Personnel of the 2009-2010 Pittsburgh Steelers and Beyond...

[davaughnci]

In short, this thread is intended to provide a quick reference in reminding us who we've got, how long we've got 'em and how much they might have left. I will be updating it as necessary and urge everyone to alert me to anything that has happened that I have not yet recorded. In other words, don't hesitate to punt my posterior into gear if I fail to provide updates in a timely manner.

Please keep in mind that, in terms of clarity, accessibility and comprehensiveness, this is a work in progress and I gladly welcome any ideas any of you have to make those properties better. I'll just start simple and add dimensions and components one by one.

Also, please note that as soon as a player has played out his contract year, he will be taken off of the roster and only placed on it again if and when that player is re-signed. If and until they are re-signed by the Steelers, signed by another team or it is otherwise indicated that they will not be re-signed, they will be placed on either the Restricted or Unrestricted Free Agent list below the team roster.

Below is a key that should make interpretation of the roster clear and, in turn, the roster itself more readily accessible:


Contract Years:

2012 + (Actual contract year in parentheses), 4+ years remaining
2011, 3 years remaining
2010, 2 years remaining
2009, 1 year remaining
Undisclosed or Reserve/Future Contract
Unsigned Rookie Draftee/Rookie Signee


Age:

The age indicated next to each player is the age the player will be on December 31st of that player's final contract year.


Positional Grade:

*****Championship Caliber
****Above Average
***Average
**Below Average
*Horrendous


Positional Future Stability:

*Locked Up for the Long Haul
*Pretty Set for the Foreseeable Future
*Demands a Little Future Attention or Consideration
*Demands Relatively Prompt or Immediate Attention


The Pittsburgh Steelers

2009-2010 and Beyond...


Team Positional Grades:

Offense
Quarterback: *****
Running Back/Fullback: ****
Wide Receiver/Tight End: ****
Offensive Line:

Defense
Safety:
Cornerback:
Linebacker:
Defensive Line:

Special Teams
Kicking:
Returning:
Coverage:


Players, Out of 53, Known to be Under Contract Through:

2009/10: 53/53
2010/11: 21/53
2011/12: 10/53



Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger (2015), 33
2. Charlie Batch, 35
3. Dennis Dixon, 25
4. Mike Reilly, ?

Quarterback Grade: *****

Quarterback Analysis
Ben Roethlisberger has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks and leaders in the NFL. While his play is unconventional and he may not be the polished superstar that Tom Brady or Peyton Manning is, his toughness, clutch performance and powers of improvisation are superlative. Two Super Bowl Championships on his still relatively brief resume are nothing to sneeze at either. Behind him, Charlie Batch is an aging, but consistent and serviceable backup and Dennis Dixon is a potential Slash-type weapon who is being given the luxury of growing into a role with the Steelers.

Quarterback Future Stability Analysis
Steelers have their leader signed through 2015, so they're in great shape at the top of their depth chart at quarterback. However, with Charlie Batch only signed through next season and getting up there in years and Dennis Dixon being an unknown quantity, Pittsburgh must be vigilant about considering their long term depth. If Batch proves to still be serviceable backup for the near future and/or Dixon is ready to assume the backup role, the Steelers will be in great shape at quarterback. At this time, however, backup quarterback is somewhat of a hole after the 2009 season.


Running Back 1: Willie Parker, 29
Running Back 2: Rashard Mendenhall (2012), 25
3. Mewelde Moore, 28

Fullback: Carey Davis, 28
2. Frank Summers, ?

Running Back/Fullback Grade: ****

Running Back/Fullback Analysis
"Fast" Willie Parker was accompanied last season by, perhaps, a perfect compliment to him - Rashard Mendenhall. When Mendenhall sustained an injury last year that kept him out of the balance of the 2008 season, however, Steelers' fans were never able to find out if he could be that perfect compliment in truth that he is in theory. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh should go into next season with both Parker and Mendenhall healthy and, assuming both can shoulder a significant portion of the Steelers' rushing carries and both can be the backs they're capable of being, Pittsburgh could have itself a championship caliber rushing duo. For now, however, we'll just call them above average; not that being merely above average and not championship caliber kept the Steelers from being Super Bowl Champs last year. It didn't. Additionally, Mewelde Moore provides very good depth and a good change of pace. At fullback, Carey Davis has shown nothing to get particularly excited about, the Steelers ostensibly see something in him. He has not been effectual enough to either detract from or enhance this group's grade.

Running Back/Fullback Future Stability Analysis
While Mendenhall is locked up through 2012, Parker is heading into his contract year. If the Steelers don't re-sign him, they'll have a significant slot at running back to fill. Perhaps they'd be able to just sign an undrafted free agent and turn him into an NFL star the way they did with Parker. A safer bet would likely be giving Fast Willie an extension. Moore is tied up through 2010 and Carey Davis, who is heading into a contract year...again, could be either extended or released without dramatic consequence.


Wide Receiver 1: Santonio Holmes, 26
Wide Receiver 2: Hines Ward (2014), 37
Wide Receiver 3: Limas Sweed, 27
4. Mike Wallace, ?
5. Tyler Grisham, ?

Tight End: Heath Miller, 27
2. Matt Spaeth, 25
3. Sean McHugh, 27
4. David Johnson, ?

Wide Receiver/Tight End Grade: ****

Wide Receiver/Tight End Analysis
Hines Ward, while aging, continues to be a consistent pass catcher and a superior blocker. Santonio Holmes is coming off of a season that saw him explode in the playoffs and be named Super Bowl MVP. Together, Ward and Holmes form an excellent receiving duo. However, with Nate Washington a Titan, a lot now rests on the development of Limas Sweed. Thus far, he has flashed both moments of brilliance and moments of utter folly. Sweed carries tons of upside and, if he can maximize his potential, Holmes and Sweed could be a superior receiving tandem long well after Ward retires. After the top 3, the Steelers only have two rookie draftees - Mike Wallace and Tyler Grisham. At tight end, Heath Miller is one of the most reliable in the business and continues to be a primary security option for Big Ben Roethlisberger. Matt Spaeth provides excellent depth and a solid option in two tight end sets. Overall, this is a phenomenal group.

Wide Receiver/Tight End Future Stability Analysis
Ward has been locked up for, likely, the rest of his career and Sweed is only heading into the second year of his rookie contract. Holmes' contract expires in 2010 and the Steelers have to start thinking about how necessary it is to extend him. Demanding attention within the next year is the tight end position, where both Miller and Spaeth are heading into contract years. If Pittsburgh locks up Miller/and or Spaeth and can eventually lock up Holmes, they will have an outstanding group for a very long time.

Left Tackle: Max Starks, 27
Left Guard: Chris Kemoeatu (2013), 29
Center: Justin Hartwig, 31
Right Guard: Darnell Stapleton, 24
Right Tackle: Willie Colon, 26

6. Kraig Urbik, ?
7. Tony Hills, 26
8. Jeremy Parquet, 27
9. Jason Capizzi, 26
10. A.Q. Shipley, ?
11. Ramon Foster, ?

Davaughnci's Positional Grade/Analysis:


Strong Safety: Troy Polamalu, 30
Free Safety: Ryan Clark, 30

3. Tyrone Carter, 33
4. Mark Estermyer, ?

Davaughnci's Positional Grade/Analysis:


Cornerback 1: Ike Taylor, 30
Cornerback 2: Deshea Townsend, 34

3. William Gay, 24
4. Anthony Madison, 28
5. Keenan Lewis, ?
6. Joe Burnett, ?

Davaughnci's Positional Grade/Analysis:


Inside Linebacker 1: James Farrior (2012), 37
Inside Linebacker 2: Lawrence Timmons, 25
Outside Linebacker 1: James Harrison (2014), 36
Outside Linebacker 2: LaMarr Woodley, 26

5. Andre Frazier, 28
6. Bruce Davis, 25
7. Keyaron Fox, 28
8. Patrick Bailey, 24
9. Arnold Harrison, 27

Davaughnci's Positional Grade/Analysis:


Right Defensive End: Brett Keisel, 31
Nose Tackle: Casey Hampton, 32
Left Defensive End: Aaron Smith, 35

Defensive End
3. Nick Eason, 29
4. Travis Kirschke, 35

Nose Tackle
2. Chris Hoke, 34
3. Evander Hood, ?
4. Ra'Shon Harris, ?

Davaughnci's Positional Grade/Analysis:


Kicker: Jeff Reed, 30
Punter: Daniel Sepulveda, 25
Long Snapper: Greg Warren, 29

Davaughnci's Positional Grade/Analysis:



Links with Helpful Reading about the Salary Cap:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1003528/a_guide_to_the_nfl_salary_cap_including.html?cat=3


Links with Contract Information:

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/teamresults.aspx?team=25

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_roster.aspx?sport=NFL&majteam=PIT
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"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."

[davaughnci]

Please keep in mind that only players under contract are included and depth charts and projected starters need to be considered accordingly. For example, I don't expect Tony Hills and Jason Capizzi to be our starting tackles next season (please oh please oh please).

With that said, this graphic clearly reveals that this (09) and next (10) will be monumental off-seasons. We need to re-sign a lot of impact players at a lot of positions. In typical Steeler fashion, we don't have a lot guys wrapped up for a comfortable amount of time (though Big Ben is signed until what may as well be the next geological era).

We're looking at a pivotal off-season up ahead for our franchise.
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"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."

[Irish 11]

I saw this in the Minnie forum was planning to steal (borrow) this idea once the season was over. How great that you root for the Steelers too and you've just doubled your work.

Good idea and post.
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[Irish 11]

Here's another reason why the Steelers won't dip their toes too deeply into the FA pool for a starting tackle. Wouldn't you rather they locked up Harrison, Keisel, Snack and possibly Clark with extensions before they hit the UFA market? That needs to happen this off-season.
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[jebrick]

You should list the RFA because most if not all of them will get offers ( exception may be Anthony Smith).
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"You build with draft choices. You find people with talents adaptable to your plans and then you teach them to do things the way we do them." - Chuck Noll

[davaughnci]

[steelcurtain29]

[davaughnci]

jebrick,

Good idea. I'll add RFAs soon (probably tonight).

[superbelt]

Steelers have monumental offseasons every year.

At least one huge name is lost every year for cap reasons.
Faneca, then Porter, Bettis & Hartings retire, Burress, Bell, Hope, Vincent and Ross in the same year (2004).

And it's usually the right decision who this team lets go too. So I trust they know where to focus their dollars.

Pitt gets picked over every year because Pitt is flush with talent, and everyone wants to be us.
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"Jesus, I HATE Cleveland"
-Robert Wagner

[steelcurtain29]

I like Sharper, but who's he going to replace? Polamalu obviously won't be replaced and Clark? I really can't see that happening unless they split time.

I'd like to see this happen.

Bmac ---> WALKS
Vernon Carey ---> SIGNED
1st Round ---> Tyson Jackson
2nd round ---> Phil Loadholt OR William Beatty (LT)
3rd round ---> Butler (Move up for him if need be)
4th round ---> Terrance Taylor
5th round ---> Eric Wood (If he drops)
6th round ---> Kaluka Maiava (he's too weak and small to be high round)
7th round ---> BPA for a KR


Other options are Kevin Ellison in the mid rounds along with Mark Parsons and Xavier Fulton. Dont rule out Pat White either, he'd be a nice addition for another Randel El type player
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[davaughnci]

[Irish 11]

I think the odds of McFadden resigning are better than the odds of the Steelers signing Gross or Carey. And I don't like the odds of McFadden resigning at all.
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[steelcurtain29]

[jebrick]

I'm almost willing to put money on the Steelers resigning Starks but the stupidly of some NFL owners is beyond the keen of mortal man.

In all seriousness, Starks is a need for transition and will ( probably be cheaper than any other UFA LT).
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"You build with draft choices. You find people with talents adaptable to your plans and then you teach them to do things the way we do them." - Chuck Noll

[Sandwiche]