Turn out the lights ….. the Party’s over ….
Lets face reality .. The Stillers season is finished . They have the same or worse record than some pretty pathetic teams. Too many injuries , too many big plays , too many underachievers . Do we really think they could beat the Broncos , Pats or even the Bungles? The question is whats next ? Who goes , who stays and will Big Ben break the bank? I think he deserves it . So many questions , so few answers .
I’m not ready to concede just yet, Earl…with the incredible mediocrity in the AFC, there are versions (not too distant, either) for the Steelers to still make the post-season…now, as you wrote, will they do anything once they get there? I highly doubt it, especially given the O-line set back they now have
Let’s face more reality. After the Oakland game, it was very clear that this was a team in transition. We allowed ourselves to get our hopes up for a couple weeks, hoping they could catch lightning in a bottle and make a run. However, they set themselves up to need help from the rest of the league with that 0-4 start. They’re 5-3 since, but it is too little too late. The Rats aren’t a good team and they struggled with them as well.
I will stand by what I wrote before though, this is a team on the cusp. They need to win as many games as possible, hold onto as many young contributors as possible, get some momentum and build some camaraderie amongst these guys remaining with an eye toward next season.
Who will the Steelers keep next year who they shouldn’t?
Who will they let go who they shouldn’t?
Let’s start here, where, as of today, the Steelers have almost $89M in 2014 cap hits tied up in 7 players. (Let’s also assume that Levi Brown is gone along with his $6.25M cap hit. That helps.)
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/cap-hit/2014/
I REALLY, REALLY hope they don’t restructure Woodley again. I expect them to give Ike an ultimatum and ask TRoy nicely to take a cut.
Then go to here with the list of 2014 FAs. (It’s sortable by 2013 cap hit if you’re looking to put impact FAs at the top of the list.)
http://www.spotrac.com/free-agents/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/
Notables (and my guess regarding their fate; not that it’s what I hope for, just what I think will transpire.):
Keisel (gone)
Clark (gone)
Ziggy (re-signed)
Sanders (I have no idea. 50/50 that he stays)
Cotchery (re-signed)
Worilds (gone)
Al Woods (re-signed)
Greg Warren (re-signed and challenged in camp by a younger cheaper version of himself.)
Felix Jones (re-signed)
Guy Whimper (re-signed)
Velasco (gone)
Sylvester (for malsor) (gone)
Can they put an original round tender on Worilds?
no, i don’t believe so
also, not intersted in seeing jones back in a uni…
I kept thinking “why not Jarvis?”
I had already forgotten about Felix. Agree with you.
btw, good to know you’re alive and kicking, Mike.
No. Worilds is a UFA.
abenn; worilds is my new sylvester! and why do we keep f. jones but other than that perfect..
Assumimg Haley stays, and I think that’s likely, his Offense has always had a scat back as a 3rd down option. I think they’ll re-sign Felix so they don’t have to use a draft choice at RB. There are a lot of holes elsewhere and if they can get Jones for a vet qualifying 1 year deal, I think they do it.
oh and no sanders unless he is paid as a fourth option
velasco if we can manage. i like him better than foster.