Troy Polamalu: One of the Greatest Steelers Ever...and a Greater Man Still

“When the time comes to leave, just walk away quietly and don’t make any fuss.” - Banksy, Wall and Piece

Thursday night, after an already full day of activity, yet more news surfaced regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers. News regarding quite possibly the greatest Steelers safety, and one of the best strong safeties to lace up a pair of cleats: Troy Aumua Polamalu has retired. 

Make no mistake, it was time for the former USC graduate to walk away. Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider, who first broke the news of Polamalu's decision, wrote that it came after a good deal of contemplation saying that he "started to debate whether [he] should come back or should [he] play....”, but that family was the main reason. - http://tinyurl.com/ph2ssll

And from a logical standpoint, one can truly breathe a sigh of relief as the team can now look firmly to the future, get younger on defense and focus on forming a strong defense again. 

But this isn't about logic or about the X's and O's of a team yet to be assembled. This is purely about emotion, the emotion engendered by a man who was gracious, yet relenting; tempered, yet tenacious; benevolent, yet beguiling and God fearing, yet fearsome and fearless.

Polamalu's legacy isn't simply about numbers - though he retires with 770 career tackles, his 32 interceptions aren't even among the top 150 of NFL players for a career. But every INT, every forced fumble and every fumble recovery he made simply seemed to be just what the Steelers needed at the time. Or to be a spectacular "Did you see that?!" moment. And often, it was both.

As the Steelers’ first-round draft pick in 2003, one for whom they traded up, Polamalu was considered a bust in his rookie season. But it wasn't long before he came to be known for uncanny instincts and an athletic prowess that was coupled with fearful physicality. It was that player who found his way into the hearts of fans and the sleepless nights of foes and offensive coordinators alike, and many of whom are lining up to praise him. - http://t.co/7K5mnrr3dm/s/Tcuo 

Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review once asked arch-rival Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh about Polamalu and Harbaugh said: "You had to account for him at all times. We had times when we didn't account for him, and I was like, 'He is wearing No. 43 and he has hair down to his shoulders. There's no way we should miss the guy, right? Block him. Block him, please.'" - http://tinyurl.com/lsqwbcc

At his best he was a safety whom you could deploy virtually anywhere on the field - he had the speed to cover deep, as was memorably evidenced by his one-handed interception in 2009 against Kenny Britt and the Tennessee Titans, by his pick six off of Joe Flacco over the middle-left in the 2008 AFC Championship game or the numerous times he perfectly timed the snap count and caught the quarterback or running back before a second or third step could be taken. 

Polamalu will certainly be remembered as a safety who transformed the position in the NFL. My most endearing memory, though, isn't a game-winning INT or a pick six or even a vicious hit he levied against a ball carrier. 

My greatest memory might just be the scene that unfolded after he had made a mistake on a play that could've resulted badly for the Steelers. Troy recognized his mistake and walked off the field with his head down and headed straight for his defensive coordinator - "Coach Dad" - Dick LeBeau. 

LeBeau hugged him while taking his helmeted head in hand and consoled him. Troy's approach and demeanor was that of a child in his father's embrace. Troy just stood there listening to Coach Dad's sage words. 

The relatively short time the camera captured the two seemed more like several minutes - time wrapped its heavy hands around each second and brought us all into that embrace with them because we had all already been in that position. 

That's who Troy was. He was a humble, soft-spoken, everyday man whom you could be proud to let your sons emulate or to let your daughters swoon over. He was the player whose jersey you were never ashamed to wear. He was the player you knew one day you'd see giving a dignified and deflective Hall of Fame speech. 

One day he'll do just that. Until then, though, you won't hear from him. He won't seek out fanfare or a self-aggrandizing press conference. He'll relax with his family until it's time for his luxurious and curly locks to adorn his bronzed bust in Canton. 

That's the man he is. He knew it was time to leave, and so he just walked away quietly and didn't make any fuss.

LeGarrette Blount's Presence Will Help Steelers Pass Game Too

It was a balmy Miami night in November of 1996 when the Pittsburgh Steelers visited the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. Jerome Bettis was the star that night as he rushed for 119 yards on 27 carries. 

There is a visual that stands out most memorable in my mind from that night - as Mike Tomczak led the offense down the field for the game-winning touchdown, "The Bus" just kept battering the Dolphins defense causing the defensive backs especially to get slower and slower after tackling him. 

On the deciding play, Tomczak perfectly executed the play action, the defense bit and wide receiver Ernie Mills caught the 20-yard touchdown pass. Steelers win: 24 - 17.

The defense bit so hard that Tomczak stood back there for what seemed like minutes and Mills was so open that he had time to tie his shoes before catching the ball. 

The object lesson here: sometimes the best defense is a good offense. 

The Steelers have had their problems over the last few years with holding leads. Obviously, the majority of that is directly on the defense itself. But, not all. Allow me to explain. 

Granted, giving up leads is giving up leads. That is solely a defensive deficiency, one which has also been addressed in the draft and free agency. 

But not being able to hold on to the ball once you get it back means the defense gets little rest. A tired defense gives up big plays and surrenders more points. 

Whether via the play action or in the no-huddle, keeping them off of the field keeps them fresh. Their being fresh means their being alert enough mentally and physically to stop the opponent. Tight end Heath Miller understands this as well. 

"[The no-huddle] is good," Miller said in an interview with Dale Lolley. "We're getting a lot of work with it. We're going to continue with it. The last period is good for it. We're tired and we can take the defense and make them tired. It can be a weapon for us." (Brackets and italics ours) -  http://tinyurl.com/kgl4n3r

Blount could weigh heavily, no pun intended, in this, both in play action and in the no-huddle offense.

By all means, Bell aids in this also. But where Bell can definitely punch it up the middle, he can bounce it outside just as well. Blount, on the other hand, just pounds and pounds. 

...and pounds. 

“That's my running style,” Blount said. “That's how I run the football, and I feel that Le'Veon is a big, tough running back, too. This is how this team is run with a physical run game, and that's what we are trying to get back to.” -  http://tinyurl.com/p7lwgcy

To get back to controlling the clock.

The Tribune-Review article linked above points out that eliminating negative plays is paramount in this. It brought out that it "was most notable in short-yardage situations last year where they ranked 21st in power ranking (percentage of runs on third or fourth down with 2 yards or less to go, that achieved a first down or touchdown), according to Football Outsiders. They were only successful on 60 percent of such plays."

Can't control the line of scrimmage, can't control the clock.

That's where Blount has excelled in his career, in using "his big frame to his advantage as 65 percent of his career yards have come after contact," partly from averaging 5.47 yards per carry on first and ten alone, and a career 4.7 YPC average. 

That kind of production would aid Big Ben in the play action as well, considering that no QB used play action less than he did in 2013, utilizing it just 11.6% of the time, per Pro Football Focus. 

Blount may only receive "six to eight carries a game," but his presence and potential threat may just get an opposing defense to bite on the play action in 2014, also, allowing Big Ben to cleanly hit one of his receivers for a game winner.

~

TIDBITS: Via Mark Kaboly: Steelers OTA 6 -- tight end goal line drills where I almost get run over - http://t.co/hKH4bH99pI

Steelers OTA 6 -- What a catch by Lance Moore - http://t.co/f0j0RCjKaD 

Steelers OTA 6 -- OL drills with a Sushi kick - http://t.co/S2qlcwjXxM 

Shedding Light On Rookie Salaries and Salary Cap

"Bears have signed all draft picks already. Steelers won't be following suit. With only 300K under cap, they have to wait until after June 1" - Pittsburgh Tribune Review's Mark Kaboly

When I read that, I figured that it was time to delve into the rookie contracts and how they will affect the Steelers overall Salary Cap. 

After the NFL Draft, the website OverTheCap.com released the contract estimates for what each team would be paying its draft picks. The Steelers will be looking at approximately $3.78 million in base salary, $5.89 million against the 2014 Cap and $8.43 million in signing bonuses. Here is their complete breakdown per player and contract year. - http://overthecap.com/rookiepool2014.php?Team=Steelers

To be completely lucid regarding rookie monies, though, the Rookie Cap is not a separate pool. Actually, it is a separate calculation with no dollar-for-dollar correlation between the Rookie Cap and the overall Salary Cap. That being the case, rarely will rookie salaries, in the new 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, impact the team’s overall Cap.

This needs to be remembered because of the Rule of 51 taking precedent in the offseason. It has to, or else offseason rosters, which balloon to 90 players and include several new contracts, would cause teams to violate the Salary Cap regularly. 

So, simply put, the top 51 Cap numbers, all of the shares of bonus money for the players outside of the top 51 via displacement and all dead money amounts count toward the team’s overall Cap. 

Also per the CBA, the individual bonus amounts received by the rookies is prorated over the four years of their rookie deal and that prorated amount is added to the base salary to create the player’s Cap number. For a further breakdown of the NFL rookie pool and its impact on the Cap, I refer you once again to Over The Cap. - http://tinyurl.com/n8flumb

What does all of this mean for the Steelers rookies? As Mark Kaboly alluded to above, the earliest any will be signed is June 2 when linebacker LaMarr Woodley's release hits the books and frees up around $8 million in cap space. Ryan Shazier and the others will likely sign just prior to the start of training camp. 

Speaking of Shazier and to quote Kaboly again, “Steelers 15th pick Ryan Shazier's deal will be 4 years for around $9.5 million with a $5.2 million signing bonus.” It will likely come with an approximate $1.7 million signing bonus also. Over The Cap, as the link showed earlier, backs up this estimate. 

In reference to the four years mentioned twice in the past three paragraphs, the NFL and NFLPA came to an agree upon adjustment to rookie contracts. 

"Specifically, the two sides have agreed that, once a player is drafted, he will automatically be deemed to have received an offer for a four-year contract at the minimum salary for each season. Previously, the team was required to provide written notice of the tender offer before or immediately after the draft." -  http://t.co/71ZBTWJorv 

Well, that's the drafted rookies, now what about the UDFAS? They'll cash in on this, right? Uh...no. 

Per Pro Football Talk, to sign undrafted free agents, teams have up to $80,362 each for signing bonuses - a total amount per team, not per player. That's about $8,900 per UDFA for the Steelers. For the rival Baltimore Ravens, though, it's only about $4,700 for each of the 17 UDFAs they signed.

After Firing Bicknell, Steelers Already Have New OLine Coach In Mind

In Biblical times, two male goats were obtained from the assembled sons of Israel by the high priest for use on the annual Day of Atonement (now called Yom Kippur). One goat was designated for sacrifice as a sin offering, while the high priest symbolically laid the sins of the people on the other and it was led away to escape "into the wilderness.” - Leviticus 16:8,10,26.

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the firing of offensive line coach Jack Bicknell, jr., essentially making him this year's scapegoat. Bicknell came aboard last year after Sean Kugler left to become the head coach at his alma mater UTEP.

We say scapegoat because of the good job he'd done and that 'somebody had to be blamed for the Steelers 8-8 season' mentality among much of the Steelers fan base.

The Steelers lost starting center Maurkice Pouncey and backup Fernando Velasco to season-ending injuries, and because of injury or inept play they had at least six different starting units and between 12-16 different combinations.

Despite those mole hills, they allowed just seven sacks in the final seven weeks. They also ran for 461 yards and a yards-per-carry average of over four (4.01) in the last four games of the season. Within that, featured running back Le'Veon Bell also broke the Steelers 22-game drought of 100-yard rushers, including running for 214 yards in the final two games with a 4.65 YPC average.

So, it's no wonder that players like tackles Marcus Gilbert and Kelvin Beachum said they felt they had grown and improved as a unit. - http://tinyurl.com/ksjm8tm

Nonetheless...

“I have decided to go in a different direction with respect to the coaching of our offensive line,” coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement on Steelers.com. “I want to thank Jack for his contributions during the 2013 season, and I wish him well in the future.”

With no clue or sense of rhyme or reason as to why this would happen, If It Ain't Steel capitulated to a superior intellect and insight in the form of Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Trib Total Media.

"Where Bicknell struggled, I’m...told, is in the area of individual instruction. ... And while Bicknell was loved by the players as a person, there’s also a sense I get that he might have lost them as a coach - fair or not - when times were toughest." - http://tinyurl.com/msh75do

That being the case, the Steelers are now looking for their third OLine coach in as many years. They already seemed to have set their sights one as well.

Jason Cole of the National Football Post has reported that the "Steelers have expressed interest in Carolina assistant offensive line coach Ray Brown to fill the vacancy created after the team fired offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. on Friday. For the time being, the Panthers have declined to let Brown interview, but are expected to let him talk to the Steelers about the job after the playoffs have concluded."

Brown spent 20 years in the NFL as a player for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. He was a part of the Redskins' 1991 Super Bowl winning team, and his best season was 2001 when he went to the Pro Bowl and was named to that year's All-Pro 2nd Team.

He has spent the last seven years working his way up through the coaching ranks. Notably, he was an assistant offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills starting in 2008, was hired as offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers for the 2010 season, and then was hired as the assistant line coach for the Carolina Panthers in January of 2011.

Considering what Kovacevic wrote and the aforementioned road grading the OLine was finally doing in the final quarter of the season, maybe Tomlin felt that they could be the mauling blockers that Steelers teams in the past had. Possibly he then realized that they didn't need to switch to a zone blocking scheme after all, thus making Bicknell expendable.

Regardless, in a few weeks we'll all see if Brown is the next foreman of this group of hard hat-wearing road pavers.

Steelers Must Overcome Deficiencies Monday Night vs. Bengals

It is a bit of Pittsburgh Steelers lore that when newly hired head coach Chuck Noll addressed his team for the first time back in 1969, he told them he would be watching tapes of their play and would get back to them as to why they were mired in losing. What was the answer he was said to have given them? 

"Most of you just can't play football."

Fast forward to 2013 and we could be seeing a bit of déjà vu. - http://tinyurl.com/onyrkn2

At the close of the 2012 season, If It Ain't Steel posted several articles exploring the problems facing the Steelers as a football team and an organization. Problems that have seemed to transfer right on into 2013. 

Just one game into the season and the Steelers lose their Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, starting Buck linebacker Larry Foote and change-up running back LaRod Stephens-Howling. A bleak beginning to say the least. 

Now the Steelers have the daunting task of not only facing a division foe, but facing them with one further depleted their ranks. One who also has inside knowledge of the team. 

When the Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, they will face former All-Pro linebacker and teammate James Harrison. Harrison and the Steelers were unable to come to a contractual agreement, causing the Silverback to eventually take less to sign with the Bengals. 

Now Harrison will be doing all he can to pay back the Steelers and help his new team get on the winning track. What are the ways in which he can help and can the Bengals win? 

Head coach Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference that the team was one or two “explosive” plays away from possibly winning the game. This is actually fairly true. But, it is difficult to do so when your "explosive" play guys are minimal to begin with, and too few of those types of plays are called the entire game.

The Steelers do have some talent, they aren't bereft of it as the team was in 1969, and can perform when they execute. Unfortunately, the key word there is "when."

Over the last nine games the Steelers are -10 in turnover ratio, have allowed 24 sacks and have not had a player run for more than 56 yards in a single game. So the first order of business is the OFFENSIVE LINE.

The acquisition of Fernando Velasco would seem to aid the Steelers in that department as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review stated recently from his Twitter (@MarkKaboly_Trib) account, "I haven't heard a bad word about #Steelers center Fernando Velasco yet. Makes me wonder why the Titans cut him?"

One man's (or team's) trash...

Once the OLine decides it wants to block, it is then on the RUNNING BACKS the Steelers do have to actually grind out some yards. As offensive coordinator Todd Haley said, "We need Isaac (Redman) to bounce back and play a better game."

Whomever is the primary ball carrier, he needs to put forth an above-his-pay-grade effort because 32 yards simply won't cut it against Harrison, Michael Johnson (4.5 sacks in last five games against Steelers) and the man who may have been the defensive player of the year were it not for J.J. Watt, Geno Atkins (three sacks and a forced fumble last season vs. Steelers). 

If they're able to weather that storm, then they still must TAKE CARE OF THE BALL. As Tomlin brought out at his presser, cornerback Leon Hall intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger and returned it 17 yards to score the Bengals lone touchdown in their second matchup last season. 

"We can't turn the football over and expect to win," Haley said. Protecting the football has to be a priority for anybody touching it." - http://tinyurl.com/nztj4tu

The defensive side of the equation is slightly different. Though the offense largely dictates whether or not the Steelers will win, the defense has to still be able to check the Bengals two-tight end sets, wide receiver A.J. Green and the Bengals. 

"They have two really talented guys there," Dick LeBeau said. "I would rather have three real good tight ends and no A.J. Green. I'll put it that way. It gives them a good combination."

But, A.J. Green they do have, and he torched the Steelers with 10 catches for 116 yards in their last meeting with Ike Taylor sidelined. This time Cortez Allen will be the one sidelined, so the intrepid Taylor will be needed to follow Green all night. It will also assure that Shamarko Thomas will be seen in the Nickel and possibly Robert Golden as well for a Big Nickel 4-Safety look.

Getting to quarterback Andy Dalton is imperative. Containing BenJarvus Green-Ellis is also very important. Slow the running game and force them to be one-dimensional. If the defense can do that, it will go a long way toward securing a victory. 

After all, despite the overall inept play last week, the Steelers still gave up only 229 yards of total offense in Week 1 - the third fewest in the entire NFL. Plus, Big Ben is 13-5 all-time against the Bengals. Not to mention that the Steelers are 40-23 all-time on Monday night and Tomlin is 7-1 himself. 

It may sound like a reach to refer to history to find solace in the season so far, but there may not be much else to grasp onto. Much depends on the OLine growing up fast. Then we would see the offensive restraints lessened and the offense opened up. 

But this is more than a one-game fix, and the Steelers have many deficiencies to overcome. A Bengals win, therefore, is certainly in the realm of possibility. 

~

TIDBITS: Steelers injury report: CAllen, LBell, HMiller are out; Curtis Brown (illness) is doubtful.

Bengals injury report: CB Ghee, G Pollack are out; S Miles is doubtful; T Whitworth is questionable.

~

Jerricho Cotchery needs 5 receptions to reach 400 for his career and 10 receiving yards for 5,000 yards.

~

LaMarr Woodley has 53 career sacks. He needs one more to pass Greg Lloyd (53.5) for seventh-most sacks for a Steeler.

Shamarko Thomas' Mentors - Safety In Numbers

Mentor. We hear the word used all the time, be it in youth, at school or in the workplace. It refers to someone we can look up to for guidance and advice.

If we look deeper into the origin of the word, though, we'll find an interesting parallel to the subject of the article today.

In the epic ancient Greek poem The Odyssey (the sequel to The Iliad), Homer chronicles the adventurous journeys of Greek hero Odysseus. When Odysseus left for the Trojan War, he placed his son Telemachus in the charge of his foster-brother Eumaeus and his friend - Mentor.

Now, 2,800 years later, we have a bit of life imitating art as Shamarko Thomas, the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2013 fourth-round draft pick, has also been brought under the charge of two men who are virtually brothers as well as friends. They are also Pro Bowlers, All-Pros (Polamalu) and Super Bowl winners. Few other safeties could be considered as qualified to mentor the young man.

Not many aging veterans are so willing to help teach those who are brought in to replace them. But, once again, the nature of the Steelers' family-like organization shined through, and from the very beginning.

“It all started the same day I got drafted,” Thomas said. “Troy and Ryan called me and left a message and told me they were going to teach me everything they’ve learned. I came in here ready to learn. They’ve made me comfortable.” - http://tinyurl.com/ljjkolk

Class. It shows how special Clark and Polamalu are, not only as players, but as people. It's also what many simply know as the "Steeler way."

As the article from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review went on to highlight, it's an especially "unselfish act on Clark's part knowing that he's in the final year of a four-year, $14 million contract that he signed in 2010." The same goes for Polamalu "who has two years left on the four-year, $36.5 million deal that he signed in 2011."

Clark has made it clear that he wishes to play beyond the 2013 season. He wants to retire a Steeler. The question, naturally, is whether or not the Steelers consider it a wise decision to sign him beyond 2013. They could extend a deal to him in the framework of the one signed by Steelers linebacker Larry Foote.

Foote signed a three-year deal worth $5.5 million. He received a $1 million signing bonus and $2.5 million is guaranteed. But after the 2013 season, Foote could be released with the Steelers only taking an a $666,666 dead money hit in 2014, according to SportTrac.com.

Knowing that he would never see the end of such a contract, as Foote won't, could Clark sign something similar?

There is no doubt that Clark has been an integral part of the Steelers top-ranked defenses. He shows no signs of slowing down, either, as he was finally named to the Pro Bowl after the 2011 season and followed that up with a career-high 102 tackles, seven pass defenses, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2012.

So it is possible, though it's hard to say at present how probable it is. Because it's possible that the development of Thomas will make Clark expendable next year. But Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette recently touched on the flip side of that coin.

"Even with Shamarko Thomas, the Steelers are not prepared to lose both Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark in 2014, although plenty can happen between now and then. Clark has had some of his best seasons lately and it’s reasonable to think that he could play at a good level another few years." - http://t.co/mTrlRD0gzF

The chemistry Clark has with strong safety Polamalu can't be denied. As Bouchette stated, the Steelers aren't prepared to part ways with both. Plus, the uncanny connection Clark has with Polamalu frees him to take many of the gambles and accomplish many of the big plays Polamalu has become known for making.

It is that chemistry, that level of comfort with the feel of the game, that the two of them will look to instill within Thomas. Can that be done in one year?

Clark is a very football smart player who rarely gets caught out of position, while Polamalu's instincts are the stuff of legend. But, how much money does general manager Kevin Colbert want to sink into two safeties on the wrong side of 30 whose hard-hitting styles mean that their next could end someone's season? Specifically theirs.

Regardless, both mentors want to dispense their wisdom "when it is a guy who truly wants to be a sponge." Thomas' determination to learn is just what was needed and comes at the right time.

“Troy and I have asked for years for a guy to mentor,” Clark said. “Some players feel like they can play forever. We understand it is not going to be that way. We want to see somebody take it over and do well.”

Thomas is 5'9", 213 pounds, ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash and jumped 40.5" at the NFL Combine, so he has the physical skills. He possesses both speed and athleticism, and has excellent coverage skills. He has the flexibility to line up in the slot or outside, and has the football aptitude to be able to be indoctrinated by one of the NFL's better safety combinations.

Two true mentors.

Mike Wallace's Mouth Running Faster Than His Feet Needs To Stop

by Jayden

Well, I said we wasn't going to go there, but he pushed once too often, so now I have to go there. His comments last weekend, on top of the others he had made, pushed me to the point where I can no longer be nice. I have never bashed him and have been appreciative of the things he did for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but enough is enough. It is time for Mike Wallace to shut up.

First, he took a jab at his former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, in saying that his new quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, has a stronger arm. Maybe so. However, I remember people raving about the great arms of Dan McGuire, Ryan Leaf and Jamarcus Russell. Remember them? Me neither. So...his point is?

Now, I'm not going to go all Terrell Owens on y'all and cry, "That's my quarterback....It's not fair." But without that inferior-armed quarterback, Wallace would not have had all those deep passes thrown to him. As a matter of fact, I do believe Wallace was overthrown a couple of times. Go fig. It was also that same QB who put up with Wallace's inconsistent route running and dropped passes, yet still gave him opportunity after opportunity. And this is how he talks about him?



But what really pushed it over the edge was what he said most recently: “Everybody has a college mentality around here. It’s a lot different than where I came from. Everybody’s hungry. Everybody wants to get better, get to where we need to be – that’s a winning record.”

OH, NO YOU DIDN’T!

Well, that was the icing on the cake for me. When he bashes a franchise that has done nothing but win and then compare them to a team that has averaged a whopping 6.5 wins a season over the last six years, that is the last straw for me. Hell, he wasn't even alive the last time the Dolphins even went to the Super Bowl. The Dolphins are all about 'getting better'? Well, no sh*t, Sherlock! What choice do they have?

Again, I have tried not bashing Wallace, but frankly I wasn’t upset when he left. Just as I wasn’t upset when Santonio Holmes was traded, and, frankly, Holmes was twice the receiver he is. At least he stepped up and proved he wanted to win in Super Bowl 43. To me, that showed the kind of receiver Holmes was, and something that Wallace never showed. Did he ever go to Big Ben and say, 'Hey I want the ball. Give me the ball and we can do this'? I highly doubt it. From your comments here it was probably more on the line of, "Hey, I need more touches to pad my stats and make Mike Wallace more bankable."

I'm not the only one who doesn't get him, either. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wondered why Wallace continues "to disparage the Steelers, the city of Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger?" - http://t.co/lB4ve3WTSq

These most recent comments tell me what I already knew: he is not about being a team player and is all about himself. He is a spoiled, enabled, self-entitled Divo who thinks that all of sudden he is the second coming since the Dolphins gave him a big contract. Well, guess what? He isn't. I'm not the only one who believes that, either. As NFL.com's Adam Schein wrote back in March, Wallace is "all about the money" and doesn't 'prioritize winning'. - http://tinyurl.com/kgulnhy

Sure, under new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers offense ranked in the top 10 in the NFL for points scored and total yards every year he was either the offensive line and tight ends coach and offensive coordinator, but Wallace is hardly Donald Driver or Greg Jennings and Tannehill is not even close to Aaron Rodgers.

With the Steelers he had a lot of weapons surrounding him. In Miami, that simply won't be the case, because Brian Hartline is a decent receiver but he is no Antonio Brown. Not even close. Sadly, Philbin just doesn't have the arsenal he had in Green Bay. But, hey, keep up with that "college mentality" and see how that works out, because this isn't college.

Also, all of this comes from a guy who says they are all about winning. Well, where was all of this when he was playing for the Steelers last season? (pauses for effect) Well, he knew he was leaving and didn’t care. He held out, he dropped key passes and didn’t run routes. The sad thing is that not one Steelers player has said anything negative about Wallace, in fact, they have all be singing his praises, calling him their "brother" and wishing him the best. But all that had come out of Wallace's unappreciative mouth had been shots at his former team and teammates.

I think we all remember quite well the last rumblings from a Philadelphia team that made big splashes in the offseason during the free agency. Vince Young used the words "dream team" to describe the Eagles and, eight wins later, that dream a nightmare. Could history repeat it self here?

Yet, there were rumblings last season that receivers were more concerned about their individual stats and/or free agency than about winning. Hmmm...I wonder who that was? According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review last December, he even publicly complained about the team’s new offense and his lack of touches saying that "when you don't get the ball for two-and-half quarters, you lose focus." Is someone is telling on himself a little bit?

Now, when you add the backtracking he did with the homophobic Jason Collins tweet on his Twitter feed, Wallace looks like Michael Jackson with as much moonwalking as he's done. Once more his PR people, er uh, he has apologized for running his mouth by tweeting this on Monday: "I want it to be known that I have nothing but love and respect for everybody" in the Steelers organization. He said the Steelers players "are my brothers for life beyond football so to all the people who think I take shots at them it is totally misleading."

Uh-huh... Does he really think now, though, that any fan will accept or believe that or defend him? Sadly, I know there will be some who will, but I will no longer be one of them.

So when he takes the field this year, he'd better hope he didn’t write checks his ASStounding speed can't cash. He also had better hope that Ryan Clark doesn't remember. Why? Ask Willis McGahee, or Ed Dickson, or Victor Cruz, or...

Do Recent Pro Day Visits Indicate Who Steelers Will Draft?

by Jayden and Jason

No matter how you say it -- "Be more efficient on offense" ... "Move the football better" ... "Take advantage of opportunities presented" ... "Get more playmakers!" -- it all still means the same thing: score more points.

At various points in the 2012 season, all of those were challenges. Failing those challenges, and now facing the exodus of some key players, puts the team in a unique position: to rebuild rather than to reload. Certain recent pro day visits may just shed some light on where the Pittsburgh Steelers may be looking in 2013 NFL Draft. And despite the contention of previous posts from this blog, those looks might just be toward offense.

Regardless of the losses sustained in the recent week, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said at the NFL's annual spring meetings that they won't knee jerk themselves into feeling must replace needs. "I don't like to use the word 'need,'" said Colbert. "I never did. I never will. It's going to be 'wants.' We don't know yet. We don't know until we get through free agency. We're going to continue to monitor every guy who's available."

Those "wants" were hinted at via visits to Michigan State and West Virginia respectively.

The inability to find a stable running back amongst the stable of running backs last season was a pet peeve for both Steelers fans and head coach Mike Tomlin. He said as much while answering media questions in Phoenix at aforementioned NFL meetings.

When asked about the running back situation, the loss of Rashard Mendenhall and tendered RBs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, Tomlin said, "Obviously, we need to add to the pool of talent we have at that position." - http://tinyurl.com/bun5lzr

Could their visit to East Lansing last week be an indicator as from where the 'adding to that pool of talent' might come? Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell hopes so.

Hopefully they pull the trigger," said Bell, who used Wednesday's pro day 'to show off his hands and route-running abilities in receiving drills.' The Steelers were well represented at the pro day, with Tomlin, Colbert, running backs coach Kirby Wilson, and tight ends coach James Daniel being in attendance. Tomlin had even taken Bell dining the previous night, possibly being a further sign of the team's interest in him. - http://tinyurl.com/cey879k

If so, the Steelers would be getting a strong 6'1", 230-pound back with quick feet, very good balance and knows how to run low to the ground through contact. Deceptively light on his feet, yet tough to bring down. A smooth accelerator and downhill runner, he ran a 4.6/40 at the NFL Combine (though, he's also been clocked at as low as 4.52).

He seems to like the number three - 3,346 career rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in three years at Michigan St. and will likely be found in the third round - and isn't lacking in confidence when recounting his abilities.

"I feel like I can do everything," Bell said. "I can be in the game on third-and-1, I can be in the game on third-and-10 or I can be in the game on first-and-10. I can be a punt returner and a kick returner, I'm great in pass protection and get a consistent 5 yards every carry. I just feel like I'm one of the more complete backs."

Bell wasn't the only one wined...well, just dined that Tuesday night. As was stated, tight ends coach James Daniel was in attendance at the pro day and as the previously quoted article pointed out, the 6'5" 280-pound Sims would seem to be an option "for a team that plays a hard-nosed, physical style like the Spartans do."

Sims' possibility of being drafted by the Steelers dropped dramatically with the re-signing of Matt Spaeth. But the addition of the sixth-round compensatory pick in this year's draft allows that possibility to remain, however small it may be.

As we've said before, speed can be replaced. As awesome as Mike Wallace's numbers and accomplishments were, there was a bit of a 'Reggie Jackson effect' involved with him: along with the home-run bombs, there were also the strikeouts - dropped passes, fumbles, subpar route-running ability and an overall attitude.

The former, speed, can be found in the draft, the latter they can do without. We've already highlighted several who would be viable choices. Wide receivers highlighted to this point have been Cordarrelle Patterson, Robert Woods and Ryan Swope (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-steelers-at-nfl-combine-week-in.html), as well as Marquis Goodwin and Tavon Austin (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/whether-offense-or-defense-steelers.html).

Being West Virginia Mountaineers football fans at If It Ain't Steel, we know those players very well. We've actually written more than once on first-round prospect Tavon Austin and his 1,289 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, 643 rushing yards and three touchdowns and 978 return yards and two touchdowns. Or in other words, Tavon Awesome. Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider and Steelers Digest hasn't exactly been reticent on Austin, either. - http://tinyurl.com/cp9uwrw

But on his "Young Soon-To-Be Money" teammate, Stedman Bailey, we've been negligent. Though the first choice of one half of If It Ain't Steel (Jason) was Bailey, the better half (Jayden) preferred Austin from the beginning. Well, it's time to shed light STUDman's way.



Bailey, who projects as a third rounder, had 114 receptions and led the country with 25 touchdowns in 2012 (39 total in his career). WVU's most reliable and productive receiver the past two years, Bailey combines precise route running, above-average blocking, great eye-to-hand tracking of the ball and durability in a 5'10", 193-pound package that puts one in the mind of a young Hines Ward.

Bailey's speed isn't world class, but he's steadily increased it from a reported 4.57/40 in college, to a 4.52 at the NFL Combine, to a 4.48 at the other pro day being considered in this article. - http://tinyurl.com/ctd4w76

Colbert and Tomlin spent a good amount of time with both Austin and Bailey, and the latter could be a choice in the third round if the former is gone by pick No. 17 in April. But don't just take our word for it, John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. - http://triblive.com/sports/johnharris/3680790-74/bailey-steelers-austin#axzz2O3ZYsXxK

Either player would be a great fit for the Steelers. Austin being ideal for the West Coast-style offense, turning a four-yard hitch into a 40-yard gain, or taking a GO pattern to the house: "I'm a smart runner, whenever I touch the ball I turn into a running back....I'm the best all-around player in the draft. - http://tinyurl.com/c8q8ptr

Going deep with Bailey would be different as he doesn't quite have the explosive, break-away speed that Austin has. What he does have, though, is the ability to track the ball as well as anyone, and to go up and fight for it and catch it with his hands. Thus allowing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to improve on the 8-37 and 317 passing yards in splash plays (21+ yards) from 2012.

So whether it's Austin (Jim Wexell: "Whoever passes on that kid is going to regret it. Don't care if he's 4-8"), Bailey (Dave-Te' Thomas of Scouting Services, Inc.: "Bailey is the best value pick in the draft, and the best route runner"), or Bell (Todd McShay: "He's a guy that - even though he's bigger, and a physical back - that you can flex him out in the slot"), expect the Steelers to draft one of them.

All three wouldn't be bad, either.

~

TIDBITS: Tomlin tells critics "See you in the Fall." We won't see Max Starks or Casey Hampton, though. - http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/tomlin-to-steelers-critics-see-you-in-the-fall-679961/

~

Tomlin also isn't afraid to say that the Steelers are a team in transition...despite what Colbert attests. - http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3685449-74/tomlin-steelers-season#axzz2O3ZYsXxK

James Harrison Says Goodbye To Steelers, Fans

~ "How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good times that made us laugh
Outweigh the bad." ~

That tweet was sent out by one Mr. James Harrison this morning as he wanted to be the first to say goodbye to his fans in Steelers Nation. It's the end of an era. One that Pittsburgh Steelers fans are mourning. One that comes all too often in this business.

But the business side will wait for now. Let's first reflect on the all-too-brief career of the man who went by many epithets. He was Deebo. As in, "(Red!) You got knocked the fu** out!" He was 'one of the scariest men in the NFL' in a poll taken one year. He was also 'one of the dirtiest players in the NFL' according to another poll.

To me, though, he will always be the Silverback. The man who made his debut when Joey Porter, another in a long line of scary Steelers linebackers, was ejected from a November, 2004 Cleveland Browns game an hour prior to its start. In that game, Harrison recorded his first career sack and had six tackles. After the game, one of the Browns' coaches went up to then-coach Bill Cowher and asked him who 'that No. 92 was,' saying that they 'couldn't do anything against him.' It was a sign of things to come and they and the rest of the NFL would soon find out who No. 92 was.

Harrison first signed with the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2002 out of Kent State. He played one game that season while wearing No. 93, as No. 92 was still worn by outside linebacker Jason Gildon. He was cut after that season and spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and also with NFL Europe.

Once back with the team in 2004 he would fight to get playing time behind Porter and Clark Haggans. 2007 is when he finally did, as it was first year as a full-time starter with Porter being cut. His coming out party came on Monday Night Football against the Ravens, when he had nine tackles, three and a half sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovered, and one interception. The Silverback was born.

Harrison has been quoted as saying that, if he had not gotten signed, he would have retired from the game to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Instead of healing animals, he would go on to hurt and make sick dawgs, tigers and ravens for years to come.

Harrison would start for six years (2007-2012) and would record 64 sacks in the regular season, 29 forced fumbles and enjoyed a 62-33 record. All told, Deebo started 95 of 131 games. He also played in 12 postseason games, notching 23 tackles and six and a half sacks, including three Super Bowls and two victories. He mainly played special teams in Super Bowl XL, but had a slightly bigger impact in Super Bowl XLIII: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM1iXHY8s9o

That 100-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. the Arizona Cardinals was the longest play from scrimmage in Super Bowl history. And it is a play no Steelers fan ever gets tired of seeing.

~ "I thought we'd get to see forever
But forever's gone away...
I don't know where this road
Is going to lead
All I know is where we've been
And what we've been through." ~

Harrison was a workout warrior, was fearless and was truly fearsome. As ESPN's Jamison Hensley wrote, "let's be honest: No one is going to replace Harrison's toughness, mean streak and steely-eyed stare that struck fear into anyone lining up across from him. Harrison was more than a pass-rusher. He was a quarterback crusher." The Silverback, despite what many tried to purport, was not a dirty player, either. He just played as it was meant to be played: hard and viciously, yet within the rules (except when a certain commissioner decided to change interpretations of rules in mid-season). Playing the game the way another Kent State linebacker said it should be played.

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." - Jack Lambert.

No one hit harder than Deebo. He made no apologies for being who he was, which was a block of granite-like freak of nature. If I were to use a movie reference, I'd paraphrase the Terminator: "He doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop!"

Well, there was one time when he felt remorse. He expressed remorse over the plight of the opposing team's player and quarterback.

"I don't want to hurt nobody. I don't want to step on nobody's foot or hurt their toe," Harrison said at Media Day of Super Bowl XLV. "I don't want to have no dirt or none of this rubber on this field fly into their eye and make their eye hurt. I just want to tackle them softly on the ground, and if you all can, we'll lay a pillow down where I'm going to tackle them, so they don't hit the ground too hard....Mr. Goodell."

That bit of tongue-in-cheekery was in response to all of the attention he'd gotten from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to the tune of four fines for illegal hits against quarterbacks, fined twice for unnecessary roughness and was suspended once for basically being a 'repeat offender.' Most of which was undeserved. (BREAKING NEWS: Goodell fines Harrison for hitting free agency!)

Now, though, we're having to accept that the much-maligned linebacker won't any longer be around. The Silverback will wear Black and Gold no more.


- courtesy of Matt Vargo

~ "If we get to see tomorrow
I hope it's worth all the wait..." ~

In six years of being a starter, Harrison missed nine starts - four games for a broken orbital bone, three games because of knee surgery, one game because of suspension, and he sat a Week 17 game in 2008. Unfortunately, seven of those that were due to injury or surgery have come in the last two seasons.

The business of the NFL has reared it's unforgiving head once again, causing the Steelers and Harrison to part ways. Harrison didn't feel he should take a pay cut, and the Steelers didn't feel he was quite the same player anymore, at least not one warranting the $10.035 million Salary Cap hit. To be exact, the Steelers just couldn't afford the combination of salary, injury and age. If It Ain't Steel said last summer that this would most likely happen. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/07/is-this-james-harrisons-final-year.html

Per Pro Football Talk, the Steelers offered Harrison a reduction of approximately 30% of his $6.57 million base salary and an opportunity to earn it back via incentives. - http://tinyurl.com/aa6fayj

Per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Harrison told Bob Pompeani, KDKA TV Sports Director, that "he has 2-3-4 more years left in him.” So with Harrison believing that and deciding to wade out into the free agent waters, Steelers fans are left with their memories. Memories of his two 1st-team All-Pro selections, of his five Pro Bowls and of his countless bone-jarring hits.

It's hard to let go of the players that mean that much to us. We get emotionally involved, making it hard to say goodbye. And, to finish the lyrics that were the running theme of this piece, "it's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday" ... and to the Silverback.

Is William Gay Coming Back To The Steelers?

That was the tweet sent by former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay Sunday evening. A tweet that caused an immediate stir and mixed emotions amongst Steelers fans. Does it mean, though, that he's returning to the Black and Gold?

According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Jerrold Colton, Gay's agent, said that there is interest in the Steelers but would not say whether Gay has come to contract terms with the team yet." - http://tinyurl.com/d3n5lrb

According to Gay, he will be in Pittsburgh on Monday, most likely meaning that he'll be at the team's South Side facility. One of his next tweets confirmed this:



Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review made a good point on his Twitter (@MarkKaboly_Trib) account when he tweeted this: "It's not like #Steelers aren't interested in bringing back Keenan Lewis now, but they sure are covering bases just in case Lewis does leave."

Gay, 28, does know the defense and is referred to by head coach Mike Tomlin as "big play Willie Gay." He recorded 60 tackles, six passes defensed, and two interceptions for the Arizona Cardinals last season, but still graded out as one of the worst corners in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

If Gay does come back, whether unrestricted free agent Keenan Lewis is signed or not, he would only be used in Nickel and Dime packages on the slot receivers. Gay would be inexpensive and he didn't have a bad season his final year with the Steelers. Also, if brought back, it'd provide a bonus for the Steelers in that they should receive a compensatory pick, most likely a seventh-round pick, for him after his departure in 2011. BloggingTheBeast.com posted their projections a month ago regarding the NFL's compensatory picks. - http://tinyurl.com/cmzbw62

Despite popular belief, the NFL does define its basis for compensatory picks. NFL.com explains them this way:
"Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.

"The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four. Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula."

So, despite our previously predicting he'd wind up in Cleveland, the possibility of his being signed by the Steelers does exist. It's the probability that is up in the air.

The Steelers at the NFL Combine: The Week In Review

Beware the ides of March... (Ok, so March's ides are actually the 13-15. I'm a day off, sue me.)

March 12th, the start of NFL free agency, still looms large for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they have definitive decisions to make. While some are suggesting that the "March Massacre" will not be as bad as first expected, "change" will come.



"Obviously, change has to occur over time," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said on Thursday at the NFL Combine was starting. "And you hope that you've prepared and drafted or signed free agents to deal with that change as it occurs. It's inevitable that change is going to happen. And that's what this process is about."

That "change" is going to be a major one and it needs to happen. As a colleague and fellow blogger said recently, just "rip the band aid off" and get it done. If there are more cuts than in a fight between Edward Scissorhands and Freddy Kruger, so be it.

Colbert says that this situation isn't a novelty.

"It's really not unique," Colbert said. "When you have some success, you probably have good players, some of them probably have been a little bit older. As I stated earlier, they're probably going to move on. We've got to be prepared, both from a salary cap standpoint and a talent standpoint, to make these changes. It's really not any more sophisticated than in previous years."

That Salary Cap has been the center of many discussions this offseason and has had many Steelers fans complaining (read: whining) over what is in front of the team for 2013. Some potential good news came from NFL Network's Albert Breer on Friday.

Breer, from his Twitter (@AlbertBreer) account tweeted: "Word circulating through some teams that the cap could wind up being set around $123M, higher than expected. Some are skeptical. We'll see.”

All will be waiting to see if that transpires because, as discussed in our previous post (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/rebuild-or-reload-steelers-run-game-is_19.html), the Steelers will be in rebuilding or transitional mode for next season. Just don't tell that to Colbert.

"I don't want to say transition," Colbert said, "because that means that you're going to accept anything less than a Super Bowl in trying to get back."

In other words, he wants to ride the stairway to seven as soon as possible. The scouting combine affords Colbert and company the opportunity to evaluate talent that can aid them in doing just that.

All offseason If It Ain't Steel has provided various names the Steelers could and may even be looking to draft in April's NFL Draft. We did so specifically in the "...Drafting for Defense" and "Playmakers" articles. We'll readdress them before the Draft along with other names from the combine. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/01/fixing-steelers-starts-with-drafting.html
http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/whether-offense-or-defense-steelers.html

For the most part, those particular pieces highlighted ones who may find themselves drafted in the first or second rounds. But the Draft is three days of NFL grandeur and since this Draft is singularly important, the middle and later rounds needs to provide a steal or a diamond in the rough (or both).

Taking into the consideration the order in which they were presented, defense and playmakers, there are absolutely viable players that can be had the aforementioned rounds who could pact the team fairly quickly.

Much has been written, including by us, of safeties Matt Elam, Kenny Vaccaro, Eric Reid, D.J. Swearinger, Phillip Thomas Baccari Rambo and T.J. MacDonald. We're now adding another name to an already long list of safeties, a name made because of a winning performance at the Senior Bowl: SS Jonathan Cyprien from Florida International.

As Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com said of him: "In a talented safety group, Florida International's Jonathan Cyprien stood out on Monday with his aggressive playing style and active demeanor. He practiced at full speed and left it all out on the field, not shying away from getting physical. Whether it was a contact drill or not, Cyprien is going to meet the ballcarrier with a pop, refusing to let up." - http://tinyurl.com/aevr59r

Cyprien is 6’0” and 209 pounds, and has the ability to make both hard-hitting, run-stopping plays and to cover with his 4.56 speed in the forty-yard dash. In his senior year, Cyprien led Florida International with in tackles and also had four interceptions.

Colbert said he 'wants to have the guy who can strike the fear in guys within the rules,' well Cyprien can do that. It also would address what Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau earlier this week said he wanted, to "add some youth" at safety. - http://tinyurl.com/bzhxlow

Something else that LeBeau said was that he thought the Steelers were as good as the Baltimore Ravens and could have done the same thing they did.

"Do I feel we could have done the same thing they did? I do. I do,” LeBeau said as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It didn’t break that way. They got the right people back at the right time, and we continued to have more injuries, it seemed like. Many times that decides it.”

With five losses of three points, a loss by six when having eight turnovers, a loss by 12 when after being up 19-17. Add that to all the injuries and a new offensive coordinator, and LeBeau would seem to be correct.

In order for that to have been completely accurate, at least going forward, the Steelers need more legitimate playmakers - one area in which the Ravens are definitely ahead of the Steelers. And since Colbert said they won't make any decisions on their free agents until after the combine, the Draft is to be the main focus.

This is despite talk of wide receiver Steve Breaston being a favorite of offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Per NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala: "Told Steelers have interest in PIT-native Steve Breaston. But so do DET, DAL, TN... He likes Haley. Do Steelers offer enough $?” Do they indeed? Again, the Draft is the focus.

One player many have the Steelers taking as high as the first round is Tennessee Volunteers wideout Cordarrelle Patterson. At 6’3” and 205 pounds, Patterson is a big and physical target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Add his 4.46 speed and you have someone who can beat the press.

It's just doubtful that it happens. It's more likely, if they go that route, that they'll wait until the middle rounds. If so, two choices stand out who may remind Steelers fans of a couple of someones.

On Friday, Steel City Insider's Jim Wexell posted this to his Twitter account:


Robert Woods represents both value and talent that can be found in third or even fourth round. He definitely has his upside, but there are also concerns.

Per Brugler again, "he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in December 2011 and was bothered by the injury much of the spring and summer. Woods looked mostly healthy throughout the 2012 season, but his long-term stability will still be under scrutiny if there is any issue with his ankles." Sound familiar? That's the caveat.

He is 6'1" and 185 lbs. with sub 4.4 speed, runs a "21.07 in the 200 meters and 46.02 in the 400 meters" and has "true separation ability." Sound familiar? That's the upside.

He would be a very good replacement for Mike Wallace in that he has similar scoring-threat speed, but is a better route runner and has slightly better hands. He tends to rely on his speed a little too much in order to make plays, but, well, that didn't exactly impede Wallace. Did it?

Another possibility in that area of the draft is Texas A&M wideout Ryan Swope. According to a few Draft experts, Swope has earned a "fourth-round grade." Wexell said of him that he's "a steal" in that round and that he is "closer to HWard {with a} large sac." (Brackets ours.)

He's 6'0", 204 lbs., is tough, is a very good blocker and simply loves playing the game. Don't take our word for it, though, just watch: http://tinyurl.com/bjfg78f

Going back to Colbert for a moment, he said touched on the LaMarr Woodley, Ryan Clark and Antonio Brown locker room issue. He said he isn't overly worried about team chemistry and said that, though he was "bothered" by it, he expects his team to respond.

"We have lot of young guys ready to take the next step," Colbert said. "I'm not concerned about our locker room. We feel we have our finger on the pulse and we're comfortable."

"I'm more bothered it was anonymous," he went on. "{Woodley will} be first to tell you he was disappointed."

Hines Ward had a different take on it, however, says that the Steelers locker room is in "total disarray." He explains why, and what he thinks must be done about it. - http://tinyurl.com/agfql3x

One of the "young guys ready to take the next step" is Brown. He echoed the words spoken by Ward when he said that a team must be a "band of brothers." Brown handled himself well and showed he's willing to step up and take the lead, and should be commended for it. - http://tinyurl.com/bzorn7d

All-in-all, it was an interesting if not busy week in Steeltown. There was even more that could have been disseminated, but still more is going on as we type. Because with the potential Salary Cap increase soon-to-come, more players than first thought may avoid the nearly-ides of March and find themselves back in Steelers uniforms next season.

~

TIDBITS: NFL Scouting Combine schedule - http://www.nflcombine.net/players/schedule

~

Larry Foote says contract talks have begun between his agent and the Steelers. Ed Bouchette provides the whole story: http://tinyurl.com/apk8ztd

~

Another young player who wants to step up, at least from an on-the-field standpoint, is offensive tackle Mike Adams, who wants to start next season. - http://tinyurl.com/ay3m4d6

Will Harrison, Polamalu and Clark be Steelers in 2013?

Math isn't my strong suit, but even I can tell that $24,922,500 is more than -$12,000,000.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing some tough decisions as they delve deeper into the offseason. Yet again, first among those decisions is the Salary Cap and Rule of 51 dilemmas that have them more upside down than the typical Fannie Mae home.

The reason that's said is because the $24.9M amount above is the Cap hit that would be taken from linebacker James Harrison and safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark alone. The negative $12 million is (most of) the amount that the Steelers are over the Cap. And as was stated in the previous "Salary Cap Update" article, those monies include the exclusive rights free agents, DeMarcus Van Dyke and Baron Batch. Then add to that the six restricted free agents, assuming all will be re-signed, and you have an approximate $8-$10 million more in contracts.

It doesn't take a math wiz at that point to figure out that not all three will be back. Harrison, though, may have made the decision as to which one that will be an easier one.

Harrison’s agent, Bill Parise, told John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that they’re "certainly willing to do (restructure). Do we need to take less money? I don’t think so. Personally, I think he’s a bargain.”

An aging linebacker who has started/played in just 24 of a possible 32 regular season games in the last two years, who is coming off of multiple surgeries to his back and knee, who subsequently saw his production suffer and who will count $10,035,000 against the Cap is "a bargain?"

No, my finding a Franco Harris throwback jersey for a quarter the price because the never-saw-a-football-game-in-her-life salesgirl got the tags mixed up was a bargain. This is no bargain.

It isn't fiscally responsible, either. The problem that the Steelers face is that it might be cheaper to roll the dice and restructure (though, they would only save about $1 million in doing so). - http://triblive.com/sports/johnharris/3462343-74/harrison-steelers-dejankovacevic#axzz2KhrZmykX

If the Cap casualty is Polamalu, though, his departure would clear $10,137,500. This is another player whose age and health could possibly mean that he won't be in a Steelers jersey next season. After all, the Steelers secondary did attain its number one status without him.

Don't worry, though. I'm not asking for his head on a pike, either. While defensive end Brett Keisel (who himself will count about $4,500,000 against the Cap and realizes he could also be gone next season) did say that the Steelers do "need some splash plays by those young guys" to bring the defense back to the level it had been before, that wasn't to mean that the veterans are just to be tossed aside.

The presence of a healthy Polamalu provides an almost unquantifiable comfort level and stability for the defense. At the same time, his presence often causes a great air of uncertainty for an offense and signal caller. Because of Polamalu's being able to be at the line of scrimmage to stuff runs or rush the quarterback, to play underneath given the pass play or to play deep on long passes, he must be accounted for when on the field.

That explosive play, splash-play ability, is what was often missing from the defense in 2012. They were solid to say the least, but lacked the triple threat. A threat that he showed signs of again in the final two games of the season. He is still, even with his absenteeism of late, a player the Steelers are better with than without.

But this game is still ultimately a business, and business is dictated by the bottom line. Saying that, it may be a 50/50 as to whether they cut losses and go younger or keep the veteran and chance that he can be healthy for the majority of the year.

A difficult decision to say the least. After all, this game is no country for old men, and I must ask, "What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss," Kevin Colbert?

The last being focused on here is free safety Ryan Clark. Clark left Twitter back on January 28, 2013 because he is, as his wife (@WriteHereYONKee) tweeted "Focusing on rehab & training."

The minor controversy it caused aside, Clark is scheduled for a Cap hit of around $4.75 million in 2013, the final year of his contract. Should he be released, the Steelers would also save the $3.5 million base salary he's due.

That said, he was arguably the Steelers defensive MVP of the first of 2012. He finished the season with 102 tackles, nine passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was the vocal leader of the defense and the Yin to Polamalu's Yang.

However, his other stats were two concussions and a deep thigh bruise to end the season, Add that to the fact he'll be 33 years old next year and it can be understood why his is a name considered for a possible release. A dilemma that surely has Omar Khan hanging this sign on his office door:


If It Ain't Steel's guess is that, of the three and despite proven backups at any of the positions discussed, Harrison is one most likely to be gone.

Still, whomever leaves, I don't need to need to be a math wiz to know that something has to give this offseason or the next numbers we could be considering are 8-8 x 2 = 2013.