Steelers Arm Chair GM Part One

By Jeffrey Burton

I walk into the 2010 Season Strategy Meeting. I’m the new guy, the new General Manager. In the parlance of the Steelers that is like being part of a triumvirate, with Head of Football Operations Kevin Lambert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin. They’ve been talking and stop when I enter the room, stand up and smile and come over to shake hands. Kevin says, ‘Have a seat we’re waiting for Dick and Mr. Rooney.” I glance over at the chair at the head of the table. Dick LeBeau comes in and shakes hands with me and smiles and nods at Mike and Kevin. ‘They invite Dick LeBeau to these meetings.’ I had no idea who Dick was when they first mentioned it. I make a mental note. We chat for a few minutes and then we hear Mr. Rooney coming down the hall talking on a cell phone. “Yes Mr. President, I’ll discuss the matter with them when I get back. Thank you Mr. President, give my best to Michelle and the kids. Good Bye.” He hands the phone to an assistant who promptly leaves the room.  He shakes hands with all of us and the meeting begins…

That imaginary meeting happened around a month ago. It’s hard coming in to an organization and directly acting to remove people from their positions. I got two out of the three things I was asking for and now we have new Offensive Line and Special Teams coaches. I could tell as soon as I started about Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians that it was a battle best left for another time. Our attention has now turned to the Free Agent market.

The Philosophy

What we should be looking for are good veteran players that have a couple of years left as we let our younger players develop. We will not be looking at any Exclusive Rights Free Agents or Restricted Free Agents. This is simply not the Steeler Way. All players will be given a chance to compete. There are areas lacking in depth where even if we do draft for that position, will need a year or two for player development. Players toward the end of their careers will probably be willing to take a reasonable salary to be in an organization that will work to make them winners.

Defense

LB

Antonio Pierce, ILB, Giants. Age: 31.

Before the Plaxico Burress incident in which Antonio took Plax’s gun across state lines, was considered a high character guy. He wasn’t charged so, I guess his participation is a non-incident. He is injury prone and isn’t the same player he once was, but he could serve as a quality reserve on a team that we hope will be competitive late in the season. Linebacker depth is a concern.

DL

The fantasy is we give New England’s Vince Wilfork the money that Casey Hampton will be looking for and boda Bing, boda boom, Betty Boop! We are set at Nose Tackle for years and can concentrate on a CB with the round we would have spent in the draft for a NT. This will never happen, soooo:

Ryan Pickett, NT, Packers. Age: 30.

Ryan Pickett thrived as a run stuffer alternating with B.J. Raji in Green Bay’s new 3-4. He will receive less and less playing time as the Pack will want to use their 2009, Ist Rd. pick Raji more. He would be a perfect fit in rotation with Chris Hoke as we bring up a player from this draft. I think Casey Hampton wants to exploit the uncapped year in free agency. Good Luck, Big Snack. It never seems to work out for players that leave the Steelers for a paycheck, (Allen Faneca is the lone exception I can recall. Oh and Rod Woodson, man did we blow that one) but you’ve been a great Steeler for many years so all the best, unless you go to a team in the AFC North of course.

Richard Seymour, DE/DT, Raiders – Age: 30.

The former New England standout has spent a miserable season in Oakland. He is used to being in a winning franchise. An offer from the Steelers could be attractive to him. He is at the wrong end of his career to be in a perpetually rebuilding franchise. If Seymour is amenable he could compete across the line from Aaron Smith. This is a bit of stretch, but grown men have been known to gnaw there own legs off to get out the hell that is the Raider Nation.

CB

Dunta Robinson, CB, Texans. Age: 28.

Robinson would probably be very interested in being a Steeler. He’s bit of a risk because of his injury history and his holdout last year. Our conditioning program has helped a lot of other players stay injury free, so it should work for him as well. He would give balance to the CB position and allow us time to see if last year’s picks, Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett develop. I like Joe despite his uneven play in his rookie season. I see Joe as a replacement for Deshea Townsend in the nickel (he’s a natural ball hawk) and depth in the return game. Keenan is on Coach Tomlin’s bad side because he didn’t play well on special teams and he got torched my Mike Wallace in practice. I want to see what he can do as CB and the rest of the CB’s in the NFL had better get used to being torched by Mr. Wallace, because that’s coming, baby.

If Dunta does not work out:

Rod Hood, CB, Titans. Age: 28.

Hood got benched by Fisher and would probably jump at the opportunity. His replacement actually played worse so who knows what’s up there. Rod would be a good addition for a position of need adding good veteran stability on the opposite side of Ike Taylor.

FS

Want to re-sign:

Ryan Clark, FS, Steelers. Age: 30.

Ryan is the perfect compliment to Troy and very underrated. His vision and closure in centerfield allows Troy to roam free. He rarely lets a play get behind him and is quick and hard hitting in the secondary and on run plays. Ryan wants to stay in Pittsburgh and I think we should make it work and let him end his career as a Steeler.

Longshot:

Darren Sharper, FS, Saints. Age: 34.

Darren Sharper is someone we could go after if things go south with Ryan. He has shown no let down in his playing due to age and is a nasty hard hitter. Just look at what he did to his friend Brett in the NFC Championship Game. He actually would be an upgrade from Ryan for a couple years while we groom his replacement. He will be on a Super Bowl high however and will probably not want to leave his new teammates. The Saints would be crazy to let him go as well.

We will be looking for Safety help in the Draft more to come in Part Two.

Offense

OL

Eugene Amano, GC, Titans. Age: 28.

Despite Ramon Foster’s capable play when Chris Kemoeatu “went down” with injury we need plenty of work on the offensive line. Chris is a washout at LG. With 50 sacks and 77 QB hits and lord knows how many hurries the offensive line is the biggest position of need for the Steelers. We will need both FA veteran players and draft picks to create competition.

Update: As I posted this blog Amano had reached an agreement to a five-year deal with the Titans. There is really no one else we are interested in pursuing, so I guess we are going to rebuild the O-line in the Draft.

Willie Colon (RFA), RG, Steelers. Age: 27.

I had to put everybody in a hammerlock, but I finally convinced them that Willie is not, has never been and will never be an NFL quality tackle. He whiffed for 8 sacks last year and outside rushers seemed invisible to him. I like him at RG where his toughness, pulling and trapping ability will put him in a comfort zone to succeed. If we find a fit for LG in Free Agency or the Draft perhaps Ramon Foster could compete at RT and we should go to the Draft for that position as well. To pursue the older UFA OT’s available could create an age imbalance on the offensive line similar to the defensive line.

WR

Chris Chambers, WR, Chiefs. Age: 32.

We have Joey Galloway right now as our veteran reserve receiver, but Chris has more in the tank. He’s a steady possession receiver who could be a good check off option for Ben. He would be worth a workout.

RB

Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings. Age: 30.

Chester Taylor is like the super-sized Mewelde Moore. He is the best reserve RB in the league. With Willie Parker headed out of Pittsburgh and into Palooka Land, we could get a hard running, great catching, savvy veteran to be a 3^rd down back, multi-purpose guy and insurance policy. With Mike Tomlin’s interest in attracting quality under used players from Minnesota this seems like a good fit. And yes the regular sized Mewelde Moore will be utilized as well. Chicago’s Adrian Peterson is a possibility here as well. And…I am very interested to see what we can get out of Stefan Logan and Isaac Redman at this position.

PK

Jeff Reed, K, Steelers. Age: 31.

This one is difficult. As a place kicker in the swirling winds of Heinz Field at Three Rivers (my new name), Jeff has been a rock. As a football player his attempts to tackle people running back his kickoffs are pure NFL Follies and his off field behavior that used to be chalked up to being a crazy-ass eccentric kicker are turning increasingly darker. I haven’t found out if he has been given “The Talk”, but there are few players that need it more. Piotr Czech (pronounced Petor Check) will be back in camp, but he has to show he can be consistent. My thoughts are to sign Jeff and if things get weird deal with it later, but one year at a time, no more and if he needs to be cut, he’s cut and we keep in touch with kickers for a stop gap situation. There are plenty of dependable veteran kickers available now which is good because there’s nothing coming out of college this year, accept maybe Aaron Petry who’s coming off a leg injury.

Other Interesting Stuff

I hope Bret Favre comes back for another season. The NFL will be less fun without him. And shame on the Saints for tattooing him with a bunch of unnecessary hits, most being borderline penalties. The reason most of them weren’t called was because of Favre’s well-deserved reputation for toughness, but that shouldn’t be taken into account by the referees.

I’m sad that Kurt Warner retired, but glad he did it. He’s had a career that seems like something out of a Hollywood movie. If he is not a first ballot Hall of Famer nobody is. He doesn’t need to take anymore concussions and has a beautiful wife and family and life to enjoy. On the Cardinals side his decision takes away an uncomfortably Green Bay like situation. Now they need to see if Matt Leinart can get out of the hot tub and on to the field.

I have had my DVR of the Senior Bowl playing in the background as I do other things.

Dan LeFevour is a potential star Quarterback when he joins the NFL. He displayed all the skills in that game an NFL QB needs playing against the best competition of his life. I’ve heard others say he will have to adapt of a pro-style offense, well that has already happened. He’s one of those guys that just have that winners shine and I think and hope that will translate at the next level. He was by far the best QB at the Senior Bowl with Smiling Zac Robinson in second, the uneven Jarrett Brown in third, Sean Canfield in fourth and Tim Tebow bringing up the rear. Oh I just checked my notes, Tony Pike; he was in that game too.

A related matter

Anybody that thinks Colt McCoy won’t be an outstanding NFL Quarterback is sharing Jeff Reed’s drugs. He reminds me of Matt Ryan whose side I was on, after watching him play  one game. Whoever passes him over for Tim Tebow will live to regret it.

Next blog we look at the Draft and the premiere of my Little Big Board.

Go Stillers!

About the Author Jim McMillen

The Editor & Chief, the brains so to say, behind Pittsburgh Blitz. Jim is a rabid sports fan who just loves his Stillers, Pens and Buccos. Feel free to contact us at steelerguy26[@]yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments or would like to join our staff and write for Pittsburgh Blitz.

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