28-2010, 09:31 AM	#9
JensK Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,042 - Gender: SA Gold: 375,965.13	i agree. Carter is a solid backup, and he played pretty well when he stood in for Clark against Denver. He just is not a good backup for Troy, because they ask him to do what Troy does, and he is just not capable. He is more than capable of being an older version of Clark. Hit hard, don't do too much in coverage and stop the run

01-28-2010, 02:56 PM	#10
JollyRob68 Draft Pick Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 284 SA Gold: 33,742.81	Franchise Hampton and allow him to seek a trade. Rumor is KC wants him and they have the picks 1 rd one & two rd 2's. Try to sign clark it will allow you to get a safety later in the draft and can take Jared Odrick or Mike Iupati if Earl Thomas is not there.

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