what free agents should they resign

<p>OF THE 18 UNRESTRICED FREE AGENTS WHO WOULD RESIGN AND WHAT TO DO WITH James Harrison AND WILLY CALLON<br /><br />RESIGN<br /><br />LARRY FOOTE TO LEAGUE MIN<br /><br />ROMAN FOSTER<br /><br />DOUG LEGURSKY<br /><br />KEENAN LEWIS<br /><br />MAX STARKS<br /><br />PLAXICO BURRESS<br /><br />SIGN ALL OF THE RFA  TO MIN TENDERS<br /><br />THEY HAVE TO EITHER CUT HARRISON OR GET HIM TO TAKE A PAY CUT AND THE SAME THING HAS TO HAPPEN TO WILLY COLON AND BRET KEISEL <br /><br />AND CUT JERRICHO COTEHERY <br /><br />RESTRUCTURE  THE CONTRACTS OF BEN WOODLEY AND TIMMONS AND THAT SHOULD PUT US IN DECENT CAP SHAPE<br /><br />AND THEN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS PULL OFF A DRAFT CLASS LIKE THEY DID IN 1974 AND WE WILL BE IN GREAT SHAPE TO MAKE A SUPERBOWL RUN ALMOST FORGOT ONETHING KEEP EVERYONE HEALTHY AND GET WOODLEY TO LOSE ABOUT 20LBS                       </p>

Foster and Lewis

You got to keep Max Starks, the only guy to play all 16  games, and we hardly even noticed him, that's a good thing...... Keenan Lewis is another guy this team needs. Over time, the better CB might end up being Cortez Allen, this kid is making splash plays and creating turnovers, just what the D needs.  I also think we need Ramon Foster, but I feel he plays better on the right side.

  Definitely keep Cotchery, the Steelers are gonna need receivers once Wallace leaves.  He signed for 2 years for 3 million in 2012.

I think Starks, Lewis and Wallace are the three most important players. A rb and guard should be easier to replace via the draft. I would also like to keep mendenhall but I'm nt convinces its gonna happen. Foster may end up with Arians, possibly the Bears.

Max Starks - that's a tough one. Love the guy but he's just not good enough in the running game IMO. I'd rather have Adams at LT. He's proven he's a mauler and he has the feet to protect Ben - just needs to work on his hands which makes the next O-line coach a pivotal decision. Some are calling for Tunch Ilkin which from what I've read would be a phenomenal hire. Apparently he was highly sought after by Cowher but he wanted to spend time with his family. Now they are grown and it's said he has the coaching itch.

Ramon Foster - a different breed. He has said he'll stay for less money which is probably driving his agent nuts. Very good in-line blocker but doesn't have the athletic ability to pull. Where is the Steelers offense going? It's pretty hard to find a guy that dominates one-on-one and also has the ability to pull. Their plans for Colon are a big part of this decision I believe.

Keenan Lewis - thought he was gone based on some of his comments but now he's come out and said he's been misquoted and is not looking to break the bank. Wexell has a "solid source" that says he wants 5 yrs, 35 million. Not sure how I feel about that. It's definitely reasonable and long term if he continues to improve it would be an outright bargain when the salary cap increases. But will he continue to improve? Will he develop better ball skills?

Mike Wallace - all indications are he doesn't want to come back and the Steelers don't want him back. See ya Mike. No hard feelings.

You let Wallace walk he is going to want more money than he is worth.

Wexell has a "solid source" that says [Lewis] wants 5 yrs, 35 million. 

That seems like a lot of cheddar for Keenan Lewis...

SP,

Not trying to call you out, 5yrs 35 Mill is a steal. I like Lewis alot, and I wouold be totally comfotable rolling into next season w/ Lewis and Allen as the starting CBs w/ Brown in the nickle..... Does that mean Ike's done?

Not trying to call you out, 5yrs 35 Mill is a steal. I like Lewis alot, and I wouold be totally comfotable rolling into next season w/ Lewis and Allen as the starting CBs w/ Brown in the nickle..... Does that mean Ike's done?

Cap I think we need to see a few more seasons from Lewis before we call that contract a steal. He played 1300+ snaps the last two seasons and has one interception. I get that LeBeau's defense plays a part in that but some guys (Allen) seem to have ball skills and others just do not.

If Ike Taylor stays this year you could make the argument that Lewis is our third CB with the way Cortez played late in the year. That's a lot of dough.

Not saying you're wrong, just think the Steelers are rolling the dice a little by giving him a deal like that.

Cap I think we need to see a few more seasons from Lewis before we call that contract a steal. He played 1300+ snaps the last two seasons and has one interception. I get that LeBeau's defense plays a part in that but some guys (Allen) seem to have ball skills and others just do not.

I know you may have been illuding to it but the Steelers over the last two years have struggled to get pressure on opposing QB's and that coud certainly be a factor in the lack of interceptions.

In an ideal world you would have two corners with ball skills but over the years I've been more than happy with what Ike has brought to the table and lewis looks of a similar mold. Tbh if the steelers go Lewis and Allen next season that could be the start of a great tandem with different qualities.

Not saying you're wrong, just think the Steelers are rolling the dice a little by giving him a deal like that.

Lewis has improved every season to the point were he is now a solid starter and you have to pay the going rate and like someone said it could prove a bargain down the line. Lewis showed a lot this year and really impressed me playing hurt at the end of the season in an effort to get his team in he playiffs, that is a priceless quality.

Beach,

Three reasons why:

1.) Top flight CBs in the NFL make 10 Mil +. He earned a contarct in the 5yr 35 Mil range this year. He played frick'en great. Plus, NFL contracts aren't real. guarnteed money is all that matters. - Would I like to see a three year, 20 Mil deal? Sure, but look at the numbers. Something can get done here.

2.) This is the NFL w/ a salary cap. You don't get to stock pile players like the 70s. - You know that already. - To me the choice is keep either Ike or Lewis..... You are rolling the dice either way. Can Lewis play at the same level or better going forward? Can Ike stay at a high level, dude's 33 this year. The Steelers know when to let an aging vet go....- Me, I roll young guy.

3 or 2B.) Age does matter! Troy, Clark, and Ike are all over thirty. At some point, you have to make a move. esp when you have a young talented guy..... You just don't let young and talented walk out the door.

Just my opinion. Wonder what the Steelers will do?

All good points Cap. I guess I'd just love to have a couple of CBs that take the football away. Seems like until Cortez came along it was Troy or no one when it came to INTs.

As I said before ... I don't really know how to feel about it at this point. I'm pretty much split down the middle.

It's tough to find corners that can cover, play the ball, and tackle.  Ike Taylor has proved over the years to be great at covering and tackling.  Lewis so far has shown to be good at the same skill set as Ike.  Allen has shown that he is capable of all three.  To me Allen is the guy the Steelers need to sign to a long term deal.  

Ike is under contract I don't see anything changing. 

Lewis is an URFA so he will be able ot go out and find the highest and best offer.  He was quoted as saying the Steelers made a mistake by not extending him last off season. No he is saying he never said that and all negotions will go through his agent.  I doubt he will be back. He's going to get paid and I doubt it will be by the Steelers.

The Steelers should take the same approach to Allen as they did with Brown.  Sign him now to long term contract for mid range money.  If Allen comes out this next season and plays the way he finished the season the Steelers will not be able to afford him.   

The Steelers need to cut Colon. He stayed healthy longer than normal but he is never going to make it through a season.  He has a big cap number. The Steelers will carry some dead cap if they cut him but cutting him is better than absorbing his whole cap number only to see him finish the season on IR. 

Ramon Foster needs to be brought back.  They can probably sign him for reasonable money.  He has been good and getting better in my opinion. He has also been consistently injury free.

If I'm not mistaken Legursky is a URFA.  Correct me if I am wrong. They need to bring him back and should be able to at a reasonable price. He's not a starter but he's a solid back up at both G and C.  

             

6xaj8,

Did you see the hit in the knees Colon took from Suggs? Is he injury prone? IDK....

I thought the running game was awesome when Colon and Adams were in there..... Was it more Adams than Colon? Was it more Colon than Adams? Was it both? Once Colon got the penalties under control, I thought he was playing at a pro bowl level, and it looked to me like he was the leader of the O-line. - Shrug - Again, I wish I could be at practices and in the locker room.

I think we need to see a few more seasons from Lewis

That's all I'm saying.
At least one more season. 

If I'm not mistaken Legursky is a URFA.  Correct me if I am wrong

No I believe you are correct.

Did you see the hit in the knees Colon took from Suggs? Is he injury prone? IDK....

I did see that hit. I also know that this is the third season in a row that Colon has finished on IR. Since signing his new contract Willie has played a total of 13 games in three seasons.  

He looked great when he played but with a base cap number of 5.5 million I think it's a big gamble to bring him back.  The Steelers are going to be restrained by the cap and some young players due new contracts.


    

Hopefully, he will be back at a reduced rate.