Are the Steelers Making the Right Decisions this Offseason??

I think it's a fair question. After reading about personnel moves, major and minor alike in Cleveland and Baltimore, I really got to thinking this morning.

The fact is, we have a brand new, 32-year old coach in Mike Tomlin who has never been a head coach in the NFL. Not only that, but we seem to be trusting him with too much too quickly. This may be the result of Cowher's success when placed in a similar situation in 1992. However, maybe it's possible that with the departure of the great Bill Cowher, the Steelers organization and Steeler fans alike want Mike Tomlin to be something great right out of the gate. Believe me, I'm not saying he won't be. But here's what worries me:

Tomlin prefers a 4-3 (Tampa Cover 2) defensive scheme. Contrastingly, the Steelers have quite successfully run a 3-4 for a while now. The good news is, Tomlin kept 3-4 proponent and guru Dick LeBeau as Defensive Coorinator. The potential bad news is there is talk now, with Joey Porter gone, of drafting a Defensive End such as Jarvis Moss and moving into a 4-3. And look, I'm not saying the 4-3 wouldn't be a success in Pittsburgh, but coming off a Super Bowl win just a two years ago, I hardly want to see the Steelers changing too quickly at the risk of sacricing their competitive edge.

Perhaps this is just one isolated issue, and there isn't as much change as I think there is, but I guess my question is - are the Steelers trusting Mike Tomlin with too much too quickly or is all this appropriate?

Whispers About Randy Moss More Like Declarations...

Don't be fooled by headlines implying the subtlety of a possible deal between Oakland and Green Bay for Randy Moss. There is nothing subtle about a deal for Randy Moss, and frankly, really nothing subtle about Randy Moss in general.

Nonetheless, it has been reported that Packers GM Ted Thompson has in fact already had discussions with Raiders owner/tsar/stegosaurus (see, because he's old, and so are dinosaurs...) Al Davis regarding Moss. And what's more, not that this has any bearing on an actual deal (despite what Packers fans may think), apparently there has been an outpouring of both positive and negative feedback from fans to Packers management regarding the trade. I thought it was pretty funny how in the corresponding ESPN.com report, they actually mention specific individual comments, such as one man's assertions - "Moody. Excess baggage. Disruptive. Do any of these words sound like alarm bells to you?"

Anyways, I'm sure there are plenty of proponents of both sides of the "is Randy Moss worth the headache?" debate, but I, for one, say give him a try. He has surprised me in Oakland. I mean he hasn't exactly been mum, but he definitely could be making much more of an issue out of the fact that they couldn't get a pass off last year, let alone put the ball in his hands.

To put it into a Yogiism ~ For all the Randy Moss he brings to the table, he still brings Randy Moss. If you catch my drift...

I wouldn't mind watching Brett Favre throw bombs to Moss...this could be interesting, plus I hope he grows back the sick afro, like he's sporting in the inset image.

Who the Hell is Ryan Fowler and...

Why would any team offer him $10.5 million as a restricted free agent?

I mean, maybe if he was a top tier player I could understand it. But the fact is he's only started in three games for the Dallas Cowboys (his current team)and has really only been a presence on special teams!

Hey Sports Illustrated --
Sign of the Apocalypse ~ Restricted free agent LB Ryan Fowler signs 4-year, $10.5 million offer sheet with Tennessee Titans after rebuking a similar deal from the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryan Fowler, primarily a special teamer for the Cowboys, has only started a total of three games in three NFL seaons, let alone qualifying/playing in a pro bowl or any other meaningful game. Contextually, the $4 million he would be paid next year as part of the Titans offer, matches what the Steelers were scheduled to pay former 3-time pro-bowl LB Joey Porter next season...wait, did I mention he was an undrafted rookie free agent signing out of Duke? (not that there's anything wrong with that...)

Kevin Colbert is right man, this free agency thing is getting ridiculous!

Steelers Register Miniscule Signs of Life in 2007 Free Agent Market...

In what might be viewed as something of a moral victory, at least more so than anything else, the Steelers signed Offensive Lineman Sean Mahan to a 5-year deal yesterday, worth approximately $17 million.

In the Post-Gazette's report of this acquisition, they note that Mahan has been brought in to potentially compete for the starting Center position, which of late has been linked to Chukky Okobi and Kendall Simmons as well. All jesting aside (is jesting a word?), this actually is a really good pick up for us. Even if Mahan does not end up competing for/being next year's Center, we could certainly use his 6'3" 301 pounds of muscle on the O line next year, especially if he can play right tackle!...PS he played right guard for Tampa in 2005...so maybe there's hope.

Anyways, hopefully this has somewhat appeased the militant Steeler fans who were hoping to see more intiative out of the Black n' Gold in the face of highly active free agency movement from Cleveland and Baltimore (myself included).

Peezy Kept His Mouth Shut for How Long?

One day? Maybe two? Must be a new record for him!

Well anyways, Ol' Joey is flapping his jaws again, now in sunny Miami, about how he thinks if Cowher was still around the Steelers would have made an attempt to get a deal with him done.

He might be right, but as the Post-Gazette quotedDom Capers (Miami Defensive Coordinator and former Steelers staffer at the same position) saying, this is just they way the Steelers operate. First it was Kevin Greene, then Jason Gildon, now Joey Porter. Peezy might have had an advocate in Cowher, but there's no way to tell if the deal would've ever gotten done or not...or whether Joey would have held out come August because they hadn't gotten a new deal done.

Anyways, there's a ton of what ifs. But one thing Peezy said that actually made some sense (weird) was that his production last year could have easily gone down on paper because the Steelers were rarely ahead, and hence weren't able to apply the typical Big Nasty D pressure. He's got a point there fellas...

Digg This

Pork Chops and Alexauce...

Ok, so maybe my headline doesn't quite work, but what are you gonna do? (was a play on Pork Chops and Apple Sauce)

Piggybacking on my last post, it was reported this morning in the Post-Gazette that the Steelers visited with two free agent candidates today -- one half-way decent, one unknown(to me) - Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack and Alex Bannister.

Womack, a beefy 330-pound Offensive Lineman (piece of man meat) from the Seattle Seahawks could be a great addition to our less than stellar right side and can play any position on the line except Center (damn!)

Bannister is a 6'5" wide receiver, most recently with the Baltimore Ravens who only played in two games last season and did not catch a pass in either (although the Post-Gazette reports he made the pro bowl in 2003 as a Special Teamer).

That's all for now folks...more as it develops.

Digg This

Well, Time to Pick Up our Balls and Deal...

Sadly (and I mean that in the most cynical way), the Steelers lost their $7.1 million bid on punter Andy Lee this afternoon.

Why we were willing to throw down that much over 6 years for a Punter is beyond me, especially a restricted free agent Punter, but again, I don't make the decisions for a reason.


Anyways, ain't that a kick in the balls???

I mean I know we don't want to be a major player in free agency, and rather build through the draft in true Steeler tradition, but frankly we gotta do something. If we can't even go out and find a free agent Punter, something is wrong.

Let's all have a moment of silence for the Steelers bid to bring in the $7 million Punter...there, now I feel better...


Digg This

Oh Yeah, AND...

Apparently the Ravens are entertaining the idea of a trade with Buffalo to bring in Willis McGahee??

Quick, Kevin Colbert, look! Our competitive advantage at running back is narrowing by the minute...but thanks for re-signing Najeh?

No, I'm just venting, but let's not jump to any conclusions YET. I mean it was just a couple weeks ago that the Giants were talking seriously about a trade for McGahee and apparently that has fizzled a bit. We'll have to just wait and see.

In Colbert we trust...in Colbert we trust...

Digg This

Uh Oh, AFC North Drama...

I can't even believe my eyes!! What's this? The BROWNS signed Jamal Lewis?? I must be dreaming...

But alas, Lewis just signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Cleveland to play for the lowly Browns next season.

Well, I guess this means a couple of things -

• 1. The Browns won't be drafting Adrian Peterson at the #3 spot. So look for them to go after Brady Quinn or Joe Thomas.


• 2. They might actually be competitive next year despite having to start a young QB (whether it's Derek Anderson, Charlie Frye or Brady Quinn).

Jamal Lewis is a clock killer. The kind of guy that can single-handedly control a game on offense. Knowing what it's like to have the brunt of your offense come from the tailback, I think we Steeler fans can say this is a HUGE development (and upgrade) for the Brownies.Am I worried? Not yet. But damned if I'm not a little disappointed that the Steelers didn't make a push for Lewis, instead re-signing the mediocre Najeh Davenport for just under $2 million over two years.

Guess the Browns still remember that 295 yard game Lewis had against them in '03 (see picture inset)...touche Cleveland, touche.

Digg This

Fun Steeler Fact of the Day...

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.

Rocky Mountain High...?

I'm actually surprised I made it this long without mentioning the Denver Broncos' recent free agency acquisitions. Guess I didn't really care about the Broncos 'til today (when I have nothing better to write about except the Steelers making an offer to a new punter)...hey, just being honest.

However, I have been reading about their recent arrivals and departures and I'd say all in all, free agency has been really good to the Broncos. So far they've managed to pick up Travis Henry, Dre Bly (albeit kicking and screaming), and now Daniel Graham, while really only giving up Tatum Bell and Jake Plummer (who has since retired).

Obviously someone out in Denver knows his proverbial shit. They gave up Bell to Detroit for Bly, knowing that they could probably get a guy like Henry. Then, they picked up Graham to give second year QB Jay Cutler a big reliable target, which will hopefully give him some security knowing he can always use Graham as a third down option.

Overall --
Bolster offense: Check!

Defense: Check!...What I mean to say is that while the Broncos didn't make the playoffs last season, their post-season success in years prior was largely due to stellar defense. But just to be sure, they added Bly to be the other CB star opposite all-pro Champ Bailey (PS - his real name is Roland). Who, if nothing else, could fetch some significant draft picks come April 28.

Kudos Denver, et tu Brute! We'll see you in the playoffs...hopefully...

JP...Meet JT...

So, the latest news is that Peezy is headed to Miami to become the Dolphins new outside linebacker of choice.

My take on this - he better thank his lucky stars someone was willing to offer him 32 million bones over 5 years coming off a season like he had last year (7 sacks...not sure how many tackles, but does it matter?)...especially because he didn't even have to shop himself around!

But ok, let me look at it from a rational standpoint: Joey Porter thrived in years prior to 2006 predominantly because of what I perceive to be the system. In the Steelers 3-4 up until last year, you had three big guys up front who were not speed guys, but rather were able to tie up offensive lineman to spring a quicker, more athletic linebacker or safety(you know who I'm talking about). But last year, after we let Kimo go, and replaced him with a younger, quicker, smaller (slightly), Brett Keisel, Joey's production went down. Now, I have been saying this for a while, but I think that since Keisel is more like a converted linebacker in the 4-3, there wasn't as much room for Joey to get in there and make plays without getting blocked. Sure he still had his moments, Joey always will, but I don't know how he will do in the Dolphins system.

Not to mention, how will Jason Taylor (the current Defensive leader) take to Peezy's big mouth? Jason Taylor (a Pittsburgh native) is known as more of a guy who holds his comrades responsible for making plays first and keeping their mouths shut second (with the exception of his back and forth about Shawne Merriman last year). I smell a personality clash!

But either way, whatever, we'll see how it works out for them, and hey - we got the Dolphins next season (since we're playing the AFC east in non-division games), so we'll get to see it first hand.

Jake Plummer - "The Answer"...?

UPDATE - Plummer may retire to avoid trade...will continue to monitor and update.

Just reported on ESPN.com, the Broncos have "reached an agreement in principle" with the Bucs to send Jake Plummer to Tampa.

Puzzling? Eh, maybe somewhat. But not really.

Clearly Cutler is the future in Denver or they wouldn't have thrown their chances at a playoff berth down the crapper by putting the rookie in late in the season when they were still in the hunt.

That being said, the value of a reliable veteran backup/mentor cannot be understated. Just look at Garcia in Philly. Had they not signed him, chances are there were no playoffs for the Eagles last year. Plus, since Plummer has some significant playoff experience, hopefully he would be a positive presence for Chris Simms' development (especially after that scary injury last season)...maybe even remind him that if he struggles, his job is in jeopardy.

But for the record, I think Plummer's a bum. He's been over-rated for too long in Denver, where the running game has kept them afloat since the early/mid-90s. He got lucky when he left Arizona(Phoenix) for Denver, they made him look way better than he really is...Still, no subsitute for experience.