SteelerWatch

DRAFT POTENTIAL:
- Day 1: ONE WORD: NO.
- Day 2: LATE, BUT IT WILL HAPPEN.

Ah, the meat of the defense.

For a 3-4 defense, the middle linebacker position is vitally important. Because of the smaller number of linemen, the MLBs must be built larger but still have big-time speed. They’re called on to be the primary run stoppers and are often asked to drop into coverage. They play the spies on the defense, watching a quarterback’s every move. Each one is required to cover his side of the field on outside runs. And, at least in defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s zone-blitzing scheme, they are called on to take a shot at the quarterback, too.

Compare that to the middle linebacker in a 4-3: in this defense, they are fast and often much smaller than their 3-4 counterparts. With only one on the field at a time, they are more often than not assigned to coverage rolls, taking on backs in the flat or tight ends over the middle. The speed is needed for more than coverage, though. On running plays, they need to be able to run down carries that go outside the tackles. This means they are responsible for an area of the field that stretches from sideline to sideline. However, because of the single MLB on the field, their job is often diminished and is viewed as more of a support role.

Right now, the Steelers do not possess a 4-3 MLB. The closest they could come is Rian Wallace, but his lack of NFL experience would hinder that idea. It’s more than likely the team will at least attempt some 4-3 plays this season, and it’s a good bet they will simply accept the slight disadvantage they would face with either of their current starters — James Farrior and Larry Foote — filling the role.

From a 3-4 perspective, though, the team is as stout as always. Farrior led the team in tackles again last year, as he did in 2005. Larry Foote was second on the team both years. There hasn’t been much production from the other guys on the depth chart, because these two have been relatively healthy over the last several years.

Okay, that’s the good news. The bad news is the two will combine for over $7.5 million in cap dollars. That’s a lot of money. And Farrior, one of the most important players from a defensive perspective, is entering his 11th season. That doesn’t leave him with many productive years left. Foote will be entering his 6th season and has really started to hit a groove on the field, so he won’t be much of a concern. However, the backups have very little experience. Clint Kriewaldt, an eight-year veteran and a career backup, has just 63 tackles in his career. Rian Wallace has just nine in two seasons. Wallace was a 5th round draft pick and Kriewaldt wasn’t drafted.

The good news is that the Steelers at least have some depth. That’s more than they can say at some other positions, particularly on the offensive line and outside linebacker. They’ll draft someone for the position, but it won’t happen before round 6 unless they make some moves to get more picks. Chances are they won’t look at anyone in free agency, especially given the bloated salaries being negotiated this offseason. They’ll draft someone with potential, possibly from a Division II school. Coach Mike Tomlin will be looking for versatility because of the multiple looks the team will undoubtedly have this season.

DRAFT POTENTIAL:
- Day 1: DEFINITELY
- Day 2: THEY MAY TAKE ANOTHER

If the nose tackle is the grunt in a 3-4 defense, then the outside linebackers are the glamor. Most of a team’s defensive production comes from this position. OLBs are the Swiss Army Knives of a defense: run stoppers, pass defenders and pass rushers. While nearly every defensive position on the field performs these same duties at one time or another, they don’t see such an even mix.

For several years, Joey Porter has been the Steelers’ go-to outside linebacker. He did it all on the field and had a reputation for being ferocious. On the Ladder of Nastiness, he stood just a single rung below Jack Lambert and Greg Lloyd, who personified Steeler defense. No one on the team talked a bigger game, and unlike a lot of players around the league, Porter backed it up — most of the time.

Now, Joey Porter is gone, having been cut in a salary cap move and subsequently signed with the Miami Dolphins. That leaves a big hole, but not as big as some people think.

Porter survived last season based largely on his reputation. His play slipped, primarily in pass coverage and run defense. While registering a team-leading seven sacks and two interceptions in 2006, the normal crispness in his play never seemed to be there. Missed assignments and blown coverage plagued his play all season, and a pulled hamstring sidelined him for the final two games of the season.

Opposite the defense from Porter is Clark Haggans, who is older than Porter but seems to just now be hitting the prime of his career. Haggans registered 21 more tackles than Porter, and only one fewer sack. Unfortunately, someone had to be a cap victim this season. Haggans’ smaller cap number, combined with his productivity and less wear and tear, made it a no-brainer. He is viewed by many as having more left in his tank, and is simply more affordable.

Behind these two are James Harrison and Arnold Harrison (no relation that I’m aware of). Both wound up on injured reserved in 2006, but the two played well in the little time they were on the field. Of them, James has the most experience by far, having played in every game in 2004 and 2005 and 11 in 2006 before being injured. Arnold has seen action in just seven games in his career.

In the immediate future, expect the 2007 starters to be Clark Haggans and James Harrison. They are prototypical Steelers linebackers and both have the speed to drop into coverage. Harrison is a better run stopper than Porter was, but lacks the instincts Porter has to penetrate the pocket when his number is called for a pass rush.

Down the road, though, we may see more of Arnold Harrison. He has excellent speed for a 3-4 OLB, and shows potential for a smooth transition to the 4-3 defense we’re all speculating Mike Tomlin would eventually like to use. The position would transfer more to containment on the outside, which was not Porter’s forte. Both Harrisons, as well as Haggans, have the speed and tackling abilities to excel in either defense, and Arnold Harrison may have the best run-stopping abilities of all three.

When draft day rolls around, the Steelers likely will take an outside linebacker on Day One. They have no depth at the position now that Porter is gone and desperately need backups. They’ve already brought in a free agent for discussions, and may well wind up signing him. Expect at least three OLBs to be added to the roster by training camp for a total of six, with four likely making it through the September cuts.

DRAFT POTENTIAL:
- Day 1: MAYBE LATE
- Day 2: VERY POSSIBLE

Defensive end, like most positions on the roster, is unstable at best. The two starters, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel, are signed through 2011 and 2009, respectively. Both players had good years, with Keisel completing his first season as a starter after taking over for the departed Kimo Von Oelhoffen. But depth is quickly becoming a problem for the Steelers, and defensive end is one of the places it will quickly rear its ugly head.

Backup left end Rodney Bailey is currently an unrestricted free agent, and the team has made no effort, or even signaled any intention, to re-sign him. On the right side of the line, the team has a lot of money wrapped up for 2007 in backup Travis Kirschke, who is scheduled to make $1.6 million to sit the bench and play special teams. On top of that, Kirschke is possibly in his last season in the league — he’s a 32-year-old, 10-year veteran with a slim chance of becoming a starter at this point in his career. Certainly not in Pittsburgh, and probably no where else.

The starters, however, are worth their money. Keisel signed a $13.1 million contract before the 2006 season and Aaron Smith just signed an extension that will pay him more than $24 million through 2011.

The only concern with the starters at this point is Aaron Smith’s age. 2007 will be his ninth season, and at age 30 is reaching the point when most guys in the trenches begin to consider retirement. His age aside, however, Smith has been one of the Steelers’ most consistent, dependable players since he was drafted.

While only two years younger than Smith, Keisel has nearly 40 fewer games under his belt and, obviously, 40 fewer contests in which he could have picked up dings and dents. The undrafted free agent — which is becoming a bit of a trend for Steeler starters — finished 2006 with 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks, both good, solid numbers in a 3-4 defense where the linebackers get the vast majority of the statistical action.

With a potential switch to a 4-3 defense looming on the horizon, both players may have to slim down and speed up a little in order to fit properly into the scheme. Getting smaller isn’t all that hard; getting faster is, especially when Keisel and Smith are 28 and 30 years old. Expect at least one defensive end to be drafted or picked up in free agency, and you can be certain he will be closer to 270 pounds than 300 pounds.

This year’s draft has a strong class of defensive ends, with at least five expected to go in the first round. Unfortunately, the Steelers have far more immediate needs to fill, because Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson would be a good fit in black and gold — although Adams would likely be moved to outside linebacker, at least for now, because of his smaller size.

As for free agents, the best prospect of the year never even hit the market: Philadelphia made it a major priority to re-sign Juqua Thomas, and they accomplished that. There are some young players available who may work as development players, but there are no current standouts available.

Expect the Steelers to start swinging away from the huge roadblock defensive ends and more toward the smaller, faster variety that works best in the 4-3 defense Mike Tomlin covets.

Peezy isn’t gone a week and the ‘Burgh apparently has its new Bad Boy — or, at least, some weirdo guy named Chris Graham seems to think so.

According to a police report filed over the weekend, Graham was approached by cornerback Deshea Townsend and the Invisible Steeler, Raymond Burgess. I say invisible because Graham identified Burgess as someone he recognized as a Steeler. Burgess is in no way affiliated with the team. With that statement alone, Graham’s report of the entire story immediately loses any hope of being accurate.

For his part, Townsend has not denied that an altercation occurred between Graham and Burgess. He denies, however, Grahams assertion that Townsend repeatedly punched him in the face.

Witnesses apparently include police officers, and they say Townsend only broke up the fight. That’s a much more believable perspective, considering Townsend’s demeanor. Think back to the days when DeWayne Washington was a Steeler: he and Townsend made for what was inarguably the most docile cornerback tandem in league history.

The entire story is over at the Post-Gazette. They tell it better than I do; they’re the news outlet, I just spew out my own take on things. And besides, it’s about time I return some more of their Link Love.

DRAFT POTENTIAL:
- Day 1: THAT’S REALLY FUNNY!
- Day 2: STILL SILLY, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE

Today we start taking a look at the Steelers’ defense. The series will run through the end of March.

It didn’t seem possible way back in March of 2000, but a better nose tackle than Joel Steed would emerge in Pittsburgh, and his name was Casey Hampton. The 6′01″ behemoth has held between 315 and 325 pounds his entire career, and he knows how to throw it around better than anyone else at the position. In a 3-4 defense, a huge, ridiculously powerful nose tackle is a must, and Hampton goes beyond prototypical to almost-supernatural.

Filling Steed’s shoes was a big task, but Hampton quickly stepped up and took control of the defensive line. Flanked by Kimo Von Oelhoffen and Arron Smith most of his career, the three put together one of the best run-stuffing groups in recent memory, consistently ranking in the top five in the league in yards per carry against.

Hampton is a special player. Alongside Troy Polamalu, Alan Faneca, Ben Roethlisberger and, to a slightly lesser extend Hines Ward, Hampton is without a doubt one of a small group of players who are simply indispensable.

Behind Hampton is Chris Hoke. The funny thing about the situation is that Hoke could easily be starting for a number of teams. His size is largely comparable to that of Hampton but his technique leaves a little to be desired. Granted, displacing Hampton in the lineup would be a titanic task, both figuratively and literally, but Hoke certainly has the skills to step up when needed and is more than an adequate replacement for Hampton if needed.

Basically, a 3-4 Steelers defense simply doesn’t need another nose tackle. The big question mark here, though, is how much 4-3 Mike Tomlin is going to introduce into the playbook. While these two would make a good 4-3 defensive line into a phenomenal defensive line, playing them both at the same time makes for a dramatically increased chance of disaster through injury. If the team will utilize a 4-3 defense in any way, shape or form, they will need to find a third tackle for their roster. So here’s a tell-tale sign of what the team plans to do defensively for the 2007 season: if they draft a defensive tackle or sign one of the free agents available, they will utilize the 4-3 defense to some extent. If not, this season will remain strictly 3-4. Without a third option, there is no way they can run a 4-3 without it carrying an immense risk.

If a nose tackle is drafted, don’t expect it on day one. With the kind of talent the team already has at the position, they would be drafting a 3rd-string player, at least for 2007. That’s because Hoke’s contract runs out after the 2007 season. Hampton is locked in through 2009, and his salaray cap numbers actually decrease after this season.

Expect the Steelers to start looking at nose tackles no sooner than round five. That puts players like Kansas State’s Quintin Echols (6′01″, 328 pounds) or Florida’s Joe Cohen (6′03″, 313 pounds) on the map for Pittsburgh. Neither of them posess the kind of strength Hampton has, but then again few players in the league do — at the Pro Bowl strength competition, Hampton was bested only by Larry Allen, who managed to lift the 225-pound bar a mere one more time than Hampton. But Echols matches Hampton pound for pound, while Cohen’s smaller size would make him a more likely fit in a 4-3 scheme.

A switch to more 4-3 isn’t very predictable until next season, even if a defensive tackle is drafted this season. The team will likely experiment with it if a third tackle is added, but the tell-tale sign of more dramatic change in defensive philosophy will be whether they re-sign Hoke next year.

A bottle of chianti and some strawberries? Nope, a different kind of tender love. Max Starks and Brian St. Pierre have been offered tenders, meaning the Steelers retain Right of First Refusal for the two players. By offering the tenders, the team has the right to match any offer sheet submitted by another team. If the players sign the tender sheets, they are effectively signed to the amount offered for the season and are no longer available for free agency.

The Steelers may be eligible for compensatory draft picks depending on the amounts offered in the tenders, if they choose not to match the offers made by other teams. Compensation for Starks is a first round pick, while St. Pierre would be worth a 5th round pick. The pick is essentially transferred to the Steelers from the player’s new team, so anyone making an offer to Starks must already have a first round pick available. With the wealth of offensive linemen available in the draft this year, it would be in the team’s best interest to consider letting Starks — the new owner of the Captain Erratic title ever since Tommy Maddox left — go to a new team.

During Bill Cowher’s tenure in Pittsburgh, the Steelers had a long list of linebackers who had a bit of a bad-boy image: Levon Kirkland, Jason Gildon, Kendrell Bell, Joey Porter. Friday ended with the release of Porter, and now the group has a more anonymous, preachers’ kids feel.

Sure, Clark Haggans has a nasty streak in him, and Larry Foote has his post-sack Stomp dance, but there’s just no one left to fear.

I don’t want to spoil the linebacker capsule in the Before the Draft series (defensive coverage begins Monday), so I won’t go too much into detail, but Mike Tomlin needs to make one of his top priorities finding a linebacker who other teams will fear. The blue-collar work ethic in Pittsburgh is vital, but losing Porter meant losing the team’s pulse. That’s not to say I never figured this would happen, or even to say that I didn’t think it was actually the right move, but the locker room just isn’t going to be the same unless someone vocal steps up to lead. Maybe it’s Anthony Smith, the high-stepping, receiver-taunting safety who held the ball up to his ear to make sure everyone chasing after him saw him heading to the end zone for six points. Cowher put the kibosh on that sort of attitude, at least with everyone but Porter. And it was because he let Porter be his ornery, vocal self that this defense had the swagger and attitude of an unstoppable force, even when they were down on their luck,

I dread thinking where Porter may end up. The Ravens released their top linebacker in a salary cap move; maybe Porter takes a pay cut to avenge his release. Unlikely, because he likes his money. But there’s a chance.

I expect to see him on San Francisco, more likely. Or, perhaps, in Philadelphia. I shudder to think that, but they have cap room and could move him to defensive end in their 4-3 defense. Or, he could follow so many other Steelers to New England.

I knew it would be a sad day to see Joey in another team’s colors. While I felt it was the right move to make, part of me wishes it didn’t have to come to this. It’s that part that’s afraid that there’s no longer a bad boy in Pittsburgh to be feared.

Well, Joey, we’ll miss ya.

It’s looking more and more like the Steelers are going to release Joey Porter prior to March 6, when he’s due a cool mil for a roster bonus. His age (30 on March 22) and last season’s perceived decline in play undoubtedly have the minds in the front office spinning right now, but can the Steelers really afford to lose him?

If Troy Polamalu is the face of the Steelers, and Alan Faneca is the voice, Porter is the attitude. He’s no-frills, speaks his mind, and he’ll rip you apart if you’re not wearing black and gold and you’re holding a football — and the football part is usually optional. He does his job, and he also puts a little adrenaline into Pittsburgh’s pulse.

But is he really worth the $6 million-plus he’s due this year?

On the other side of the linebacker corps. is Clark Haggans who, like Porter, turns 30 this year. His price tag is more than $2.5 million less than Porter’s this season, and he’s got less actual playing time under his belt, meaning he’s not nearly as dinged up. Porter missed several games in 2006 with injuries, has been shot in an off-field incident in Denver, and likely will be asking for a lot more money after the season is up. He was already unhappy heading into 2006, but was talked out of a lengthy hold-out.

The problem here is his reputation. He’s loved in Pittsburgh, not so much for what he’s done, but for what he says during the days leading up to big games. He has a tendency to absorb most of the media attention when the team is headed to the national stage, leaving the rest of the team to stay more focused on the task at hand. It works for Joey because he got such high intensity that his performance seems to improve when he’s been in a battle of words from Monday through Saturday. Because of the aura that surrounds him in the eyes of Pittsburgh fans, it’s hard for us to justify letting him go.

But from a football perspective, what kind of hole would he leave? I’ts probably safe to say that his presence on the field has elevated Haggans’ performance, partly because of his ability to motivate his teammates, but largely because he attracts the most attention, often leaving Haggans in the weaker matchup. I’m not completely sure Haggans is ready, or will ever be ready, to be the leader of an historically stellar group of linebackers. Neither is James Harrison, Porter’s likely successor if he is sent packing. While Harrison played great until his season ended in injury, his biggest claim to fame thus far has been the hit he laid down in Cleveland on Christmas Eve 2005 — not on a Browns quarterback, but rather a Browns fan who broke bad on the cops trying to chase him down.

There’s always the hope of doing with Porter what was done with Aaron Smith: a restructured contract that costs less now but a whole lot more in a few years, when Porter’s age has become an even greater factor.

The clock is ticking in the Steelers’ front office, and they know it. They officially will have five more days to decide what to do once they close shop tonight. There really are only three likely possibilities:

1) They have no intentions of releasing Joey now, and will wait out the final season of his contract to decide what to do;

2) The restructuring of Smith’s contract was an indication that they are trying to free up money to be able to keep Porter — and a mess of other players who will be 2008 free agents — around town;

or

3) Bye bye, Big Guy.

Defensive end Aaron Smith has been signed to a five-year contract extension, putting him solidly on the line through 2012 2011. 21

The standout defensive player’s contract details were not announced, but his salary cap number for 2007 is roughly $6.8 million, so the contract he signed was undoubtedly enormous. However, the contract may have included a restructuring of his 2007 numbers, or a drop in base salary for the next few years to keep his cap number lower for 2008-2009. More details to follow.

Update #1: The Post Gazette reports the final year of his current contract was nullified by the new contract, potentially saving the Steelers a lot of money this season by eliminating his ginormous 2007 cap number.

Update #2: The new contract is believed to be worth $25 million over the next five years, including $12 million between the 2007 and 2008 seasons. No specifics were given and it’s not yet clear whether the $25 million includes a signing bonus. The new deal means Smith will likely finish his career in Pittsburgh.

This is why I love Pittsburgh.

One state away, nine Cincinnati Bengals have been arrested in the last year, from DUIs to weapons charges. In fact, all around the league, it seems like there are players always in trouble with the law. But not in the ‘Burgh.

In fact, the Steelers are basically the antithesis to the rest of the league when it comes to criminal behavior. Think back to Byron “Bam” Morris, the then-up-and-coming star running back who was caught with marijuana. Three days later, he was fired — even though he was leading the team in rushing and was in the top five around the league. Nine Bengals were arrested and nine Bengals are still employed. It’s just a different attitude — honesty-is-the-best-policy versus win-at-all-costs.

It’s not shocking, then, that DeShea Townsend, a former Steelers cornerback, was once featured in a United Way commercial that ran for three seasons. It’s also no shock that two current players have been honored this week for their work in the community.

Running back Verron Haynes was honored Tuesday by the City Council and had the day named in his honor because of his involvement in the Pittsburgh community. Haynes is the Steelers’ spokesman for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania. You can read the entire article at Steelers.com. For those of us who aren’t fortunate enough to live in or around Pittsburgh anymore, we don’t get to see all the effort the team makes to improve the city. This may be the best story people outside Pittsburgh won’t hear this year.

Also honored was safety Troy Polamalu, inarguably the heart and soul of the entire team. Polamalu was named the 2007 Downtown Pittsburgh YMCA’s Person of the Year. Polamalu has a history of giving back to the Pittsburgh community and, given his humble nature and strong work ethic, it’s no surprise that he has been honored by an organization that works to educate and improve our communities nationwide. Again, see the complete article at Steelers.com.