A. Smith.....Cap Casualty

[SteelFist]

DE Aaron Smith could be a CAP casualty this year if he doesn't rework his contract. According to - http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/trib...salarycap.html
He's scheduled to get $6.86 mil this season. With the Steelers at the bottom of the list (30th to be exact) once again, we will struggle to land any decent players in FA. There are 19 teams with at least $20 mil of Cap room, while the Steelers have 1.4 http://www.askthecommish.com/salarycap/numbers.asp There are many players who have not played well enough to earn these checks and Hartings stands out the most. Personally, I hope he retires and free's up some cap space.

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Originally Posted by SteelFist

DE Aaron Smith could be a CAP casualty this year if he doesn't rework his contract. According to - http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/trib...salarycap.html
He's scheduled to get $6.86 mil this season. With the Steelers at the bottom of the list (30th to be exact) once again, we will struggle to land any decent players in FA. There are 19 teams with at least $20 mil of Cap room, while the Steelers have 1.4 http://www.askthecommish.com/salarycap/numbers.asp There are many players who have not played well enough to earn these checks and Hartings stands out the most. Personally, I hope he retires and free's up some cap space.

I think you will see Harting retire....and I am hoping Deshea will be gone...Starks is another who has players looking over his shoulder...so who knows...maybe Coach Tomlin has a big broom to help clean up our salary situation.

[stlrtruck]

Just remember, Tomlin isn't the top "power to be" that makes the cap room. What's sad is that if they don't do something soon about it, then we are going to lose some key players because of it!

[Atlanta Dan]

When i initially saw the thread headline I ws trying to figure out how Anthony Smith would be a cap casualty in his second year.

There is a certain outside linebacker who is scheduled to count around $6 million around the cap in 2007.

I believe Hartings will retire and that Porter is far more likely than Smith to be a cap casualty since Smith's performance did not drop off and Porter's did.

2008 is when the big changes in personnel will hit.

[stlrtruck]

Let's just hope that the players become team players and renegotiate or take less of a salary to stay together and win multiple Super Bowls. Ok, so I took a moment and flew to never never land!

[klick81]

JEEBUS!!! I thought the title meant Anthony Smith! Don't scare me like that! LOL...

[Mosca]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

There is a certain outside linebacker who is scheduled to count around $6 million around the cap in 2007.

I believe Hartings will retire and that Porter is far more likely than Smith to be a cap casualty since Smith's performance did not drop off and Porter's did.

The flip side of that is that Porter's presence will go a long way in making the coaching transition work the best; he's the guy on the field that everyone else follows. I say you keep him, and I also say that you'll see him back at 2005 level next year.


Tom

[stlrtruck]

Originally Posted by klick81

JEEBUS!!! I thought the title meant Anthony Smith! Don't scare me like that! LOL...

That was my first thought too!

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by Mosca

The flip side of that is that Porter's presence will go a long way in making the coaching transition work the best; he's the guy on the field that everyone else follows. I say you keep him, and I also say that you'll see him back at 2005 level next year.


Tom

Porter was a definite leader during the SB run. But if he continues his 2006 policy of starting and ending every interview with how he has outperformed his contract and does not report to the start of training camp unless a new contract is done (I don't think any calls from Cowher in Raleigh urging Porter to report will do the trick) his presence may be a mixed blessing in the coming year.

[Florida_Steelers_Fan]

i don't think aaron smith's going anywhere. my guess is that townsend will be gone...hartings will retire...mike barr will be the new punter freeing up some of gardocki's money...and porter or simmons could be a cap casualty. but i don't think this team needs to make drastic changes - just more focus and discipline and ATTACK on defense!! (meaning: they need an impact sack player to put pressure on the QB).