Stealers cap situation for 2012 a complete disaster

**madmikey** · 02-10-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Kyle Cactus

I've heard/read speculation from a couple places that Smith could get cut too, so Hampton might not be the only d-lineman getting cut.

Smith has only played a few games the last two years. I'm kind of surprised he isn't retiring. Ziggy Hood took his job last year and wouldn't be coming out.

I wonder with the new TV contract numbers coming out if player contracts this year will be going up on multi-year deals - ie. if agents know teams will be getting 30+ million more in cap in 2014, will they be asking for much larger base salaries from 2014 on in multi-year deals? I'm guessing yes, but I really don't know.

**Corey** · 02-10-2012, 03:49 PM

It's going to be interesting to see how they finish this. They had to cut 25 million just to get under the cap. What are they going to do actually get some flexibility?

Woodley and Timmons are probably safe restructures. They are young guys that will probably be around and be worth those cap numbers for the length of those contracts. But then you start getting into Roethlisberger, Polamalu, and possibly James Harrison and your talking alot of dead money down the line.

Ike Taylor is also a guy that they probably shouldn't have restructured. Is he really gonna be worth a high cap number 2 or 3 years from now? Probably not.

**madmikey** · 02-10-2012, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Corey

It's going to be interesting to see how they finish this. They had to cut 25 million just to get under the cap. What are they going to do actually get some flexibility?

Woodley and Timmons are probably safe restructures. They are young guys that will probably be around and be worth those cap numbers for the length of those contracts. But then you start getting into Roethlisberger, Polamalu, and possibly James Harrison and your talking alot of dead money down the line.

Ike Taylor is also a guy that they probably shouldn't have restructured. Is he really gonna be worth a high cap number 2 or 3 years from now? Probably not.

They re-structured Taylor today which saves close to another 5 million. And they cut McFadden and Battle for another 3.5. So they're at approximately $20 million now with about 5 to go. They could restructure Roethlisberger and/or Polamalu. And there are a few easy cuts (Smith, Foote and/or Farrior, Hampton) that would get them to the $25 million.

Eventually they'll need to do both more cuts and restructures, but they don't need to do both right now.

**madmikey** · 02-10-2012, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by Corey

It's going to be interesting to see how they finish this. They had to cut 25 million just to get under the cap. What are they going to do actually get some flexibility?

Woodley and Timmons are probably safe restructures. They are young guys that will probably be around and be worth those cap numbers for the length of those contracts. But then you start getting into Roethlisberger, Polamalu, and possibly James Harrison and your talking alot of dead money down the line.

Ike Taylor is also a guy that they probably shouldn't have restructured. Is he really gonna be worth a high cap number 2 or 3 years from now? Probably not.

Taylor may be - it all depends on what the cap does in the next 2-3 years. If it goes up dramatically then yeah he'll be worth it - because other guys coming up for new deals will be getting a lot more money.

And if he stinks they can just cut him and eat the dead cap money. I think it's still a fairly safe restructure.

**steelerhater** · 02-10-2012, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by madmikey

Why? The Steelers have a decent Center and that's about it. Gilbert played well as a rookie at RT, but no one knows how he'll play at LT. Colon was a solid RT but he has barely played the last two seasons. Both guards (Foster and Legursky) are run of the mill guys - one of whom may well be replaced by an early draft pick. It's not the worst line in the league, but they're also nowhere near the top.

That decent center can at least slow down pressure up the middle. Matt Birk couldn't slow down anyone.

**steelerhater** · 02-10-2012, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by The Fanatic

You dislike Joe Flacco that much?

Flacco would have been roadkill behind Pittsburghs line way earlier in the season.

Rothlisbergers ability to avoid pressure and manipulate around while having guys hang off of him is the key to their offensive success.

You put damn near any other QB behind that line and they're dead meat against good defenses.

Have you been watching our games? Our line couldn't stop anyone in the later part of the season, especially the playoffs. I don't ever remember seeing the kind of pressure that was applied in the New England game by just a 3-man rush. That was embarassing.

**SteelFaninBMore** · 02-10-2012, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Kyle Cactus

I've heard/read speculation from a couple places that Smith could get cut too, so Hampton might not be the only d-lineman getting cut.

Smith's a free agent so he can't be cut. He's said that he'll only keep playing if it's in Pittsburgh, but I don't see that happening. Guy's had a great career, but it's time to hang it up - he's missed 33 games over the last three seasons, just had neck surgery, lost 20 pounds afterwards, and he'll be 36 when training camp starts.

**Ravenswintitle** · 02-11-2012, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by steelerhater

That decent center can at least slow down pressure up the middle. Matt Birk couldn't slow down anyone.

Birk had a couple pretty good games against Pitt, just sayin

**footballfan** · 02-11-2012, 09:52 PM

As of today Pittsburgh is only 10 million over with the recent moves. I think the predicted cap demise of the Steelers and writing them off for next year may be a bit premature. Lot of moves eft.

**steelerhater** · 02-11-2012, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

Birk had a couple pretty good games against Pitt, just sayin

But he sure sucked in the playoffs. of course he wasn't the only one on the offensive line who totally sucked,

**steelerhater** · 02-11-2012, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by footballfan

As of today Pittsburgh is only 10 million over with the recent moves. I think the predicted cap demise of the Steelers and writing them off for next year may be a bit premature. Lot of moves eft.

Its pretty funny how people write them off because of the cap situation. There are ways around the salary cap (which we're seeing right now). Until the day arrives that restructed contract aren't allowed, the salary cap will continue to be a total joke. The salary cap will always keep teams like pittsburgh competitive. Guys will always restructure to stay with a winner.

**PeterB58** · 02-12-2012, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by steelerhater

Guys will always restructure to stay with a team that converts salary into up front roster bonuses.

Fixed.

**The Excellector** · 02-12-2012, 11:59 AM

Alright, let's say the Steelers get under the cap, what money will they have to spend to help improve their team, especially their overall depth?

**madmikey** · 02-13-2012, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

Alright, let's say the Steelers get under the cap, what money will they have to spend to help improve their team, especially their overall depth?

None - but they really haven't played in FA in the past so it won't be much different.

**The Excellector** · 02-13-2012, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by madmikey

None - but they really haven't played in FA in the past so it won't be much different.

How will that help them improve from what they were last season?

**madmikey** · 02-13-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

How will that help them improve from what they were last season?

I'm not sure they need to improve the personnel. They just need to execute better. They did have a top D. The offense did well in terms of yards, but had a lot of trouble in the red zone (which is likely part of the reason Arians is no longer there).

And fewer injuries would help them too. Harrison missed 5 games and Woodley missed nearly half the season. Roethlisberger was not the same after the ankle injury. And the Oline was a patchwork from pretty much the start of the year.

**NCRAVEN** · 02-13-2012, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by madmikey

I'm not sure they need to improve the personnel. They just need to execute better.

Cam Cameron... is that you?

**madmikey** · 02-13-2012, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

Cam Cameron... is that you?

The Steelers Cam Cameron is gone

Seriously though, they had the 23rd-best scoring offense - which is pretty lousy when you look at the weapons they had available.

**The Excellector** · 02-13-2012, 04:13 PM

Embrace the inevitable.

**Steelgal** · 02-13-2012, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

Alright, let's say the Steelers get under the cap, what money will they have to spend to help improve their team, especially their overall depth?

One of the biggest improvements has already been made. They got rid of Bruce Arians. I've wanted him gone for a few years and think the offense will only get better because of it. Yes, the oline is still an issue and will need addressed, but maybe if Ben learns to take what the defense gives him instead of going for the long passes, it will help. Those 5-10 yard routes may not make the highlight reels, but it could add years to his playing career and reduce the number of hits he takes.