Pittsburgh Is Now 243 Pounds of LB Lighter...

Well I'm sure you've all heard from every major media outlet by now that Clark Haggans has agreed to a one year deal with who else but the Arizona Steelers Cardinals. What? You haven't? You mean this isn't top news on ESPN right now? Get the hell out of here!

Ah yes, well anyways - Haggans has indeed found a new home with some familiar faces out west. Good for him, and good for us, as this makes plenty of room for our promising young LB Lamarr Woodley to really step up and shine next season...provided he actually wins the job in camp (I place his chances somewhere at around 98.75%).

So peace out Clark, enjoy the Arizona sun. But I wouldn't count on another Super Bowl ring anytime soon.

This just goes to show you - beggars can't be choosers.

What say you Steeler fans? Sad day? Good day? Wish him luck? Find any significance in the fact that the only two teams to court him were Cleveland and Arizona?

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Cardinals Agree on One Year Deal with LB Haggans [NFL.com]
Haggans Has A New Home [KDKA]
Haggans Watch, 3/20 Edition [OFTOT]
Something's AFoote On The South Side [OFTOT]
Vote Clark Haggans Off The Island [OFTOT]

Someone Owes Sean Mahan A Big Thank You...

Nothing special here - just a couple signings to report. Both new Center Justin Hartwig and legacy Longsnapper Greg Warren to be exact.

Like I said, nothing really spectacular here.

However I do think, as the title of this post suggests, that Hartwig should probably send Sean Mahan a Thank You card. Do you think Hallmark makes one that says "Thank You for Sucking At Your Job?" I mean they do have a card for every occasion and recipient...

Anybody out there? Bueller?

UPDATE: The Steelers also announced this morning that they have agreed to terms with former Tampa and Indy DE Anthony "Booger" McFarland. Still no word on whether or not they're paying him in McDonald's Big Macs...cause I believe that's about all we have left in terms of compensation.

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Offensive Line Shuffle Continues As Hartwig Signs [Associated Press]
Steelers Sign One of Their Own [Post-Gazette]
McFarland Agrees to Deal [Post-Gazette]

Haggans Watch 2008 - 3/20 Edition...

The rumors are true folks -- Yesterday, potential Steelers cast-off Clark Haggans paid a visit to our AFC North rivals, the Cleveland Browns.

As if they haven't overpaid enough free agents already this offseason, it's sad to say, but Haggans might actually be an upgrade for the Browns at OLB. And since clearly we don't have much room left for him, perhaps this is for the best.

Now you might be asking yourself why I'm treating this as a sure thing...well, I mean, they did sign Donte Stallworth for what? $5 million a year for the next 7 years or some such sickening number? Remind me again how many pro bowls Stallworth has been to? Oh yeah, right.

Anyways...so yesterday Haggans visited the Browns and frankly if he doesn't come away with at least $5.5 million over the next 2-3 years I'll be pretty surprised. And just to refresh our memories of how Haggans made his case in this contract year - 59 tackles (38 solo including the one playoff game) and 4 sacks (all in the 1st nine games and none after). Enjoy Cleveland. He's all yours.

No, in all honesty I have nothing against Clark Haggans. Frankly I'm surprised he hasn't gotten more calls this offseason. But for whatever reason he seems not to fit into any other teams plans just as much as he does not fit into ours. I hope he does go to Cleveland. That'll certainly add a tiny little bit more fuel to the rivalry.

We shall see...

Why do I keep talking about Clark Haggans anyway??? Weird.

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Rival Steelers LB Visits Browns [Plain Dealer]

Chicks Kevin Colbert Digs The Mohawk...

HEEEEYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOO...Guess who's back, bitches?

Yep, and just in time for Terelle Pryor Announcement Day too...as if that were the biggest news this morning...ok, maybe to many it will be.

But for me, and I'm guessing many of you all, the biggest news this morning is the fact that the Steelers made ANOTHER free agent signing yesterday. This time, netting a much needed Center/Guard - Justin Hartwig, formerly of the Carolina Panthers.

First, I'd just like to warn Jeff Reed - dude, you're not the only crazy head of hair in Pittsburgh anymore.

Second, I'd like to say - thank god. This means a number of things to me...Most importantly, that the Steelers probably didn't sign Hartwig to sit the bench behind Sean Mahan. Rather, I'd imagine they're expecting him to assume the position (and by that I mean have Big Ben stick his hands in Hartwig's ass every game) and become the starter at Center (although he can also play Guard) in 2008.

Aside from that, this of course also signals that the Steelers have one less need to address in the impending NFL draft, at least in the first few rounds...Which of course in turn means that maybe now we can draft that 6th tight end we desperately need...

Anyways, in other Offensive Line news - we can all now breathe a collective sigh of relief that the Steelers re-signed Kemoeatu and Essex. If not for this, Cedrick Wilson might've been relegated to starting on the Offensive Line...and I don't think anyone wants that...anyone.

PS - Kemoeatu and Essex got one year deals for $1,417,000 and $927,000 respectively, and Hartwig gets $4,000,000 over two years. Ummm...weren't we like dangerously close to the salary cap well before this week? Sounds like the Steelers better start a "we don't have enough money to pay for Max Starks" fund. I've got 35 cents and some pocket lint I'd be happy to contribute. Actually, make that 32 cents...

Ok, but seriously...where's Terelle Pryor gonna go? I've got 32 cents that says Michigan (sorry Max).

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Sign New Center [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Agree to Contract With Ex-Panther, Justin Hartwig [ESPN]
Steelers Sign Hartwig [SteelCityInsider]
Steelers May Have New Starting Center [Beaver County Times]
Steelers Keep Kemoeatu, Essex [Associated Press]

Something's AFoote On The South Side...

Or perhaps more appropriately - Something's AHaggans...get it...you know, like Larry Foote, but only Clark Haggans...alright, forget it.

Anyways, I just want to make one quick observation and then step aside and open things up to you guys...and that is -- What is Clark Haggans still doing in town?

I heard last week that Cleveland was trying to line up a visit. But besides that, I haven't heard shit about him or his status as an unrestricted free agent. Might the Steelers be talking to his representation about a compromised new contract? I don't see how we could, given our current cap sitch. But I'm still trying to get to the bottom of all this...I thought he'd have been long gone by now...

Oh, and the Steelers will allegedly be meeting with a backup safety/special teams ace "this week." So we've got that goin' for us too...I guess...

Now that we've exchanged pleasantries, what I really want to know is - draft. Who will the Steelers pick? What you got? Let's get the conversation started.

PS - See you in LA bitches! Tomorrow's the day.

UPDATE: Methinks this Keyaron Fox signing may speed up the process a bit...

File Under "Not The Answer"...

Rex Hadnot.

Sure, he's 6'2" and 325 pounds. But honestly, we just lost a pro bowl guard. We're going to pay an underachieving free agent lots of millions (let's see, he started all 16 games last year. So that's...carry the one...approximately $19 million we'll have to pay him) to come in and underachieve in Black n' Gold (see Sean Mahan)?

I'm not saying Rex Hadnot COULDN'T be good for us...I'm just saying given the nature of our protection problems last season, and the large chunk of change we just committed to Ben, I just think we might take this a little more seriously...

Ok, so maybe you disagree with me?

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Check Out Faneca Replacement [Post-Gazette]
A Punster's Dream [Blog 'N Gold]
Scouting Potential Steeler, Rex Hadnot [Fanhouse]

Happy Overpay for Mediocre Players Free Agency Day...

"If you're looking to secure more talent in free agency, which we're not a big part of anyway, it's probably not good."

- Kevin Colbert

First of all, thank god it's Friday. For the C man, it's been a long, hard road this week that actually won't be ending tody, but close enough.

Anyways, as you all well know, this offseason's free agency officially began at midnight this morning/last night and of course, the Steelers have not expressed any interest in partaking of this year's talent pool...not that I blame them.

Nonetheless, there are actually a few guys out there who I wouldn't mind seeing in Black and Gold - if even just for training camp, then who knows.

With that, the list begins:

• Ty Law ~ Domski thinks, and I actually agree here, that just having Ty Law in the locker room would give the Steelers a much needed Defensive leadership boost. Plus, I'm not convinced that his career is over, and where better to try and revive it than in his hometown. Still, I wonder if he would be adverse to the idea of playing Free Safety...


• Lorenzo Neal ~ Some of you probably remember that I was never much a fan of the Carey Davis experiment. I mean if you were going to keep a fullback, it might as well have been one who could actually block for Fast [but fragile] Willie. Instead, we kept Davis based on a half decent preseason performance carrying the football. And then we handed the ball off to him like twice all season. So all I'm saying is, with Dan Kreider likely on the outs, I wouldn't mind bringing Neal in at least to see what he can still do, until we find a better solution at fullback. Or something. What do I know?


• Shane Olivea ~ Are you wowed by Willie Colon? Me either. Of course there is Max Starks, who we recently slapped with the coveted Transition tag (sarcasm is palpable). But I just have a feeling Olivea might not be a bad guy to have in Pittsburgh. Doesn't make a ton of sense, but I'm going on a feeling here...


• Seth McKinney ~ Wait, Cotter, you want a Brown on your team? Shit yeah, if he can stay healthy. Plus he was only a Brown for one year, which I believe is a short enough stay so that he remains untainted by the stink of Cleveland. McKinney only made it through eight games last season with the Browns, but let's face it, a traffic cone would be a better solution at Center than Sean Mahan. So draw your own conclusions...


• Bryant Johnson ~ Maybe it's the Penn Stater in me (yes, I went there for one year...long story), but I think Johnson might not be a bad fit for the Steelers. He's a quiet, young, solid #3 or 4 and I think he'd probably be more than willing to return to PA for a while.

And that's it - short and sweet.

Of course, the caveat to this is that I haven't actually been following the news close enough to know whether or not any of these guys got offers in the last couple days. Or if there are any better names out there that I might be overlooking. So if I'm calling out anyone who's already been signed or missing anyone significant, I apologize for my ignorance (wouldn't be the first time).

Maybe you all have some preferences -- anyone want to throw some other names into the discussion? I hear Kendrell Bell and Kimo are available...

Listen, It's Not You...It's Me...

"You're giving me the 'It's not you, It's me' routine? I invented 'It's not you, it's me'. Nobody tells me it's them not me, If it's anybody, It's me!"
- George Costanza

At the time, it seemed like it could work.

Allen Rossum, a 10 year veteran, former Atlanta Falcons pro bowl return man, and the Steelers, historically one of the most worthless Special Teams units in the league. Maybe Rossum could turn both his career and the Steelers "Special" Teams around and be just what the Doctor ordered...

But alas, it never really did work out for either of us, did it?

Look Allen, it's not you, it's us. We just need to move on. You were a great rebound girl, but we're looking for a bride. Sorry buddy, it just wasn't meant to be. You'll find somewhere else that will make you very happy. Don't worry. Now if you don't mind, could you please vacate the premises? We need your parking spot for Jeff Reed's ego...thanks.

Oh, and yes - fellow Special Teamer Clint Kriewaldt and 8th Tight End Jerame Tuman were also let go yesterday. One can only hope we're not clearing the roster so that we can go after another tight end in the draft. Although, I think that would come pretty close to qualifying as a league record...or something...

Enjoy your weekends Steeler fans...now where's my beer bong?

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Release Three Veterans [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Release 3 Veterans [Tribune-Review]

"Transition" Tag, Huh?...That's Fitting...

Image of no real significance. It just makes Cotter laugh...

Well, the Steelers finally showed some sign that they actually care about protecting Big Ben - by bestowing the much-sought-after "transition" tag on Max Starks. Yep, everybody else is franchising. We are transitioning...draw your own conclusions.

Anyway, this seems like a step in the right direction. Starks certainly hasn't been a pro bowl caliber Right Tackle over the past couple years, but he sure wrecked shit up as a Left Tackle this season when Marvell Smith went down.

I believe I've mentioned this before on OFTOT. But it is my firm belief that this is the right move. Let Faneca go. He's already got one foot out the door. Not to mention he's 31, with his "best years" behind him... Starks on the other hand, has not been so irreversibly offended (at least not by the front office). AND in case you forgot - he's both young and a mountain of a human being...or 26, 6'8" and 338 pounds, however you prefer to qualify it.

So then, that's all well and good. But what the hell is a "transition" tag?

I'm still not entirely sure. But for all intents and purposes - I hear it means that the team will have to match any offer made to Starks in free agency, and should they retain him after said period has expired - they will have to pay him the average of what the top 10 highest paid Offensive Lineman were paid last season, or approximately $6.9 million.

Here's to hoping no one tenders Starks an offer he can't refuse...

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Move to Secure Starks [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Put Transition Tag on Starks [Tribune-Review]
Steelers Tag Starks [SteelCityInsider]
Steelers Make Surprise Move [Tribune Democrat]

Have No Fear...

...For the Steelers have re-signed free agent DE Travis Kirschke.

So if Aaron Smith ever goes down again, at least we know we've got one guy who we can rotate to fill the gap...now if only we could find a successor, and/or solid fill in...

Nonetheless, welcome back Travis. Here's to likely finishing your career as a Steeler (he's 33 and we signed him for two more years).

No, no, it's Kirschke. Not Chris Hoke...

PS - meanwhile, the Ravens franchised LB Terrell Suggs, the Chiefs franchised DE Jared Allen, and the Bengals franchised LG Stacy Andrews.

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Sign Kirschke to Two Year Deal [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Re-Sign DT Travis Kirschke [Tribune-Review]
Steelers DE Kirschke Agrees to New Contract [ESPN]

Vote Clark Haggans Off The Island...

"We like to do things our way...We believe that if we bring a player up and bring him through our system, being in this organization, having the coaches train them the way we want, that that's the way you develop a team."
- Dan Rooney

The Steelers mantra - build through the draft, don't hold on to aging, declining talent, unless said talent accepts less money and/or less importance. It's a formula that has worked for years, and one that I can get behind most of the time, although some might choose to disagree.

And since we've got nothing better to talk about right now, I figured it might be a good time to discuss this offseason's potential departures...The Steelers have just a few free agents, some unrestricted and some restricted. The complete list looks like this:

Unrestricted ~ Alan Faneca, Max Starks, Dan Kreider, Clark Haggans, Brian St. Pierre, Nick Eason, and Travis Kirschke.

Restricted ~ Chris Kemoeatu, Trai Essex, Nate Washington, and Greg Warren.

I think it's pretty well settled how most of these will play out, but here's where I stand, for the record:

KEEP - Max Starks and Nick Eason as far as unrestricteds, and start thinking about the possibilities of keeping all restricteds.

You'll notice I have not made any plea for Alan Faneca. I previously had felt like we should do everything we can to keep him. But just playing devil's advocate, I think I may have changed my mind. You can't ignore that he's getting up in the years (31), and will command a pretty hefty salary wherever he ends up. So I wouldn't necessarily think it's a bad thing to lose him and hopefully gain a future starter in the 1st or 2nd round. That said, it'd be tough to lose a perrenial pro bowl lineman...especially after the season we had. All I can say is sometimes things that at first seem bad, turn out to be pretty good in the long run.

As for the rest of this mess -

Starks is 6'8", 337 and 26 years old. In the past, he seemed like what most of us would refer to as "a bust" at Right Tackle. However, he renewed our interest this year by filling in as a pretty damn capable Left Tackle (his natural position). Now how that translates over 16 games, I don't know. But I think I'd prefer to keep him in Black and Gold unless the front office has some master plan to trade up and draft Jake Long that I don't know about.

Eason ain't exactly Aaron Smith, but fortunately no one is asking him to be. While we all saw how hard it was to "replace" Smith this season. At least if we have someone semi-capable around to fill that spot, we should be in good shape (this assumes we don't draft a premier DE). Some might say keep Kirschke, release Eason. But I'm a firm believer in the power of what ESPN talking heads vacuously call "upside." Kirschke is 33, Eason is 27. Advantage Eason.

Kreider - god bless the man, I love him, one of my favorite Steelers by far. But he also isn't getting any younger and that torn ACL back in November really put a damper on any plans he might have had of being remotely effective in the future. Sorry my friend, but I think this is where we say goodbye.

Haggans - see post subject line.

St. Pierre - Refuse to devote whole sentences to this topic...Need a new young QB to groom as Chuck Batch's eventual replacement...(And if nothing else, him leaving would be one less Steeler that Pittsburgh psychos can impersonate).

Nate Washington surprised the hell out of all of us this year by actually catching passes...for TOUCHDOWNS! Yes he still dropped a bunch. But he's never going to be our #1 or #2. So if we can hold on to him and get some solid play like we saw out of him this season as the #3, I'm happy.

Kemoeatu needs a chance to start. Or at least that's how I'm feeling right now. We need to know if this guy is a viable solution on that line and with Faneca more than likely moving on, his shot should be imminent.

Essex showed all the doubters that he's at least a serviceable backup. And like I mentioned when discussing Faneca, with the line play we had last year, we ought to try and hold on to anything positive (that doesn't ask for $7-8 mil a year). After all, he won't be commanding Faneca money anyhow.

And finally, Greg Warren - I have a feeling that the Steelers recent long snapper signing was by design, knowing that Warren has one year left. If this new guy works out, we may not be seeing Greg Warren too much longer. However, Warren is one of my guys. You can't underestimate the value of a solid long snapper...(am I seriously still talking about this topic?)

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing who actually stays/goes - mostly because I've got something extremely entertaining planned for said occasion. All I can tell you is it will involve youtube (how could you go wrong with that?)...Hey, what else do I have to look forward to with the draft 3 months away?

Anyone have anything else to say about free agency? Anyone you think we should particularly keep? Anyone you're looking at to bring in? Anyone NOT want to make a play for Matt Jones and/or Ernest Wilford? Did anyone actually get through that whole post???

Oh and also -- not a free agent, unfortch, but I wouldn't exactly be devastated if the Steelers moved Cedrick Wilson...beyond that gadget play against the Jags (it was the Jags, right?), I'm pretty sure he will be best remembered for being a non-factor in 2007 and having a crazy girlfriend. Think he's worth the $2 or so million we're scheduled to pay him next year??

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Faneca's Not The Only Steelers Free Agent [Fanhouse]
Steelers Haggans Probably Moving On [Tribune-Review]
2008 Steelers Free Agents [Pittsburgh Sports Insider]
Your Pittsburgh Steelers Offseason Overview [Doubt About It]