Steelers Morning Huddle 2/13/14

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Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The month’s of February, July, and everything in-between  can be a little dry for football fans.  Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered.  This is your one stop shop for recent Steelers news.

Kevin Colbert on the Draft, Free Agency, and Offseason Strategy.

ESPN’s Scott Brown released an article earlier today that showcased Kevin Colbert’s recent talks with the media.  Colbert said, “It’s as deep across the board as any draft I’ve seen in 30 years.”  That’s saying something, considering that Colbert has been in the business since 1985.  This is good news for the Steelers, as they have needs across the board year.  With considerable needs at cornerback, defensive line, inside linebacker, and wide receiver, hopefully they can find some talent at multiple positions.  Colbert also talked about the Steelers’ situation in free agency.  He said that the Steelers have had preliminary talks with a number of their free agents.  Among that group was highly touted outside linebacker Jason Worilds.  Hopefully the Steelers do everything they can to bring Worilds back, although Colbert did say that he didn’t anticipate using the franchise tag this year.  Colbert finished off the talks by saying that the Steelers are “never going to say, OK, we’re not going to be a contender, let’s gut this thing and start over.”  Let’s hope for everyone’s sake that this stays the case for the foreseeable future.

Steelers Intend to Draft a Tall Receiver

It is well documented among Steelers Nation, that the team has two free agents this offseason.  Those two receivers are Emmanuel Sanders and Jericho Cotchery.  According to Gerry Dulac during his weekly chat, the Steelers’ front office has plans to replace those two.  In the chat Dulac said, “Their intent is to take a tall receiver early — they have already indicated  that to Ben Roethlisberger”.  This is an issue that leaves Steelers Nation split down the middle.  Some encourage an early draft pick of receiver or tight end, others think that the team should wait until the third round or later.  I am of the later opinion.  The Steelers’ front office has many more needs to address until they target a receiver, namely on defense.  Dulac doesn’t think that the team will be actively searching for a receiver in the free agent market either.  This opinion I can agree with.  It is very easy to find a receiver that is capable of contributing immediately in the third of fourth rounds of the draft, so why look any other direction.

Steelers, Reportedly, Have Work to Do

According to NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk, this may be the case.  The one problem for the Steelers’ brass that almost always pops up during the offseason is the salary cap.  Mike Florio thinks it could be a bigger issue this year than in years past.  In the article he said, “Despite missing the playoffs in each of the last two years, the Steelers have shown an ability to consistently contend for postseason berths.  Recently, they’ve been unable to develop the kind of young talent that previously stepped in when older players left or were cut.”  Nobody can deny that the Steelers’ front office and coaches have digressed in the department of scouting or player development.  If it were up to me, the front office could free up this space by restructuring and extending current contracts.  They could also cut some players who have, not to name names, been frequently injured and out of shape.  Not to mention their contributions, or lack there of, to the clubhouse. *cough* LaMarr Woodley and Levi Brown *cough*.  It should take considerable amounts of planning and tough decisions, but the Steelers should be able to finagle themselves out of this mess.