Steelers' 2014 free agent list

Wide receivers
Plaxico Burress
Jerricho Cotchery
Emmanuel Sanders

Running backs
Jonathan Dwyer
Felix Jones
LaRod Stephens-Howling

Tight ends
David Johnson
Michael Palmer

Offensive linemen
Fernando Velasco
Cody Wallace
Guy Whimper

Defensive linemen
Ziggy Hood
Brett Keisel
Al Woods

Linebackers
Stevenson Sylvester
Jamaal Westerman
Jason Worilds

Defensive backs
Will Allen
Ryan Clark

Specialists
Mat McBriar
Greg Warren

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-2014-free-agent-list/2f3ed7f1-836f-4a61-b106-4dc169305626

Without taking the cap into consideration, which I couldn't do even if I wanted to, here's my analysis:

Wide receivers
I don't see any point in re-signing Burress, so he's gone.
Re-sign Cotchery and figure on him playing the same role he played this year.
Let Sanders find greener pastures elsewhere.

So not taking into consideration the draft and free agency, we'd have A. Brown as the No. 1, Cotchery as the No. 3, Moye as the No. 5, and Wheaton and Justin Brown competing for the No. 2 with the other sliding down to No. 4. Even without adding another receiver, I'm OK with that depth chart. It would be nice to target another receiver in the draft or free agency, but I certainly wouldn't make it a priority.

Running backs
This is the toughest group of players for me to decide on. I say bring back all three (Dwyer, Jones, and Stephens-Howling) at the right price.

Tight ends
I see no point in re-signing either Johnson or Palmer. We can get just as much production (none) at a cheaper price, and that's without even knowing what Johnson and Palmer made last season. I do think they need to target a tight end in the draft fairly early.

Offensive linemen
Whimper is expendable, but I really want them to re-sign Velasco and Wallace. And then cut ties with Pouncey. That would have been unthinkable three months ago. Now, it seems like a logical decision.

Defensive linemen
The popular belief is that Keisel has played his last game as a Steeler. That's probably true, but I'd be inclined to re-sign him for one more year. We know what he can do (even if it's less than before), he won't break the bank, and he can contribute until someone else comes along and forces him off the roster. On the other hand, I see no point in keeping Hood, unless he doesn't want a pay raise (snicker). I'd like to see them re-sign Woods. Nose tackle isn't a position I generally pay a lot of attention to during the course of a game, but from what I did notice, Woods seemed to play better than McLendon.

Linebackers

*sigh* This is going to be the hardest group to deal with. I think most everyone (myself included) agrees that we should keep Worilds and cut ties with Woodley, but it's not as simple as choosing one player over the other. This is going to be a financial decision rather than a football decision. I have no idea how much it would cost us against the cap to cut ties with Woodley, and Worilds likely will command more money than we're able to pay. I want Worilds to stay (only if he changes his name to Worlds so I don't have to keep editing my posts), but I think the smart money is on him playing in a different uniform next season.

I'm indifferent toward Sylvester. After being re-signed during the season, he showed some flashes and might be able to provide some depth, but I don't know if his experience with our defense is enough to bring him back. As for Westerman, I don't know anything about him.

Defensive backs
Sometimes it's just time to move on. And I think that time is now for Ryan Clark. He's been one of my favorite players during his time in Pittsburgh, and I think he's been underappreciated for most of that time. But this is the point where we need to start thinking about the future. I've said for the past couple of years that the worst-case scenario would be the need to replace both Clark and Troy at the same time. But in another season, that scenario would be very likely. Let Clark ride off into the sunset and allow Thomas to play alongside Troy for a season (or maybe two if Troy can hold up). That way, Thomas learns from the best and gains experience while the team looks for Troy's replacement (hopefully in this year's draft). Then Thomas can bring the new guy along.

And I'd definitely try to re-sign Allen for another year for depth.

Specialists
Mat McBriar ... meh
Greg Warren ... double meh

DRAFT

I'm not one who thinks about the draft year-round ... I wait until the season is over. So I haven't even started seriously thinking about it yet. So my first thought is that safety and corner back should be the top priorities.

I can't disagree with much of what you said with the possible exception being Felix Jones unless he stays cheap. Like you I'm not looking at the cap hits. I do believe Woodley needs to go and I too like Woods at NT. Sylvester also plays STs doesn't he? He might make it one more year by helping out there.

Wide receivers
Plaxico Burress - let him go
Jerricho Cotchery - sign him
Emmanuel Sanders - I like Sanders and believe he can contribute to the offense, so if we can get him at a good price, sign him.  If he wants to go the route of Wallace, then see you later

Running backs
Jonathan Dwyer - I like his style and believe it goes better with Le'Veon Bell, especially as a reliever
Felix Jones - I like him, but prefer Howling, if we can't keep Howling, then Jones is a great option
LaRod Stephens-Howling - I like him more than Jones, and he did some good things for us early in the pre-season before he got hurt.  I'd like to see him get one more shot

Tight ends
David Johnson - later
Michael Palmer - who the heck is this guy?  Did he do anything this year?

Offensive linemen
Fernando Velasco - sign him to a 3 year contract
Cody Wallace - I think he did well, and would be nice to have some consistency, at least to know you've got someone who can come in and play well
Guy Whimper - mixed on this guy, but if someone has to go, let it be the Whimpy, maybe he can get a hamburger on his way out

Defensive linemen
Ziggy Hood - He's come on as of late, wouldn't want to lose him for nothing, our defense is depleted enough, and knowing we're going to lose some older guys, we need the youth
Brett Keisel - I hope he can stay.  I love the beard, what would our defense be without THE BEARD
Al Woods - ummm, who?

Linebackers
Stevenson Sylvester - sign him.  He's proven to be valuable when others were injured
Jamaal Westerman - Good luck
Jason Worilds - I think Worilds has proven himself to be a good linebacker in our system.  Keeping him means one less position to replace in the draft or via FA

Defensive backs
Will Allen - sign him
Ryan Clark - time to go, there's just not room for him

Specialists
Mat McBriar - specialists can be found every year in mini-camp and training camp
Greg Warren - I believe Warren can also play backup line, so he's got some value.  He's also our long snapper.  We saw what happened the one year he went out.

Draft
I say we get a tall WR for Ben to throw down field   
Seriously, it's time to replenish our secondary and I think we also need to go O-line in the 2nd or 3rd round to help bring a little more youth to it. After that I'd like to see TE, LB, QB (someone who can seriously play backup to Ben), WR

Wallace108 wrote:

So my first thought is that safety and corner back should be the top priorities.

Yep, secondary should be top priority and either position I am fine with. Also we need to find a young QB to start molding...   

Drizztbob wrote:

Wallace108 wrote:

So my first thought is that safety and corner back should be the top priorities.

Yep, secondary should be top priority and either position I am fine with.  Also we need to find a young QB to start molding...    

No need to duck behind the couch, I think any fan worth their weight in black and gold knows Ben can't play for ever and we need to start thinking about his replacement. Imagine if we could find an Aaron Rodgers type QB in the draft and have him learn for 2-3 years before coming out to push Ben for the starting position, and eventually taking over for him. I would love to have back-to-back starting QBs that lead this team to prominence in the NFL. Forget that multiple starting QB rotation before finally getting a leader.

Ben will probably end up being my favorite Steeler of all time, but like you said truck, he only has about 3-4 years left. It's time to look at whats available, and I think Ben will make a great mentor to someone who knows their role as backup and eventual successor.

It's going to be hard to replace ol Big number 7, but its time to start making plans.

  

I said this last year.  I think we should hunt for another "Roethlisberger" type.  I use to think I wanted a Brady or Rogers, but I'd take BB over these guys any day.  He's tough as nails, and can extend the play like no other.  We need a great back up in case, and someone to mold for the future.

I don't know why, but I hate to see Woodley go.  I know logically, he hasn't been productive, but for some odd reason, I like the guy --- need to get my personal feelings out of the way.

We need to keep Troy and da Beard another year --- for the veteran presence and in the case of da Beard -- leadership.

And why the hell when I insert a quote lately, does the above happen??????? 

I like this mock draft make-up:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1908600-pittsburgh-steelers-updated-2014-nfl-mock-draft

Here's my 2 cents:

Wide receivers
Plaxico Burress - Let walk
Jerricho Cotchery - Sign a short term deal
Emmanuel Sanders - Let walk

I agree with Wally, the Steelers have some talented young guys on hand. Moye and Justin Brown are good, tall receivers that will most likely fight for the #4 spot. I don't see either pushing Wheaton out of the #2 spot. The great thing is they can pick up a good talent in the draft that falls to them (good value for a later pick).

Running backs
Jonathan Dwyer - Sign short term deal
Felix Jones - Let walk
LaRod Stephens-Howling - Sign

I'm mixed on Dwyer. He was accused of being lazy and not studying and that wasn't the first time he was warned. Jones just didn't impress me and I agree with Truck, Howling is the same guy. I'll use this post to remind everyone that Bell is the real deal. Can't believe I still see fans questioning the pass on Lacy. If Bell had a real O-line this year, that kid would have doubled his output. He's awesome. Ok, I said all that again, so this is the same thing as the WRs ... if they find a great RB that slips to the later rounds, they may pick up a good backup and can dump Dwyer.

Tight ends
David Johnson - Sign
Michael Palmer -  Let walk

A few years ago I wasn't a fan of Johnson's athletic abilities. But I was a fan of his toughness. When I really think on what bothered me most with this guy, I realized it wasn't that I didn't respect Johnson's abilities, rather I don't think the Steelers utilized his abilities correctly. Note to Haley: David Johnson is not a FB and should rarely be placed in the backfield as a blocker. The guy is a TE and should be placed on the line where his skills and experience make a decent (strong) blocker out there. If he makes a full recovery, I say sign him. Otherwise, there's a handful of young guys coming out of the draft that can play workhorse on the end of your line and you can get them later in the draft (Fresno's Marcel Jensen would be my pick if he's there in the 5th).

Offensive linemen
Fernando Velasco - Sign
Cody Wallace - Possibly sign
Guy Whimper - Let walk

Velasco might be a good swing guy to play backup guard and center. I disagree with Wally here, Pouncey is good and I'd keep him around. But Velasco is a great find during Pouncey's injury and hopefully the Steelers have found an experienced guy who can play the interior line positions as a back-up. Cody Wallace - I just don't know about this guy. Is he worth a roster spot for next year or was he a warm body during lean times? Whimper is as good as gone - wasn't he brought over from the O-line coach who just got fired? Draft a guard who wants to brawl, that might help the run game. Pass protection is about skill and finesse. Run blocking is  a back alley brawl mentality. Finally, find a coach who will bring that tough attitude to these guys.

Defensive linemen
Ziggy Hood - Sign
Brett Keisel - Sign
Al Woods - Sign

Hood has the abilities, it's just disappointing that he didn't do more earlier as a 1st rounder. But he's still good and can make it happen. Keisel - we all know he has the ability, but do the Steelers want to use a roster spot on him instead of someone that could be the future? For those that haven't see Al Woods, just think he's today's version of Hoke as far as his capabilities at NT. They might get lucky and pick up Louis Nix from ND in the 2nd round of the draft ... he had knee surgery in Nov and may slip.

Linebackers
Stevenson Sylvester - Let walk
Jamaal Westerman - Let walk
Jason Worilds - Sign

Sylvester and Westerman were just warm bodies. I think the Steelers have found their ILB guy in Williams who made some huge plays in short yardage late in the season and certainly progressed through the year. Just think about this: he started as a rookie middle linebacker after being drafted in the 6th round. He's very athletic and complements Timmons very well (we could have two very athletic ILBs playing at the same time). Woodley will be asked to leave and Worilds will be their guy going forward. I really liked Woodley and didn't jump on the hater bandwagon. Injuries are a real part of this game and Woodley played a physical style that exposed him to those injuries.

Defensive backs
Will Allen - Sign
Ryan Clark - Let walk

This is the group that has the greatest needs going forward. I loved watching Ryan Clark play safety for this team. He made huge plays (remember the hit on McGahee in the playoffs?). But I think he has hit that point in his career where all his knowledge and experience might not be worth a roster spot that could be used for a younger, more athletic safety. Shamarko Thomas has great athleticism and should be thrown in the mix as a potential starter, along with veteran Will Allen. They need to draft another good safety to back up Troy for his inevitable exit in the next few years. They also need corner help. Hate to say this because I really love the career Ike has had with the Steelers, but his cap hit is not in the best, long-term interest of this team. Unfortunately, I don't see his replacement on the roster today. Definitely where your 1st round pick should play. As stated in another post, Dennard from Michigan State would be a great pick (excellent press man skills and a gritty kid). But most likely he'll be gone by the 15th pick, so either they move up to get him or maybe get a Justin Gilbert from Oklahoma State (if he's still there at 15). Both these guys are bigger CBs and play great man coverage.

Specialists
Mat McBriar - Let walk
Greg Warren - Possibly resign

McBriar seemed to settle down later in the season, but they need a punter that is more consistent. The Steelers just signed Wing from LSU and I saw several games he was in and thought he was pretty good. He got into trouble and was booted off the team, so we'll see if he's a head case or if he can focus on punting. Greg Warren has been solid as their long snapper. This is a position that everyone takes for granted, but it is a niche skill and Warren has provided stability here  (I can't remember seeing more than one bad long snap in any season Warren has been the starter). And Warren will not play any other position so he can't fill in on the O-line (this is typical of long snappers). I know they just signed long snapper Bryce Davis, but I really don't know anything about the guy. Warren has fought off the competition for several years, but he's not getting any younger himself. If not this year, the day is coming the Steelers will have to find that reliable guy to snap for them.

QB

Thought I'd give my opinion here as I see some comments in the other posts. The Steelers have Gradkowski as their veteran backup. They also drafted Landry Jones in the 4th round last year. This guy flew under the radar because he wasn't a day 1 NFL starter. But he holds the major passing records at Oklahoma. He played in a no-huddle offense designed for quick throws. He's got a strong arm and makes tight throws in traffic. Landry's greatest weakness is his poor performance when pressured. But he is in the mold of what Todd Haley wants in the QB position. Hopefully, he'll develop in the next few years and be that guy when Ben reaches the end of his career. He is a project that needs time to develop before becoming a starter, but he's a much better talent than, say, a Dennis Dixon. I wouldn't waste another draft pick on QB this year.

Nice write up Kirk.  

I disagree on Jones.

YES, I know this is pre-season.  YES I know it was his NFL start and not familiar with the system yet.  YES I get he is learning but it's not like they are going to throw the playbook at Jones during his NFL start.  I just didn't see anything from this kid that I liked.  Happy feet in the pocket, no scrambling ability, locking in on receivers, those are things that should ALL be corrected before coming into the NFL.  Obviously he didn't show NFL starter capability, or he would be one.  In my opinion, he is TOO MUCH of a project for us.  Take a look at his pre-season stats:

Player Att Comp Yds Comp% Yds/Att TD TD% INT INT% Long Sck Sack/Lost Rating
Landry Jones 66 30 348 45.5 5.3 2 3.0 3 4.5 45 2 17 53.1

Glaring stats: 45% completion ratio, 53.1 QB rating.  Not pretty.  Also he had 1 rush for zero yards which speaks to my point.  No scrambling ability and poor decision making.

I DO think we should look for a QB in the draft and let this kid go, regardless of his college stats which as everyone knows, doesn't always translate into the NFL.

The Steelers won't dump him and draft another QB. He'll most likely play through his rookie contract length.