steagles
04-02-2005, 12:14 AM
http://fanball.com/fb/article.cfm/id.3564
Offseason Game Plan: Steelers
By Jason Powell, Associate Editor
March 11, 2005 5:00 PM ET
The Steelers came within a game of fulfilling their quest to appear in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1996 when they lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game in January. Most of the team's key players are returning, and Bill Cowher's bunch should enter the season as the favorites to win the AFC North.
In order for the Steelers to live up to those lofty expectations, second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who really isn't a rookie this season, must continue to perform at a high level. Fantasy owners grew leery of Roehtlisberger last season when his winning streak didn't translate to big fantasy numbers.
Those same owners are likely to be even more leery of Big Ben in 2005, when he will try to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump while playing without Plaxico Burress, his favorite wide receiver target from last season. Burress grew frustrated with the team's renewed emphasis on the running game and is departing the Steel City via free agency. Even if Plax wanted to come back, the Steelers probably wouldn't have had enough room under the cap to keep him.
With Plax on his way out of town, the focus shifts to whether veteran running back Jerome Bettis will return for another season. The Bus restructured his contract to help the team's salary cap situation, which led to reports from the team's official website that he had committed to play another year. Not so, said Bettis, who is still debating whether to return for a 14th season.
If Bettis does not return, Duce Staley will assume the role of featured running back. Staley was supposed to play that role last season, but hamstring injuries forced the nine-year veteran to miss six games. If Bettis retires and Staley suffers another setback, Verron Haynes appears to be next in line on the running back depth chart.
Needs
As usual, the Steelers are in need of cornerback help. Willie Williams signed on for another season, but the 13-year veteran isn't getting any younger. The Steelers will also be without Chad Scott for the first time since 1997, as the nine-year veteran was released in a cost-cutting measure. Scott was sidelined by knee injuries for most of last season and was unable to regain his starting job from Williams once he returned
The Steelers signed former Niners' wide receiver Cedrick Wilson to help soften the blow of losing Burress. Wilson finished the 2004 campaign with 47 receptions for 641 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. Those numbers don't look very impressive on the surface, but they are actually pretty solid when you consider that Wilson relied on quarterbacks Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey to get him the ball.
Wilson will compete with Antwaan Randle El for the No. 2 receiver role behind Hines Ward. Cowher won't spend the offseason pursuing any additional wideouts in free agency, but we wouldn't be surprised if he adds a wideout to the mix via the draft.
Salary Cap Situation
The Steelers had just $1.5 million under the salary cap, according to ESPN reporter John Clayton's March 4 report. Obviously, they do not have enough cap room to sign any top free agents.
Unrestricted Free Agents
WR Plaxico Burress, QB Charlie Batch, TE Matt Cushing, G Oliver Ross (Cardinals), G Keydrick Vincent, T Barrett Brooks, LB Kendrell Bell (Chiefs), DT Kendrick Clancy, CB Willie Williams (Steelers), S Ainsley Battles.
Restricted Free Agents
RB Verron Haynes, WR Lee Mays, K Jeff Reed (Steelers), TE Jay Riemersma (released), DE Brett Keisel, LB Larry Foote (Steelers), CB Chad Scott (released), S Chris Hope.
Free Agent Signings
Wilson signed a four-year, $8 million contract that included a $2 million signing bonus… Kicker Jeff Reed re-signed a five-year, $7.5 million contract that included a $1.5 million signing bonus… Cornerback Willie Williams re-signed a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed… Linebacker Larry Foote signed a five-year contract the day before he was to become a restricted free agent. Financial terms were not disclosed…
The Draft
Pittsburgh holds the No. 31 pick in the draft and might be targeting a tight end with that pick. They gave up on Jay Riemersma, who was an injury plagued disappointment during his two seasons with the club. Jerame Tuman is currently listed at the top of the tight end depth chart, but Cowher doesn't seem to consider him the long-term answer.
Heath Miller (Virginia) is widely regarded as the best tight end available in the draft and will likely go late in the first round, so there is a chance he will still be on the board when the Steelers go on the clock. Miller has good hands and the size to help assume some of Burress' duties in the red zone.
If Miller is not available, the Steelers will likely base their pick on some combination of need and best available player. Cowher will likely use that same equation to fill out the rest of the draft, which is particularly important to the Steelers. The specter of the salary cap is looming, meaning it's only a matter of time before their past free-spending ways catches up with the Steelers. The players selected this year could help ease the transition when the time comes to unload some hefty contracts in the coming years.
Injury Watch
Staley's hamstring injury will be a concern, but he was healthy enough to contribute during the playoffs and is expected to take part in the offseason workouts… Roethlisberger claims to have suffered a broken toe during the AFC Championship game. However, Steelers' head coach Bill Cowher disputed those claims, so we're honestly not sure what to believe. At any rate, Roethlisberger is expected to take part in all offseason workouts… The Steelers did not report any significant injuries for the AFC Championship game, so it appears they are a relatively healthy bunch heading into the 2005 campaign…
Offseason Game Plan: Steelers
By Jason Powell, Associate Editor
March 11, 2005 5:00 PM ET
The Steelers came within a game of fulfilling their quest to appear in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1996 when they lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game in January. Most of the team's key players are returning, and Bill Cowher's bunch should enter the season as the favorites to win the AFC North.
In order for the Steelers to live up to those lofty expectations, second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who really isn't a rookie this season, must continue to perform at a high level. Fantasy owners grew leery of Roehtlisberger last season when his winning streak didn't translate to big fantasy numbers.
Those same owners are likely to be even more leery of Big Ben in 2005, when he will try to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump while playing without Plaxico Burress, his favorite wide receiver target from last season. Burress grew frustrated with the team's renewed emphasis on the running game and is departing the Steel City via free agency. Even if Plax wanted to come back, the Steelers probably wouldn't have had enough room under the cap to keep him.
With Plax on his way out of town, the focus shifts to whether veteran running back Jerome Bettis will return for another season. The Bus restructured his contract to help the team's salary cap situation, which led to reports from the team's official website that he had committed to play another year. Not so, said Bettis, who is still debating whether to return for a 14th season.
If Bettis does not return, Duce Staley will assume the role of featured running back. Staley was supposed to play that role last season, but hamstring injuries forced the nine-year veteran to miss six games. If Bettis retires and Staley suffers another setback, Verron Haynes appears to be next in line on the running back depth chart.
Needs
As usual, the Steelers are in need of cornerback help. Willie Williams signed on for another season, but the 13-year veteran isn't getting any younger. The Steelers will also be without Chad Scott for the first time since 1997, as the nine-year veteran was released in a cost-cutting measure. Scott was sidelined by knee injuries for most of last season and was unable to regain his starting job from Williams once he returned
The Steelers signed former Niners' wide receiver Cedrick Wilson to help soften the blow of losing Burress. Wilson finished the 2004 campaign with 47 receptions for 641 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. Those numbers don't look very impressive on the surface, but they are actually pretty solid when you consider that Wilson relied on quarterbacks Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey to get him the ball.
Wilson will compete with Antwaan Randle El for the No. 2 receiver role behind Hines Ward. Cowher won't spend the offseason pursuing any additional wideouts in free agency, but we wouldn't be surprised if he adds a wideout to the mix via the draft.
Salary Cap Situation
The Steelers had just $1.5 million under the salary cap, according to ESPN reporter John Clayton's March 4 report. Obviously, they do not have enough cap room to sign any top free agents.
Unrestricted Free Agents
WR Plaxico Burress, QB Charlie Batch, TE Matt Cushing, G Oliver Ross (Cardinals), G Keydrick Vincent, T Barrett Brooks, LB Kendrell Bell (Chiefs), DT Kendrick Clancy, CB Willie Williams (Steelers), S Ainsley Battles.
Restricted Free Agents
RB Verron Haynes, WR Lee Mays, K Jeff Reed (Steelers), TE Jay Riemersma (released), DE Brett Keisel, LB Larry Foote (Steelers), CB Chad Scott (released), S Chris Hope.
Free Agent Signings
Wilson signed a four-year, $8 million contract that included a $2 million signing bonus… Kicker Jeff Reed re-signed a five-year, $7.5 million contract that included a $1.5 million signing bonus… Cornerback Willie Williams re-signed a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed… Linebacker Larry Foote signed a five-year contract the day before he was to become a restricted free agent. Financial terms were not disclosed…
The Draft
Pittsburgh holds the No. 31 pick in the draft and might be targeting a tight end with that pick. They gave up on Jay Riemersma, who was an injury plagued disappointment during his two seasons with the club. Jerame Tuman is currently listed at the top of the tight end depth chart, but Cowher doesn't seem to consider him the long-term answer.
Heath Miller (Virginia) is widely regarded as the best tight end available in the draft and will likely go late in the first round, so there is a chance he will still be on the board when the Steelers go on the clock. Miller has good hands and the size to help assume some of Burress' duties in the red zone.
If Miller is not available, the Steelers will likely base their pick on some combination of need and best available player. Cowher will likely use that same equation to fill out the rest of the draft, which is particularly important to the Steelers. The specter of the salary cap is looming, meaning it's only a matter of time before their past free-spending ways catches up with the Steelers. The players selected this year could help ease the transition when the time comes to unload some hefty contracts in the coming years.
Injury Watch
Staley's hamstring injury will be a concern, but he was healthy enough to contribute during the playoffs and is expected to take part in the offseason workouts… Roethlisberger claims to have suffered a broken toe during the AFC Championship game. However, Steelers' head coach Bill Cowher disputed those claims, so we're honestly not sure what to believe. At any rate, Roethlisberger is expected to take part in all offseason workouts… The Steelers did not report any significant injuries for the AFC Championship game, so it appears they are a relatively healthy bunch heading into the 2005 campaign…