I see a lot of guys retiring after this year

[RuHappy69]

whether by choice or by push. I see it as follows:

Hines Ward - leaves on his own terms
Chris Hoke - Backup retires due to age and injury. McLendon is the future
Farrior - can't cover anymore and will hang it up. Will Stephenson Sylvester step up?
Kemoeatu - Despite his 5 year deal he signed in 09, he is not worth the money and will either be traded or cut.
Bryant McFadden - Will have to work hard to get a roster spot in 2012. Maybe move to Safety?

Aaron Smith - Age and injuries - Maybe Al Woods steps in. Steelers must like him they brought him back 2x..
Arnez Battle - Just not very good and injury prone.

[harrison'samonster]

I definitely agree with Smith retiring after this season. Kemoeatu and McFadden will probably be gone as well. I haven't heard much about Farrior retiring though, and the Ward situation might go several different ways. Hines hasn't sounded like he's ready to quit playing yet.

[steeltheone]

Farrior will make us suffer and ive never been sure how Battle stays on the roster.

Cut Kemo, Fad, Hampton

Resign Hampton cheaper

[Curtain_of_Steel]

al woods?LOL

So you think Al Woods will step in for Smith? I guess you havent noticed Ziggy, Heyward are on board and McClendon now? LOL

Are you Al's dad?lol

Smith is done regardless of wanting to play or not. He will not be resigned. Ward hopefully gets 5 catches tomorrow and its highly possible as Ben will target him constantly when he is on the field.

Farriorr I think is borderline.

Kemo, hopefully the probowl 5th backup is long gone.
McFadden, gone


There is a lot of money coming off the books and we can revamp some holes quickly and not lose a step.

[steelerchad]

To think Kemo looked like a bargain as he gave us a hometown discount to stay here instead of taking more money from the Jets. He's been terrible the last 2 years since signing that deal. Maybe he took the discount because he knew he wasn't worth that much money.

[BengalDestroyer]

Hines will be back
Farrior will be demoted to backup maybe
Hoke will retire
Smith will retire
Kemo must go, don't care how
McFadden may move to safety but I'm sure he stays a Steeler next year
Battle may also no longer be a Steeler, too injury prone as already noted

[DanRooney]

Can't wait.

But yeah Tomlin is in love with Al Woods. Very raw coming out of college but he'd be a nice backup to any of our defensive linemen.

[RuHappy69]

A little harsh there Curtin? I didn't mean Al Woods would supplant Hood, I just meant that he would take more of a prominent role and step up next year as part of the rotation. Jeeze, some of you need to back off the coffee..

[ETL]

If we have depth at that position; they will probably be gone.

With Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen waiting, i dont see Mcfadden on this roster next year.

Smith and Hokie will have to make room for Mcclendon and Heyward.

Farrior and Ward are on the fence to me. I can see Sylvester play ahead of Farrior but i would like more depth and keep Farrior for now. Same for ward. He may be 5th on depth chart next year but i can't see a better 5th receiver for now. He also has much intangible value so unless we make a big FA signing or draft a significant WR i see ward still on this team.

[steelfury02]

Ward better take a page out of Jerome's book. I can't even believe he said he doesn't know "whether it be here or somewhere else" how much time he has left and its not on his mind

I hope these guys don't have a mental block ala We have to win #7 to send guys out in style - they better just win it for themselves or they never will - that's too much pressure for this group