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Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

AFC North Notes: Sanders, Cap, Weeden, Draft

February 20th, 2014 at 7:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Steelers are prepared to let receiver Emmanuel Sanders test free agency, and do not expect to retain him, according to Scott Brown of ESPN.com. Steelers GM Kevin Colbert expounded on Sanders’ value, and noted “where he goes in free agency and what his market is we don’t know at this point, but he certainly performed for us last year, and we’ll see where it is in the future.”

Sanders had a nice season as a complementary receiver to Antonio Brown, catching 67 passes for 670 yards and six touchdowns. However, the Steelers don’t have much cap room with which to work, and they believe Markus Wheaton is ready to step into the number-two role. Our own Luke Adams put Sanders in the second tier of free agent receivers, and speculated that the Patriots could be interested in his services (as they were last season when they signed to him to an offer sheet, which the Steelers then matched), while we have also learned that the Jets covet Sanders.

Other news from the AFC North:

Combine Updates: Bucs, Titans, Bears, Lions

February 20th, 2014 at 11:15am CST by Luke Adams

The 2014 scouting combine is underway in Indianapolis, and NFL head coaches and general managers have begun speaking to reporters both in scheduled press conferences and in smaller side interviews. There have been several tidbits worth passing along from those sessions, so let’s dive right in and round up a few highlights….

  • While Lovie Smith said he likes Mike Glennon, the Buccaneers head coach also expressed a belief that there could be a potential franchise quarterback available with the No. 7 pick in the draft, as Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times details. If that’s the case, it sounds like the Bucs will strongly consider drafting a signal-caller in the first round.
  • Steelers GM Kevin Colbert didn’t reveal much about his team’s offseason plans, but was enthusiastic in discussing 2014’s draft class. While he cautioned that it’s an immature group due to all the underclassmen in the mix, Colbert said it’s the best class he has even seen, according to Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link). As Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star notes (via Twitter), that’s very high praise coming from Colbert, who has been preparing for drafts for the last 30 years.
  • Colbert’s comments on wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders suggested to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe that the Steelers intend to let Sanders hit the open market.
  • Asked about running back Chris Johnson, a potential cap casualty, Titans GM Ruston Webster said that the club can be as patient as it wants to be in making a decision on Johnson, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Webster also confirmed that the Titans have spoken to cornerback Alterraun Verner‘s agent about a new contract, adding that “we’ll continue to talk” (Twitter link via Wyatt).
  • The Bears would like to re-sign free agent defensive lineman Henry Melton, GM Phil Emery indicated to reporters, including Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (Twitter link). However, it’s clear that it will come down to Melton’s price tag. Emery also echoed coach Marc Trestman‘s views on Chris Conte, suggesting that he hopes the safety comes in and wins a starting job (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune). “I’d like to be talking to him about an extension,” Emery said of Conte.
  • Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said “never say never” when it comes to re-signing recently released safety Louis Delmas, but didn’t sound optimistic about the possibility, says Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Caldwell added that acquiring a wide receiver to complement Calvin Johnson will be one of the club’s top priorities this offseason, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (Twitter link).
  • The Cardinals would like to re-sign linebacker Karlos Dansby but have always been prepared to move on, GM Steve Keim said today, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).

AFC North Notes: Cotchery, Ravens, Rice

February 19th, 2014 at 8:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, we learned that center Alex Mack has some questions for the Browns before he discusses re-signing with them. “I think the most important thing is Alex really would want to meet the coaches,” agent Marv Demoff said. “He was pretty close to [former offensive line coach George] Warhop, and liked [former head coach Rob] Chudzinski. Everything he had in Cleveland is changed. Warhop was a constant for five years. He’s gone. There’s a different head coach, different offensive coordinator, different offensive line coach. If you’re looking at this from an intelligent point of view, there’s more to it than money. You have to believe in what you’re doing. I want Alex first to be able to sign off and say I’m fine with all the changes and where they’re headed.” Tonight’s look at the AFC North..

  • Free agent Jerricho Cotchery has switched agents, going from Jack Scharf to Brian Levy of Goal Line Football, according to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal (on Twitter). Last year with the Steelers, the 31-year-old hauled in 46 catches for 602 yards and ten touchdowns. It was Cotchery’s highest yardage total since 2009 with the Jets and his first 16-game season since 2008.
  • The Ravens are in a lose-lose situation with running back Ray Rice, writes ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. If the Ravens stand by Rice in the face of the ugly allegations, they’re going to face increasing pressure from fans and negative media attention to cut him. If the Ravens cut Rice, they will lose a significant chunk of their salary cap as they try to rebound from their disappointing 8-8 season.
  • The Ravens have reached out to left tackle Eugene Monroe about re-signing him to a new deal, but Monroe notes that it’s “still early” in the process, writes Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times.

Extra Points: Roberts, Fitzpatrick, Steelers

February 19th, 2014 at 2:58pm CST by Luke Adams

Andre Roberts doesn’t sound bullish about the possibility of returning to the Cardinals for 2014, suggesting during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio that there may not be “enough balls to go around out here” (link via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com). Roberts will be looking for a four- or five-year contract this offseason, but will be willing to sign a one-year, make-good deal, according to Weinfuss. The receiver also sounds like he’s looking forward to testing the open market.

“I’m pretty excited about the whole free-agency process,” Roberts said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what’s coming for the rest of my career.”

Here’s more from across the NFL:

  • Titans backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick could be cut this offseason if the team wants to create a little cap flexibility, but he tells John Glennon of the Tennessean that he’s not worried about that possibility.
  • Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes there’s at least an outside chance that a grievance over Jimmy Graham’s franchise-tag position could result in the Saints star becoming an unrestricted free agent, as he explained in a piece this morning. Taking that possibility into account, Florio thinks the Saints ought to tag Graham and push for resolution sooner rather than later.
  • With a grievance over Graham’s position likely looming, Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com takes a look at how the NFL could make franchise-tag positional designations more logical. In Kirwan’s view, the league and the NFLPA should agree on several adjustments to the system, including adding new designations for fullbacks and kick returners, and dividing offensve linemen and wide receivers into multiple groups.
  • Appearing on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert echoed comments made by team president Art Rooney II last month, suggesting that the franchise wants to re-sign Ben Roethlisberger and ensure that he remains a Steeler for the rest of his career. ESPN.com’s Scott Brown has the quotes and the details.
  • In an interesting piece for the National Football Post, Jack Bechta explains how agents help their clients prepare for the draft combine.

AFC North Notes: Mack, Collins, Pitta

February 17th, 2014 at 10:28pm CST by Rob DiRe

With the changes in the Browns‘ front office this offseason, the status of Alex Mack‘s free agency has wavered back and forth. While Mack was once unlikely to remain with the team, Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal writes that the Browns are focused on re-signing their center. The team would like to do so without having to use the franchise tag, which would carry a price tag of over $11MM for an offensive lineman. Here are other notes from the AFC North:

  • The Bengals would like to retain both left tackle Anthony Collins and safety Taylor Mays, writes Joe Reedy of the Enquirer. They also would like to be able to bring back both players on long term deals without having to exercise the franchise tag.
  • The Ravens and tight end Dennis Pitta are reportedly “far apart” in contract negotiations, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The Ravens could franchise Pitta if a long-term contract is not agreed upon, but there will be contention over whether Pitta is considered a tight end or wide receiver, much like the situation with Jimmy Graham in New Orleans.
  • Many draft pundits have the Steelers selecting Louis Nix of Notre Dame with the 15th overall pick, but it could be a reach according to Alan Robinson of TribLive.com. Nose tackle Steve McLendon only played a third of the Steelers’ defensive snaps in 2013, but Robinson does look to advanced stats to see that McLendon was better than he was thought to be.

DB Notes: Delmas, Finnegan, Ward

February 17th, 2014 at 2:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Saftey Louis Delmas will start off his free agent tour by meeting with the Steelers, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Delmas, 26, was released by the Lions on February 13. After missing time due to injuries in 2011-12, Delmas played all 16 games in 2013, finishing with 64 tackles and three interceptions, while grading out better against the pass than the run, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Steelers‘ interest derives from two factors: the impending free agency of Ryan Clark, and the contract of Troy Polamalu. Clark is 34 years old and struggled last season, and while Polamalu is still playing at a high level, he has a cap number of approximately $10.9MM, and was listed among Joel Corry’s list of pay cut candidates. Florio suggests that signing Delmas could give the Steelers leverage when asking Polamalu to reduce his salary.

A few more notes regarding defensive backs:

AFC Notes: Steelers, Patriots, Browns

February 16th, 2014 at 9:03am CST by Rory Parks

There has been a great deal of speculation regarding what the Steelers will do with their talented duo of LaMarr Woodley and Jason Worilds, but Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gives the most definitive prediction to date. He writes that “it is just not conceivable” that the team will be able to retain both players for the 2014 season, and he believes Woodley will be odd-man out. By cutting Woodley now, the Steelers would suffer a $14.17MM cap hit this year, which is not significantly more than the $13.59MM hit they would take if they kept him. Plus, after 2014, he would be off the books entirely, which is a tantalizing prospect for a team that has backed itself into a difficult salary-cap situation.

Of course, as has been noted previously, Pittsburgh could designate Woodley as a post-June 1 release, which would spread out the $14.17MM hit over the 2014 and 2015 seasons and give the team an extra $8MM to spend this year. However, that $8MM would not become available until after June 1, which would limit what the Steelers could do in free agency (either with their own free agents or with those from other clubs). Whichever route the team takes, Bouchette believes Woodley has played his last game as a Steeler.

Other notes from the AFC:

  • Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes the Steelers will not re-sign Emmanuel Sanders, and Christopher Price of WEEI.com thinks the Patriots would take another shot at Sanders if he is, in fact, still available when free agency begins in March. New England, of course, signed Sanders to an offer sheet last offseason when he was a restricted free agent, prompting Pittsburgh to match the offer to retain the speedy wideout. If New England were to re-sign Julian Edelman, then the Patriots would likely not pursue Sanders, as the two players offer similar skill-sets. But if Edelman finds greener pastures elsewhere, Sanders may become a top free-agent priority for New England.
  • Meanwhile, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald thinks that, now the Larry Fitzgerald-to-New England dream is dead, the Patriots will not look outside its own roster to find the big-play outside receiver the team covets. The answer, she writes, could be second-year man Aaron Dobson, who has all the physical tools and who looked better and better as the 2013 season progressed.
  • In a recent Q & A with Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, new Browns GM Ray Farmer indicates that he has a favorite quarterback in this year’s draft class, but that quarterback may not be Johnny Manziel. In fact, Farmer said the QB he likes “may not be the name that everybody thinks is the latest, greatest, and the easy one to spot,” and he suggested that Cleveland’s No. 4 overall pick may be too high for this unnamed player. Farmer is already adept at “GM-speak,” as the rest of his answers consisted primarily of the vague generalities one would expect from a high-ranking executive at this time of the year, but his musings about his favorite QB are nonetheless intriguing.

AFC North Notes: Suggs, Bengals, Browns

February 15th, 2014 at 8:12pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Raven’s top priority this offseason must be coming to an agreement of a contract extension with Pro Bowl pass rusher Terrell Suggs, writes Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun. Suggs has one year left on his deal, for $12.4MM. Preston writes that the Ravens could save more than $5MM if they agree to an extension, which would give them about $17 to $18 million in cap space to work with in free agency. That would help them re-sign tight end Dennis Pitta, who they are considering using the franchise tag on if a long-term deal cannot be reached, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. Citing an NFL source, Preston indicates that Suggs and the Ravens are making progress towards a reworked contract. Here are some other notes from around the AFC North:

  • The Ravens are expected to sign another quarterback sometime during free agency, according to Bo Smolka of CSNBaltimore.com. The quarterback would compete with Tyrod Taylor to be Joe Flacco‘s backup in 2014. Smolka is confident that Taylor will be able to beat out whoever the team brings in once again, and does not think the Ravens will carry three quarterbacks during the season.
  • The two top free agents the Bengals will look to re-sign are defensive end Michael Johnson and left tackle Anthony Collins, according to Hobson. If they cannot bring back Collins, that will most likely mean they will move Andrew Whitworth back to left tackle in 2014.
  • The Browns are widely thought to be looking for a quarterback with their first pick, but Pat McManamon of ESPN.com would rather see the team target receiver Sammy Watkins of Clemson. Pairing the young receiver with Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron would set the basis for an offense to succeed.
  • McManamon believes that the Browns will be unable to retain center Alex Mack in free agency. Hobson agrees that Mack will move on if not franchised. Hobson also writes that the team will move on from two free agent guards, starter Shawn Lauvao and backup Oniel Cousins.

Corry On Pay Cut Candidates

February 14th, 2014 at 9:35pm CST by Matt Feminis

In our previous post, we highlighted young stars entering their prime years and poised to land lucrative second contracts. At the other end of the spectrum, Joel Corry of National Football Post spotlighted five veterans who could be asked to take a pay cut:

  • Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey – Will be 36 next season after playing just five regular season contests in 2013 (foot injury). Simply put, Bailey’s cost to the team is not commensurate with his diminished skills, as he’s scheduled to count $10.5MM against the cap next year.
  • Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware – Dallas’ cap woes were detailed last week. At the top of the “To Do” list is Ware, who carries a $16MM cap number as a result of three restructurings. Bothered by an elbow injury which necessitated off-season surgery, Ware managed just six sacks in 2013. Corry says Ware has indicated he’s willing to go down that road again, “but a pay cut is a different story.” If the Cowboys release Ware, the team stands to gain approximately $7.4MM of cap room.
  • 49ers running back Frank Gore – Not unlike catchers in baseball, running backs trend downward beyond age 30. Gore will be 31 in 2014 when he’s scheduled to count $6.45MM against the cap, though he’s considered an “old” 31 given his career workload and injury history. With a strong offensive line and dual-threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick entering his prime, it’s reasonable to think Gore’s production could be had for cheaper, be it in the form of Gore himself at a reduced rate or perhaps 2013 “redshirt” Marcus Lattimore, who is waiting in the wings.
  • Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu – The soon-to-be 33-year-old has the NFL’s highest 2014 cap number among safeties (approximately $10.9MM), but Polamalu’s play has fallen off to the point where his reputation exceeds his performance. According to Corry, “A pay cut could be folded into an extension that lowers Polamalu’s cap number and ensures that he never plays with another NFL team.”
  • Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork – Corry describes the veteran Wilfork’s situation as “precarious” because the final year of his five-year deal weighs $11.6MM against the cap. That number ranks second-highest on the roster behind Tom Brady, and the team has just under $3.9MM of cap room at present time. Wilfork has been a rock, but the Pats cannot afford to devote nine percent of the cap to a 32-year-old run stuffer coming off a torn Achilles tendon injury, especially with the team attempting to re-sign Aqib Talib.

Steelers Rumors: Worilds, Woodley, Ben

February 12th, 2014 at 1:40pm CST by Luke Adams

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert met with several members of the Pittsburgh media today to discuss the team’s coming offseason, and a handful of beat writers diligently tweeted out several of Colbert’s more noteworthy quotes. So let’s dive right in, and round up the highlights, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (all links go to Twitter)….

  • Asked about the chances of the Steelers re-signing Jason Worilds and retaining LaMarr Woodley, Colbert said it would be possible to bring both back, but expressed some caution about Woodley’s injury issues in recent years. Our Matt Feminis explored the Worilds/Woodley situation in Pittsburgh in a piece a couple weeks ago.
  • The Steelers have plenty of things on their to-do list for before March 11, according to Colbert, who said that list may include “terminations, restructurings and extensions,” and added that the team wants to re-sign some of its own free agents.
  • Although Colbert didn’t name any players specifically, he conceded that asking players to take pay cuts is one subject the team is currently discussing. As Bouchette notes, defensive back Ike Taylor is a candidate for a salary reduction.
  • Even with several older players on sizable salaries, the club doesn’t ever plan to blow things up and enter full-scale rebuilding mode, said Colbert.
  • The Steelers aren’t presently as deep as they’d like at either safety or cornerback, according to Colbert.
  • Colbert believes the 2014 draft class is perhaps the deepest he’s seen in 30 years, but has some concerns that a number of the underclassmen who declared their intent for the draft may have left school too early.
  • Although Ben Roethlisberger turns 32 this year, selecting a quarterback won’t be a priority for the Steelers in this year’s draft, according to Colbert. The GM also declined to discuss whether contract discussions with Big Ben are planned or ongoing, but said the team needs to “make the most” of the years it has left with its franchise quarterback.
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