Punter Andy Lee, a current San Francisco 49er, Pitt Alum, and Steeler hopeful, could become the Steelers first restricted free agent signing since the beginning of the "new deal" in 1993.
Kind of odd that it's a Punter, but hey, you get what you need I guess. Fortunately for us, that's a position we are looking to fill right now...beats the hell out of having to find a new QB!
With current veteran Punter Chris Gardocki pushing 40 (he's 37...but magically looks like he's 25...how DOES he do it ladies?), and commanding a hefty (detect the sarcasm) $1 million salary this coming season, the Steelers were apt to replace him with some young blood.
That's not to say I would make the same decision, but hey, it's not my decision to make...and with good reason (In Kevin Colbert We Trust).
But with the 49ers being so active in free agency and Lee being a pretty damn good prospect, this deal isn't done yet. The 9ers have until this coming Tuesday to match or exceed the Steelers offer of $850,000 (Deep pockets we have, huh?), and with Lee averaging 44.8 yards a punt in the notoriously windy Monster Park (36.8 net avg.), it'll be interesting to see if the 49ers decide to let Lee go.
March 7, 2007
Fun Steeler Fact of the Day...
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2 comments:
Are the steelers really paying a punter $7.1 million over 6 years that includes a $1.66 million signing bonus? A punter? This lawn fairy better be the master of coffin corner kicks while battling the crosswinds of one of the most difficult stadiums to kick. Especially for a 6th round draft pick!!! By the way it looks like everyone can stop thinking about the Steelers using a 15th pick for a running back because we just resigned Davenport. Not so sure hes the short yardage guy he needs to be for the steelers to win XLII.
Well, considering the 49ers gave Nate Clements (who has never even made a pro bowl) $80 million over 10 years, I think it's just a sign of the times.
It's like I read in Sports Illustrated this morning - with the new higher salary cap at $109 million, teams have so much more money to throw around they don't know what to do but they know they want quick-fixes (or what seem like them).
Too bad this year they're wasting their money on sub par free agents (except Adalius Thomas and Dre Bly)...some teams understand the value of developing players in their own system though...won't mention any names but you know who I mean.
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