Pittsburgh Steelers: Blueprint For Free Agency Includes Some Surprises
Every team in the NFL is headed toward a great unknown at this point. The direction and progress of the CBA talks will determine a lot about the 2011 season, but more immediately will have a direct effect on 2011's Free Agency period, which begins in the coming weeks.
Right now, teams seem to be proceeding on a "business as usual" course, preparing coaching staffs and lining up potential draft picks and free agents. Soon, the signing period will commence and we'll see just how active teams are and if they're committed to preparing for a season that may or may not happen.
Let's assume, as most are, that an agreement will be reached before it adversely effects anything. Here's a look at what the Pittsburgh Steelers should do.
Who's Not Under Contract?
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Here's a quick look at which players aren't under contract and what their position is on the team:
Starters:
Willie Colon, RT
Ike Taylor, CB
LaMarr Woodley, OLB
Daniel Sepulveda, P
Key Backups:
Keyaron Fox, ILB
Trai Essex, OG
Doug Legursky, OG/C
Chris Hoke, DT
Nick Eason, DE
Ryan Mundy, S
Jonathan Scott, OT
Mewelde Moore, RB
Anthony Madison, CB
William Gay, CB
Others:
Dennis Dixon, QB
Tony Hills, OT
Greg Warren, LS
Getting Their Top Priorities Straight
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Figuring out who to sign and who to say goodbye too is always difficult, but in the Steelers' case, there are a few players they should give priority to when they are looking to hand out new contracts:
LaMarr Woodley, OLB
Woodley has become a mainstay of the Pittsburgh defense in four seasons. He's got a great playing relationship with James Harrison, the team's other outside linebacker, and he's developed into a do-it-all player for the Steelers. Make no mistake, he makes the players around him better because he's yet another Steeler who must always be accounted for on the field.
Willie Colon, RT
Colon was lost for the entire 2010 season thanks to an injury to his Achilles. If he can prove his health, the team must work to re-sign him. Before his injury, he was the team's best lineman and would help shore up a Steelers line that endured a ton of injuries in the past year.
His spot is manned right now by Flozell Adams, but the aging former Cowboy can't be counted on for long. Colon still has nearly a full career in front of him.
Ike Taylor, CB
Taylor has been a starter with the Steelers since 2005 and is likely looking for one more big contract before his career hits a decline. He's got terrible hands but is excellent at covering the league's best receivers.
The biggest concerns with Taylor are his relative lack of speed and hands and his ability to stay away from costly penalties. There's not much sure depth behind him, so the team will likely try to get him back for at least another year or two.
Who Else Deserves A New Deal?
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Here's some other players who the team needs to work on extending contracts to after they take care of the top priority players:
Doug Legursky, G/C
Legursky played everywhere in 2010 and even stepped in at fullback a few times. He's a big, versatile lineman who has proved to be surprisingly successful and adept at every position he's been at. He was excellent in the Super Bowl when pitted against B.J. Raji, the Packers' excellent nose guard.
He will likely want a raise from his rookie contract's paltry salary, but he's very deserving of it after the way he's stepped up his game. He also could be in the mix to start at RG if the team decides they want competition for the surprising Ramon Foster.
Anthony Madison, CB
Madison is great on special teams and seems to be in on almost every tackle on the Steelers' coverage units. He's also made a few defensive plays, so he's not a scrub by any means.
While it may seem crazy to worry about a career backup, the team thought enough of Madison to re-sign him after letting him go before the 2009 season. They likely won't make that mistake again.
Nick Eason, DE
Eason stepped up and filled in nicely for the Steelers when Brett Keisel went down with an injury. With age and depth a concern on the Pittsburgh defense, it would be great to see Eason brought back as an insurance policy against another rash of injuries.
Greg Warren, LS
Warren finally proved healthy in 2010 and has been a consistent, steady snapper. Re-signing him is not an essential chore, but it would help the consistency on special teams and as the team likely transitions to another new kicker for the 2011 season.
Mewelde Moore, RB
Moore is another player who isn't going to be a priority but has done enough to deserve an offer. He is slowly getting buried by Isaac Redman and rookie Jonathan Dwyer is also in the wings, so he may not even get a chance, but his play has been solid for the most part.
Chris Hoke, NT
Hoke isn't getting any younger, but, like Eason, provides good, solid depth at a key position on defense. The team hasn't let him get away yet and will likely try to lock him up at some point unless they move on a younger tackle in the draft.
Also Worth of a New Deal: Dennis Dixon (QB), Ryan Mundy (S)
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Happy Trails
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There are also a few players that the Steelers likely won't look at re-signing unless they are willing to take low-salary deals. Here's a look at those names:
William Gay, CB
Gay failed as a starter in 2009 and has been only so-so as a nickel back since. He's prone to lapses in judgement and failures in coverage. He has made some big plays for this defense, but the negatives right now far outweigh the positives.
Trai Essex, RG
Essex found himself on the bench after first Doug Legursky and then Ramon Foster out-performed him at the right guard spot. With Foster likely working to entrench himself at that position, Essex' only real value now is as a backup at the tackle and guard spots. If the team can find a cheaper player, Essex will be on the street.
Daniel Sepulveda, P
Surprise! I know, when he's healthy he's excellent. The problem is that he's torn the same ACL twice now in his NFL career. That's not a good sign for any player, but particularly not one who earns his keep with his leg.
Punter isn't a premium position and it's not one that you can use two roster spots on, so Sepulveda might be the odd man out if he can't recover quickly or if the team has lost confidence in his ability to stay on the field.
Jonathan Scott, T
Scott was iffy after stepping in to replace Max Starks. If Starks is healthy and Willie Colon is re-signed, there's virtually no reason to keep Scott on the roster now that Chris Scott, one of last year's draft picks, is healthy and developing. Scott was a stopgap player and it seems that his role has been fulfilled.
Keyaron Fox, ILB
Fox originally seemed like a potential replacement for James Farrior. Thanks to the emergence of Stevenson Sylvester, that likely won't be the case. Sylvester has a lot more upside than Fox and hasn't been a liability on special teams the way Fox has been this season. Fox also wants to start and will likely have to head elsewhere to have that chance in the next season or two.
Players Under Contract Who Could Still Be Effected
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Just because a player is under contract doesn't mean that their status can't be effected by the free agent market. Here's a look at who may not be safe just because of their contract status.
Flozell Adams, RT
Adams proved to be a surprisingly successful addition to the roster last year. He stepped in for an injured Willie Colon and seemed to turn back the clock with his successful play at right tackle. He's got another year on his contract at a low base salary, so he could be kept around as a backup or stopgap player, but the team may opt for a younger option.
Byron Leftwich, QB
Leftwich is under contract with the Steelers and isn't likely to find starting work elsewhere, so he should be content to sit behind Ben Roethlisberger. The team may not be content, however. They could choose to re-sign the younger and more agile Dennis Dixon and part ways with Leftwich, although it seems that both may be around. Charlie Batch could ease the roster crunch by retiring.
Bryant McFadden and Keenan Lewis, CB
If the team re-signs Taylor and decides that Butler is ready to step up into a bigger role, McFadden could find himself out of the lineup and relegated to backup duty. Lewis has had every opportunity to seize a starting job, but hasn't played up to his potential. He could be off the roster should the team draft or sign a new corner.
Potential Targets In Free Agency
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Here's a preliminary look at some players who will likely be available in Free Agency and could be targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Logan Mankins, OG
Mankins is a solid, tough lineman and he's done a great job for the Patriots. He's Pro Bowl-caliber and doesn't make many mistakes or penalties. He'd be an expensive but excellent sign for the Steelers and would instantly shore up the inside of the offensive line. He'd likely take over at right guard and push Ramon Foster to the left side or the bench.
Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
Asomugha is an excellent corner and is coming off another All-Pro season. If the Steelers can't get Ike Taylor for a decent price, they might be best advised to go all-in on the soon-to-be-former Raider. He's a true shutdown corner and would be a nightmare paired with Troy Polamalu and the rest of the Pittsburgh defense.
Tyson Clabo, OT
If the Steelers can't re-sign Willie Colon, they may take a look at Clabo, who had an excellent season blocking for Atlanta. He's a big, tough tackle who is excellent in the running game and is also an above-average pass blocker. He won't come cheap, but he could be an excellent addition to the Pittsburgh line.
Other Potential Targets: Stanford Routt (CB), Harvey Dahl (OL), Matt Prater (PK)
The Bottom Line
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The Steelers' biggest needs are along the offensive line and in the defensive secondary. The Steelers have a lot of transition going on at both positions and likely will have to address both to some degree in both free agency and the draft.
Depth quality along the defensive line is also a concern, as is making sure the defensive front seven remains relatively intact for 2011. The Steelers have to find a way to pay LaMarr Woodley without compromising their long-term financial liability.
Finally, finding a steady, strong-legged kicker and potentially a new solution at punter are going to be important parts of this offseason.
There's plenty of work for Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin and company this offseason.
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