A pair of no-brainers

[mesaSteeler]

NFL from the sidelines
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After hobnobbing around the NFL in the press boxes and sidelines, sports reporter Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on Tuesday nights throughout the season from 7 to 9 p.m. on WBGG 970-AM.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A pair of no-brainers

The big stories of the day were the Steelers placing the franchise tag on linebacker LaMarr Woodley - no duh – and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau signing a one-year deal to remain with the team - double no duh.

Neither move comes as any surprise.

The Steelers' plan all along has been to franchise Woodley. Without a new CBA, the Steelers' hands were tied with Woodley in terms of negotiating a new deal.

Any deal he signed would have to have a base salary of no more than 120 percent of his base salary in 2010 – $550,000.

That meant the Steelers, to get a deal done, would have to give Woodley a ridiculous signing bonus to make up for the base salary.

That wasn't going to happen. So until a new CBA is in place, Woodley keeps the franchise tag.

As for LeBeau, the stories at the Super Bowl that said the Arizona Cardinals were going to make a pitch for his services were ridiculous.

LeBeau's intent has always been to finish his career with the Steelers. And since he still wanted to coach in 2011 after losing the Super Bowl, he was going to be back in Pittsburgh.

LeBeau wasn't going anywhere. Will he be back beyond 2011? That depends on what the Steelers do.

If they win the Super Bowl, LeBeau will walk away.

If they come close but lose, I expect him to return again.

If they fail to make the playoffs, I look for LeBeau to call it a career.

[wyn50]

Indy did it with Manning. No surprise that Steelers do it.

[pete74]

i would of rather used the tag on Taylor, i think he would be harder to sign to a deal.

[steeltheone]

Originally Posted by pete74

i would of rather used the tag on Taylor, i think he would be harder to sign to a deal.

I agree 100%

[ggoldman]

The 31 year old Ike Taylor whos not even the best FA corner, or a 26 year old Woodley who is the best FA OLB?

[mcg24]

Originally Posted by ggoldman

The 31 year old Ike Taylor whos not even the best FA corner, or a 26 year old Woodley who is the best FA OLB?

That doesn't really have much to do with it...


Ike seems as though he would be the much more difficult sign. Even though he has expressed his enjoyment of Pittsburgh, through all of his words I get the feeling that he wants to explore the market. Woodley was unhappy with his contract situation of the beginning of the year, but kept his mouth shut unlike many of the players in the NFL today.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it almost seems as if Woodley would be willing to take a pay cut to play here, Ike Taylor...not so much.

[JEFF4i]

2 years from now I'd rather have Woodley than Ike. That said, we need Ike more, in a way. Tricky situation, but I trust my Steelers.

Who's been to more AFC Championships in the last decade? Who's been to the most Super Bowls in the past 8 years?

[BGSU A Dub]

I wish they would have put the franchise tag on Sepulveda.

[kirklandrules]

Originally Posted by pete74

i would of rather used the tag on Taylor, i think he would be harder to sign to a deal.

Woodley was the harder to sign. The Steelers could only increase his rookie contract by 30%. Taylor had a good deal and under the CBA, there is plenty of room for the Steelers to offer a decent deal. Unless the Steelers were willing to give Woodley a $45 million signing bonus (and potentially be out a ton of money if he's hurt early in his contract), Woodley would never sign a contract. The franchise tag allowed the Steelers to circumvent the CBA rules that prevented giving Woodley money he deserves to play next year. Basically, franchising Woodley is the only way the Steelers could keep Woodley and still make an attempt to resign Taylor. Franchising Taylor would prove a great risk of Woodley walking.

[kirklandrules]

Originally Posted by BGSU A Dub

I wish they would have put the franchise tag on Sepulveda.

I agree. Maybe Arians could get Sepulveda to play H-back as well.