It is good to be back, so let’s catch up on a few things:
Steelers signed Charlie Batch: The Steelers need a veteran backup QB and Batch has done an admirable job for the Steelers going 5-2 in spot starts. He has tremendous value beyond his playing and has been great in a pinch. He will compete with Troy Smith(an interesting signing) and this basically closes the door I believe on the often injured Byron Leftwich. Dennis Dixon is almost certainly out now as well. Dixon has good upside but doesn’t fit into the Steelers long term plan. He has drawn interest from the Ratbirds and the Broncos.
Steelers sign Leonard Pope: GREAT MOVE, with Wesley Saunders being suspended and most likely heading to the chopping block by the Steelers when he is back, Pope is a nice addition and with his familiarity with Todd Haley’s system this is the usual under the radar Steelers move that really helps the team. Heath Miller and Pope give the Steelers an excellent tight end combo! This guy is a bona fide hero and a good character guy.
Mike Wallace: Is still not signed and while he is without question a world class talent, he is not a finished product yet and he isn’t going to command the money he is looking for. I think he should sign a one or two year agreement and then go bust the market up after a great year. BTW RIP Mike Wallace the newsman, great journalist, he one time hit on my sister at a Yankee game!
Offensive Line Moves: Ramon Foster is a good guard and he will provide stability. It’s no secret BWG is a huge fan of Doug Legursky and our belief in him hasn’t wavered. He is athletic and as strong as any guy in the league, the issue is a stiff wind injures this guy. So I am hoping he develops further and stays healthy because when he pulls he is a freight train. Trai Essex is a serviceable backup and if he is in any semblance of shape provides much needed depth. I like the idea of Marcus Gilbert moving to the left side and having Willie Colon back on the right. Colon again has to prove he can stay healthy. If Legursky and Colon are healthy this turns a potential weakness into a strength. Look for some draft help as well. As for existing people, my dark horse pick is Trevis Turner the “Abilene Christian Colossus” the guy is a giant and a physical freak!
Dan Sepulveda Moves On: Very productive player but injuries robbed him of any kind of consistency. I know Captain Tailgate is happy to see him go as Mrs. Tailgate was sweet on Dan!
Releasing Ward, Farrior and Smith: I hated to see these guys leave. These guys will always be Steelers, but to be fair about it, it was time. I don’t believe it is “time” because of playing ability; they all can still play in some facet or the other.
Hines Ward is a great player and for the record he can still get it done, I was in a near rage that the Steelers didn’t work it out with him. Farrior had a solid productive season but he clearly isn’t where he used to be and Aaron Smith was injured each of the last three years though he always showed flashes of brilliance.
Here is the key though that everyone is losing sight of, all three of them, have younger, less expensive, players behind them chomping at the bit to play. In the NFL it is “next man up” and the Steelers are always dangerous when they reload.
You cannot replace these three guys on the leadership side and that gap will be extremely difficult to fill.
The Steelers receivers if they get Wallace signed will rival anyone’s combination in the league. They have speed, size and strength. They are ready to roll and they brought back the veteran Jericho Cotchery to replace Hines full time.
The Steelers Inside Linebacker situation looks to be in good hands with Stevenson Sylvester and or Jason Worilds expected to take Farrior’s snaps. They will get some push by Chris Carter and Morty Ivy. They also retained veteran linebacker Larry Foote in case his development is slowed. This gives the Steelers a very strong and athletic core of guys.
Aaron Smith’s replacement is very cut and dry; you have Cameron “Steelhead” Heywood and Ziggy Hood ready to step in full time with Brett Keisel providing the veteran leadership the Steelers are losing with Aaron leaving.
Ratbirds or Jets on Hard Knocks: Have to confess, I love this show and have seen every episode of every season. My feeling on this, is that the Jets make better headlines and with the Tebow Circus in town most likely will get the show. Plus proverbial big mouth Rex Ryan makes for great copy.
The Ravens would be fun because they imploded last time they were there when they were defending champs. Keep in mind that bloviating windbag Brian Billick was the coach and I can’t see John Harbaugh allowing it since he thinks he is a secret agent.
The Buccaneers passed last year and left HBO high and dry, they were afraid it would be a distraction that wouldn’t allow them to win a whopping four games and finish in last place! Good choice Raheem!
Email: I have over 8000 emails to review and will do my best to get to them. I love getting emails and comments, it is just difficult to weave through the real stuff and the freakin’ SPAM! Please be patient, your comments are appreciated.
Captain Tailgate texted me earlier in the night that it was going to break our way and when the Chiefs passed I knew he would fall, The Steelers drafted the best guard in the draft in David DeCastro!
