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5 key free agents in Steelers history

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5 key free agents in Steelers history
by Teresa Varley

Some key free agents in their history, including these five players.
Free agency began in 1993, and while the Steelers have never been a team to rush to sign players right out of the gate, they definitely have found their share who have contributed to the success of the organization, including a few who helped bring a few more Lombardi Trophies to Pittsburgh.

So, with free agency now in full swing, it’s time to take a look at five key free agent signings in Steelers history.

(Listed in alphabetical order)

Ryan Clark – Free Safety


The departure of one often times opens the door for another and that is what happened with the signing of Ryan Clark. Chris Hope departed after the 2005 season with a Super Bowl ring, and Clark was signed to take his spot at free safety in 2006.

Clark, who was an undrafted rookie in 2002 when he signed with the New York Giants, went on to start for the Washington Redskins in 2004-05, before signing with the Steelers. Once in Pittsburgh and teamed with strong safety Troy Polamalu his career flourished, finishing his career in Pittsburgh with 12 interceptions, six fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and two sacks.

James Farrior – Inside Linebacker

Farrior played 10 seasons for the Steelers after signing as a free agent in 2001 from the New York Jets. The Jets former No. 1 draft pick played in 154 games in Pittsburgh, with 30 sacks and 1,078 tackles.

Farrior was a key component in the Steelers run to Super Bowl XL, in particular his performance against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional playoffs when he recorded 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Kevin Greene – Outside Linebacker



Kevin Greene was the second free agent ever signed by the Steelers, making the move from the Los Angeles Rams in 1993. In his three seasons with the Steelers he had 35.5 sacks and two Pro Bowl selections and was named AFC Linebacker of the Year by the NFLPA in 1994.

Greene, who left after the 1995 season, has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame the last three years.

Just for the record linebacker Greg Clark was the first free agent signed and didn’t last long, never playing for the team as he was released during training camp that year.



Jeff Hartings – Center

The center position is one steeped in tradition in Pittsburgh, with Hall of Famers Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson setting the standard. So when Jeff Hartings signed with the Steelers in 2001 from the Detroit Lions, the pressure was on for him to live up to the standard.

Hartings, a former No. 1 pick of the Lions who had only played guard, had blocked for a Pro Bowl running back in Detroit in Barry Sanders. When he came to Pittsburgh he moved to center and blocked for soon to be Hall of Fame inductee Jerome Bettis. And he did it in a way that would make his predecessors proud.

Kimo von Oelhoffen – Nose Tackle/Defensive End

When Kimo von Oelhoffen signed with the Steelers in 2000, he arrived as a nose tackle. After one season he was switched to defensive end, where his impact was felt immediately. He played six seasons with the Steelers, including 2005 when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL.

He started 94 of the 95 games he played for the Steelers, finishing his time in Pittsburgh with 229 tackles, 171 of them solo stops. He also had 20 ½ sacks, six fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles with the Steelers.
 
So the last good free agent deal was 2006. In that time span from 2000 to 2006 the team signed 4 key free agents. I do not recall any note worthy free agents we have picked up since. Sometimes there is not one available that fits the team well but this coupled with the poor drafting has hurt the team in a major way. Some of this may be attributed to over paying players and poor management of the cap as there may not have been funds available.
 
Depends on what you consider a good free agent deal. I'd say the return on investment we got for Brice McCain last year was damned good. I'd also say that the FA pick up of Cotchery worked out well. Bringing back Willie Gay in FA has not been a mistake. Point is that we tend to get a lil too wrapped up in "SPLASH" FA signings and disregard the little guys who come in, do their job and outperform the contract that they signed.
 
Ya know what sucks? All these other teams are signing better players, looking towards the future...while the Steelers own website is publishing FA articles about the past

How many years are left in the Roethlisberger era?
 
Wingman said:
So the last good free agent deal was 2006. In that time span from 2000 to 2006 the team signed 4 key free agents. I do not recall any note worthy free agents we have picked up since. Sometimes there is not one available that fits the team well but this coupled with the poor drafting has hurt the team in a major way. Some of this may be attributed to over paying players and poor management of the cap as there may not have been funds available.
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Between '07-'10 there were some good depth guys and a few starters: Nick Eason, Justin Hartwig, Leftwich, Mewelde Moore, Will Allen and they got a SB run in '10 out of Flozell Adams before he hung up the cleats.

There hasn't been much over the last couple years but the best was Cotchery who was a mistake to let go in favor of the useless Lance Moore. Last year, I'd argue their best move during free agency was Moats.
 
None since 2007....

Hmmm.... what happened that year again?
 
the steelers have had some good ones, but they don't have a lot... they just don't try... Id say guys like John L Williams and ray seals were always part of the better teams the Steelers have had during the free agency era... providing a bump in an area where the draft wasn't panning out during that time...
 
madinsomniac said:
the steelers have had some good ones, but they don't have a lot... they just don't try... Id say guys like John L Williams and ray seals were always part of the better teams the Steelers have had during the free agency era... providing a bump in an area where the draft wasn't panning out during that time...
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Seals was huge, a massive key to their run in '95. I'd argue that he should be up there with Greene and the others in this article. Another FB that was important after John L retired was Tim Lester. Pegram was a nice compliment to Bam in '95 too. McAfee was a great special teams ace. Will Wolford was a nice starter for three years after they got him from the Bills. There may have not always been a big splash name, but they have had some nice pieces added over the years.
 
I know some of us out there would like the Steelers to do more early in the FA signing period but let me ask you this: can you name any"big name" FA's we have signed to big contracts that were busts? Im not talking about guys like Blount (not a huge contract, signed to be a backup), but guys we were hoping to come in a start over a long period of time. Mike Mitchell MIGHT count as one, if he dosent step up his game this year. Look at all the players Tampa threw money at last year and the year before. Look at how Wallace worked out in Miami. My point is we dont do that, and we are a better team because of it. IMO, in most cases, when a team lets a player walk there is probably a reason why and you should look real hard at the situation before throwing big money away.
 
SteelVictory said:
Ya know what sucks? All these other teams are signing better players, looking towards the future...while the Steelers own website is publishing FA articles about the past

How many years are left in the Roethlisberger era?
Click to expand...

We've always been a non story in free agency. It's not the way we do things. Pre and Post Ben that wont be the way we operate.
Washington and Philly always make a splash in free agency though.
I'll go with what we do.
 
I would say we have not always been a non player in free agency. The article that started this showed that we were signing a free agent player that was a good talent sometimes every year I think one year we signed two. Now in discussing free agent signings I am talking about starters, in some cases core players that we retained for at least a few seasons. Those are the things that allowed us to augment the draft with a positive free agent signing. Farrior was a former first round pick for example. We have been getting some role players in free agency lately but that is about it. Bringing back Willie Gay was the closest to that we have done in a while.

I am not advocating getting into a bidding war with snyder and jerry jones but the team needs to get an infusion of talent. Finding one solid starter from free agency each year or every other year would do a lot to rebuild the team. If we were able to get 3 in the draft and one from free agency it would surely get the team back into the playoffs more often than not. Instead we have been failing on both fronts more often than not.
 
The Bus was acquired thru trade not FA
 
Yes the Bus was a trade, and I am also assuming the OP meant UFA's as in veteran UFA's and not draft or practice squad free agents... cause Yancey thigpen would be up there in that case
 
I always thought Wayne Gandy was a real solid FA signing for the Steelers. He has been forgotten and highly underrated.
 
Steel G said:
Between '07-'10 there were some good depth guys and a few starters: Nick Eason, Justin Hartwig, Leftwich, Mewelde Moore, Will Allen and they got a SB run in '10 out of Flozell Adams before he hung up the cleats.

There hasn't been much over the last couple years but the best was Cotchery who was a mistake to let go in favor of the useless Lance Moore. Last year, I'd argue their best move during free agency was Moats.
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Aye. Nothing against Moats. He's in shape and plays hard, but it he's the best free agent we signed from another team something is wrong
 
AvonOhioSteeler said:
I always thought Wayne Gandy was a real solid FA signing for the Steelers. He has been forgotten and highly underrated.
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I have to agree with you there. He may have been the best left tackle we have had for a long time.
 
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