"trio of steelers restructure contracts"

[stb_steeler]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

The danger in the restructuring is you end up with dead money that counts against the cap for the dearly departed - that is why I am surprised Ward was on that list

You will note nobody expects A. Smith to restructure (

Speaking of Aaron Smith. whats up with him, was he let go or ?

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by stb_steeler

Speaking of Aaron Smith. whats up with him, was he let go or ?

Nope - he is in camp after missing most of the last 2 seasons and is scheduled to pull down $4.5 million this season on a team that could not afford to sign a back-up TE due to salary cap problems

[pete74]

its all the same to the players. its not like there taking less money for the team. they still get the exact same amount of money and have the same amount of years on there contract. the difference is the get more money up front which im sure they all love

[55BaileyFan]

Its great and all but it is not like the teams are giving cash up...they are just converting base salary to bonuses in future years. Trading 5M in base for 5M in bonuses is not giving cash up. I love that they would do that but I would be more impressed if they pulled a Jerome Bettis or an Ike Taylor (both of whom gave up cash)

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by 55BaileyFan

I would be more impressed if they pulled a Jerome Bettis or an Ike Taylor (both of whom gave up cash)

Of course Bettis took a haircut on his contract after the Steelers made him a back-up in 2003 (Zeroue) and brought in Duce Staley in 2004 - hard to say how "voluntary" that was
since he was looking at being let go otherwise

The Bus had the most unlikely of happy endings to his career given that he was in Cowher's doghouse after the 2002 season

[stb_steeler]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

Nope - he is in camp after missing most of the last 2 seasons and is scheduled to pull down $4.5 million this season on a team that could not afford to sign a back-up TE due to salary cap problems

Thats not bad for being on the bench

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by stb_steeler

Thats not bad for being on the bench

He apparently is starting

Team needs to get younger on the D-line - more Ziggy

[fer522]

is A. Smith healthy anybody
i haven't heard nothin about his injury

[Farrior_roirraW]

I wouldn't be surprised if Ziggy takes over the starting job mid-season. (That's if they're going with Smith, which I think they will/are.)

[kirklandrules]

Originally Posted by Farrior_roirraW

I wouldn't be surprised if Ziggy takes over the starting job mid-season. (That's if they're going with Smith, which I think they will/are.)

I wouldn't be surprise if Ziggy is the opening day starter. Production didn't fall off one bit when he stepped in last year (the run D actually improved).