The Steelers’ salary cap woes claimed its first victim today in long-time Steeler James Harrison. Harrison was cut by the Steelers after he and the team were unable to reach a deal to free up money for the salary cap.

“We could not get together financially at all,” said Bill Parise, Harrison’s agent who lives in Beaver County. “We certainly had agreed to take a paycut but apparently there was a difference in how much of a paycut we would take and how we would take it.

“It simply came down to money. It’s all about the salary cap.”

The Steelers cut him, and this is crazy. But he’s a free agent, so call him maybe.

Harrison, a former Defensive Player of the Year, was still a formidable presence in the Steelers’ defensive unit. That is, when he could play. Harrison has been hampered by injuries and the looming shadow of Commissioner Goddell over the past few seasons.

Cutting fan-favorite veterans in the name of the salary cap is, unfortunately, the Steeler way. Last season the Steelers cut Hines Ward, James Farrior, and Aaron Smith to make room under the salary cap. Harrison managed to make a name for himself after the Steelers cut Joey Porter. It’s the circle of life, or something.

Best of luck to James Harrison!

• Retiring a Steelers seems to be a fad recently. Hines Ward did it. Kordell Stewart did as well. And now Aaron Smith, “Fast” Willie Parker, Joey Porter, and Marvel Smith will “retire” as Steelers. These retirements are purely ceremonial, as no contracts are involved. It is nice to know these players want to end their career on a Steelers note.
• Talk about your fixer-upper. Jimmy Haslam III, a minority owner of the Steelers, will buy a majority in the Cleveland Browns for reportedly $1 billion. That seems like a lot of money for something that needs a lot of work, but then again I wouldn’t spend $1.00 on anything Cleveland Browns, let alone the team. The deal isn’t finalized yet, as Haslam still needs to get approval from the league and those other tiny details. Good luck with that, Jimmy. » Continue reading “Steelers News Blitz: The “Everyone Retires A Steeler” Edition”

Is anyone going to play for the Steelers next year?

• The Steelers announced that veterans James Farrior and Aaron Smith will be released. Farrior was originally drafted by the Jets in 1997, but signed with the Steelers in 2002. Smith was drafted by the Steelers in 1999 and has spent all 13 seasons in Pittsburgh.
• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Chris Kemoeatu will also be released. Kemoeatu, who was benched halfway during the season, was scheduled to make $3.6 million. This move will surely free up some cap space and a roster spot for an old couch that can block better and commit less penalties than Kemo.
• The Steelers have elected not put the franchise tag on receiver Mike Wallace. Wallace is a restricted free agent, and the Steelers risk losing him to another team in exchange for a first round draft pick.
• Today is Ben Roethlisberger’s 30th birthday. Happy Birthday, Big Ben!

Mike Tomlin gave his injury report on Tuesday, and things are looking a little bit better for the Steelers, relatively speaking.

As of right now, only Aaron Smith and James Harrison are ruled out for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. DE Aaron Smith with miss another week with a sprained right foot. LB James Harrison is still recovering from a broken orbital bone.

The Steelers have several players listed as questionable for Sunday’s game:

• Marcus Gilbert (shoulder)
• Casey Hampton (shoulder)
• Jason Worilds (thigh)
• Mewelde Moore (ankle)

There sure is a lot going on in Steeler Nation.

• Earlier in the week the Steelers signed Max Starks in an attempt to do something to the offensive line. Starks is expected to start on Sunday against the Titans.
• Hines Ward says that it’s time for the offense to step up and carry this team. I appreciate the sentiment and agree to an extent, but I’d like the Steelers to step it up on BOTH sides of the ball. That can be done, right?
• The NFL fined Maurkice Pouncey for sheer stupidity a late hit in last Sunday’s game in Houston. While Maurkice may be out $7,500, his late hit nullified a 14-yard run and took away the momentum the offense was building at the end of the half.
• And on the injury front, the Steelers will be without Casey Hampton (shoulder), Aaron Smith (foot), Chris Kemoeatu (knee), Mewelde Moore (ankle), and Jason Worilds (quad).

Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse on the injury front.

James Harrison will be out for the next several weeks with an orbital fracture around his right eye. Harrison will have surgery Wednesday and will be out “a number of weeks” according to Mike Tomlin. What’s even better? Harrison’s back-up, Jason Worilds is doubtful with a quad strain.

Other injury-rated items of note:

• Aaron Smith has a “mid-foot sprain” and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
• Mewelde Moore has a left ankle sprain and could miss the game.
• Rashard Mendenhall has a right hamstring injury that may only limit his practice time.
• Ben Roethlisberger has a sprained left foot, and may only see limited practice time.
• Doug Legursky, Jonathan Scott, and Bryant McFadden should be well enough to play.

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but this little movie about a boy wizard is about to be released. You’ve probably never heard of it.

Since I have Harry Potter on the brain, I should do the only logical thing: I need to sort a few Steelers into the Houses at Hogwarts. If you are not familiar with the books/movies, students at the magical boarding school are sorted into one of four Houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. Each House values specific characteristics and students are typically sorted based on these characteristics.

Hines rocking his awesome Gryffindor scarf.

Hines Ward – Gryffindor

Gryffindors are brave, courageous, and vocal leaders. There are many vocal players on this team, but Hines is a true leader. There is also a certain amount of bravery and courage to go on a nationally televised dancing competition. Especially when it requires wearing sparkly costumes week in and week out. Granted, Gryffindors aren’t always known for making wise decisions, so I wouldn’t kick him out of Gryffindor just because of his recent brush with the law.

Ben Roethlisberger – Slytherin.

Look at that awesome Slytherin tie.

Ben isn’t a Slytherin because that’s the House of the “bad guys.” Ben is a Slytherin because of his ambition, determination, and cunning, all characteristics of a true Slytherin. How many times have we seen Ben throw off a linebacker, avoid a potential sack, and find a way to get a first down? Those characteristics make him a Slytherin.

Troy Polamalu – Ravenclaw

NERD.

Ravenclaws place an importance on intelligence. Troy adds a certain amount of strategy to the game. Other teams must account for him at all times. Why? He’s always one step ahead of everyone else. Everyone is playing football, but Troy is playing a game of chess. Not to mention he recently graduated from USC, so he certainly places an importance on education. Nerd.

Heath Miller – Hufflepuff

Black and yellow.

Hufflepuffs are marked by their hard work, loyalty, and dedication. They are often overlooked. Heath is one of the top tight ends in the game, but he’s usually overlooked in that regard. He doesn’t play for stats. He’s a superb blocker. He’s dependable as a receiver. But he’s soft-spoken and (thankfully) doesn’t make headlines off the field. He’s a leader through his hard work and actions. A true Hufflepuff in my book.

So let me just put on my sorting hat, and sort just a few of the other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gryffindor

• Ryan Clark
• James Farrior

Slytherin

• James Harrison
• Maurkice Pouncey
• LaMarr Woodley

Ravenclaw

• Rashard Mendenhall
• Mike Wallace

Hufflepuff

• Charlie Batch
• Matt Spaeth
• Brett Keisel
• Aaron Smith