Steeler Nation Remains A Colbert Nation
By chris
With training camp upon us, the Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up a couple pieces of important off-season business.
First, the Steelers signed Kevin Colbert to a five year contract extension. He has been the team’s erstwhile General Manager since 2000, although they use the term Director of Player Personnel which I hate. Not only is it a pain in the ass to type out, you can’t just use initials because the term DP brings a flood of porn spam to my inbox. In any case, Colbert is given much of the credit for the team’s strong draft record as well as doing a terrific job dealing with free agency in the salary cap era. Plus, he’s a Pittsburgh guy.
In other signing news, second round pick Jason Worilds signed a four year rookie contract. Salary details weren’t available but second rounder LaMarr Woodley is making about $900,000 on the last year of his rookie contract so it’s probably somewhere in that range. I’m anxious to see Worilds in action as I’ve seen his name mentioned in several articles listing steals of the 2010 draft. Some were a bit confused by the Steelers taking three linebackers this year but I believe they’re already looking ahead to the day when they have to part ways with James Harrison.
This leaves first rounder Maurkice Pouncey as the only unsigned pick. The Steelers are hardly alone in that position. Only two teams have signed their top draft choice (it’ll be three some time today as a Tim Tebow signing is imminent). I’m guessing agents are demanding bigger signing bonuses than usual because of next year’s impending strike/lockout. Whatever the hold up, let’s hope it doesn’t drag out too long since injuries to Willie Colon and Justin Hartwig and the release of Darnell Stapleton mean Pouncey would have a very good chance to start for us immediately.
After the worst off-season in Steeler history, I’m looking forward to actual football. Let training camp commence!