The first week of Free Agency is in the books, and so far the Steelers are considered "losers" in my book. The reason why? The one Steelers free agent I hoped the would retain more than any other, they didn't. Rumor has it they never even made an offer. Lets look at the big players the Steelers lost.
Mike Wallace, WR/Miami Dolphins: I did not expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to keep Wallace. Last offseason they couldn't come to a long-term contract agreement with the speedy wideout and then he held out of training camp by not signing his restricted free agent tender. He wanted big dollars, more than what the Steelers could give him. Also, it's thought that he was unhappy with the fact that the Steelers gave fellow wide receiver Antonio Brown a long term deal last offseason while negotiating with Wallace. His new contract comes out to around $13M a year with the Dolphins.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB/Arizona Cardinals: Mendenhall was once the feature back for the Steelers. But then he tore his ACL at the end of the 2011 season, came back last season and looks lackluster, and ticked off the coaches and front office when he failed to show for a home game because he was upset about not being on the active roster for the game. Put that with some Twitter posts that made him look less than bright in most circles, and the writing was on the wall. I don't think the Steelers had any intent on re-signing the former first round pick.
Keenan Lewis, CB/New Orleans Saints: Losing Lewis is the reason why I feel the Steelers are losers in free agency. Lewis was young, and just had his first season as a starter where he played very well. He could have potentially become the heir to Ike Taylor as the Steelers #1 cornerback. Nobody knows who is going to replace Lewis across from Taylor. The Steelers did sign former Cardinals and Steelers cornerback William Gay. but I can't find anyone who's happy with that signing of this was intended to replace Lewis. The Steelers didn't try to re-sign him when he left for the Cardinals after the 2011-12 season. And then he had a really bad season in Arizona, so there isn't much faith in him being anywhere near as good as Lewis was last year. So I am expecting a competition between Gay, Cortez Allen, and Curtis Brown for the #2 corner spot. It's unknown how well any of those players will perform. The fact that the Steelers are rumored to not even have offered Keenan Lewis a contract tells me one of two things: they feel he isn't as good as us fans think he is, or he put his price outside of what the cap strapped Steelers could afford and they chose to not even waste their time negotiating with him.
Showing posts with label Mike Wallace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Wallace. Show all posts
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Browns targeting Steelers Free Agents
I saw something interesting on Twitter today. Are the Cleveland Browns targeting three of the Steelers free agents?
Keenan Lewis, CB - The Browns have a need on the opposite side of Joe Haden. Sheldon Brown will be playing elsewhere, and Lewis is a tremendous upgrade and gives Cleveland two top corners in a conference with Ben Roethlisbeget, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton throwing the football around. They would also be weakening a big division and historical rival with this move, it makes sense. I think he's a top re-sign priority for the Steelers, and if he values winning over the most money he can get, he should stay in Pittsburgh.
Mike Wallace, WR - The Browns could use an upgrade at this position, especially since Norv Turner offenses like to throw downfield and Wallace is one of the fastest receivers in the league. However, if the coaching staff likes what they see in he growth of their receivers, the Browns may choose to spend their money elsewhere. Word is the Steelers will try to re-sign Wallace and they won't let him go to a division rival without some type of fight.
James Harrison, OLB - Harrison is one player who the Steelers will not be trying to re-sigh, seeing how they just cut him. New defensive coordinator Ray Horton, a former Steelers defensive coach, is switching the Browns to a 3-4 defense and one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in the last decade is Harrison. The two know each other, and Harrison has already stated that he would like to at for his hometown Browns...and show the Steelers twice a year that he's still a top pass rusher. This is an area of need for the Browns and I can see them doing this if they can't get a younger player at the position in free agency.
Keenan Lewis, CB - The Browns have a need on the opposite side of Joe Haden. Sheldon Brown will be playing elsewhere, and Lewis is a tremendous upgrade and gives Cleveland two top corners in a conference with Ben Roethlisbeget, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton throwing the football around. They would also be weakening a big division and historical rival with this move, it makes sense. I think he's a top re-sign priority for the Steelers, and if he values winning over the most money he can get, he should stay in Pittsburgh.
Mike Wallace, WR - The Browns could use an upgrade at this position, especially since Norv Turner offenses like to throw downfield and Wallace is one of the fastest receivers in the league. However, if the coaching staff likes what they see in he growth of their receivers, the Browns may choose to spend their money elsewhere. Word is the Steelers will try to re-sign Wallace and they won't let him go to a division rival without some type of fight.
James Harrison, OLB - Harrison is one player who the Steelers will not be trying to re-sigh, seeing how they just cut him. New defensive coordinator Ray Horton, a former Steelers defensive coach, is switching the Browns to a 3-4 defense and one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in the last decade is Harrison. The two know each other, and Harrison has already stated that he would like to at for his hometown Browns...and show the Steelers twice a year that he's still a top pass rusher. This is an area of need for the Browns and I can see them doing this if they can't get a younger player at the position in free agency.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Looking towards the 2013 season
Well, it's the day after the Super Bowl, the 2012-13 football season is officially over. And what a crappy season it was for Steelers Nation. Mike Wallace holds out of training camp and then goes on to have a rather crappy season. Ben Roethlisberger gets hurt right as the offense starts to get on a roll. We lose to the Cleveland Browns....the FREAKING BROWNS!!!!!!!!!! We miss the playoffs. The Super Bowl is a real punch to the gut...either the 49ers tie us with six Super Bowl wins or...our arch enemy, the Baltimore Ravens win it. The Ravens win it, and Ray fricking Lewis rides off into the sunset on top.
So I, for one, am glad that this season is OVER!
Now everyone is tied at 0-0. Everyone is in first place. It's time to look at the 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers....and that starts with the offseason.
The Steelers have a good amount of free agents. Lets take a look at the list.
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)
Mike Wallace, WR
Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Will Allen, S
Charlie Batch, QB
Plaxico Burress, WR
Larry Foote, LB
Ramon Foster, G
Casey Hampton, DT
Brandon Johnson, LB
Juston King, LB
Byron Leftwich, QB
Doug Legursky, OL
Keenan Lewis, CB
Ryan Mundy, S
Leonard Pope, TE
Max Starks, OT
Greg Warren, LS
Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
Jonathon Dwyer, RB
Steve McLendon, DT
Issac Redman, RB
Emmanuel Sanders, WR
Stevenson Slyvester, LB
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA's)
Baron Batch, RB
DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB
Now the RFA's and ERFA's I am not worried about whatsoever. It's been years since one tendered has been signed by another team. If nobody went after Mike Wallace in free agency last year, then nobody is going after our restricted guys. Nobody on that list is going somewhere else if they get tendered by the Steelers.
Now the UFA list is one that is split into three sections: Guys I don't want back, guys I want back, and guys I want back for the right price.
Guys I Want Back
Max Starxs, OT - Max Starks isn't an elite tackle. The Steelers know that, the fans know that, and Starks himself knows that. However he is a good tackle. And if he wants to come back, and we can make the contract work with us always being up against the salary cap, then I welcome him back with open arms. Marcus Gilbert is an injury risk and Mike Adams had an up-and-down rookie year that ended on IR. Starks would compete for a starting job and at the least be an excellent backup at both tackle positions.
Plaxico Burress, WR - Burress returned to the Steelers when wide receiver depth suffered due to some injuries. Burress accepted a lesser role in the offense. With how he left after the 2004 season, many fans didn't want him back. I feel he had to earn not only the trust of the fans, but the trust of the team. I think he earned it and would be a good third receiver on the outside, moving Sanders or Brown to the slot in three-receiver sets.
Keenan Lewis, CB - Going into last season there were a lot of questions about the starting corner spot across from Ike Taylor. Keenan Lewis plays phenomenal and honestly showed that he could be a #1 CB in the NFL. If the Steelers want to remain one of the top defenses in the NFL, they have to lock Lewis up.
Doug Legursky, OL - This guy is like the little engine that could. He's an undersized offensive lineman that can play guard and center. He knows he's not a starter, but a guy that can play either guard position and center is a valuable guy to have on the team as a backup.
Guys I Don't Want Back
Mike Wallace, WR - I was hoping Mike Wallace would have one hell of a season and truly earn the big contract that he coveted last offseason. Instead, he whined all offseason and then held out of training camp...and he's been here long enough to know that the Steelers will not negotiate with a player not in camp. Then there were times during the season that he wasn't even trying. Giving up on routes, not blocking down field, not fighting for balls...hell not even trying to knock them down so they aren't intercepted. Then, in the season finale which meant little more than pride because the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, Wallace showed his true colors....he held himself out of the game to avoid a possible injury going into free agency. That's not something that a Pittsburgh Steeler does.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB - Mendenhall was a first round pick who had a few good years. In the regular season finale of the 2012 season, he tore his ACL. He came back this season and just imploded. He fumbled the ball three times in a mere 51 carries. Then for the game against San Diego, when he was told he wouldn't be active for the game, he chose to no show on game day. Being deactivated isn't permission to not attend the game. I feel that he wants to be gone, and the Steelers shouldn't even offer him a contract.
Byron Leftwich, QB - Leftwich has been an injury waiting to happen. He can't even hold up for one game. He's not young, nor do I feel he understands the game well enough to be of any help to Ben Roethlisberger on the sidelines. I would much rather draft someone in the third round or so and groom them to not only be the #2 QB, but possibly one day take over when Big Ben walks away from the game. Leftwich isn't worth the roster spot that he would take off.
The rest of the UFA list, I would take back at the right price. None of them would be guaranteed a starting job, and most would be just depth at various positions and play special teams.
The 2013 NFL Rookie Draft
It's now time to start really looking at the NFL draft. So here are what I feel are the teams' biggest needs, in no particular order.
Backup Quarterback - The Steelers don't have a guy who's young and can step in for a game or two if needed, nor do they have anyone that they are grooming behind Ben Roethlisberger. I think it's time to get someone, and the draft is the perfect place to do this.
Outside Linebacker - James Harrison is on the wrong side of thirty and played all last season with a bad back, not to mention he could be a cap casualty this offseason. LaMarr Woodley had hamstring issues again. I don't believe the team has the next great Steelers outside linebacker currently on the roster. Maybe they can find that guy this offseason.
Offensive Line - In the past three seasons the Steelers have taken the following offensive linemen in the first two rounds: Maurkice Pouncey (center), Marcus Gilbert (tackle), David Decastro (guard), Mike Adams (tackle). These guys should be the core of the offensive line for years to come, should turn that part of the team into the strength. However, I think we might be able to draft a better player for left guard. Foster isn't that good, in my opinion. Willie Colon can't stay healthy to save his life. And Doug Legursky is nothing more than a backup. Maybe a second round guard can be taken to put nothing but first and second round picks making holes for the run game and protecting our franchise quarterback.
Safety - Troy Polamalu is a constant injury risk. There have been rumors floating around the Twitterverse that Ryan Clark might be released this offseason, though nobody can say why. The team needs to find a young playmaker at one of the two safety positions to at least groom behind the Polamalu/Clark combo we currently have.
So I, for one, am glad that this season is OVER!
Now everyone is tied at 0-0. Everyone is in first place. It's time to look at the 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers....and that starts with the offseason.
The Steelers have a good amount of free agents. Lets take a look at the list.
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)
Mike Wallace, WR
Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Will Allen, S
Charlie Batch, QB
Plaxico Burress, WR
Larry Foote, LB
Ramon Foster, G
Casey Hampton, DT
Brandon Johnson, LB
Juston King, LB
Byron Leftwich, QB
Doug Legursky, OL
Keenan Lewis, CB
Ryan Mundy, S
Leonard Pope, TE
Max Starks, OT
Greg Warren, LS
Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
Jonathon Dwyer, RB
Steve McLendon, DT
Issac Redman, RB
Emmanuel Sanders, WR
Stevenson Slyvester, LB
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA's)
Baron Batch, RB
DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB
Now the RFA's and ERFA's I am not worried about whatsoever. It's been years since one tendered has been signed by another team. If nobody went after Mike Wallace in free agency last year, then nobody is going after our restricted guys. Nobody on that list is going somewhere else if they get tendered by the Steelers.
Now the UFA list is one that is split into three sections: Guys I don't want back, guys I want back, and guys I want back for the right price.
Guys I Want Back
Max Starxs, OT - Max Starks isn't an elite tackle. The Steelers know that, the fans know that, and Starks himself knows that. However he is a good tackle. And if he wants to come back, and we can make the contract work with us always being up against the salary cap, then I welcome him back with open arms. Marcus Gilbert is an injury risk and Mike Adams had an up-and-down rookie year that ended on IR. Starks would compete for a starting job and at the least be an excellent backup at both tackle positions.
Plaxico Burress, WR - Burress returned to the Steelers when wide receiver depth suffered due to some injuries. Burress accepted a lesser role in the offense. With how he left after the 2004 season, many fans didn't want him back. I feel he had to earn not only the trust of the fans, but the trust of the team. I think he earned it and would be a good third receiver on the outside, moving Sanders or Brown to the slot in three-receiver sets.
Keenan Lewis, CB - Going into last season there were a lot of questions about the starting corner spot across from Ike Taylor. Keenan Lewis plays phenomenal and honestly showed that he could be a #1 CB in the NFL. If the Steelers want to remain one of the top defenses in the NFL, they have to lock Lewis up.
Doug Legursky, OL - This guy is like the little engine that could. He's an undersized offensive lineman that can play guard and center. He knows he's not a starter, but a guy that can play either guard position and center is a valuable guy to have on the team as a backup.
Guys I Don't Want Back
Mike Wallace, WR - I was hoping Mike Wallace would have one hell of a season and truly earn the big contract that he coveted last offseason. Instead, he whined all offseason and then held out of training camp...and he's been here long enough to know that the Steelers will not negotiate with a player not in camp. Then there were times during the season that he wasn't even trying. Giving up on routes, not blocking down field, not fighting for balls...hell not even trying to knock them down so they aren't intercepted. Then, in the season finale which meant little more than pride because the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, Wallace showed his true colors....he held himself out of the game to avoid a possible injury going into free agency. That's not something that a Pittsburgh Steeler does.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB - Mendenhall was a first round pick who had a few good years. In the regular season finale of the 2012 season, he tore his ACL. He came back this season and just imploded. He fumbled the ball three times in a mere 51 carries. Then for the game against San Diego, when he was told he wouldn't be active for the game, he chose to no show on game day. Being deactivated isn't permission to not attend the game. I feel that he wants to be gone, and the Steelers shouldn't even offer him a contract.
Byron Leftwich, QB - Leftwich has been an injury waiting to happen. He can't even hold up for one game. He's not young, nor do I feel he understands the game well enough to be of any help to Ben Roethlisberger on the sidelines. I would much rather draft someone in the third round or so and groom them to not only be the #2 QB, but possibly one day take over when Big Ben walks away from the game. Leftwich isn't worth the roster spot that he would take off.
The rest of the UFA list, I would take back at the right price. None of them would be guaranteed a starting job, and most would be just depth at various positions and play special teams.
The 2013 NFL Rookie Draft
It's now time to start really looking at the NFL draft. So here are what I feel are the teams' biggest needs, in no particular order.
Backup Quarterback - The Steelers don't have a guy who's young and can step in for a game or two if needed, nor do they have anyone that they are grooming behind Ben Roethlisberger. I think it's time to get someone, and the draft is the perfect place to do this.
Outside Linebacker - James Harrison is on the wrong side of thirty and played all last season with a bad back, not to mention he could be a cap casualty this offseason. LaMarr Woodley had hamstring issues again. I don't believe the team has the next great Steelers outside linebacker currently on the roster. Maybe they can find that guy this offseason.
Offensive Line - In the past three seasons the Steelers have taken the following offensive linemen in the first two rounds: Maurkice Pouncey (center), Marcus Gilbert (tackle), David Decastro (guard), Mike Adams (tackle). These guys should be the core of the offensive line for years to come, should turn that part of the team into the strength. However, I think we might be able to draft a better player for left guard. Foster isn't that good, in my opinion. Willie Colon can't stay healthy to save his life. And Doug Legursky is nothing more than a backup. Maybe a second round guard can be taken to put nothing but first and second round picks making holes for the run game and protecting our franchise quarterback.
Safety - Troy Polamalu is a constant injury risk. There have been rumors floating around the Twitterverse that Ryan Clark might be released this offseason, though nobody can say why. The team needs to find a young playmaker at one of the two safety positions to at least groom behind the Polamalu/Clark combo we currently have.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Steelers @ Broncos - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Well, the Pittsburgh Steelers opened their season last night in Denver against Peyton Manning and the Broncos with a loss. I absolutely hate playing in Denver, because that means the team has to hold FS Ryan Clark out of the game because he has sickle cell trait. The last time he played a game in Denver, he had to have his spleen and gall bladder removed, therefore he doesn't play there as a precaution.
Also missing from the game was Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison due to a knee injury.
So here we go with it...The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
The Good
Also missing from the game was Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison due to a knee injury.
So here we go with it...The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
The Good
- The offense wasn't horrible. This was a fear that many fans had going into this game, that the offense would be completely inept. The Steelers changed offensive coordinators during the offseason with Bruce Arians either retiring or being fired (whichever you believe) and Todd Haley being brought in to make the offense more efficient. Well, the efficiency wasn't where they would want it to be, but I saw an offense that once they get in sync should be nearly unstoppable.
- The no huddle is going to be used in Pittsburgh. With Arians, there was a lot of talk of using the no huddle offense more often, but normally it was just used when the Steelers were trailing or when it was the end of the half. The offense seems to be better in the no huddle, so I like the fact that it's being used in situations that do not absolutely call for it.
- I am optimistic about the Steelers receivers after this week. It looks like Heath Miller is finally going to be used as a red zone weapon instead of an extra blocker. It's going to take Mike Wallace a week or so to get into "game shape," but he caught a touchdown last night and I think once he gets into sync with Big Ben, he'll have a typical Wallace season. Antonio Brown is going to have a really big season and might possibly become Ben's favorite target. He's going to be making big plays all season long.
The Bad
- The offensive line suffered another injury last night when RT Marcus Gilbert went down with a knee injury. It has not been announced what the injury is or might be, and according to ESPN he is currently listed as questionable. In the preseason we lost our first round pick, OG David Decastro, to a devastating knee injury. Last season and the season before we lost Pro Bowl Center Maurkice Pouncey to ankle injuries. If the Steelers are going to go anywhere this season, the line has to stay relatively healthy. Luckily, second round pick Mike Adams stepped in for Gilbert and played well.
- Ben Roethlisberger made a bad decision on the pick-six that he threw towards the end of the game that sealed it for the Broncos. This has been a problem for Big Ben his entire career, sometimes he just gets a brain fart and makes a dumb throw. Hopefully there are less of them this season because Todd Haley will be holding Ben responsible for his mistakes, something people feel Bruce Arians did not do.
The Ugly
- The defense just simply looked bad last night. They had trouble stopping the run, and they damn sure couldn't stop Peyton Manning once he knocked the rust off. I know the defense was without Ryan Clark and James Harrison, but I still expected a better showing from our defense. I mean, Demaryius Thomas scored a long touchdown on a screen pass! Manning ended up just toying with us, he even ran for a first down.
- The offensive line as a whole couldn't open holes for our running backs and gave up five sacks last night. This has been a problem for years that we hoped would be fixed with the drafting of David Decastro who is out for the season, and Mike Adams who lost the starting left tackle job and might be playing right tackle if Marcus Gilbert's injury causes him to miss some time. If any other quarterback played behind this line, he would be on IR or retired before being killed during a football game. It looks like this season the offensive line will be as ugly as it's ever been...and will find itself in this section of my blog on a weekly basis.
Next week, the Steelers open their home schedule at Heinz Field against the New York Jets. Let's hope that they end next week at an even 1-1.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Mike Wallace Holdout - Who's Hurt More?
Today the Steelers begin their preseason football schedule against the Philadelphia Eagles, and Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Mike Wallace is still not in camp. He has yet to sign his Restricted Free Agent tender, and the Steelers do not do contract negotiations with players who do not report to camp.
Mike Wallace is one of the better receivers in the NFL, and he is a really big part of the Steelers offense. The team also recently signed Antonio Brown, the Steelers other Pro Bowler at the position, to a contract extension. I would think that this bothered Wallace, seeing his teammate being taken care of and himself still not receiving a new contract.
Mike Wallace doesn't have a whole lot of leverage here. He has no other team that he can possibly play for, nobody showed any interest in him during free agency. The only way that he can play for another team is if the Steelers were to trade him, and they are not going to be doing that. All he can do is hold out for the first ten weeks of the season and then come in and be on the roster for six weeks to gain an accrued season and reach unrestricted free agency after this season. However, even if he does that, the Steelers can still hit him with the Franchise Tag and keep his rights for at least one more season if they choose to.
So the question must be asked, who is being hurt more by this holdout, Mike Wallace or the Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Steelers still have what should be an upgraded offensive line...Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback...Antonio Brown, Emmannuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery at wide receiver...Heath Miller at tight end...and Issac Redman at running back.
Is Wallace one hell of a deep threat, able to blow the top off of almost any defense? Yeah. But Brown and Sanders are both pretty fast, and Cotchery can be that underneath guy like Hines Ward once was. Miller should be able to go out to receive passes more than last season if the offensive line is impoved too.
The team is learning a new offense with Todd Haley coming in as the offensive coordinator. Brown, Sanders, and Cotchery are learning the intracacies of the offense while all Wallace can do is study the playbook. He cannot ask questions, be shown coaches film of the plays from other teams Haley has coached, or get the timing down with Roethlisberger due to practicing with the team.
The Steelers offense will work without Mike Wallace, that's a fact. The chains will move, touchdowns will be scored.
However, Mike Wallace needs the Steelers. He needs to showcase his skills so his market price will be as high as possible when free agency arrives at the end of this season. It's not a good idea for him to hold out for the majority of a season because he is unhappy with his restricted free agent tender. The Steelers could have cut that offer to just over $500k this season, but they chose not to. That's them showing faith that they believed he would sign the tender and come to camp.
So I end this blog post with a message to Mike Wallace, though I doubt he will ever see it:
Mike Wallace, you know how the Steelers do business. You know that they take care of their own as long as their own players aren't being unreasonable. You know they won't negotiate with a player who is not practicing. Sign your tender, get into camp. The Steelers will then reopen negotiations and maybe you'll get the long term deal you desire. If you don't, you showcase your skills for an entire season to get that deal as a free agent be it with Pittsburgh or without. But in the end, and you know it, you need the Pittsburgh Steelers more than they need you.
Mike Wallace is one of the better receivers in the NFL, and he is a really big part of the Steelers offense. The team also recently signed Antonio Brown, the Steelers other Pro Bowler at the position, to a contract extension. I would think that this bothered Wallace, seeing his teammate being taken care of and himself still not receiving a new contract.
Mike Wallace doesn't have a whole lot of leverage here. He has no other team that he can possibly play for, nobody showed any interest in him during free agency. The only way that he can play for another team is if the Steelers were to trade him, and they are not going to be doing that. All he can do is hold out for the first ten weeks of the season and then come in and be on the roster for six weeks to gain an accrued season and reach unrestricted free agency after this season. However, even if he does that, the Steelers can still hit him with the Franchise Tag and keep his rights for at least one more season if they choose to.
So the question must be asked, who is being hurt more by this holdout, Mike Wallace or the Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Steelers still have what should be an upgraded offensive line...Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback...Antonio Brown, Emmannuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery at wide receiver...Heath Miller at tight end...and Issac Redman at running back.
Is Wallace one hell of a deep threat, able to blow the top off of almost any defense? Yeah. But Brown and Sanders are both pretty fast, and Cotchery can be that underneath guy like Hines Ward once was. Miller should be able to go out to receive passes more than last season if the offensive line is impoved too.
The team is learning a new offense with Todd Haley coming in as the offensive coordinator. Brown, Sanders, and Cotchery are learning the intracacies of the offense while all Wallace can do is study the playbook. He cannot ask questions, be shown coaches film of the plays from other teams Haley has coached, or get the timing down with Roethlisberger due to practicing with the team.
The Steelers offense will work without Mike Wallace, that's a fact. The chains will move, touchdowns will be scored.
However, Mike Wallace needs the Steelers. He needs to showcase his skills so his market price will be as high as possible when free agency arrives at the end of this season. It's not a good idea for him to hold out for the majority of a season because he is unhappy with his restricted free agent tender. The Steelers could have cut that offer to just over $500k this season, but they chose not to. That's them showing faith that they believed he would sign the tender and come to camp.
So I end this blog post with a message to Mike Wallace, though I doubt he will ever see it:
Mike Wallace, you know how the Steelers do business. You know that they take care of their own as long as their own players aren't being unreasonable. You know they won't negotiate with a player who is not practicing. Sign your tender, get into camp. The Steelers will then reopen negotiations and maybe you'll get the long term deal you desire. If you don't, you showcase your skills for an entire season to get that deal as a free agent be it with Pittsburgh or without. But in the end, and you know it, you need the Pittsburgh Steelers more than they need you.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
With the receiver signings in FA, what about Mike Wallace?
There has been a lot of movement with contracts for wide receivers the past couple of days since the league year opened.
That is a lot of money for players that don't touch the football every single play. Calvin Johnson received franchise quarterback money, but in my opinion, he has earned it with his play and professionalism.
So this is going to set the market for biggest Steelers' Restricted Free Agent, Mike Wallace.
Wallace is better than Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Josh Morgan. He's not quite at Vincent Jackson's level and the only other receiver in the league near Calvin Johnson's level would be Larry Fitzgerald. He is much better than Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Josh Morgan.
So I would say that he's going to want more money than what Desean Jackson received, but he's going to get less than Vincent Jackson. I would say he's looking for a contract in the range of 5-years and $52-54M.
Right now, the only offer Mike Wallace has received is the Steelers' first round tender. Any team can offer him a contract tender, and the Steelers would have five days to match it. If they do, he stays a Steeler. If the Steelers choose to not match the offer, they would receive the first round pick of the team that signs him as compensation because they gave him the highest tender possible. Also, he is only on the market for two weeks and if nobody offers him a tender in those two weeks he goes back to the Steelers on the one-year tender he received from them.
For another team's tender to mean anything, Wallace must sign it. If he doesn't, the Steelers don't have to match it. He could take the numbers to the Steelers and they could use those numbers to work out a long-term deal with Wallace. This is one thing I feel the Steelers have asked him to do before signing any tender from another team, this way they can load the money in a way that cap friendly to them instead of possibly letting him walk on a front-loaded deal that they can't match due to the salary cap.
At the moment, no news is good news on the Wallace front. With all this action, the price might be too high for other team's to give up. A big money contract and giving up their first round draft pick? That's a lot to give up for one player, especially a guy that was a third round draft pick a few years ago. Why give up the boatload of cash and first rounder when we can find our own Mike Wallace in the draft? Or possibly even better, our own Antonio Brown even later?
The longer teams wait to give him a tendered offer, the longer the Steelers can negotiate with him and sign him long-term without another team being in the mix. But the second another team does offer him something, if anyone does, all bets are off.
Either way, the Steelers are in a win-win situation. They either keep Mike Wallace for at least one more season with exclusive negotiation rights to keep him long-term....or they lose Wallace and get a first round pick in this year's draft to use for any player they want, upgrade anywhere that they want.
Here we go Steelers, here we go!
- Desean Jackson, Eagles: 5-years, $48.5M
- Pierre Garcon, Redskins: 5 years, $42.5M
- Josh Morgan, Redskins: 2-years, $12M approx.
- Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers: 5-years, $56M ($26M guaranteed)
- Calvin Johnson, Lions: 8-years, $130.5M ($53M guaranteed)
That is a lot of money for players that don't touch the football every single play. Calvin Johnson received franchise quarterback money, but in my opinion, he has earned it with his play and professionalism.
So this is going to set the market for biggest Steelers' Restricted Free Agent, Mike Wallace.
Wallace is better than Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Josh Morgan. He's not quite at Vincent Jackson's level and the only other receiver in the league near Calvin Johnson's level would be Larry Fitzgerald. He is much better than Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Josh Morgan.
So I would say that he's going to want more money than what Desean Jackson received, but he's going to get less than Vincent Jackson. I would say he's looking for a contract in the range of 5-years and $52-54M.
Right now, the only offer Mike Wallace has received is the Steelers' first round tender. Any team can offer him a contract tender, and the Steelers would have five days to match it. If they do, he stays a Steeler. If the Steelers choose to not match the offer, they would receive the first round pick of the team that signs him as compensation because they gave him the highest tender possible. Also, he is only on the market for two weeks and if nobody offers him a tender in those two weeks he goes back to the Steelers on the one-year tender he received from them.
For another team's tender to mean anything, Wallace must sign it. If he doesn't, the Steelers don't have to match it. He could take the numbers to the Steelers and they could use those numbers to work out a long-term deal with Wallace. This is one thing I feel the Steelers have asked him to do before signing any tender from another team, this way they can load the money in a way that cap friendly to them instead of possibly letting him walk on a front-loaded deal that they can't match due to the salary cap.
At the moment, no news is good news on the Wallace front. With all this action, the price might be too high for other team's to give up. A big money contract and giving up their first round draft pick? That's a lot to give up for one player, especially a guy that was a third round draft pick a few years ago. Why give up the boatload of cash and first rounder when we can find our own Mike Wallace in the draft? Or possibly even better, our own Antonio Brown even later?
The longer teams wait to give him a tendered offer, the longer the Steelers can negotiate with him and sign him long-term without another team being in the mix. But the second another team does offer him something, if anyone does, all bets are off.
Either way, the Steelers are in a win-win situation. They either keep Mike Wallace for at least one more season with exclusive negotiation rights to keep him long-term....or they lose Wallace and get a first round pick in this year's draft to use for any player they want, upgrade anywhere that they want.
Here we go Steelers, here we go!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Steelers Pro Bowl Selections & Snubs
Yesterday the Pro Bowl rosters were announced, and five Pittsburgh Steelers made the team. Now while some people put a lot of stock into making the Pro Bowl, I do not. It's more of a popularity contest than anything else in my opinion. Players and coaches aren't watching all the games, they see game film of who they play and maybe Monday Night and/or Sunday Night games. Fans vote specifically for players of their favorite teams, rather they deserve to go or not.
Steelers who made it:
Ben Roethlisberger, QB: 3856 yards, 91.5 QB Rating, 21 TD, 14 INT
I think he deserves a backup spot to Tom Brady, partly because the AFC quarterback play is down this year. Phillip Rivers is the third QB on the roster, but he had a very bad season. I think Andy Dalton deserved to get to the Pro Bowl over Rivers who made it on name alone. This is Ben's second Pro Bowl.
Mike Wallace, WR: 71 receptions, 1182 yards, 8 TD
This will be Mike Wallace's first ever Pro Bowl, and I think he deserves it. His production has dropped off some lately, but that's partly because he's seeing more double coverage so Roethlisberger is looking for his other receivers a little bit more.
Maurkice Pouncey, C: 13 games started
Pouncey went to the Pro Bowl last year as a rookie, but didn't play because the Steelers were playing in the Super Bowl the following week. Pouncey has missed some time this year due to an illness and then injury, but he has played very well this season. I do think he's the second best center in the NFL behind the New York Jets' Nick Mangold.
Antonio Brown, KR: 24 kick returns, 664 yards, 27.7 avg, 2 TD; 30 punt returns, 325 yards, 10.8 avg, 1 TD
Brown made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner, but I am sure he will see snaps at receiver also. He was electric on returns this season and set the Steelers record for all-purpose yards in a season with one game to add onto it. He is deserving of his Pro Bowl nod.
Troy Polamalu, SS: 89 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 11 PDef,
Polamalu is considered one of the best two safeties in the NFL. This year he hasn't been the turnover machine that Steelers fans are used to, but he has been a disruptive force for this defense. He is the one player that the other team absolutely has to account for before every snap on this defense because they don't know what he is going to do. While some people feel he's going based off of his name and not his production this season, I think he is deserving.
And those who were snubbed:
Ike Taylor: 42 tackles, 2 INT, 13 PDef
Ike Taylor plays for a defense that is one of the best in the NFL...but they are known more for stopping the run than their pass defense (even though this year their pass defense has been better than their run defense). Ike Taylor is never going to have a big interception total, he has hands of bricks. But he does more-often-than-not shut down the opposing team's top receiver. He's a shutdown corner and one of the best in the entire AFC. He deserves a Pro Bowl spot.
Ryan Clark: 96 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PDef
Ryan Clark isn't going to get a ton of interceptions either, but he's a vicious hitter who can knock the ball out of a receivers hands and is a solid tackler in space. While his backfield partner, Troy Polamalu, is the bigger name...Clark is also deserving of being a Pro Bowler.
Two players I am not listing as snubs, though many people feel they were snubbed, are outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. Both have missed a lot of games this season due to injury and/or suspension and I feel that keeps them out of the snub category.
Those are my thoughts on the Steelers' Pro Bowl selections. Like what I had to say? Don't agree? Feel free to leave comments and let me know! HERE WE GO STEELERS HERE WE GO!
Steelers who made it:
Ben Roethlisberger, QB: 3856 yards, 91.5 QB Rating, 21 TD, 14 INT
I think he deserves a backup spot to Tom Brady, partly because the AFC quarterback play is down this year. Phillip Rivers is the third QB on the roster, but he had a very bad season. I think Andy Dalton deserved to get to the Pro Bowl over Rivers who made it on name alone. This is Ben's second Pro Bowl.
Mike Wallace, WR: 71 receptions, 1182 yards, 8 TD
This will be Mike Wallace's first ever Pro Bowl, and I think he deserves it. His production has dropped off some lately, but that's partly because he's seeing more double coverage so Roethlisberger is looking for his other receivers a little bit more.
Maurkice Pouncey, C: 13 games started
Pouncey went to the Pro Bowl last year as a rookie, but didn't play because the Steelers were playing in the Super Bowl the following week. Pouncey has missed some time this year due to an illness and then injury, but he has played very well this season. I do think he's the second best center in the NFL behind the New York Jets' Nick Mangold.
Antonio Brown, KR: 24 kick returns, 664 yards, 27.7 avg, 2 TD; 30 punt returns, 325 yards, 10.8 avg, 1 TD
Brown made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner, but I am sure he will see snaps at receiver also. He was electric on returns this season and set the Steelers record for all-purpose yards in a season with one game to add onto it. He is deserving of his Pro Bowl nod.
Troy Polamalu, SS: 89 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 11 PDef,
Polamalu is considered one of the best two safeties in the NFL. This year he hasn't been the turnover machine that Steelers fans are used to, but he has been a disruptive force for this defense. He is the one player that the other team absolutely has to account for before every snap on this defense because they don't know what he is going to do. While some people feel he's going based off of his name and not his production this season, I think he is deserving.
And those who were snubbed:
Ike Taylor: 42 tackles, 2 INT, 13 PDef
Ike Taylor plays for a defense that is one of the best in the NFL...but they are known more for stopping the run than their pass defense (even though this year their pass defense has been better than their run defense). Ike Taylor is never going to have a big interception total, he has hands of bricks. But he does more-often-than-not shut down the opposing team's top receiver. He's a shutdown corner and one of the best in the entire AFC. He deserves a Pro Bowl spot.
Ryan Clark: 96 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PDef
Ryan Clark isn't going to get a ton of interceptions either, but he's a vicious hitter who can knock the ball out of a receivers hands and is a solid tackler in space. While his backfield partner, Troy Polamalu, is the bigger name...Clark is also deserving of being a Pro Bowler.
Two players I am not listing as snubs, though many people feel they were snubbed, are outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. Both have missed a lot of games this season due to injury and/or suspension and I feel that keeps them out of the snub category.
Those are my thoughts on the Steelers' Pro Bowl selections. Like what I had to say? Don't agree? Feel free to leave comments and let me know! HERE WE GO STEELERS HERE WE GO!
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