Steelers Extend Lawrence Timmons 5 years $50 mil

[pancake]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

What about Kiesel and Hampton too? Especially after a 3rd ring?

I see both of these guys hanging around at least one more year. We need Hampton one more year, to tudor the new NT that we draft next year.

[cloppbeast]

Originally Posted by theplatypus

I could see Farrior, Foote, Ward, and Smith gone after this year. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to lose Kiesel,Hoke, and Hampton as well.

If Ward gets to 10,000, he probably will retire.

Regardless of whether he retires or not, Aaron Smith will probably play his last season with the Steelers in 2011.

I hope Hampton doesn't leave. We have nobody to play NT without him!

Kiesel will play another couple seasons.

[ricardisimo]

Tagging Troy would keep him from shopping his wares, but it wouldn't help with the cap if we're up against it. We'd be oblige to pay him the average of the top 5 at his position (I'm assuming the new CBA has this or a very similar formula in place... anybody know for sure?) If there's no room for his money, there's no room for his money. Why would we tag a guy we can't afford?

No, the only way to keep Troy (and I think we will) is big cuts and/or attrition at the end of the year. The names already tossed around here are likely targets.

[pancake]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

Tagging Troy would keep him from shopping his wares, but it wouldn't help with the cap if we're up against it. We'd be oblige to pay him the average of the top 5 at his position (I'm assuming the new CBA has this or a very similar formula in place... anybody know for sure?) If there's no room for his money, there's no room for his money. Why would we tag a guy we can't afford.

No, the only way to keep Troy (and I think we will) is big cuts and/or attrition at the end of the year. The names already tossed around here are likely targets.

I think there will be a big cap jump next year.

[fer522]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

Adjust his meds?

Smith was great but his body has just broken down - i am amazed they did not at least have him take a haircut on his contract

Smith must have pictures of Tomlin and Colbert in very compromising positions

that's what i was thinking too

[Dodens Grav]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

Tagging Troy would keep him from shopping his wares, but it wouldn't help with the cap if we're up against it. We'd be oblige to pay him the average of the top 5 at his position (I'm assuming the new CBA has this or a very similar formula in place... anybody know for sure?) If there's no room for his money, there's no room for his money. Why would we tag a guy we can't afford?

No, the only way to keep Troy (and I think we will) is big cuts and/or attrition at the end of the year. The names already tossed around here are likely targets.

Originally Posted by pancake

I think there will be a big cap jump next year.

This, plus they rarely actually allow players to play under the franchise tag. They franchise a player and then negotiate a new contract which is far more cap friendly. You know, like they did with Woodley this year. Polamalu's new contract will not force the Steelers to cut anybody more likely than not. I'm confident that it gets done before the start of next year's regular season. Until then, it really doesn't matter.

And what's with everybody wanting to run Aaron Smith out of town all of a sudden? It's not like they're going to sign a starting CB in the next two weeks, so what exactly do the Steelers benefit in 2011 by cutting him? He is the starting left defensive end of the best defense in the league, and rotating Ziggy Hood in and out on both the left and right side will help to keep both veterans fresh. If he does manage to get injured again, then it's not the end of the world since there's already a starter in waiting.

[3rdandlong]

I'm not a salary cap expert, but I don't see how we will be able to sign Troy and then Mike Wallace next year. As painful as it is, someone has to go. I'd let Wallace go. He's one if the best deep threats in the game, but he hasn't shown himself to be a complete receiver, so far. Our receiving corps is so deep that I'm willing to take a haircut in that area. But if we let Wallace go, Hines could decide to retire since he would be entering his 14 season. That would make Sanders, Brown, and Cotchery the top three receivers.

[Dodens Grav]

I doubt there will be a need for cuts. As was previously mentioned, the salary cap will be higher, and there will be more cap exemptions again next season as well, up to $1.5M I believe. Plus I do believe that there will be at least one retirement. Chris Hoke and Aaron Smith could very well be in their last seasons. The front office knows how to structure deals to make them cap friendly as well. If need be, there are others that did not restructure this year that can still clear more cap space next year.

[Kingmagyar]

I said it before I 'll say it again the Steelers did the smart thing signing Timmons because his franchise tag next year would have been for over 10 Million. Troy if he is franchised would get the average of the top 5 Safeties which would actually be paying him less then he would receive per year on a new deal. Considering his age and health this is the smart route to take.

Next year's cap will go up a bit but it will explode with the new TV contract coming a few years from now. Guys may seem to be getting a lot now but wait to you see the contracts after the new TV deal.

Nose Tackles play a long time in this league, don't look to see Hampton gone anytime soon, but the Steelers will have the money to keep the team together minus salaries like Aaron Smith, and Farrior.

The guy I would worry about the most is Mike Wallace. Not next year as he will be restricted but after that. If he played with a more accurate down field passer like Manning, or Brady this guy would be Randy Moss in his prime and with no attitude. He gets open every game, often. Ben and him have to work on getting in sync as they can be deadly this year.

[LVSteelersfan]

There is no way on earth they will let Wallace get away. Are you kidding? He has the potential to be one of the top WRs in the NFL over the next few years. Get real. They will find a way to keep him on the team.