Each Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agent Signing Has Purpose

A free agent frenzy is rare in Pittsburgh, where the hometown Steelers consistently remain quiet during the signing period and instead focus on reloading their roster through draft picks and perhaps a couple of bargain pickups here and there to fill things out.

This offseason, however, the Steelers took a different approach, signing five players from outside the organization in just over a week and also resigning Ryan Clark to a new deal.

Here's what each of those five additions brings to Pittsburgh.

Will Allen, S

When Allen was signed, it was immediately bemoaned that he would not be able to replace the "departed" Ryan Clark.

As it turns out, he's replacing Tyrone Carter, something he should be able to handle with no difficulty.

Allen is an adept special teams tackler (something everyone in Pittsburgh will agree is needed). His contract may seem gaudy for that kind of performance, but when you add in the both Clark and Troy Polamalu, the team's starting safeties, have missed significant time in recent seasons, having someone who can step into either spot is quite valuable.

Allen has decent instincts, but he is not a shutdown safety. His speed and coverage skills should be an upgrade over Carter, as should his sure tackling.

Allen has starting experience as well, which would be invaluable should the Steelers lose Clark or Polamalu during this season.

Arnaz Battle, WR

Once again, when Battle was signed, everyone scratched their heads a little (myself included) and tried to figure out what, exactly, he brought to the table.

Battle won't be replacing Limas Sweed, however. That job belongs to Antwaan Randle El, whom we'll get to in a moment.

What Battle will do is compete as a returner and play a solid special teams. The team was dedicated during the season to improving its coverage units, which were beyond abysmal in 2009. That dedication and vision has carried over to the offseason.

Battle is familiar with new Steelers' Special Teams coach Al Everest, so his experience was certainly a factor in the signing.

He's not a bad receiver, either. He has starting experience and puts up decent numbers in an offense that has been devoid of sound quarterbacking for almost a decade.

Jonathan Scott, OL

Another head-scratcher. Why sign an offensive lineman who wasn't coveted by his own team and who was not an effective starter in Buffalo?

Well, there's two reasons that are immediately apparent:

Sean Kugler has taken over the coaching of the line.

Scott can play multiple positions.

He, like Battle and Allen, was not brought in to be a starter. He was brought in because he can back up at multiple positions and step in to start if necessary.

Scott is not a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman, but he is steady. He's the classic Steelers free agent signing. He adds depth and experience to a position that sorely needs it.

Scott is a better run blocker than pass blocker, so he may be an extra lineman in the jumbo package or in goal-line situations. His role beyond providing depth remains to be seen.

Antwaan Randle El, WR

For a guy who was a Super Bowl hero for the Steelers in 2005, Randle El's return has been received with a decidedly lukewarm attitude.

It's true he never lived up to expectations in Washington and never performed like a second receiver. He also was never a stellar return man.

The Steelers don't need any of those things. Mike Wallace, Santonio Holmes, and Hines Ward provide one of the deepest receiving corps in the NFL. What Randle El adds is the element of surprise.

He can still play a little quarterback and he can still get open and make a few big plays. He and Mike Wallace will likely be 3a and 3b, with each playing roughly half of the offensive snaps based upon play selection.

Don't forget that the Steelers also are employing more four and five receiver sets now, so Randle El's presence will be crucial. He still has good speed and runs smooth routes. He also played well with Ben Roethlisberger, so the two should have little trouble picking up where they left off.

As for returns, Randle El won't be the premier guy now that Stefan Logan has arrived, but he can be the secondary guy and an important insurance policy against injury or ineffectiveness.

Larry Foote, ILB

The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Larry Foote learned that lesson playing in Detroit last season after winning two Super Bowls with the Steelers.

Foote now returns. He's another welcome addition because he provides amazing talent as a back-up to Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior on the inside.

Don't read too much into Foote's numbers in Detroit. Detroit's defense was beyond awful. Foote was also a square peg in a round hole. He's the ideal 3-4 inside linebacker. He's quick, instinctive, and a decent rusher.

In the 4-3, Foote is asked to cover the entire middle, no easy task. He's not fast enough for that, nor is he a good enough rusher to exploit the middle of the line by himself.

This addition can pay big dividends. Farrior seemed to take a step back last season, and his time in the league is definitely short. Timmons missed time with various ailments last season.

Foote now provides insurance against injury or age. He can still bring it and will likely be even better in a limited role.

What's Next?

After signing five players in just over a week, what's next?

That answer is simple and has been echoed by pretty much everyone in the Steelers' front office: the NFL Draft.

The Steelers weren't out to make a splash. Once you look at the signings objectively, it makes sense that they did what they usually do (add depth and experience). They just added five players instead of two.

They aren't likely to make another addition until after the draft if at all. There is no salary cap this season, but the Steelers are exercising their own brand of fiscal responsibility by working under a calculated salary cap of their own.