Heels, Sox & Steelers

TO's gaffe is funny, especially in comparison to Jamal Lewis's problems. There is a chance that Lewis could be suspended up to one year or get a heavy fine, despite the fact the alleged crime took place before he signed with the Ravens. What's more puzzling is the fact that Lewis's mother was a warden in the Georgia Department of Corrections. Apparently, he was absent the day the school took the "scared straight" field trip to the local prison.

The TO fiasco will certainly benefit everyone except TO. He was expecting to get a $15m signing bonus in free agency with the 49ers content to let him walk. Now, it looks like the 49ers will try to trade him for a high round draft pick. And unless TO refuses to play until his new team negotiates his contract, he won't be getting the money he was expecting. This new development should be particulary enticing to both Philly and Baltimore--two teams very weak at receiver. Although Baltimore may also be looking for a running back.

2004 Free Agents
The Sporting News grades the 2004 list of free agents. Here are positions of interest for Steelers fans:

OT: Sleeper--Lewis Kelly, On the Rise: Damion McIntosh
CB: Sleeper--Shawn Springs, On the Rise: David Macklin
QB: Sleeper--Shaun King, On the Rise: Billy Volek, Best Value: Shane Matthews
RB: Sleeper--Stacey Mack, On the Rise: Mike Cloud, Best Value: Kevin Faulk

I can see the Steelers signing an OT or CB through free agency, but Shane Matthews and Kevin Faulk are "best values" for a reason--they're not very good.


Six Steeler FAs get Contracts--sort of
The Steelers sent contract offers to all six of their free agents. Each player received the lowest contract offer, which allows the Steelers to maintain their rights. As a consequence, this will allow the Steelers to match any offers made from other teams before April 16.