Comments on: Free agency inactivity secret to Steelers’ success?

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 02:47:36 +0000

Two word rebuttal: James Farrior.

By: mike

mike — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 05:18:16 +0000

True, but the point is that it’s not common in Pittsburgh for a free agent to be signed, and those that do often are there to provide depth. Farrior is one of the very few examples of players the Steelers signed as a free agent in the last ten years. It happens, but blue moons, albino deer and .500+ seasons for the Pirates are all more common.

By: Cotter

Cotter — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 14:57:54 +0000

I hear you loud and clear man. I agree. Why waste money on sub-par free agent starters (or would-be starters) when you can continue to successfully build championship caliber teams through the draft (for a lot less money)?

By: mike

mike — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:01:25 +0000

Looks like I beat the press to the punch this time:

What the Steelers have done during the free-agent signing period — or, better put, what they haven’t done — is more proof that the team prefers to replenish its roster the old-fashioned way. - Scott Brown, Tribune-Review

By: Carlos

Carlos — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:21:29 +0000

Although in theory I do agree with your premise and as a long time Steeler fan have always bragged about our ability to “grow” our own stars and future HOF’s. However, I would say that when the Steelers have committed themselves to filling some of our tradional “stalwart” positions, they rarely falter (see Jeff Harings, Kimo V., and last but not least Jerome Bettis who emobodied the Steeler spirit even though he didn’t get a chance to don the jersey until later in his career). The Steelers seem to be very good judges in not only finding the talent but the intangibles that the player(s) also have. Who would’ve ever thought that the bench riding Jerome Bettis of the St. Louis Rams would eventually turn out to be the face and attitude of the Pittsburgh Steelers and have such career turned around that he’s not only the most popular Steeler next to Terry Bradshaw, but is all but guaranteed to be a first ballot HOF’er. It has to warm your heart that SteelerNation resurrected this gem out of the pits of obscurity!

By: mike

mike — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:40:06 +0000

Thanks for the comment!

It does seem, though, that the vast majority of the media types (who I am, admittedly, not too fond of) are in agreement with me on this one. From ESPN:

Pittsburgh has not been very active this offseason, but that is the nature of the franchise. The Steelers were so successful under Cowher because they built effectively through the draft.

By: Neal

Neal — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 11:20:33 +0000

It’s not like you’re pointing out a new trend or anything. It’s common knowledge that the Steelers would rather rebuild through the draft, and they excel in doing so. This argument came to its highest point back in 1999, when we lost half our team to free agency, and didn’t replenish any position adequately.

However, I disagree with your three levels of free agency. As another poster mentioned before, James Farrior, Jeff Hartings, Kimo von Oelhoffen and the Great Jerome Bettis (he did not ride the bench when with the Rams, however, he just didn’t get along with the coaching staff) do not fit in your criteria. All of them had their best seasons in Pittsburgh.

You can also point to Ryan Clark and Cedrick Wilson - both players came in to start at some point for the Steelers, and have been valuable assets. If I wanted to be nitpicky, I’d point out that Willie Parker was not drafted, therefore, was technically a free agent.

I think it’s misleading to suggest the Steelers don’t go after free agents. They go after the right players to fit their team. In today’s NFL, no team can draft 22 starters. They have consistently brought in players to fill roles. In other words, guys like Najeh Davenport and Rodney Bailey are better examples of the kinds of players the Steelers go after in FA, and neither are going to give media outlets much fodder.

That’s fine with me.

By: mike

mike — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 19:05:27 +0000

Point well taken. I did leave out the fact that there certainly are good deals among the free agents available — the guys who are good and inexpensive, but just didn’t fit with the needs of the team, or the guys who are quality players but there’s no room on the roster for them. I guess I was in a bit of a cynical mood that day.

I have to say, though, that Davenport was cast off by Green Bay largely due to his inability to stay healthy — and he finished 2006 on IR for the Steelers. He’ll be a 3rd back and the short yardage guy, but he’s not durable enough to be any more than that.