2012 NFL Free Agents: 3 Teams That Must Stay Quiet

Contrary to popular opinion, not every NFL team needs to make a splash in the free agent market. In fact, there are a few that would be far better off staying clear of taking on more money and high-priced talent. 

There is sure to be a wave of talent taken from the draft and the worry about re-signing outgoing talent has to weigh heavy on the minds of every general manager. 

The NFL is one sport that takes a great deal of finesse to manage dozens of players and their contracts while coming under the salary cap. 

Here are some teams that are headed into the world of headaches known as potential free agents. It's best if they just ignore the market altogether. 

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Super Bowl runners-up for the 2010 season were worse in the 2011 campaign. There is no doubt the Steelers will build responsibly via the draft, and their current state of finances may make that a necessity. 

The Steelers are currently $11.7 million over the cap and have some signing to do. The Steelers may lose their star receiver Mike Wallace because of this fact. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter writes as much in his Insider Mail Bag. 

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It's not that Pittsburgh would let Wallace go, Kevin. It's that the Steelers might not have a choice.

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Now is not the time to go rummaging through the free agent bin. 

2. Miami Dolphins: I understand that this franchise has the room to sign a big-time quarterback in the offseason, but that would leave little room to sign a secondary star and other players may still be left with the bill. 

Ben Volin of The Palm Beach Post writes: 

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General Manager Jeff Ireland has the salary-cap room this off-season to pursue the kind of quarterback - perhaps Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn - coveted by owner Stephen Ross and Dolphins fans.

But if Ireland wants to sign a second high-impact free agent, some of the Dolphins might have to take a pay cut.

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This team is more than just one piece from a Super Bowl. The time is now to build a young core that can contend in a few years time. You don't do that by locking up a star QB to a big deal that will drown the team from doing so. 

3. New York Giants: This team simply has to keep the goodwill going by maintaining the core of champions. 

The Super Bowl champs are currently over the cap and may actually drop players before they ever think of picking any up. 

The NY Daily News reports the state of salary cap space is fluid, but the Giants could be as much as $4 million over. 

It's best to stay clear of taking on any more hits. 

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