WOODLEY- will he stay, or will he go?

[Atlanta Dan]

Comments by Ed. B. of the P-G on Pittsburgh sports talk today (link to audio below)

Free agents - Colon "really wants to come back" but Achilles rupture is a tough recovery

Taylor a higher priority to retain than Woodley

Woodley most in danger of not coming back - he is a prime OLB pass rushing FA as more teams go to the the 3-4 - already paying Harrison big $$ at OLB and cannot pay everyone with a cap back next year - Worlds was drafted for this possible departure

CB is #1 priority but the 2 safeties + Taylor are solid - no way Nnamdi Asomugha is going to the Steelers ( Ed says if the Steelers can afford you as a FA you are no good) - look for a CB in the draft or develop someone already on roster (maybe Lewis or Butler?)

OL - not certain about Adams coming back - depends on Colon - will draft an OL early

Kickers - Suisham may or may not come back - have to worry about Sepulveda's chronic ACL tears

Fox is gone after another dumb penalty, this time in the Super Bowl

Three old pros (Farrior/Ward/A. Smith) will return - no mention of why Smith gets his $$ while Woodley will walk because he is too expensive

With regard to coaches - Arians may "retire" although Ed thinks Arians had a better season this year than 2009 (when Ben + Tomlin apparently saved his job) - should get some credit for helping Roethlisberger this year - would be surprised if Steelers want Arians to go

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/...eelers-future/

IMO the Steelers franchise Woodley - Worlds is not ready yet

[cloppbeast]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

IMO the Steelers franchise Woodley - Worlds is not ready yet

I agree. My impression was that they were drafting Worilds to replace Harrison (age), not Woodley.

[skinart82]

Why is it my favorite LBs have to go, I love Woodely, this dude is a beast! I also loved Porter, even named my damn dog Porter, see were that got me.

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by skinart82

Why is it my favorite LBs have to go, I love Woodely, this dude is a beast! I also loved Porter, even named my damn dog Porter, see were that got me.

But Porter was in decline rather than entering his prime and Steelers had Harrison ready to go while also drafting Timmons and Woodley when Porter left - that kind of firepower is not in reserve if Woodley goes

[stb_steeler]

They should do what they can to keep Woodley......As much as i hate to say it Smith is on the decline.....

[MDSteel15]

I thought I heard somebody (LaMarr on FB) say he would gladly take the franchise tag until they were able to work out his contract... He doesn't want to go anywhere and I don't see him leaving

[pete74]

i would rather cut smith and keep woodley. hell i would be up for cutting starks for woodley.

[stb_steeler]

I dont know what they see in Starks that much, or maybe i missed something but, to me he's like a tree trunk out there.

[PhantomJB93]

From what I can tell, Woodley REALLY wants to be a Steeler, I don't think he goes anywhere unless the situation is REALLY drastic, like we can't pay him more than his rookie contract lol. He wants his cash, of course, but he's not a drama queen and just based on what I've heard him say over the past year I would not be surprised at all if he takes much less money to play for us than he could get from various other teams in FA.

I think Worilds was taken to replace Harrison, not Woodley...not sure what's gonna happen there as Harrison doesnt look like he's slowing down any time soon either, but I don't think we should feel pressured to ditch James or Lamarr just because there is a potential replacement waiting in the wings who hasn't proven himself yet.

I think Smith is gone, too much money for what we get out of him these days. Hood isn't Smith yet but he's good enough that I can't see us keeping Smith when so many other key players are facing FA.

[SCMom]

I don't see Woodley going anywhere either.

It would be crazy for them to let Woodley go in favor of keeping Smith. Hood stepped up just fine this year, and is ready to start (for a lot less) IMO. I love what Aaron has done for us, but there's no sense in keeping him now.