In Your Eye

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Recently, the Vikings signed Seattle restricted free agent guard Steve Hutchinson to an offer sheet that was designed to make it nearly impossible for the Seahawks to match it.
The "poison pill," as it has been called, stipulated that, if Hutchinson is not the highest-paid offensive lineman on the team, his entire contract ($49 million) would be guaranteed. The Seahawks contested the contract, but their appeal was denied.

Now, the Seahawks have signed Minnesota restricted free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson to a prohibitive offer sheet: 7 years, $49 million. But the truly ingenious (and vindictive) part of the contract is the poison pill (according to KFFL): "The deal also includes two poison pills guaranteeing the entire [contract] if he plays a certain number of games in the state of Minnesota, or if his average-per-year exceeds the average of the highest-paid running back on the team."

It's a stunning move, and one that does major damage to the way that restricted free agency works. Any team could mimic that move that Seattle made: write into the contract that some prohibitive clause (i.e. guaranteeing the contract) is activated if (essentially) the player stays with his original team. A Steelers-centric example: Washington has expressed some interest in Steelers CB Ike Taylor. Say that Taylor signs an offer sheet that guarantees his contract if, say, he plays four games in Pennsylvania, or if he wears a black helmet. It's a sneaky move, and brilliant. Of course, the team that loses a player will be compensated with a draft pick. But still.

Free Agency Miscellany

Here are a few things about free agency that I haven't gotten to yet:

=> Chris Hope. Hope spurned the Steelers' attempts to sign him and chose instead to cast his lot with the Tennessee Titans, who languish now in football's poorhouse and essentially have since their Super Bowl run a few years ago. Hope is good, solid, but not a difference maker. He was a cog in the Steelers' machine; on an inferior team, he will quickly prove himself to be overpaid.

=> QBs on the move. I wrote a few words on Joey Harrington, but I have not yet written on the two big off-season acquisitions, Drew Brees to the Saints and Daunte Culpepper to the Dolphins. Any clear-eyed observer could see that the Dolphins, the better team to begin with, got the better quarterback. When healthy, Culpepper is a force. While he is mobile, he is not a running quarterback in the vein of Mike Vick or even Donovan McNabb; the knee injury should therefore be less of an issue. He has some receivers (Randy McMichael, Chris Chambers) and a tough young back (Ronnie Brown) to support him. The Dolphins are officially a dangerous team.

The Brees signing, on the other hand, raises more questions. While no one should doubt Brees' ability (remember how much better he got after Philip Rivers was drafted? It wasn't a case of others making him look good), one can certainly doubt the talent on the Saints' roster. Deuce Mcallister is a solid back, but he gets hurt a lot. They have some receivers--Donte Stallworth, Joe Horn--but no one seems to live up to his potential. The problem is that the Saints organizational culture is a culture of losing. On good teams, many of the Saints players could be solid performers, or even stars. But they play down to the level of the organization's expectations. In that way, the Brees signing is a good thing--it seems to suggest a desire to lift the expectations--but the concern must be that the culture will change Brees before he can change it. Nick Saban already has the Dolphins believing, and, now, in steps Daunte Culpepper. The Saints, perhaps more than any other team in the NFL, still need to believe.

=> The Colts. In this space I have been praising the Steelers' attitude toward free agency. The Colts have what I deem to be an equally healthy attitude. Despite the loss of Edgerrin James and David Thornton, the Colts have stood pat, waiting for the bonanza of panicky overpayment (Washington, Cleveland) to die down. Yesterday, reports surfaced that the Colts had interest in Michael Bennett, the former Pro-Bowler who never really found his rhythm as a Viking. Joining the Colts, though, would raise his talent level by a factor of five, at least. The point is, though, that the Colts aren't treating free agency the way a fat kid treats a pie-eating contest. They are moving carefully, mindfully, with a minimum of effort. Whether they get Bennett, or another back (Maurice Morris of the Seahawks?), or whether they acquire one through the draft: look out for the Colts.

=> The Draft. For freaks like me, the Brees signing was particularly exciting because it augured a shake-up in way that the draft would play out. No longer would the Saints be targeting Matt Leinart; now, they would either trade with the Jets (so that the Jets could take Leinart ahead of Tennessee) or draft Mario Williams, a DE who draws comparisons to Julius Peppers. But the Jets are working hard to get Matt Schaub from Atlanta, a move which would put them out of the Leinart hunt. So: Vince Young to whom? The Raiders? Jay Cutler to Arizona? Baltimore? Oh, baby.

Will Throw for Food

When Mike Martz became the offensive co-ordinator for the Detroit Lions, he expressed his admiration for Joey Harrington, the team's embattled quarterback and the third overall selection in the 2002 draft. If anyone can salvage Joey Harrington's career, observers said, it is Mike Martz, who has been able to make the likes of Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger look good.

Apparently now he won't have the chance. The Lions currently have five quarterbacks on the roster: Harrington, Dan Orlovsky, Shaun King, John Kitna, and now Josh McCown. Each new arrival pushes Harrington a litle closer to the exit. Rumors have circulated that Harrington asked to be released; ESPN.com reports that the team was less enamoured of Harrington than they led us to believe. Regardless of who said what to whom, Harrington is done.

And who could help Harrington to revive his career? Who could work such magic?

Umm... Mike Martz? Oh, wait. Maybe Harrington can crash on Akili Smith's couch.

Deep Thoughts

I just read a report that said that the Steelers will soon be visited by Tim Dwight. Dwight is a short (5'8") speedster who has played for Atlanta, San Diego, and, last year, New England. He's 30 years old.

That the Steelers are entertaining the likes of Tim Dwight says one thing: the 2006 starting lineup is set. The addition of Ryan Clark, and the re-addition of Brett Keisel, filled out the dance card. Barrett Brooks has been re-signed, as has Jerame Tuman. (It took only one visit from Aaron Shea to convince Tuman that he had no bargaining power.) The team apparently feels comfortable with the centers on the roster. Now, and in the draft, the Steelers will turn their attention to depth: depth on the offensive and defensive lines, depth in the defensive backfield (what will happen to DeShea Townsend?), depth at OLB. Barring the signing of Dwight or another scrub, we can expect the Steelers to draft a WR (maybe someone tall enough to ride the adult rides at Six Flags?). But things seem to be shaping up for the Steelers to truly take the best available player at #32, to draft on talent rather than need: perhaps Bobby Carpenter or Manny Lawson? Such a pick would be like Christmas for Dick LeBeau. We can also expect the Steelers to package picks (they will likely have ten) to trade up at an appropriate moment.

It's a good position for the Steelers to be in, and emblematic of the way the franchise is run.

Hope/No Hope

Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers got into the free agency game today, signing Ryan Clark from the Redskin Potatoes to replace Chris Hope. Clark started as strong safety last year alongside Sean Taylor. Though he has little in the way of name recognition, he comes from a team that put a premium on defense, which I think bodes well.

The Steelers also re-signed Brett Keisel to replace KVO, who signed with the Jets (a team planning a move to the 3-4) today. Keisel was a 7th round draft choice, hailed as the Steelers' best bargain that year. And now he gets his chance. This patience, this emphasis on developing players, makes the Steelers special. (For the opposite approach, see the Washington Racists: the New York Yankees of the NFL.) I bid Kimo a fond farewell.

The Clark signing comes after Hope rejected offers from the Steelers; he has visits planned to Miami and Houston. I admire that the Steelers don't beg; we saw the same attitude with Plex Burress last year. "If you think you're worth more," the franchise says, "go get more." I hope you enjoy playing for the Texans, Chris. My farewell to you is less fond.

Another Steeler has been insisting on his own value: Jerame Tuman is apparently also rejecting the Steelers' offers. As a result, Aaron Shea visited today. Whatever.

More later on the big QB signings today.

Bargain Shopping

Reports out of Pittsburgh indicate that the Steelers are talking to Redskin Potatoes' safety Ryan Clark. Who? Exactly. Clark spent the first two years of his career with the Giants before moving on to Washington, where he appeared in 28 games over two years. In that time, Clark registered 107 tackles, one half of a sack, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. He is listed as Washington's starting strong safety, though, obviously, that is now Adam Archuleta. Would the Steelers move him to free safety, or are they looking to depth behind Troy? Hmm.

In other news, KVO will reportedly meet with two of the Steelers' nemeses: the Seahawks and (gag) the Ravens. There is always a certain pride that comes with seeing other teams flock to Steelers' free agents. But don't you think that former Steelers should refuse to play for the Ravens?

A Batch of Goodness

Charlie Batch is about to re-sign with the Steelers, to take Touchdown Tommy's place as the backup QB. The Post-Gazette offers some useful insight on goings-on with other Steelers free agents:

"Defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen was in New York discussing a deal with the Jets, who will switch to the 3-4 defense next season and likely will trade defensive end John Abraham.

The Steelers and agent Eric Metz continue to trade proposals for defensive end Brett Keisel, who could replace von Oelhoffen at right end.

Safety Chris Hope yesterday visited the Tennessee Titans and will visit the San Francisco 49ers this week. The New England Patriots want to take a look at halfback Verron Haynes."

Notable here is that KVO appears to be on his way out: he's not just visiting the Jets; he is "discussing a deal." Again, a shame. Kimo, by all accounts, has been an asset in the locker room, and his play has not dropped as he has aged. But onward and upward: Keisel certainly has the skills to take his place.

Center of Attention

Here is a good article from today's Post-Gazette about the work that the Steelers are doing in free agency. Of particular note is that deals are imminent to restructure the contracts of both centers on the team, Jeff Hartings and Chukky Okobi. The question that this fact raises is this one: are the Steelers not treating center as a need position right now? Do they have faith in Chukky?

Big Moves

For the Steelers-centric observer, Sunday's biggest free agent move saw Antwaan Randle El signing a six-year deal worth $31 million (including $10 million in bonuses) to join the Washington Racists. Excuse me: Redskins.

Frequenters of this site know that I have been holding my breath, hoping against hope that ARE would find his way back to Pittsburgh. But the Racists are a desparate team, one willing to overpay for good (not great) talent at a position of need. (Reportedly, the offer from the Bears that ARE rejected was for $18 million over six years, with $8 million in bonuses.) Still, I'm sad to see him go: he is a quality guy and a good teammate. El's quick signing makes it all the more likely that Quincy Morgan will re-sign with the Steelers and compete with Cedric Wilson for the #2 spot.

Of course, the biggest news of the day was actually Edgerrin James signing with the Cardinals. In this space yesterday, I speculated that the Cards' aggressiveness toward James might be a ploy to wake up JJ Arrington, who underachieved mightily last year. I guess it wasn't. James changes the whole makeup of that team--provided, of course, that the line can block for him. Last year, teams were able to sit back and wait for mistakes in the passing game, because the run game offered no threat at all. Maybe Arizona really is serious about being a decent team.

Other signings of note: the Browns continued to streak, signing big, fat Ted Washington to anchor the defensive line. The Rams continued the defensive upgrade by signing LB Will Witherspoon. The Ravens signed Mike Anderson, late of the Broncos, presumably to replace Jamal Lewis (who, incidentally, has been linked in reports to the Broncos). Signing a back whose success has come in Denver is risky business: remember Olandis Gary? Me neither. Don't be surprised if the Ravens also draft a back, perhaps USC's LenDale White, to hedge against the likely decline in Anderson's productivity.

First Signing

Overnight, the Steelers got their first deal of this free agency period done: they re-signed backup LB Clint Kriedwaldt. This is typical Steelers behavior, working hardest to sign in-house free-agents, particularly the backups and no-names. Kriedwaldt is a capable backup and solid special-teamer, but I imagine that the Steelers faced no real competition for his services.

Speaking of competition: the 49ers have declared themselves in the ARE hunt. While the Steelers had reportedly expressed interest in WR Andre' Davis, Davis has signed with the Bills. The Browns (Davis' old team, before he landed with the Pats) are interested in Chris Hope, though no report has been made of any negotiations or even a visit.

And a correction: the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting today that new acquisition Corey Chavous will be playing strong safety, not, as had been reported elsewhere, free safety. OJ Atogwe, a third-round draft choice last year from Stanford, will have the opportunity to win the starting FS role. In other words, Chavous' signing means that the Rams are waving goodbye to Adam Archuleta. Is Washington waving hello? The move seems like a good one for the Rams: Archuleta has been an asset to the Rams, but his coverage skills are questionable and his tackling isn't good enough.

A Steelers-centric Review of Free Agency, Day 1

As noted already in this space, the Browns have been the big movers of the first day of free agency. In addition to signing LeCharles Bentley and Kevin Shaffer, Cleveland also signed wideout Joe Jurevicius, who will give the young Browns receivers a mature, hardworking player to emulate. Also notable was that DT Ma'ake Kemoeatu, whom the Browns were apparently targeting to play the nose in their 3-4, signed with the Panthers.

The Ravens lost Anthony Weaver, but replaced him with Trevor Pryce. Chester Taylor, Jamal Lewis' backup in Baltimore, signed with Minnesota; Lewis reportedly has received no calls. (Hard not to smile as I type that.) Former Steeler Kendrick Clancy signed with the Cardinals, who are reportedly also making a hard run at Edge James. I must say that I would be stunned if James ended up in Arizona. I'm sure JJ Arrington is getting the message loud and clear, though.

Speaking of D-line: KVO visited the Jets today. I have a feeling that the Steelers are waiting to see what the market is before they make a move to re-sign him. The other Steeler free agent in the news today was ARE, who received more attention from the Redskin Potatoes. After rejecting an offer from the Bears, El went to Washington, where he attended a Wizards' game on Snyder's dime. Washington also executed a trade with the 49ers for Brandon Lloyd today; just how greedy is this team?

The St. Louis Rams continued to upgrade their D by signing Cory Chavous from the Vikings. The Rams are in hot competition with the Dolphins for the services of LB Will Witherspoon; so far Scott Linehan and his staff are making good on their promise to bring defense to St. Louis. Chavous will reportedly play free safety, so the signing doesn't mean Adam Archuleta is gone. But let's face it: he is.

There were other signings, but none that really interested me. I was interested, though, to see that Chris Hope's name came up in no reports; nor did Brett Keisel's. What does it mean? It may mean nothing. We can only wait and see.

The Brown Streak

Cleveland has taken an early lead in the free-agency race, signing two offensive linemen already today: Falcons OT Kevin Shaffer and Saints C LeCharles Bentley. Bentley is the bigger signing, obviously: he is one of the best centers in the league. The acquisition comes after numerous reports linked Bentley to the Eagles; one even claimed that the the deal to bring Bentley to Philadelphia had been done for a week. Not so.

Like many biased observers, I had hoped to see LeCharles Bentley join the Steelers. No one expected Pittsburgh to be active in free agency, but Bentley seemed like a perfect fit. (For what team would an excellent center NOT be a perfect fit?) This outcome raises a few questions: what's happening with the centers currently on the Steelers' roster? Before the CBA agreement was reached, both Hartings and Okobi were in negotiations to re-do their contracts. Will it still happen? Will either be cut? And: will the Steelers target a center in the draft? It seems inevitable that they will.

Potatoes

That the Washington, DC football team still calls itself the Redskins is a disgrace. You have heard the arguments: no team could get away with a nickname that portrays any other race in such a derogatory way. It is reprehensible. At the very least, the team needs to lose the grotesque portrait on the side of the helmet. Tony Kornheiser, perhaps the funniest (and certainly the smartest) of ESPN's talking heads, has suggested that the team keep the name but redesign the helmet to feature a picture of a redskin potato. Now that's a team I can root for. (Get it?)

But their racism is only part of the reason that I can't imagine Antwaan Randle El playing for DC's squad. Word is out now that the Potatoes are after ARE. But seriously: if he isn't going to be a Steeler, he needs to be a Bear.

Past, Present and Future

KFFL reports that Bill Cowher attended Ohio State's Pro Day, where he got to watch potential Steelers like safety Donte Whitner and OLB Bobby Carpenter strut their stuff. Ashton Youboty also worked out, for those among you who expect the Steelers to go for a CB in the first round.

Another report indicates that Tampa Bay has expressed an interest in Kimo. I'd love to see KVO return, particularly because Brett Keisel may be a hot free-agent commodity.

Bam!

Here's something I didn't expect to see: a Bam Morris sighting. Morris was briefly a stud for the Steelers in the '90s, playing in Superbowl XXX before being cut after pleading guilty to felony possession of marijuana. After a couple years with he Ravens and the Chiefs, Morris landed in jail for probation violations.

But now Bam has resurfaced with the Katy Copperheads of the National Indoor Football League. God bless America!

Done Deal

Both sides got what they wanted today in the NFL CBA negotiations: a deal. After a tough fight, the new agreement passed by a vote of 30-2. The Bills and the Bengals voted against. I would have been happier if two high-revenue teams voted against it, rather than two low-revenue teams, but the deal is done. The shared revenue pool is larger now, as is the players' share. The new cap is set at $102 million. Free agency officially begins 12:01 Friday morning, though reports are surfacing now that the owners would like an extra day to get their affairs in order.

Let the games begin.

Tommy Boy

According to reports out of Miami, the Dolphins may make a play for ex-Steeler Tommy Maddox. Certainly, Miami will likely make a play for any quarterback with two arms and no contract, but consider this: Mike Mularkey, boy genius, is now co-ordinating the Dolphins' offense. Remember when Tommy was the pride of Steeltown? That was Mike, standing in the background.

What's that Mel?

On Sportscenter tonight, Mel Kiper laid out his mock draft, from the bottom up. He started with a surprise: the Steelers taking Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter. Kiper called linebacker a "need" for the Steelers, but he didn't elaborate. Certainly, the Steelers could use linebacker depth--the fourth OLB last year was Andre Frazier, a rookie free agent--but the starting positions are set. I've liked Carpenter for a long time, and feel as though he would make an excellent Steeler, but the pick surprised me--in part because, for Carpenter to be available, he would have to drop past the Patriots.

Other surprises in Mel's world: Tamba Hali to the Browns (in a 3-4??); Tye Hill picked after Jonathan Joseph; Chad Jackson picked (by the Cowboys) over Santonio Holmes; Vernon Davis to the Rams. Actually, the Davis pick is one I like a lot, though it seems difficult to justify the Rams drafting for offense. (Incidentally, the Rams began the climb to respectability on defense recently by cutting Chris Claiborne and signing La'Roi Glover.)

The top picks, however, were not surprising. Unlike last year's draft, this year's seems set at the top. Repeat after me: Bush, Leinart, Young, Ferguson, Williams, Hawk....

The Good Fight

I have been trying my best to follow the ongoing battle between the NFL owners' group and the players' union, though I have to admit that the attention is not always easily paid. My interest, like most fans', is in seeing the impasse resolved, so that free agency cash can begin to flow and questions like those mused upon in this space--what happens to ARE, Chris Hope, etc.--can begin to be answered. From what I can tell, though, NFLPA head Gene Upshaw has left the negotiating table like it's a dysfunctional relationship: that is, often, but not for long. He's a firm believer in the power of the storm-out. I imagine he does the same thing when he buys a car.

But Upshaw's antics are only amusing. It's hard to fault the union for wanting a bigger--or, according to Upshaw, consistent--slice of the revenue. The real problem appears to be in the owners' group: essentially, the only thing holding up a deal at this point is accord among high- and low-revenue team owners. Not surprisingly, high-revenue teams (Washington, New England) aren't interested in broadening the revenue-sharing plan that will help teams like Arizona and New Orleans stay competitive. They would rather keep their teams' individual revenue (money made locally by teams, separate from money made when you buy that Randall Gay jersey from NFL.com) and give it to players in bonuses, thereby circumventing the salary cap and undermining the league's push for parity. Remember, parity is what sets the NFL apart from other leagues: without it, stories like that of the Carolina Panthers or the St. Louis Rams never happen. Without parity, stories like that of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals do happen.

Patriots' owner Bob Kraft has emerged as a leader of the high-revenue group. Shame on him. The NFL has created a system, through judicious incorporation of socialist economic strategies ("sharing the wealth"), in which opportunity really is possible for all. (There's always hope, Cardinals.) A return to a more capitalist system will split the league into haves and have-nots and ruin that which makes the league so special. Stop being greedy, Bob. As Jerome Bettis said, everyone has enough to eat.

The Safety Dance

The lack of action in the free agent market leaves me playing GM, narrating a series of fantastical scenarios for my own amusement. Here is one:

If Chris Hope leaves, the Steelers will need a free safety. One place they will certainly look is the draft: Ko Simpson, from South Carolina, if available at #32, would make sense, as would Jason Allen of Tennessee in the second round (a possible trade-up), or FSU's Pat Watkins later on the first day. But Simpson and Allen are inexperienced: the former is a sophomore, and the latter sat out his senior season with a dislocated hip after playing corner for some of his college career. Watkins is skinny, and would likely need some time to bulk up.

All of which means this: if Hope doesn't stay, the draft won't offer an immediate replacement. Free agency will be a necessity. Possibilities include Marcus Coleman of the Texans, Lance Schulters of the Dolphins, and Dexter Jackson of the Bucs. But here's the name that stands out to me: Will Demps. Why? To see a hated Raven defect, that's why. I can't help but fantasize about Demps, as a Steeler, wanting to stick it in his old teams' eye each time he plays them.

PS: What are the chances that the newly-released Tommy Maddox dons a Ravens uni this fall?

Fits and/or Starts

According to the Philadelphia Enquirer, LeCharles Bentley, the free-agent center from the Saints, is waiting for free agency to begin so that he can sign with the Eagles. Bentley would displace, I presume, Hank Fraley, who has served the Eagles well after being cut by the Steelers.

Bentley was on the Steelers' wish list, and his acquisition would have made many things possible for the Steelers. But the Steelers are cash-strapped right now and staring down the barrel of last year's cap number. So cash-strapped are the Steelers that they cut Russell Stuvaints, back-up safety and special teamer, to save a couple hundred grand. Stuvaints is hurt, which means that he can file a grievance against the team if he isn't re-signed.

Reports are out now that the Duce Staley has avoided becoming a cap casualty by restructuring his contract. The Steelers are shooting for similar agreements with Chukky Okobi and Jeff Hartings.

It should be in interesting weekend.