Urlacher has always been a force in the middle. And, his knowledge of the NFC North could have aided the Steelers this season. Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not everyday that a player announces his retirement through Twitter, but that’s just exactly what former Chicago Bears ILB Brian Urlacher did on Wednesday morning.  In a photo he posted in the ol’ tweet tweet, Urlacher says that he thought long and hard this spring about whether to return and play for another team once he was released by the Bears this offseason.

When considering [my level of performance], along with the fact that I could retire after a 13 year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear…. I’m proud to say that I gave all of you everything I had every time I took the field.  I will miss the great game, but I leave it with no regrets.

Those are just some of the things Urlacher had to say in the photo announcement.  Classy words from a classy human being and world class athlete.

Urlacher would have been 35 years old going into his 14th season in the league.  He is just about as tough as they come, and he played with a level of intensity and skill that oozed Steeler defense (my apologies to Bears fans).  After he was initially released by the Bears, I thought to myself, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be great if the Steelers could eek out a one or two year contract with Urlacher to help stave the bleeding in the linebacker core?’  Of course, Urlacher would have been off the charts expensive, and I’m sure he would have been highly hesitant to join a franchise that at the moment is in a slight rebuilding phase (my apologies to Kevin Colbert).  He had options, but I guess none made him salivate enough that he could taste the elusive Lombardi Trophy that he never obtained while being a Bear.

But, can you imagine having #54 line up on the inside next to Lawrence Timmons (my apologies to Larry Foote)?  It would have been an adjustment for Urlacher, having played in a 4-3 scheme his whole career.  However, he is a true ‘insider’ in the sense that he knew how to cover the middle of the field and take on tight ends and slot receivers.  He knew how to play a zone blitz and confused the hell out of quarterbacks as to whether he was in coverage, in spy mode, or on a delayed blitz.  His numbers were never splashy in the amount of sacks he  racked up per season, but you could guarantee that Urlacher was in or near the pile of tacklers every single down the ball was near the line of scrimmage.

Even at age 35 and two years the senior of Foote, Urlacher would have been a force for the Steelers.  He would fit nicely on the strong side ‘Buck’ position next to Timmons.  Despite his age, Urlacher still has all the intangibles to make an impact on defense – more than what Foote would or even could.  Urlacher’s tenacity to get to the football, 1,229 tackles over 182 games, and more than double the amount of sacks than Foote would (as strangely as it sounds) have been a great band-aid for the defense in 2013.  When Sean Spence was drafted last season, he was clearly the replacement for Foote (or Farrior).  But, his severe knee injury in his rookie year has delayed that transition, and will not likely take place until 2014 (if ever at all).  Until Spence is healthy or until the Steelers gain another option at ILB in the draft, Foote is a liability for the defense – especially in coverage situations.  I’d also like to mention that the Steelers face the NFC North this season – not only would Urlacher’s familiarity with all of those offenses been helpful for at least this season, I’m also sure he wouldn’t mind getting to knock around Adrian Peterson one more time before hanging it up.  You can be sure AP will light up the Steelers current squad.

Well it’s fun to fantasize and dream about ‘what could have been.’  Urlacher has had one hell of a ride despite not ever getting to lay hands on a Lombardi.  I tip my hat to #54, and I hope he is starting the write his HOF acceptance speech.  I’m sure the clock for that has already begun.

Larry Foote needs to use last season’s (at times embarrassing) performance as his sole motivation for 2013. Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Motivation.  It’s the life blood for all that we do.  And for the Steelers’ Larry Foote, the lack luster 8-8 record from last season is his (and the team’s) motivation to do better in 2013.

We’re pissed off we didn’t make the playoffs.  On top of that, our rival won the Super Bowl. I know guys are taking it personally. It’s just a whole different mindset to the offseason. I know guys are ready to get back where we need to be.

My sincere hope is that Larry and his teammates look beyond just the 8-8 record of 2012 as their motivation for how they play next season.  Didn’t make the playoffs?  Darn right that should make you angry.  But do you know WHY you missed the playoffs?  I hope that a coach or other player on that roster who had a large chunk of playing time last season puts up these seven words on a big ol’ poster up in the locker room:

“Oakland, Tennessee, Dallas, San Diego, Cleveland”

Each and every practice.  Each and every Sunday just before the team takes the field.  The team should be forced to circle up, stare at those seven words, and reflect on why they lost each of those games.  Each of those games had pinnacle moments where the team – offense or defense – just crapped the bed and found an L in the column among the waste.  Of course poor play will help a team get to 8-8 or worse.  But, the problem with the Steelers was that each and every one of those games were either in hand or quickly became trap games.  I don’t really accept the fact that the Steelers were well within grasp of being a playoff time.  They were shaky all season.  And instead of doing things that pushed them into becoming a playoff team, they continued the roller coaster like play and never made it past eight wins.  It’s probably a good thing they didn’t make it into the playoffs else they would have suffered a more embarrassing loss than they had the year previous by getting ‘Tebow’d.’

I do admire that Foote is taking his frustrations beyond a personal level.  He is taking it from a team and teammate standpoint, and that shows maturity in that view point.  But, I wouldn’t be so concerned about their greatest rival winning the Super Bowl last season.  It’s not like they had an opportunity to prevent the Ravens from going and thus winning the Super Bowl.  The only motivation they need from the Ravens is to beat the damn Ravens.  We also have to keep in mind that with the loss of so many players from last season’s roster that the 8-8 record will not have as much affect on a good chunk of players than if most of the 2012 roster were still around.

So let’s just say this, Larry.  Train your butts off.  Study your brains out.  And put it all out on the field each and every game down to every single man on that sideline.  Do it all for one thing and one thing only – that Lombardi Trophy.

Troy Polamalu and his hair will be back this season for football in shorts. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:

• Redskins fans buy out RGIII’s Bed Bath & Beyond wedding registry
• Chad Johnson has arrest warrant; also needs child support cut down
• Patriots visit Newtown, Connecticut
• Larry Foote still pissed about Steelers 8-8 season
• Steelers first OTA’s to begin this week

It’s the NFL offseason, still too soon for training camps, and too far from the draft to have any trades or deals come up to catch everyone’s attention.  Sometimes stories come up during the offseason that just leave you scratching your head, sometimes they make you angry, and sometimes they warm your heart even if you hate to admit it.  There’s always time to look back on the previous season, especially if it was a particularly frustrating one.  And there’s always time to look forward to the new season; to see what’s out there that can improve on the team you love so much.

Speaking of love, it appears that Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has found love in his fiancée, Rebecca Liddicoat and the two have done what every other engaged couple does; they registered for their wedding at Bed Bath & Beyond.  Unlike every other engaged couple, the Griffins have already had their entire wedding registry bought out by fans of RGIII’s and the team.  Seriously?  Who are these people that buy wedding presents for their favorite athlete?  Now I’m sure not the type of fan who does the whole “I buy tickets and merch so I’m entitled to such and such” or “my money pays your salary so you owe me a good game and/or autograph” routines but I’m sure as hell not going out to spend my hard earned money on a stainless steel toothpick dispenser for a couple that I’m not likely to meet, nor attend their wedding.  Clearly I’m somewhere in the middle with the rest of the sane people.  At least RGIII was gracious about the gesture, tweeting a “thank you” to his fans with a pic of himself with a ton of boxes.

“Thank you to the Fans who are helping buy ALL the items from our wedding registry at Bed Bath & Beyond …” RGIII’s twitter feed.

I am a self-admitted, full-fledged Chad Johnson hater.  I don’t hate the man like in the violent sense of the word but back when he was relevant to the NFL and a rival to the Steelers I’d start a “Chad Johnson is overrated” argument with anyone who’d listen without even the slightest bit of provocation.  Nowadays, Chad makes it too easy for me.  Not only is he still looking for a team to take on his ehem, talents, and his baggage, but he’s also back in some legal trouble again.  He’s got a warrant out for his arrest in Miami for a probation violation stemming from his arrest for head-butting his reality D-list star wife, but now he’s headed back to court to have the $5,420 per month child support payments lowered because he claims he can’t afford them.  How pathetic can you get?  At least he’s still a big deal on Twitter.  Way to go buddy, really putting effort into what counts in life.

Now as much as it pains me to write anything positive about the New England Patriots, I have to give them credit for having roughly 30 current and former players, coaches, and cheerleaders host a football camp for kids in Newtown, Conn. this weekend.  Over 500 kids registered and attended the camp and even Pats TE Rob Gronkowski put down his Bud Lights and porn stars for the weekend to play with the kids.  The camp was held in the town that was shattered when 20 students and six teachers were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  Pats owner Robert Kraft hosted the event for the community to show support.  Well done Patriots.  Now I’ll go back to despising you.

On the topic of despising, Steelers LB Larry Foote said the Steelers have a chip on the shoulder still from not only going 8-8 and missing out on the playoffs, but also watching their rival, Baltimore, take home the Lombardi trophy.

“We’re pissed off we didn’t make the playoffs.  On top of that, our rival won the Super Bowl.  I know guys are taking it personally.  It’s just a whole different mindset to the offseason.  I know guys are ready to get back where we need to be.”

I’m glad Foote is pissed.  I hope the rest of the team is just as pissed; even the new guys need to be pissed.  Whatever the issues of the team were last season, wherever you like to place the blame, the whole picture is just as coach Tomlin usually states.  He was an 8-8 coach and the team was an 8-8 team.  If anyone on the Steelers is pleased with their 2012-13 contributions, I’d hope they’re no longer on the roster.  The Steelers haven’t had an actual losing season since 2003 (which lead to them being able to select Ben Roethlisberger at the 11^th pick of the 2004 draft) but an 8-8 season is a far cry from what the team is capable of and what’s expected of them.

Looking forward to the new season once the draft is complete starts with OTA’s and those will begin Tuesday on the South Side.  “Football in shorts” is what is typically referred to as there will be no pads or equipment during the workouts.  The Steelers have some adjustments to make for the upcoming season which include adjusting to life without James Harrison and Mike Wallace, discovering the running back situation, and welcoming two new position coaches in Jack Bicknell Jr and Richard Mann who will coach the offensive line and wide receivers respectively.  Early reports are that safety Troy Polamalu will attend OTA’s for the second straight season.  Troy attended last year for the first time but did end up missing 9 games due to injuries.  I say bring on the OTA’s, let’s start this friggin season already!  I have such an uneasy feeling about it all, but my optimism will always prevail when the Steelers are concerned.  Go Steelers!

What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation?  Would you buy wedding presents for your favorite athlete?  What do you think the goals are of the OTA’s?  Are you still pissed at going 8-8 like Larry Foote is?

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Pittsburgh’s 2012 3rd round draft pick was in the midst of a solid rookie-preseason until his knee was absolutely shredded in the Steelers’ final game against the Panthers last August.  The former Miami Hurricane not only tore his ACL and LCL ligaments on that fateful evening, but he even dislocated his knee cap and sustained damage the peroneal nerve as well.  The injury was so gruesome that doubt and debate still linger regarding whether or not Sean will even be able to make his N.F.L.-debut.

Recently, Pittsburgh’s linebackers coach Keith Butler stated during a “Draft Weekend” interview that it would be “miraculous” if Spence ever returned to the field.  On the other hand, head coach Mike Tomlin chimed in last week on the subject and said that Spence’s recovery is on schedule.

Debate over Spence aside, I believe that the bigger issue at hand right now is that the Steelers’ lack experienced depth at inside linebacker.  Due to this fact, Pittsburgh’s defense could be in a world of trouble if something happens injury-wise to Larry Foote or Lawrence Timmons this fall.

Exactly how bereft of experienced depth are the Steelers at the inside linebacker position at the moment though?

Well, I certainly hate to be a “Negative Nancy,” but I think that all of us in “Steeler Nation” need to hope that both Foote and Timmons can play and start all 16 regular season games this year with the kind of depth the team possesses behind them at the moment:

Sylvester is now entering his 4th year in the league. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Stevenson Sylvester

While some of you readers might be comfortable that the Steelers have four-year veteran Stevenson Sylvester behind Foote and Timmons, let me ask you the following question:

How much confidence does the franchise have in a player who they did not even bother to RFA tender when the free agency period began?

 

Over his three year career with the Steelers, Sylvester (6’2″ 231 lbs.) has been mainly a special teams player and only logged one career start at inside linebacker.  I understand that it was difficult for Stevenson to get on the field over the last three years (22 career tackles) with veterans like Timmons, Foote, and James Farrior in front of him.

I for one cannot blame the coaching staff’s lack of confidence in Sylvester.  I mean, the guy struggled on special teams last year and was not even RFA tendered this past spring!  As Butler alluded to in an interview on “Draft Weekend,” 2013 will essentially be Sylvester’s last chance to prove himself to the coaching staff that he can be a capable backup and a possible starter at inside linebacker.  While Stevenson is currently the #1 backup option behind Timmons and Foote, he will nevertheless have some competition for said spot over the coming months.

Vince Williams

Although Williams was drafted in the 6th round and the Steelers passed on more talented prospects like Arthur Brown and Khaseem Greene earlier in the draft, I still believe that the former Seminole has the tools to be an effective backup and potential developmental starter at the professional level.

A two-year starter in college, Williams racked up a combined 113 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss during his junior and senior seasons.  A squat, yet large-framed (6’1″ 250 lbs.) individual as well, Vince is a “downhill” linebacker who is at his best when he supports the run and can attack in the trenches.  While Williams’ pass-coverage skills and agility in pass-coverage are less than stellar at this point in his career, he was not on the field very much on passing-downs in college.  Thus, there is at least some hope that with some possible weight-shedding and a developmental period that Williams can improve in said area.

While the upside and tenacity are there with Williams, he is almost assuredly destined for special teams duty as a rookie.  I for one do not consider that to be a bad thing either, especially because the coaching staff will need to determine whether or not the former can be a potential “three-down linebacker” at the professional level.  Plus, the complex defensive scheme that Dick LeBeau employs usually requires players to sit for a year or two and learn on the bench.  For now though, I guess we can get excited about Williams possibly laying out opposing return men on special teams.

Marshall McFadden

McFadden has paid his dues over the last couple of years on Pittsburgh’s practice squad, and his knowledge of the defensive scheme could lead to him receiving a long-look as a backup linebacker in the preseason.

After going undrafted and unsigned during his first year out of college, the former South Carolina State Bulldog was signed shortly after the 2011 season ended.  Since that time, McFadden has been shuttled on-and-off of the team’s practice squad, and he failed to play a regular season down for the Steelers as a rookie.

To his credit, Marshall performed well enough during the 2012 preseason (15 tackles ranked 2nd on the team) to earn a practice squad contract with the team last year.  He definitely has the size to play between the tackles (6’1″ 233 lbs.), and the coaching staff obviously feels comfortable keeping him around for another tryout period.  Thus, if he can continue to improve he should be in the mix to push his competition vying for backup and special teams roles.

Brian Rolle

Brian Rolle definitely interests me the most out of all the players I will list today, particularly because he has the most professional starting experience of any of Pittsburgh’s backup linebackers.  During his rookie campaign of 2011, Rolle actually received a good deal of playing time with the Eagles.  Although injuries and poor-play forced him into the lineup, the former Buckeye played in all 16 regular season games and started 13 of them.  Overall, Brian managed to rack up 51 tackles and he even returned a fumble recovery 22 yards for a touchdown.

While Rolle showed some promise as a rookie, his 2012 season was downright dreadful.  The linebacker not only lost his starting job to Akeem Jordan before the regular season began, but he was also passed over on the team’s depth chart by Jamar Chaney when Jordan sustained an injury early last year.  Unfortunately, the benching was not the worst thing that happened to the linebacker last year.  Rolle was actually released by Philadelphia midway through the season due to his poor play on special teams.

Last season’s issues aside, Rolle could be in the running to be Timmons’ backup at the “Mack” spot on the weakside over the next few months.  Brian however will have to learn to fight off blocks better against interior linemen and also must learn pass-cover consistently if he wants to nail down a backup gig.  Most of all though, Brian will have to prove that he can play well on special teams if he wishes to stick around, because Pittsburgh’s coaches are unlikely to carry a backup linebacker who is unable to contribute on the special teams coverage units.

Kion Wilson

Like McFadden, Wilson has been on and off of N.F.L. practice squads over the last couple of seasons.  Wilson (6′ 230 lbs.) was signed by the Chargers in the spring of 2010 after he went undrafted.  After one year on San Diego’s practice squad, Wilson signed with Carolina in 2011.  During his first two pro seasons, Kion only suited up for a total of eight games.

Last season, Wilson failed to play a regular season down with any N.F.L. team after he was cut by the Panthers when the preseason came to a close.  It will be an uphill climb for Wilson to earn a roster spot this year, and he will really have to shine for the Steelers to bring him aboard to their 53-man roster.  I just do not see how he can leap frog McFadden, Rolle, and Williams for a job unless he is an absolute force on special teams.

Final Thoughts

I for one will be interested to see how the depth chart behind Timmons and Foote eventually shakes out once the preseason ends.  It will definitely be a competitive battle between the four aforementioned players, and it would not surprise me if undrafted rookies Alan Baxter and Terence Garvin receive some work at inside linebacker this summer as well.

Overall though, one of my biggest fears regarding the upcoming season is that either Foote or Timmons will be sidelined for extended periods and that Pittsburgh will be forced to turn to one or more of these unproven players before they are ready to contribute.  While some of these players could very well surprise in 2013, the fact is that Pittsburgh’s defense will probably be at a tremendous disadvantage if any of the backups are pressed into duty at some point this fall.

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Players Stats Provided By: ESPN.com

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Burress will be back in 2013. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

I guess that idea went out the window earlier today as the Steelers re-signed soon-to-be 33 year old Larry Foote and the soon-to-be 36 year-old Plaxico Burress.

While I am not exactly a “fan” of either move, I can at least understand why each one was made by Pittsburgh’s brass.

The re-upping of Burress actually provides the franchise with some added depth at a position which could sorely stand to use more.  Mike Wallace has finally left town, and the Steelers have Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery as the only proven players at Wide Receiver.

Granted, I hope that the Steelers are able to target a Wide Receiver early in this April’s Draft (DeAndre Hopkins, Justin Hunter, Keenan Allen).  But even if the Steelers draft a Wide Receiver in Round 1 or Round 2, most Rookie pass-catchers tend to go through a year or two of “growing pains” as they adjust to new coverages and the physicality of the sport at the professional level.  Burress’ presence, at least in 2013, should allow for the young player to be brought along at their own pace and find their niche in Boss Todd’s Offense.  Plus, what better mentor/cautionary tale for the youngster to learn from than a guy who has seen such incredible highs and horrible lows as a professional football player like Plaxico?

The biggest reason however why I like the Burress signing is because he possesses what no other Wide Receiver on the Steelers’ roster does: SIZE.  At 6’5”, Plaxico’s frame is perfect for down-field throws, and it still gives him a sizable height advantage over any Defensive Back in the entire N.F.L..  Despite the fact that his speed is no longer what it once was, Burress can still give Ben Roethlisberger a large target to find all over the field, particularly in the Red Zone.

Remember readers, Heath Miller is coming off of a knee injury, so Pittsburgh’s Offense could stand to use a competent, and large Red Zone threat if and when their Pro Bowl Tight End is sidelined.  Brown, Sanders, and Cotchery are nowhere near as physically imposing as Burress, and Plaxico’s size could come in handy when Pittsburgh’s Offense finds themselves inside the 20′s, or Big Ben wants to call a Fade route.

At least to me, the projected one-year, non-guaranteed deal to re-up Burress is a heady “low-risk, medium-reward” type of move that has the potential to help Pittsburgh’s Offense in some key areas.  Although I’ve warmed to the idea of Plaxico coming back, I cannot say the same for Larry Foote and the 3-year deal he signed earlier today.

Foote did not play well in pass-coverage last year. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Do not get me wrong, I totally understand why the move was made in the first place: The Steelers have ZERO depth at Inside Linebacker.

Behind Lawrence Timmons and Foote, the cupboard is essentially bare in terms of players on the depth chart.  As it stands, Marshall McFadden, Brian Rolle, and Kion Wilson are the Steelers’ options at Inside Linebacker.  Sure, I guess that I could include now-UFA Stevenson Sylvester and Sean Spence (and his mangled leg) as possibilities.  Yet I cannot see either player making any sort of future contributions with the franchise.

I understand that Foote had a solid year last year on the stat-sheet, and he led the team in Tackles (113), recorded 4.0 Sacks, forced 2 fumbles, and recovered 2 more during the 2012 campaign.  Yet the veteran Linebacker had plenty of issues in pass-coverage, and was a liability on 3rd Downs unless he was blitzing through the A-Gap.

I understand that Foote has a large amount of experience under his belt, and the team has really no other option to turn to at the moment.  But did the Steelers’ brass really need to re-sign the veteran to a 3-year deal?

I know I know, all of the Foote supporters will point to how the veteran has the “best understanding” of how Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau’s “complicated” scheme works.  Nevertheless, I must ask:

• What good does an understanding of LeBeau’s complex scheme do if Foote himself is a 2-Down player who provides little to no value whatsoever in pass-coverage or against athletic Offensive Linemen?

I for one would rather see the Steelers gamble on Timmons at the “Buck” spot this year, and then let the four aforementioned options (3 players on roster, 1 Rookie) above duke it out to win the “Mack” job beside him.  Timmons would be able to step into a “leadership” role on the Defense, while the younger players receive their own shots to “learn by doing” as the franchise continues to rebuild.

With this deal, the  Steelers seem to believe that the soon-to-be 33 year old Foote will stay healthy and play as effectively as he did last year for the team.  My hope is that Foote’s contract is front-loaded like it is because the team is set to draft an Inside Linebacker high this April.  Thus, the veteran will get a nice chunk of change, and the team can part ways with him rather easily/inexpensively if a young player can step up by 2014 or 2015.  Regardless of what I think though, the deal is done, and the Steelers have Foote signed to a deal through the 2015 season.

I for one am intrigued to see how the rest of Pittsburgh’s offseason plays out, especially because they were so busy on Day 1.

Readers:  Do you agree with the moves?  Why or why not?

Stats Courtesy of: Pro-Football Reference and ESPN.com

Players Contract Info. Provided By: Spotrac.com