I would be happy as S*&t to grab Hightower. As stated in another post, Steelers have 24+ million in cap space after Brown extension and Bell tag. 5 mil, give or take for rookies, leaves 19 mil to sign our own and/or free agents. People are talking about giving 4.5 mil or so to Timmons??? How about that 4.5 and maybe another 8.5 to get Hightower (13 mil, to begin with, may be enough to get him)? That'd leave about 6 mil after Bell, Brown, rookies, to go towards our own, with extensions and creative math, maybe stretching more.
Immediate Positive Impact:
-It immediately weakens the Pats* while also giving us a HUGE strength in an area of their biggest, already existing weakness, pressure up the middle on Brady!
-Steelers stick to their likely draft plan of an edge rusher in the 1st round, CB 2nd round... Defense can then deploy platoon of Harrison/Rookie on right, Dupree/Moats on left, ability to generate serious pressure from middle with Shazier/Hightower and Burns/Cockrell/Golson/Rookie.
I just love the idea of turning the tables on the Pats* with one of their own and it should make the Steeler's D formidable against any opponent!!!