Are we built to win? A salary cap observation. Its not going to be easy

[obxsteeler]

Al,

Stop acting like your his agent. Minor stuff is just one incident. Poucney has had several. You don't know him, and its not like team mates speak out to the media on who they like and dislike. Sure his engery level is good, but his durability is not.

I think his team mates voted him a captain, Coach. That is kind of speaking out.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I will go out on a limb and say he is well liked and respected

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Steelers-on-Pounceys-injury-Its-like-somebody-died-in-here-38921739

Steelers on Pouncey's injury: 'It's like somebody died in here'
Bryan DeArdo - Aug 24, 2015 0
Newsletter


(Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)
Sometimes, you don't know what you have until it's gone.

That old saying might not apply to the Steelers players but more so to the fans of the Black Gold.

This isn't to say that Steelers fans don't appreciate and understand the impact that Maurkice Pouncey has on the Steelers, but after hearing the quotes from Pouncey's teammates upon learning about Pouncey's injury - a broken fibula above his left ankle suffered against the Packers on Sunday - it truly rings home how important No.53 is to the Black and Gold.


Guard Ramon Foster, who broke into the league a year before Pouncey arrived in Pittsburgh in 2010, described the somber tone in the Steelers' locker room upon finding out the outcome of Pouncey's injury.

“I texted him at halftime and I was like, ‘Dude, it’s like somebody died in here,’ ” Foster said. "Everybody instantly dropped their heads. It’s tough.”

Pouncey's impact is not just reserved for his offensive teammates. Defensive linemen Cameron Hayward, Pouncey's teammate for the last five seasons, also gave high praise to his teammate following Sunday's game.

“A great leader,” Heyward said of Pouncey. “The work he puts in, it doesn’t go unnoticed. The way he expects a lot from the offense and the team, it’s truly going to be missed.”


Pouncey's ability hasn't gone unnoticed around the rest of the NFL, either. In four healthy seasons, Pouncey has earned four Pro-Bowl nods and has twice been named an All-Pro. He earned his second All-Pro nod a season ago, helping the Steelers offense morph into one of the most potent units in all of football.

Coach Mike Tomlin knows injuries happen. He said as much during his Sunday post game press conference, while adding that "we'll make the necessary adjustments, and I'll expect the ball to keep rolling, because that's the business we're in."

The ball will now be in the hands of Cody Wallace, at least for the start of each play. Wallace, who started four games at center in Pouncey's absence in 2013, is expected to resume that role while Pouncey is out. Foster is confident that Wallace can once again get the job done in his relief role.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Foster said of Wallace. “I think Cody can handle the job. I think center is really good for him. I think he’s a guy who can handle that a little bit better than guard. He’s a natural at center. He can make it happen. He’s athletic and agile, too. He can do some of the things Maurkice can do.”

Pittsburgh's offense was glittered with high expectations this past offseason. And despite the loss to Pouncey, the expectations will remain the same, inside and outside the Steelers' locker room. Foster knows the impact of not having Pouncey, but he also knows the remaining talent that flanks him on offense. The Steelers know what they don't have, but maybe more importantly now, they know what they still have on offense and as a team. In showing that confidence, Foster's answer to how the Steelers will respond is swift and defiant.

“I think we’ll roll on with it.”


Author
Bryan DeArdo @nfl_steelers247
Sponsored Links You May Like

 

[Coryea]

Pouncey isn't going anywhere, so if you like him or dislike him, he's going to be starting for us next season. I would not be against playing him at LG if need be, it'd be nice to have another athletic LG like Faneca.

 

[Coach]

You're completely missing the point. #1 corners and #1 pass rushers don't come in free agency. Guys like Byron Maxwell come in free agency at an incredible price tag. When we extended Pouncey, we weren't choosing him over a #1 corner or #1 pass rusher. We were retaining the best center in the NFL rather than spending even more money on a guy like Maxwell (who is probably somewhere in the 30s in terms of best CBs in the NFL).

No, you're missing mine. There are several very good CB;s and Pass rushers that will be changing teams in free agency. Pouncey's best season was his rookie year. Giving him a long term deal was a bad move and a costly one that eats up cap space. We also over paid for Timmons. Do you think either guy is worth their contract? I've asked a few times. If you say yes, then you're either not honest or too much of a homer to admit it. If you say no, you're being honest and agree with me.

Who says Pouncey is the best Center in the NFL? I'd say among the best 3-7 IF he's healthy, and it's documented that he's not hard to replace.

 

[Coach]

I will go out on a limb and say he is well liked and respected

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Steelers-on-Pounceys-injury-Its-like-somebody-died-in-here-38921739

Steelers on Pouncey's injury: 'It's like somebody died in here'
Bryan DeArdo - Aug 24, 2015 0
Newsletter


(Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)
Sometimes, you don't know what you have until it's gone.

That old saying might not apply to the Steelers players but more so to the fans of the Black Gold.

This isn't to say that Steelers fans don't appreciate and understand the impact that Maurkice Pouncey has on the Steelers, but after hearing the quotes from Pouncey's teammates upon learning about Pouncey's injury - a broken fibula above his left ankle suffered against the Packers on Sunday - it truly rings home how important No.53 is to the Black and Gold.


Guard Ramon Foster, who broke into the league a year before Pouncey arrived in Pittsburgh in 2010, described the somber tone in the Steelers' locker room upon finding out the outcome of Pouncey's injury.

“I texted him at halftime and I was like, ‘Dude, it’s like somebody died in here,’ ” Foster said. "Everybody instantly dropped their heads. It’s tough.”

Pouncey's impact is not just reserved for his offensive teammates. Defensive linemen Cameron Hayward, Pouncey's teammate for the last five seasons, also gave high praise to his teammate following Sunday's game.

“A great leader,” Heyward said of Pouncey. “The work he puts in, it doesn’t go unnoticed. The way he expects a lot from the offense and the team, it’s truly going to be missed.”


Pouncey's ability hasn't gone unnoticed around the rest of the NFL, either. In four healthy seasons, Pouncey has earned four Pro-Bowl nods and has twice been named an All-Pro. He earned his second All-Pro nod a season ago, helping the Steelers offense morph into one of the most potent units in all of football.

Coach Mike Tomlin knows injuries happen. He said as much during his Sunday post game press conference, while adding that "we'll make the necessary adjustments, and I'll expect the ball to keep rolling, because that's the business we're in."

The ball will now be in the hands of Cody Wallace, at least for the start of each play. Wallace, who started four games at center in Pouncey's absence in 2013, is expected to resume that role while Pouncey is out. Foster is confident that Wallace can once again get the job done in his relief role.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Foster said of Wallace. “I think Cody can handle the job. I think center is really good for him. I think he’s a guy who can handle that a little bit better than guard. He’s a natural at center. He can make it happen. He’s athletic and agile, too. He can do some of the things Maurkice can do.”

Pittsburgh's offense was glittered with high expectations this past offseason. And despite the loss to Pouncey, the expectations will remain the same, inside and outside the Steelers' locker room. Foster knows the impact of not having Pouncey, but he also knows the remaining talent that flanks him on offense. The Steelers know what they don't have, but maybe more importantly now, they know what they still have on offense and as a team. In showing that confidence, Foster's answer to how the Steelers will respond is swift and defiant.

“I think we’ll roll on with it.”


Author
Bryan DeArdo @nfl_steelers247
Sponsored Links You May Like

It sounds like Wallace is respected too. These player to media quotes mean very little. Very few players are going to rip other players on their team. The same goes for coaches. And when a player gets hurt, the lip service goes up another notch.

I have heard NFL players says the capaitn voting is rigged. WIth the amount of trouble Poucney has been in, I think he's a poor choice for a Captain. He's imature. A man is partly defined by his appearnce and the company he keeps. " Free Hernandez ".

 

[SteelerAl]

No, you're missing mine. There are several very good CB;s and Pass rushers that will be changing teams in free agency. Pouncey's best season was his rookie year. Giving him a long term deal was a bad move and a costly one that eats up cap space. We also over paid for Timmons. Do you think either guy is worth their contract? I've asked a few times. If you say yes, then you're either not honest or too much of a homer to admit it. If you say no, you're being honest and agree with me.

Who says Pouncey is the best Center in the NFL? I'd say among the best 3-7 IF he's healthy, and it's documented that he's not hard to replace.

Coach, the "very good" CBs and pass rushers that end up changing teams (and I'd like to see who you think is very good and whether they actually change teams) will be VERY, VERY overpaid. That is the nature of free agency.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I will be sure to tell the Steelers that Coach from message board Steeler Nation doesn't like their choice for Captain..pretty sure they will rectify the situation right away..

And what trouble has he been in?? A twitter beef, wore a hat, and a situation that turned out to be nothing.

 

[ark steel]

I will be sure to tell the Steelers that Coach from message board Steeler Nation doesn't like their choice for Captain..pretty sure they will rectify the situation right away..

And what trouble has he been in?? A twitter beef, wore a hat, and a situation that turned out to be nothing.

Well, we are back to the "what players/coaches say doesn't mean anything". I suppose it only doesn't mean anything if it is positive. If a reporter has an unnamed player or coach "say" something it seems totally legit.

 

[madinsomniac]

What are pouncey's crimes again... wearing a hat at a party and tweeting angrily? maybe getting his legs rolled up on once too often? that's some bad stuff there... better get a jail cell ready for that guy.....

 

[Steeltime]

Please, elaborate. Did Ryan clady play a single snap this season? He tore his acl back in March and was placed on the IR. Has Ryan clady missed time in the past due to injury? In 2013, he came down with a lisfranc foot sprain in week 2 and was placed on the IR. If I'm not mistaken, he also had a bum shoulder the year prior to that missing time in the 2012 season. Obviously, it's not a stretch to say that he's struggled with injuries throughout his career. How did the Broncos fare this past season? Well, they won the ******* super bowl, so I think we'd all agree that it's a pretty desirable outcome. So, in other words, they did just ok contrary to coach's vague generalization that you're going nowhere without a "stud" at the left tackle position.

Steeltime's 2016 nominee for ...

 

[Stryker]

Center skills: calling the line's blocking assignment, always knowing the snap count to start each play on time for the offense, ball control by securing the QB center exchange, long snapping on shotgun plays, pulling to make blocks, blocking.

Tackle skills: blocking

Just because someone is paid more, doesn't make him more skilled. Centers are undervalued in the league, but not by our team.

 

[Coach]

Coach, the "very good" CBs and pass rushers that end up changing teams (and I'd like to see who you think is very good and whether they actually change teams) will be VERY, VERY overpaid. That is the nature of free agency.

Al,

We very, very overpaid Cortez Allen. Fact. For the same money in free agency ( if we had it ) , we can get a significant upgrade over Blake. Fact.

The bald truth is our pass D hold us back. It ranked 30th in the NFL, and its worse than face value as the Steelers played 7 backups in the regular season.

We are 1-2 players away from being in the super bowl. I really believe that, and those players are CB and OLB.

 

[Coach]

Center skills: calling the line's blocking assignment, always knowing the snap count to start each play on time for the offense, ball control by securing the QB center exchange, long snapping on shotgun plays, pulling to make blocks, blocking.

Tackle skills: blocking

Just because someone is paid more, doesn't make him more skilled. Centers are undervalued in the league, but not by our team.

Cope,

I know you are a good poster. The positions that are paid more than others are more valuable to the team. LT > Center, any day and twice on Sunday. If Center was that in demand, you'd see teams trading up to get them, and teams drafting them much sooner.

 

[21STEELERS21]

The Steelers spend a lot on various positions based on the player in the position and what contract he is in.
We spent a lot on SS when Troy was in that position, not others. Harrison had a nice contract at OLB, so did
Porter, Gildon, etc... We spend a lot at TE now because we have a long term veteran in Heath at that position.

Players still in their rookie contracts don't get paid as much. Second contracts salaries jump way up and if you
keep a player for their 3rd contract you usually pay premium.

Spending by position is irrelevant because there are too many factors that come into play.

 

[Coach]

The Steelers spend a lot on various positions based on the player in the position and what contract he is in.
We spent a lot on SS when Troy was in that position, not others. Harrison had a nice contract at OLB, so did
Porter, Gildon, etc... We spend a lot at TE now because we have a long term veteran in Heath at that position.

Players still in their rookie contracts don't get paid as much. Second contracts salaries jump way up and if you
keep a player for their 3rd contract you usually pay premium.

Spending by position is irrelevant because there are too many factors that come into play.

I don't mind spending big bucks on a playmaking DB as Troy was. I don't mind spending money on a stud pass rusher who also a tiger vs the run as Harison was either!

These two won games. Sorry, a Center or a Guard just does not have the same impact on a game. Spending money via position is relevant.

 

[obxsteeler]

Cope,

I know you are a good poster. The positions that are paid more than others are more valuable to the team. LT > Center, any day and twice on Sunday. If Center was that in demand, you'd see teams trading up to get them, and teams drafting them much sooner.

Munchak was quoted as saying LT and C are the most important positions in the OL. You find a better authority let me know.

 

[SteelerAl]

Guess what, guys? We're no longer allocating a large portion of our salary cap to the tight end position...Super Bowl here we come!!!

 

[Coach]

Munchak was quoted as saying LT and C are the most important positions in the OL. You find a better authority let me know.

And if he had to pick between the two, notice which position he listed first.

 

[GTDome]

Now, I get Coach's points about Pouncey, and I do remember this board FLIPPING IT'S EVERLOVING **** over the Free Hernandez hat he wore. Suddenly everyone's cool with it.

I also agree that it's silly to say that C > LT. The facts are there, LTs dominate the first rounds of drafts and draw enormous contracts, while centers are drafted late, paid way less, and replaced often.

But there's no guaranteed blueprint for success. Yes, we need to find better plays at those very key spots, like OLB and DB. But paying a guy JUST for the position he plays is silly. It's why we overpaid Worilds and Allen.

 

[Coach]

Now, I get Coach's points about Pouncey, and I do remember this board FLIPPING IT'S EVERLOVING **** over the Free Hernandez hat he wore. Suddenly everyone's cool with it.

I also agree that it's silly to say that C > LT. The facts are there, LTs dominate the first rounds of drafts and draw enormous contracts, while centers are drafted late, paid way less, and replaced often.

But there's no guaranteed blueprint for success. Yes, we need to find better plays at those very key spots, like OLB and DB. But paying a guy JUST for the position he plays is silly. It's why we overpaid Worilds and Allen.

Thank you. For fans sometimes loyalty trumps reasoning. You nailed it.

Denver and New England won the last two superbowls. You can win bar bets outside of these cities by wagering joe average could not name both their starting backs and just two years have passed.

 

[GTDome]

Thank you. For fans sometimes loyalty trumps reasoning. You nailed it.

Denver and New England won the last two superbowls. You can win bar bets outside of these cities by wagering joe average could not name both their starting backs and just two years have passed.

That's true of many, many teams. Some are successful teams, some aren't.

It's true that RB quality isn't what it once was, but that doesn't make "ignore RB at all costs" a valid formula for success. You can excel with a great back or without one. And to toss a Bell to the curb would just be trying to make some kind of statement about your way of thinking. I'd rather just keep the gifted asset for as long as I can.

 

[Coach]

That's true of many, many teams. Some are successful teams, some aren't.

It's true that RB quality isn't what it once was, but that doesn't make "ignore RB at all costs" a valid formula for success. You can excel with a great back or without one. And to toss a Bell to the curb would just be trying to make some kind of statement about your way of thinking. I'd rather just keep the gifted asset for as long as I can.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not for drafting another RB in rounds 1-3 in 2016. We are a better team with Bell. When he's a free agent I just don't want to give him a Pouncey-like contract.

I also think playing running back for the 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers was a running backs dream. We had a good run blocking line, a great run blocking TE ( who could also pull ), and deadly wide receivers getting the ball from a franchise level QB. As such teams could not afford to cheat up to stop the run. Williams seemed to much better on our team.

Look at the past drafts:

2013. No backs running backs taken in round one
2014 No running backs were taken in round one.
2015. Just one running back was taken in round one
In 2016 draft I only see one RB taken in round one.

That tells you the current value of backs. Next to kickers and punters, RB could be the easiest plug and play positon today as veteran free agents or rookies.

 

[Litos]

useful article from steelersdepot regarding our cap situation and carry over money from last year, Coach please read this before saying again that the sky is falling

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN Home Page/2016/02/steelers-carry-over-3000327-in-unused-salary-cap-space-from-2015/

 

[ark steel]

That's true of many, many teams. Some are successful teams, some aren't.

It's true that RB quality isn't what it once was, but that doesn't make "ignore RB at all costs" a valid formula for success. You can excel with a great back or without one. And to toss a Bell to the curb would just be trying to make some kind of statement about your way of thinking. I'd rather just keep the gifted asset for as long as I can.

and the *'s cheat so you shouldn't even consider them in the mix.

 

[Coach]

useful article from steelersdepot regarding our cap situation and carry over money from last year, Coach please read this before saying again that the sky is falling

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN Home Page/2016/02/steelers-carry-over-3000327-in-unused-salary-cap-space-from-2015/

Read. Assuing this person is correct the Steelers are 9.5 million under the cap. Okay, relative to the other 31 teams, where does this rate? Near the bottom in terms of cap space?