Rooney: Tough decisions not fun

By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers president Art Rooney II said it is "not a fun part of the business" when he has to release a five-time Pro Bowl player who, among other things, helped his team win Super Bowl XLIII with a spectacular 100-yard interception return.

But he also said the Steelers face difficult roster decisions every year, such as cutting linebacker James Harrison, and that this offseason is no more dire or critical than recent ones.

Harrison, the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2008, was released last week when he refused to take a pay cut on the $6.56 million salary he was due in 2013.

That was followed on Wednesday by the release of guard Willie Colon, who started only 12 games since 2010 because of injuries and was scheduled to make $5.5 million this season.

"It's not easy," Rooney said Thursday. "It's not a part of the job you enjoy, having to say goodbye to players like that who meant that much to us and had contributed that much to our success."

In addition to releasing Harrison and Colon, the Steelers have already lost top receiver Mike Wallace (Miami), cornerback Keenan Lewis (New Orleans) and running back and former No. 1 draft choice Rashard Mendenhall (Arizona) in free agency. They also have not made an attempt to re-sign left tackle Max Starks and nose tackle Casey Hampton.

That follows a season in which the Steelers released three of their longtime stars -- Hines Ward, James Farrior and Aaron Smith.

But Rooney said the Steelers situation heading into the 2013 season is no more dire than past seasons.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/rooney-tough-decisions-not-fun-679373/#ixzz2Na0JwuQw

I don't know Mr. Rooney. Things look pretty dire from where I'm standing.

Gingerchip wrote:

I don't know Mr. Rooney. Things look pretty dire from where I'm standing.

Well I suggest you stop looking at the browns!

Seriously, this team has responded to these types of inflictions before, there is no reason not to believe it won't happen again.

Quote :

Seriously, this team has responded to these types of inflictions before, there is no reason not to believe it won't happen again.

I really wish I had your faith in the Steelers -- but at this point, I'm just hoping that we don't replay "the 26 years before another championship" scenario. In my opinion, it will really be about the draft the next few years. Not only do we need star- potential players, but we need future leaders (i.e. Ward and Farrior types). I think the next few draft seasons will either make or break us. By make us, keeping the Steelers competitive. By break us, another repeat of the 80's/90's era. What scares me is that the team didn't gel last year. It showed on the field, and it was mentioned by a few of the players. I am hoping that not only do they draft future stars, but they draft players that form a "band of brothers". No, they don't have to be best buds or anything like that, but they do have to really come together as a team.. One of the things that Chuck Noll always said (and states in the "In their own words" video) is that the 70s team epitomized working as a team which is why they were so successful. It showed the year we beat the Seahags when they came together to get the bus his ring.

The next two years of draft choices are going to beyond important -- they will be crucial if we are to remain competitive.

We had to get younger sooner or later. Can't hold onto the older guys forever, right?