Pittsburgh Steelers Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Extension Candidate: Marcus Gilbert

June 16th, 2014 at 9:00pm CST by Rory Parks

We learned yesterday that Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Steelers’ right tackle Marcus Gilbert, had approached the club about a possible long-term deal for Gilbert. Although those talks are in the preliminary stages at this point, it may behoove the Steelers, who have struggled to get consistent production from their offensive line in recent years, to act before Gilbert hits the open market at the end of this season.

To be certain, Gilbert is not an elite talent. Although we caution that Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics are not the be-all and end-all of player evaluation, those metrics combined with the “eye test” make for a fairly valuable analytical tool, and in this instance, the PFF grades (subscription required) accurately suggest that Gilbert is a solid pass blocker but struggles with run blocking. As compared to other offensive tackles, Gilbert is decidedly average, ranking 36th out of 76 qualified tackles in 2011, his rookie season, and 50th out of 76 in 2013 (he played only five games in 2012 after suffering an ankle injury in Week 6 of that season).

Nonetheless, even average lineman fared pretty well in free agency this year. As we noted yesterday, right tackles Austin Howard, Breno Giacomini, and Michael Oher all received four- or five-year deals worth between $4MM and $6MM per season. Only one of those players–Giacomini–performed better than Gilbert in 2013, according to PFF, and none of them were better in 2011. As such, Gilbert could reasonably demand at least as much, and will certainly get it should he hit free agency.

Gilbert, taken in the second round of the 2011 draft, is part of Pittsburgh’s recent movement to provide better protection to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and to revive their once-dominant running game. He is one of four offensive linemen taken in the first or second round in the past five years, along with tackle Mike Adams, guard David DeCastro, and recently-extended center Maurkice Pouncey. Although DeCastro and Pouncey have played well, Adams has struggled in his two seasons in the league, and the Steelers would like to be confident in at least one of their bookends in the long term.

Although he has stated that he loves playing in Pittsburgh and would not want to go elsewhere, the contracts that his peers received this offseason–along with the fact that he is represented by Rosenhaus–suggest that Gilbert will not be taking a hometown discount. However, solid tackles are hard to find, and the Steelers have gone through enough turmoil on their line in recent seasons to let a chance at real stability walk away (indeed, the chance to a keep core group of players in a given unit intact is an oft-overlooked but critical component of these discussions). It may be difficult to keep Gilbert on board, given that Roethlisberger, Jason Worilds, and Cortez Allen are also extension candidates, but Pittsburgh may have no other choice.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

AFC North Notes: Rice, Steelers, Hoyer

June 16th, 2014 at 6:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Ravens running back Ray Rice and his wife met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell today regarding Rice’s February domestic dispute, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post (via Twitter). Rice has tried to explain the incident, but it seems inevitable that the 27-year-old will face a suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy. Hubbuch tweets that he hears Rice’s punishment will be “significant,” and guesses the RB could be suspended for a period of four to six games.

Despite losing two of his top three receivers from last season, Ben Roethlisberger is excited about 2014, and thinks training camp will be an opportunity to grow with one the Steelers’ new additions. “Lance [Moore], who is a pro, he’s a great professional — he’s going to be really good and I think we’re going to have a good connection — there were a few things that were just like a foot off [at OTAs],” Roethlisberger told Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “A pass I threw a little bit outside, I thought he was going in[side]. Those little things we can work on and that’s what these camps are going to be about, getting on that same page these guys.”
The Ravens have experienced incredible stability at the holder and long snapper positions, with Sam Koch and Morgan Cox manning those roles for the past four seasons, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, and that reliability has been crucial for kicker Justin Tucker‘s development.
The opinion of a linebacker probably won’t factor in to Browns coach Mike Pettine’s decision on who to name as his starting quarterback, but Paul Kruger told 1320 KFAN he thinks Brian Hoyer should get the opportunity instead of Johnny Manziel (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “Me personally, I mean obviously that’s up to the staff and coaches so they’ll make that decision,” said Kruger. “But in my mind, [Brian] Hoyer’s the guy. Hoyer came in, won us four games, unfortunately got hurt. But the guy was on fire when he was healthy. He’s proven himself at different levels and has worked extremely hard.” (As Florio notes, Hoyer actually won only three games).
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is pleased with the depth available on his defense, and the physicality the unit has been displaying in practice, and singled out three players for whom he has high hopes, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “They’re rounding into the vision we have for them,” said Lewis. “The guys have been here – a lot of them – and I think Darqueze [Dennard] has fit in well. I think [Marquis] Flowers is going to do a great job. We’ve got some guys we’ve brought in here as young guys who are really going to help us. Danieal Manning is getting some good snaps now. We’ve got some guys that are going to help us that way.”

AFC Notes: Worilds, Gilbert, Bray, Pats

June 15th, 2014 at 2:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Linebacker Jason Worilds turned down an extension offer from the Steelers, reports Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The proposal, which was made to Worilds “a while ago,” is apparently the Steelers’ final offer. Worilds has no plans to accept the deal, however, and will likely play out the 2014 season under the franchise tag, which will pay him $9.754MM.

Within the same piece, Bouchette writes that Steelers didn’t fret over losing cornerback Keenan Lewis after 2012 because they believed Cortez Allen was the better player. Now that Allen has yet to be offered an extension, Bouchette wonders if their evaluation of the 25-year-old defensive back has changed.
Browns rookie Justin Gilbert, the ninth overall pick in last month’s draft, is optimistic that he will flourish in Cleveland’s new defensive scheme (per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). “If you don’t have confidence playing press man in the NFL, I’m sure you’re going to get beat a lot,” said Gilbert. “So you’ve got to have a lot of confidence. … Confidence is where it’s at, and I have all the confidence in the world.”
Second-year quarterback Tyler Bray feels much more comfortable in the Chiefs’ West Coast offense, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Bray’s development could be instrumental in Kansas City, as Alex Smith‘s contract expires after 2014.
Brandon Gilman, who played along the defensive line in college, made the transition to outside linebacker with the Ravens last season, and is now moving inside with the Titans, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times.
Young players often make the biggest leap in productivity between their first and second seasons in the league, and with that in mind, Chistopher Price of WEEI lists Jamie Collins and Aaron Dobson among several Patriots who could improve in 2014.

AFC North Notes: Gilbert, Flowers, Green-Ellis

June 15th, 2014 at 11:11am CST by Rory Parks

Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert will be a free agent at the end of the 2014 campaign, and, as Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, Gilbert can expect to see a big payday in his near future. The only question is what team will be paying him.

Though the Steelers do have some cap room to work out an extension or two before the start of the season, key players like Ben Roethlisberger, Jason Worilds, and Cortez Allen are also extension candidates, and there may not be enough money to go around. Right tackles, even middle-of-the road ones, were paid pretty well this offseason, with Austin Howard setting the pace after landing a five-year, $30MM deal with the Raiders.

However, only one of the right tackles to get a lucrative free agent deal this year graded out as a better player than Gilbert, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Breno Giacomini, who signed a four-year, $18MM contract with the Jets, was ranked by PFF as the 41st-ranked tackle in the league, with Gilbert checking in at No. 44, Howard at No. 47, and Michael Oher at No. 68.

It would be safe, then, to assume that Gilbert is in line for a pretty nice raise, and though he would like to remain in Pittsburgh, he stated that he is not focused on his contract situation at the moment. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has apparently approached the Steelers about a long-term deal, but those talks are in the preliminary stages.

Now some more AFC North notes:

Undrafted rookie Brendon Kay is a long-shot to make the Steelers‘ roster, but he believes he has a chance to unseat Landry Jones as the team’s third-string quarterback, writes Sean Hammond of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Ravens may be a dark horse candidate for Brandon Flowers, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Cornerback is an area of need for the club after losing the steady Corey Graham in free agency, but before Flowers was cut, Hensley believed that the team would not sign a veteran free agent until after the final major cutdown following the preseason finale. But Flowers’ release represents one of those rare opportunities that GM Ozzie Newsome loves to exploit: the chance to grab an elite talent who unexpectedly shakes loose from his former club (see: Elvis Dumervil). Although the Ravens do not have a ton of cap space, they could potentially create more room by releasing someone like Sam Koch or Chris Canty, and the thought of teaming Flowers with Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith might be enough to make Newsome and company pull the trigger.
Coley Harvey of ESPN.com believes that Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be cut before the season begins. Harvey writes that it is a “mystery” as to why Green-Ellis is still on the roster, and he notes that the club would create $2.5MM of cap space by cutting him.
In the same piece, Harvey writes that if the Bengals want to keep Jermaine Gresham on the team beyond 2014–which may or may not be the case–any contract talks will probably not take place until after the season. Harvey also writes that the Bengals are one of the seemingly few teams who will not have interest in Flowers.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, in response to a reader’s question concerning the future of Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, writes that the team will likely not release Gordon before giving him a chance to “turn things around.” Cabot also notes that the coaching staff is high on right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who is a good fit in Kyle Shanahan‘s zone-blocking scheme.

AFC Notes: Carr, Sheard, Canty, Williams

June 14th, 2014 at 10:52am CST by Matt Feminis

Since being drafted last month, Raiders second-round quarterback Derek Carr has drawn continued praise. Now, offensive coordinator Greg Olson says the rookie might not need to “redshirt.” Olson spoke to Vic Tafur at sfgate.com, saying, “We are accelerating the learning curve of Derek Carr.”

Here’s some more AFC news and notes:

Earlier this week, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal tweeted that the Browns and 2015 free agent Jabaal Sheard have had preliminary talks on a long-term contract extension, then elaborated in article form. Entering the final year of his four-year, $5.1MM rookie deal, the 2011 second-rounder is poised for an impact (Read: productive) season and lucrative payday thanks to his projected role as the team’s primary pass rusher in Mike Pettine’s hybrid, attacking scheme.
Prompted by a fan question as part of a mailbag chat, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley addresses the possibility of Ravens veteran defensive lineman Chris Canty being cut at the end of training camp. “There’s no guarantee that defensive end Chris Canty makes this team,” says Hensley. “He was a disappointment last year, and the Ravens can create cap room by cutting him ($2 million this year and $2.6 million in 2015). The Ravens, though, need to make sure someone is ready to step up in his spot. Kapron Lewis-Moore and rookie Brent Urban are the ones who play Canty’s position, so they have to convince the Ravens in the preseason that they’re ready.”
Bills receiver Mike Williams, acquired from Tampa Bay for a sixth-round pick, does not have a “particular skill that he brings to the table that is different from the rest of the receiver group” and is not a lock to make the roster in the eyes of ESPN’s Mike Rodak.
Despite struggling last season, Derek Newton is the Texans’ starting right tackle, per Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
The odds of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger starting all 16 games for the second consecutive season “aren’t good,” says Triblive.com’s Mark Kaboly, who examines the competition for the backup job between veteran Bruce Gradkowski and second-year pro Landry Jones.
Previewing the Dolphins upcoming minicamp, the Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly hits on several roster notes, including competition for slot receiver reps, Koa Misi transitioning to inside linebacker and Dion Jordan‘s increased bulk and strength.

Chuck Noll Passes Away

June 13th, 2014 at 10:41pm CST by Rob DiRe

Steelers’ Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Noll passed away late Friday night, reports Jerry DiPaola of TribLive.com. Noll coached the team from 1969-1991, and won four Super Bowls, the most of any head coach in NFL history. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. Noll was 82 years old.

Noll was under the care of a doctor for an undisclosed illness, according to DiPaola.

He died in his home in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, according to Lexi Belculfine of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He died of natural causes, according to the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office.

Steelers Sign Maurkice Pouncey To Extension

June 13th, 2014 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 11:40am: Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has the year-by-year breakdown of Pouncey’s new deal, which creates a cap hit of about $5MM for 2014.

THURSDAY, 8:28am: The Steelers have agreed to terms with standout center Maurkice Pouncey on a five-year contract extension, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. According to Florio, the five-year pact is worth a little over $44MM, with $13MM in the form of a signing bonus and $26.5MM coming in the first three years. Since Pouncey had one year remaining on his current deal, the new agreement will ensure that he remains under team control through the 2019 season.

Pouncey, who turns 25 next month, missed the majority of the 2013 campaign after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in Week One. Prior to that lost season, the former Gator had been the Steelers’ starter in the middle of the line since entering the league as the 18th overall pick in 2010. During his three full seasons, Pouncey earned three Pro Bowl berths and an All-Pro nod in 2011, and he has seen his Pro Football Focus grades (subscription required) steadily improve. According to PFF, the Florida product was the 21st-best player at his position in 2010, 19th in 2011, and 12th in 2012, all before he turned 24.

It’s likely no coincidence that the $44MM figure on Pouncey’s five new seasons just barely eclipses the $42MM Alex Mack earned on his five-year contract this past offseason. The most recent contracts for Carolina’s Ryan Kalil and Nick Mangold of the Jets had higher overall values than Pouncey’s new deal, but the Pittsburgh center has established a new high water mark for annual salary for a center, at $8.8MM. His previous deal had called for a base salary worth around $1.288MM in 2014.

When I evaluated Pouncey’s case for an extension last week, I predicted a deal in the neighborhood of five years and $40MM, with $15MM+ in guaranteed money. Although we’ll have to wait for the full breakdown of salaries and guarantees on the new agreement, it looks like I slightly underestimated the overall value of the deal, and perhaps overshot the amount of the guarantee a little. That structure makes sense though, considering the Steelers may have been reluctant to award Pouncey a huge guarantee when he’s still recovering from last season’s knee injury.

With Pouncey locked up, the Steelers can turn their attention to other potential extension candidates on the roster. Outside linebacker Jason Worilds may be one of the club’s top priorities — Worilds is currently in position to play the 2014 season under the one-year transition tag, but remains hopeful for a multiyear contract that will keep him in Pittsburgh beyond this year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

North Notes: Archer, Lions, Suh, Pouncey

June 12th, 2014 at 3:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Bengals first-round cornerback Darqueze Dennard signed his contract with Cincinnati earlier this afternoon, as did Packers second-round receiver Davante Adams. According to Field Yates of ESPN Boston (Twitter link), one more player out of the NFL’s North divisions also inked his rookie deal today — Steelers third-round running back Dri Archer. The move leaves Pittsburgh with one draft pick left to lock up, in second-round defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt.

Here’s more from around the two North divisions:

Ndamukong Suh and the Lions have had “intermittent” contract talks since the owners’ meetings this spring, but the club’s minicap ended today without a new agreement in place between the two sides, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. In order to finalize the signing of first-round tight end Eric Ebron, the Lions will have to either restructure Suh’s deal or rework other smaller contracts.
The Lions worked out former San Diego State offensive tackle Bryce Quigley today, tweets Birkett. Quigley went undrafted last month.
The Steelers held a press conference today to announce Maurkice Pouncey‘s new contract extension, and the standout center told reporters, including Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link), that the possibility of testing free agency was “never on [his] mind,” particularly after last year’s knee injury.
Browns cornerback Buster Skrine vows to fight every step of way to remain starter despite arrival of Justin Gilbert, write Nate Ulrich and George Thomas of the Akron Beacon-Journal. Of course, from the outside, the eighth-overall pick out of Oklahoma State looks like the leading candidate to start opposite of Joe Haden.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

North Notes: Browns, West, Lions, Steelers

June 11th, 2014 at 3:26pm CST by Luke Adams

We rounded up a few notes on the Bengals earlier today, but there’s plenty more happening within Cincinnati’s division, and across the way in the NFC North. Let’s check in on the NFL’s two North divisions and round up the latest…

Half of the NFL’s 32 teams have locked up all their 2014 draft picks to rookie contracts, but coming into today, the Browns had only signed two of their six draftees. However, third-rounder Terrance West appears to have become the third player to put pen to paper for Cleveland — the former Towson running back posted a photo on Instagram today that shows him signing his deal, with the caption announcing he’s “officially a Cleveland Brown.”
Kellen Moore says he’s “certainly” ready to be the Lions’ No. 2 quarterback if given the opportunity, but the team’s offseason search for an alternative option clouds Moore’s future in Detroit, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Before addressing a few questions from readers, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette discusses Jason Worilds, Maurkice Pouncey, and the Steelers‘ remaining unsigned draft picks. It may take some time for the club to sign second- and third-round picks Stephon Tuitt and Dri Archer, says Bouchette, though he adds that there’s no concern about either player.

Extra Points: Cardinals, Rams, Orton, Adams

June 10th, 2014 at 9:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are looking to possibly add some established veterans, but it’ll be a waiting game for those seeking employment, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. The Cards worked out veteran right tackle Tyson Clabo recently but the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement. Urban is reminded of the dance that the Cards did with tackle Eric Winston last season before ultimately signing him to a below asking price deal right before training camp.

The Rams will not receive their $3MM offset on cornerback Cortland Finnegan‘s signing with the Dolphins until the 2015 cap year, writes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. However, that bit of news had no bearing on the team’s decision to restructure the contract of center Scott Wells, which created some immediate salary relief. Finnegan signed a two-year deal with Miami in March.
The Kyle Orton watch will be on when the Cowboys hold their mandatory minicamp June 17-19, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Coach Jason Garrett reiterated that he anticipates Orton to take part in the minicamp, but he has not had any recent conversations with the Cowboys backup and he says he’s not sure Orton has a copy of the playbook to understand the changes implemented by new playcaller Scott Linehan.
Unrestricted free agent safety Mike Adams tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (on Twitter) that the 49ers, Browns, Jets, and Patriots are potential landing spots for him. However, he says the door for re-signing with the Broncos is likely closed.
Even though there is no long-term deal imminent, Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds is hoping that will change before the start of the season. “I hope so, but it is one day at a time,” said Worilds, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “If I continue with that approach, everything will fall in line.”
By the time training camp starts in late July, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter) expects Texans GM Rick Smith to sign a veteran offensive tackle to compete for the swing tackle job.
Browns coach Mike Pettine is already making a strong impression in Cleveland, writes Jim Corbett of USA Today Sports. The 47-year-old has instilled a strong work ethic in his new team and showed wisdom when he said no to HBO’s “Hard Knocks” for this offseason.

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