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!

How do you know it’s been a slow off season thus far? Steeler Nation is still facing all kinds of hullabaloo over anonymous comments regarding LaMarr Woodley’s level of fitness. Ryan Clark has had his say on the matter. Antonio Brown has even commented on the matter.

Brown said: “For guys to throw a guy like LaMarr Woodley, a Pro Bowl player, under the bus just shows you the men we had in our locker room. And it’s something that we want to get corrected for 2013 …

“It you are going to speak out about something, be a man and claim it. But don’t go in the newspaper speaking out about our Pro Bowl linebacker and not mentioning your name. Then other guys supporting it … it goes to show you that we wasn’t a team in 2012. So some of the things we got to iron out and we’re looking to get those things corrected.”

And now former Steeler Hines Ward wades into the discussion on the state of the Steelers locker room.

“When you lose so much leadership in the locker room, that’s when things present itself like that,” Ward said. “Guys start finger-pointing, calling out other guys. That is not the Steeler way. We’ve always had a rule: We are a band of brothers. We’ve always collectively kept everything in house. … But there was no finger-pointing and calling each other out. That’s a total disarray, a locker room in disarray.”

Ward has a point, although it may be lost in the sour-grapes overtones of his remarks. Like this year, the Steelers faced age and salary cap issues in the off season. Team leaders like Ward, James Farrior, and Aaron Smith were cut as a result. It seems that losing the long-standing offensive (Ward) and defensive (Farrior) in one off season may have been too much for this team to handle.

» Continue reading “Pittsburgh Steelers News Blitz: The “Yes, We Are Still Talking About The Locker Room” Edition”

As Steeler Nation braces for yet another Baltimore-New England AFC title match, Kevin Colbert and company must try to find a way to improve a Steelers team that finished 8-8 this season.

But if the Steelers are to improve, just don’t expect the same old, same old.

Then when asked about the possibility of changes during the offseason, Colbert added, “If we don’t change 8-8, if we don’t change the roster that produced 8-8, we’d be silly to expect a better result if we have the same group of guys … We’re not married to any of these guys.”

Yeah, but I’m sure there are probably some big name guys and free agents who are safe, right?

The Steelers have the ability to use the franchise tag on one of their free agents, but Colbert’s view of that possibility was “very doubtful.”

“Again, in my mind when you’re 8-8,” said Colbert, “I don’t think we have too many franchise players.”

Welp. We are a year removed from the vicious offseason in which notable Steelers and team leaders in the likes of Hines Ward and James Farrior were cut. If Kevin Colbert is looking to make changes, methinks we may have seen the last of the likes of Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall, James Harrison, and Casey Hampton.

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Now that the 2012 season is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s time to look ahead to 2013.  While other teams, including two AFC North foes, are gearing up for the playoffs, the Steelers can only think what might have been.

Quarterbacks

While the Steelers are fortunate to have a franchise quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, it’s time to take take a serious look for a serviceable back-up or two. Both Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch are free agents this offseason.

» Continue reading “Steelers: Looking Ahead To 2013″

Week 17

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 1:00 PM

TV: CBS

Site: Heinz Field

Last Meeting: 11/25/12, L 14 – 20

Cleveland Browns on Aerys: Dawg Treats

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrap up a disappointing 2012 season by taking on the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. The Steelers will hope to end the season on a high note despite the absence of Ike Taylor, Mike Wallace, and team MVP Heath Miller. All three are injured and will finish the season on Injured Reserve.

The Black and Gold will take on a Browns team that in all likelihood will be playing to keep their jobs. With an offseason to mull things over, the new owner of the Cleveland Browns may look to make some personnel changes.

No job is safe on the Steelers side of the ball either. The Steelers made waves this past offseason by cutting veterans such as James Farrior and Hines Ward to make room under the salary cap. Between the salary cap and the lackluster season, the Rooneys may be looking to make changes of their own.

• With the regular season nearly upon us, the Pittsburgh Steelers have voted on their offensive and defensive team captains. Ben Roethlisberger will do the honor of serving as offensive captain, and on defense Brett Keisel will serve as captain for the first time in his career. Presumably Brett Keisel’s beard will serve in an honorary role as beard captain. It is interesting to note that this is the first time since 2003 that neither Hines Ward nor James Farrior will be serving as captains as they were both victims of the front office’s March Massacre.
• Rookie linebacker Sean Spence has been placed on Injured Reserve. Spence injured his knee in Thursday’s preseason finale against Carolina and will be out for the season. 
• James Harrison returned to practice after sitting out all of training camp and preseason with a knee injury. It’s still wait and see as to whether or not he’ll be ready for next Sunday’s opener in Denver, but right now I’ll take this progress.

• 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”

• 

  Run Hines, ruuuuuuuuun!

  “The Dark Knight Rises” premiered over the weekend, thus launching the silver screen debut of a few Steelers both past and present. I managed to catch a glimpse of Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, Brett Keisel, Bretty Keisel’s beard, and Mike Wallace. I certainly hope the Academy keeps these brief, but stirring performances in mind come Oscar season.

• In non-Batman news, the Steelers recently re-signed Max Starks. Starks will provide depth and veteran leadership to an offensive line that has gone under a major overhaul this offseason.
• Speaking of the offensive line, the overhaul continues. The Steelers have cut OT Jonathan Scott. Scott was the starting left tackle at the beginning of the season last year, but was eventually replaced when the Steelers re-signed Max Starks in the middle of the season.

• Todd Haley is eager to play with his new toys in the Steelers offense, especially Heath Miller. Now with a new and improved offensive line Miller may actually have a shot at boosting his receiving numbers.

“Haley is excited about what Heath Miller is capable of,” Tomlin said. “He’s been very clear about that, his excitement to work with Miller. I would imagine that the tight end is going to be a part of our plan.”

I for one, and certainly excited to see Heath get more opportunities to shine.

• Hines Ward has a brand new gig. The former Steeler will be joining the NBC Sports team.

“We think Hines is a perfect match for television because he brings with him a unique combination of charisma and football experience, which he demonstrated on our Super Bowl pre-game show from Indianapolis,” said Sam Flood, executive producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network in a release that was issued to announce Ward’s hiring. “He’s an opinionated personality who can draw upon his 14 years of experience, having excelled at the highest levels of the game. Just don’t expect him to dance.”

It’s good to know that while Ward may be retired, we’ll still have plenty of chances to see his smile.

Mike Wallace wants a salary in line with his talent

A great deal has been said and written about Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace since he became a restricted free agent (RFA) in March. For those who were too busy following the Peyton Manning world tour, here are the basics:

• Mike Wallace was chosen by the Steelers in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the 84th overall pick.
• His rookie year, he led the league in average yards per reception, finishing with 19.4 yards per catch.  That season, he was named the winner of the “Joe Greene Great Performance Award”, which is awarded each season to the top rookie on the team.
• In his second year, he moved up to the #2 WR with the departure of Santonio Holmes, and his yards per catch improved to an average of 21 yards.  He caught 60 passes for 1257 yards and 10 TDs.
• As the Steelers #1 WR in 2011, Wallace’s production dropped off a bit, likely due to the double coverage he often saw as well as the emergence of Antonio Brown.  He still managed 72 receptions for 1193 yards and 8 TDs.

With cap space extraordinarily tight heading into this off-season (the team started more than $25 million over the 2012 cap and trimmed it by restructuring veteran contracts and releasing additional players), the team was limited in options for keeping Wallace on the roster.  The safest bet would have been to hang the franchise tag on him, which would have guaranteed him a $9.4 million salary for the coming season and prevented any other team from signing him.  This wasn’t in the budget, though.  Instead, the Steelers rolled the dice and offered him a first round tender.  This meant that Wallace would earn $2.74 million for the coming season.  Prior to April 20, other teams had the chance to acquire Wallace (although the Steelers had the option to match any contract offered) but would have to give a 1st round draft pick in return.

In the end, no other teams went after Wallace, and the gamble paid off.  At the advice of his agent, Bus Cook, Wallace has still not signed his tender offer and is not attending voluntary OTAs.  Given that he has not skipped any mandatory training, this does not constitute a holdout.  The next deadline is June 15; if he doesn’t sign by then, the Steelers can drop the salary to 110% of his previous year’s pay, or $577,000.  He’ll need to sign by November at the latest in order to receive credit for the season and avoid being a RFA again next year.

Wallace has said that he wants to remain a Steeler.  The Steelers management has repeatedly confirmed that they intend to sign their speedy wide receiver to a long-term contract.  As the chess match drags on, it’s hard not to wonder if Wallace is making a bad decision by staying away from his team activities.  He has more to lose than the team and very little to gain.

Historically, the Steelers management won’t negotiate contract extensions during the regular season because they don’t want distractions from the singular goal of winning the next Superbowl.  If it doesn’t happen by the end of preseason, it will have to wait until the next offseason.  The closest they’ve cut it was last year, when Troy Polamalu signed his finalized contract prior to boarding a plane to Baltimore for the season opener.

The front office also won’t negotiate with players who are holding out.  It makes sense not to reward that behavior.  Hines Ward held out for 15 days in 2005, eventually reporting for the preseason.  After rejoining his teammates, he got his contract extension, and the Steelers went on to win Superbowl XL that season.  With GM Kevin Colbert and chief contract negotiator Omar Khan across the table, however, no player gets overpaid.  While the Steelers aren’t stingy, they will let a player walk rather than pay more than they believe he is worth.  Remember Plaxico Burress?

Colbert does seem committed to getting a deal done.  He has implied that the Steelers would not exercise the option to reduce the tender amount if Wallace doesn’t sign by June 15.  He may also be waiting to finalize the last of the rookie contracts so that he knows what his budget truly is.

To his credit, Wallace has behaved with class.  He has not used the media to vent any frustration he may have and has made no negative comments publicly or via social media (a mistake made by Wes Welker).  Interestingly, he did discuss the matter with Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor last week in Las Vegas.  Taylor shared Wallace’s disappointment not to be with the team during his weekly radio show.

While Wallace waits, his teammates are learning new Offensive Coordinater Todd Haley’s offense.  The wide receiver has a copy of the playbook that QB Ben Roethlisberger referred to as the Rosetta Stone, but he is missing valuable reps with his team.  Clearly, this is not the ideal offseason to pass on OTAs and minicamp.  In the meantime, last season’s breakout star Antonio Brown will benefit from the extra work.  If Wallace does hold out, he may lose his spot at the top of the depth chart.

The loyal fanbase is becoming frustrated with Wallace as well.  While no one questions that he has outplayed his original contract, Steeler Nation doesn’t have patience with players that put the team’s chance for success secondary to a paycheck.  And Wallace has 2.74 million reasons to play ball.

Mike Wallace would do well to listen to teammate Ike Taylor, who advised him to sign the tender and join the team, rather than his agent.  Worst case scenario, he’ll get paid a fair chunk of change and have an opportunity to test the market in free agency next year.  For the Steelers, they can rest assured that if they can’t lock him up for the next few years, they will still get a great season from their elite WR, who will then be auditioning for free agency.

Melanie Friedlander is a contributor to Steel City Blitz.  You can follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/girlsurgeon.