Here are a couple of interesting articles from the Boston Globe:
*McCarty gives up his dream of being a LH reliever...kind of
*Damon's (purported) partying set him at odds with Grady
Madden's way off...again
Mark Madden is way off when he describes in his weekly Post-Gazette article that the Steelers have had a pathetic offseason so far. He seems to think that because Josh Miller was cut, he was implicitly responsible in the eyes of Steeler management for a 6-10 season. Additionally, he still laments the fact that Bettis and Gildon (at least for now) are back for one more year, while free agent superstars like Marcus Washington are signing with other teams.
First of all, Bettis restructured his contract and will make only $1 million dollars this year and was certainly more than adequate during the final six games of last season. You also have to consider that Staley will probably get most of the carries and, because he can catch coming out of the backfield, will serve as the third down back. Moreover, the Staley signing allows the Steelers to address other needs in the draft--like cornerback and offensive line, for example. Finally, who knew who Marcus Washington was the day before he visited Pittsburgh? If no one knew who he was, why is it such a big deal that he signed with the Redskins? And don't forget, teams don't win the Super Bowl in March. The last two seasons the Redskins have spent like drunken sailors during free agency and have 12 wins to show for it. In the last two offseasons, there is no correlation between winning percentage and the number of free agents a team signs (see Redskin example above). In fact, what seems to most impact winning are the players taken through the draft (why that's the case is another question entirely).
Madden ends his diatribe with the following sentence:
"Even with the signing of Staley, this has been a pathetic off-season for the Steelers. An off-season full of bad moves, botched moves and meaningless moves. What makes them think they can get away with it? Every ticket being sold in advance, for one thing."I think it's a little premature to call this offseason "meaningless" especially since the draft isn't until April 24. In terms of Madden's implication that the Steelers can get away with this because of season ticket sales, I would argue that the Steelers, in being conservative in free agency (and not overpaying for average cornerback talent, for example), are giving themselves the best chance to return to the playoffs next year by addressing their needs through the draft. But as usual, Madden likes to make outrageous claims first, and think about what he said much later down the road.
Maddox, Burress staying
From today's Pittsburgh Tribune Review:
Keving Colbert, director of football operations, indicated that the Steelers are not trying to replace starting quarterback Tommy Maddox with a veteran from outside the organization. "I'll say it on the record: We are not interested (in a veteran quarterback)."
Colbert also refuted reports that the team is trying to trade wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who is entering the final year of his contract. "There's nothing to those," he said.
Gildon here for now
For now, the Steelers are able to keep veteran outside linebacker Jason Gildon and his $4.9 million cap charge on the payroll. Asked about Gildon's status, Colbert said: "He's still with us."
Staley excited about being a Steeler
Ed Bouchette writes in today's Post Gazette:
Staley's signing eliminates the Steelers' need to pick a running back high in the April draft. He and Bettis could share the duties on first and second downs, and Staley, a good receiver, could handle all the third-down assignments.
"I lick my chops when I see the ball run as many times as these guys have run it in the past," Staley said. "I'm just happy to be a part of it, but that played a big part in it."-Duce Staley explaining why he's happy to be in Pittsburgh
"I told my agent on the way up here, you hear about the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm a man, of course, and I said I'm not going to break down. But I did get a few chills walking through the door, you know, because growing up that's all you hear about, the Steelers. I'm proud."
"He's a terrific kid. He's a warrior as far as player, gives you everything he's got. He's the kind of guy who fits Pittsburgh's style of running back -- a break-tackle runner, a downhill runner. His yards after first contact have always been good. He's that style of runner. He doesn't make just one long run and sit back, he keeps grinding and grinding and grinding."-Tom Modrak, who became Philadelphia's general manager one year after the Eagles made Staley a third-round draft pick in 1997, called it a perfect signing.
Coach Bill Cowher promised big improvement in the ground game over their No. 31 ranking in the NFL last season and said Staley and Jerome Bettis will play a part in it.
"I think you have two quality people and I know we have some quality backs...He's a winner. We're out to try to kind of re-establish that next year."-Bill Cowher, on his plans for the running game next season
Steelers want no part of Couch
Here's what Kevin Colbert, the Steelers director of football operations had to say about acquiring Couch:
"You can kill that Couch stuff...I'll say it on the record: We're not interested; we're not interested in any free agent or soon-to-be free agent quarterbacks. We're not interested ... in any veteran quarterbacks."I don't think he could have been any clearer. The Browns have given Couch's agent permission to work out a contract and possible trade with any other NFL team other than those in the AFC North Division. It seems to me that if the Browns really wanted to get an advantage on their division rivals, they would allow Couch to only be traded to AFC North Division teams.
Zereoue cut
With the signing of Duce Staley, the Steelers, in a move that surprised no one, cut Amos Zereoue yesterday. It's also reported that they cut reserve running back Dee Brown.
