Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 Free Agency Grades: Part 2 – Those That Got Away
Restructured Contracts
I’ll be brief with this, but I wanted to point out that three key Steelers have gone and restructured their contracts with the team in order to help make the cap. Big Ben, Brett Keisel and James Harrison all have decided to restructure their contracts. For two of these players (and I hate to be cynical about it) this move is a bit more about PR than it is about making the cap. Ben is in positive PR overdrive since his four game suspension last season (after this and wearing Starks’ jersey what’s next – shining Pouncey’s helmet?), and Harrison is in no better shape. He needed something desperately to show his teammates he is ready to turn the corner. There’s a bit of a misconception about restructuring. There’s a lot of fans out there that think it means a player takes less money. They don’t. They just get more of it upfront and less ‘salary.’ That helps the cap. It’s seen as a big deal for the players because it’s an adjustment to the original contract and gives a leg up to ownership by setting past practice on altering that agreement. So kudos to those three, regardless of what exactly the motivation was.
Grade: A
Those That Got Away
Matt Spaeth – This is undoubtedly the biggest kerfuffle by the Steelers with regards to free agency. Spaeth is a very solid TE and is one of the better run and pass blocking TE’s in the league (next to Heath). Did they not want to offer him enough money because he doesn’t have quite the soft hands that Miller has? The only other available TE is David Johnson… yeah the guy who usually plays a fullback style position when he’s on the field. What makes this loss hurt even more is the signing of John Gilmore. I’m not damning the man before he even takes the field for the Steelers, but his receiving numbers aren’t any better than Spaeth’s. I’ll be scratching my head on this one for a long time. Best of luck Matt, you will be missed by this citizen of Steelers Nation.
Grade: F
Daniel Graham – The Steelers, on the same day/weekend they courted Plaxico Burress, were trying to wheel and deal with Daniel Graham. Graham, 5 years the senior to Spaeth, played for New England and Denver. His receiving numbers were better than Spaeth’s and is known as a fairly decent blocking TE. The Titans in less time than it took for Graham to check his bags on a flight out of Pittsburgh swooped in and cut a deal with Graham. I don’t think the Steelers were expecting much competition for Graham and lost out. Were they too distracted by Burress being on campus? Either way – bad move to let this guy go after you just lost your dependable #2 TE.
Grade: D+
Plaxico Burress – Too many cooks in the kitchen. Bad fit. Bad work ethic. Good no-sign. Lots of folks thought he would be a good addition, and numerous players spoke in favor of the guy… but… no thanks. It wouldn’t have turned out good for anyone. The Steelers would have been out 4 million for one year and one clutch catch away from winning a playoff game. Have fun with Rexy. I hear he has a tattoo.
Grade: A
Tiki Barber – Who?
Grade: A
I busted the Steelers’ chops over not signing Burress. Even though I knew he was a bad fit for the team, it really worried me that they could court a player for so long, have a team that could make it back to the Super Bowl and lose that player to the AFC Championship losers. They lost Spaeth, Graham and now couldn’t seal the deal with Burress. I was wondering would they even be able to sign Tiki Barber if they wanted to, it was looking that bleak.
Got Away Grade: D+
Free agency is not over, and teams across the league will more than likely add a player or two and lose a few more before August 4th. But for now, the Steelers have made some necessary roster moves, and lost out on others. I’m almost suspicious that with Ben, Harrison and Keisel restructuring the Steelers are working on a big deal in the next day or two. It’s either that or they really did give Taylor everything and the kitchen sink to bring him back. I hope (like I wouldn’t) that all these FA moves prove smart moves from Colbert and Co. as the season progresses. Here’s to a good rest of camp and the start of another run to a Super Bowl championship!
Overall Free Agency Grade: B-
Feel free to tell me what you think the Steelers should be graded for FA in the comments section.