Pittsburgh Steelers: An Offseason of Releases and Reconstruction

My childhood is becoming dismantled, thanks to the recent restructuring of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They announced that almost $37.4 million has been cut off their salary cap, due to the execution-style cuts and releases they have done within the past few days.

This morning, long-time Steelers linebacker James Farrior found out he had been cut, leading to great sadness across Steeler Nation that could scarcely remember a time without him.

Even though Farrior's been around for 10 years, it shouldn't come as too big a surprise. Lawrence Timmons has been Farrior's protege, and some could argue that Timmons has the most talent out of anyone on the Steelers defense.

Farrior joins fellow veterans Hines Ward, Aaron Smith and Chris Kemoeatu as those who will not be returning to Pittsburgh next season. It will be odd to see the Steelers without so many franchise faces; players who were easily identifiable with the city.

The Hines release was the one that made me realize times were changing, but it's weird to see it all happen so fast and with little care for human life. How will I go on without yelling at Kemoeatu for another holding penalty? Or yelling at Smith for being injured again?

These were players everyone in my household knew and rallied behind for better or worse. Football is always a young man's game, and frankly it's surprising these four guys have been able to play as long as they have.

The Steelers are attempting to become more modern, and they feel that youth is the way to do that.