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Big Decision? LT or LG?? Beachum or RAMON Foster???

bermudasteel

bermudasteel

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Let me be 100% absolutely clear - IMO, I would not have a hard decision, if I had to choose between resigning either Beachum, our LT or RAMON Foster (I had to capitalize Ramon so that Coach doesn't steer the thread into an ADRIAN Foster direction).

Back when I was kinda new to the site - we had a discussion about our OL - my opinion still stands. C's and T's are more valuable, to me, than G's...

So, once the Free Agency market opens on Wednesday at 4PM, I'd pat Mr. Ramon Foster on the back, thank him for his valuable service and let him know that we're going to let him go. Mr. Beachum's check should already be pre-printed and ready for distribution by 16:03PM EST on Wednesday...:xmas::emmersed::cocksure:

What say ye???
 
Foster. Beachum wants the $$$

I like Beachum but Foster was able to hold his own. Thats my opinion anywho
 
MTC said:
Foster. Beachum wants the $$$

I like Beachum but Foster was able to hold his own. Thats my opinion anywho
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I respect that - but, I'm quite nervous about giving the reigns totally over to Big Villy. Not saying that he didn't do a good job; but, we have to start spending money properly and keep Ben upright...
 
bermudasteel said:
I respect that - but, I'm quite nervous about giving the reigns totally over to Big Villy. Not saying that he didn't do a good job; but, we have to start spending money properly and keep Ben upright...
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Keeping Ben protected is key. But I think the group this past season did exceptional. The Steelers need to spend elsewhere. Maybe try a big free agent signing at the safety position. Something to at least hold up a couple seasons until they find a guy in the draft
 
I think the offensive side of the ball is fine. Time to load up that defense
 
Foster should be affordable, I'd offer Beachum less than we've already offered him before last season...obviously Kelvin would not accept and it would be hit the bricks time. In the odd scenario that Ramon wants a ton too, share a cab with Kelvin.

Looks like we're going to allow the market to set the value for the FAs this year, good strategy as our loyalty to players has led to some gross overpayment contracts in the recent past. We are in no position to keep overpaying because our franchise values loyalty.
 
It's a tough call. Beachum is a great story who has turned himself from a seventh-round pick into a starter at left tackle, all while being considered undersized. Foster took a similar route as an UDFA and is a dependable starter on the interior. You know what you get from Foster and he should not command a huge payday. Beachum is younger and when at his best, was ranked as one of the better LTs in the league. However, he is coming off a major injury and wasn't playing at a high level the last we saw him in action. The Steelers have Villanueva, who could be the answer, behind Beachum and no viable options behind Foster.

I could see them going either way, but I think they could be more flexible in free agency if they retain Foster and start Villanueva at left tackle. If they let Foster walk, they'll have better depth at tackle, but will have to bring in a starter either through FA or the draft.
 
Couple of things. One of the things we have learned, or should have learned since Munch is coaching is that a lot of the responsibility of keeping Ben upright is on Ben. He has been doing a much better job of getting rid of it, but when he has gotten hurt is because he holds on to the ball. I just take a bit of umbrage when the theory is advanced that it is all on the OL to keep a QB standing.

I like Beachum alot, too. However, everything we like about him also limits him. When you are barely 6'3", you obviously have shorter legs, which will limit the length of your dropstep on pass protection. Villy's size makes his dropstep tough to beat, but his height also gets him when guys get low. I think you can work on that, but you can't make a guy taller.

The big thing is would Beachum be willing to go in to guard? I know he said no, but that is prior to FA, and you have to say that to maximize earning potential. If Beachum would be willing to do that, I'd sign him and let Foster walk, without question.
 
diver said:
The big thing is would Beachum be willing to go in to guard? I know he said no, but that is prior to FA, and you have to say that to maximize earning potential. If Beachum would be willing to do that, I'd sign him and let Foster walk, without question.
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Beachum didn't completely dismiss the idea, but rather made it seem that he has always played LT and knows that he'll maximize his earnings if he stays at LT. If his best (only) option was to play guard you know he'd do it.
 
It would be easy to OVERPAY for beachum. I hope the FO doesn't make that mistake. As for foster, he is replaceable. Munch has done wonders and someone can fill ramons' shoes.




Salute the nation
 
I heard the Steelers reached out to Beachum's agent to get a feel for what they were looking for.... no such reports about Foster.

If I was a betting man T would get the nod over a G. It appears the Steelers feel the same way.
 
I'm ready to give Villanueva the shot full time at left tackle. let Foster test the market and if he's too expensive, draft his replacement. There are some good guards available in this draft. Good value to be had in rounds 2-4 if the Steelers choose not to go G in the first. Highly likely that Whitehair, Garnett, Turner ,Ifedi, and Westerman will be there when the Steelers pick at 1-25 and 2-25. In the later rounds you'll have guys like Drango, McGovern, Glasgow, Kirkland and I'm sure a couple others I haven't seen. Point is, if Beach and Foster price themselves out of Pit' there are certainly options in this draft and on this roster. I know CB will be the popular choice early, but considering what might be there when the Steelers pick at 1-25 and 2-25, the better option might be big uglies up front on both offense or defense. Would feel ok with them investing at these positions early.
 
I agree with those that think the Steelers have moved on... Beachum would have made sense at LG, but he clearly refused the notion of doing that. So I think Beachum plays the market, and takes the best offer for him. I doubt they'd overpay for Foster, but his return is more likely. At the end of the day, I reckon neither of the two will be back, which leaves Colbert some work to do in FA and the draft.
 
I forgot to add...

It's taken our OL, and yes, thank God that Coach Munchak is here, a few years to gel---if we lose two of those pieces of upfront - it could set the offense back rather than get us deeper into the playoffs.

That being said, I'd be ok with an OT/OG/NT at 1.25. Well look at that - BPA - genius!!!
 
If I had to choose, I'd go with Beachum or nobody. Foster is a solid player but unless his pay rate is pretty low there's no reason to allocate that much money to the interior of our line. I doubt that Beachum is at the top of Left Tackles pay wise but I'd imagine it will cost quite a bit to keep him. I think my limit would be up to 8m/year at the very very most.
 
Beachum may very well get 8mil a year, but who ever pays that will be OVERPAYING for him. He is a 5-6.5mill/year player.



Salute the nation
 
Drink IRON City said:
Beachum may very well get 8mil a year, but who ever pays that will be OVERPAYING for him. He is a 5-6.5mill/year player.



Salute the nation
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Based on what? Maybe he would sign a one year deal at that salary because of his injury.
 
I'm comfortable with Beachum walking. AV may not be the best but we need to use the money they would pay Beachum to upgrade the defense. Sign Foster and sure up the defense. They won a SB with a horrid offensive line before and even without Beachum they would still be very good at least.
 
Beachum is good for depth, but I would not pay him 5-6 million to be a backup. I think he peaked 2 years ago and was having a poor year pre-injury. I say let him walk because we wont be able afford him and not worth what he will get.
 
stillwright said:
Based on what? Maybe he would sign a one year deal at that salary because of his injury.
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Based on the fact that he had a small window of very good play. Last year he was in a decline, then injury. Give him a incentive contract to make the 8mil, but a base contract of 5-6.5mil. I realize someone will pay him, I also realize my opinin is he will be overpaid.




Salute the nation
 
diver said:
Couple of things. One of the things we have learned, or should have learned since Munch is coaching is that a lot of the responsibility of keeping Ben upright is on Ben. He has been doing a much better job of getting rid of it, but when he has gotten hurt is because he holds on to the ball. I just take a bit of umbrage when the theory is advanced that it is all on the OL to keep a QB standing.

I like Beachum alot, too. However, everything we like about him also limits him. When you are barely 6'3", you obviously have shorter legs, which will limit the length of your dropstep on pass protection. Villy's size makes his dropstep tough to beat, but his height also gets him when guys get low. I think you can work on that, but you can't make a guy taller.

The big thing is would Beachum be willing to go in to guard? I know he said no, but that is prior to FA, and you have to say that to maximize earning potential. If Beachum would be willing to do that, I'd sign him and let Foster walk, without question.
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Go look at a picture of Beachum next to the other Tackles and then get back to me... he is a freak body type... he has the legs of a tackle, and long arms, but his torso is weirdly compact....
 
Drink IRON City said:
Based on the fact that he had a small window of very good play. Last year he was in a decline, then injury. Give him a incentive contract to make the 8mil, but a base contract of 5-6.5mil. I realize someone will pay him, I also realize my opinin is he will be overpaid.




Salute the nation
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Getting paid over 5 or 6 mill is the market value....not really over paying. 20 some LT last year made 7 mill it higher.
 
stillwright said:
Getting paid over 5 or 6 mill is the market value....not really over paying. 20 some LT last year made 7 mill it higher.
Click to expand...


I hear what you are sayiong and 5-6.5 is what I would pay, over that IS OVER PAYING. He will sign somewhere else by being overpaid. Will he sign with the STEELERS for 5-6.5??? Who knows, but more than that is overpaid for the value we would recieve. thank you



Salute the nation
 
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