Camp's out for summer. Let's head to Kennywood! Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

The Steelers are about to embark on their summer vacations before returning to Latrobe for the official start to the 2012-13 season.  By all accounts OTAs and Minicamp were successful as the team transitions to a younger defense and a brand new offense.  Of course it’s difficult if not impossible to truly judge how successful the team will be under these changes considering there were no pads or hitting involved, but most if not all of Steeler Nation is very optimistic about the upcoming season.  However it’s not that easy to keep the warm and fuzzies about the situation considering there is some definite unfinished business to attend to.  The question on everyone’s mind –besides whether or not Big Ben’s son will be born during the season or not- is how much longer will Mike Wallace go without signing? (more…)

Revis Island must be expensive to live on. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason

• Darrelle Revis looking to hold out…again
• TO looking for an apology and cash from IFL team that cut him
• DUI season heats up
• Hines Ward to join NBC Sports
• The Steelers wrap up Week 2 of OTAs

As we enter the timeframe of under 100 days until the regular season kicks off the most intriguing stories left before training camp starts will be who is holding out.  Speculation arose this week for Aliquippa native and former Pitt star, Darrelle Revis to see if he will be holding out for the second time in three seasons.  Revis held out all of 2010 for a new contract that was mainly front loaded and paid him a ridiculous combined $32.5 million between 2010 and 2011.  He’s set to make a measly $13.5 million this year so many are wondering if the cornerback will be holding out for more dough or showing up to camp.  This situation is completely different from the one Steeler Nation is closely following, with Mike Wallace still not signing his $2.7 million tender and still not reporting to OTAs, Revis already has a contract in place. (more…)

Antonio Brown: New #1?

Can Brown fill the #1 role with Wallace sitting? I am anxious to see what happens. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

After a Rookie season spent on the bench and on Special Teams, Antonio Brown exploded on the scene last season and recorded 69 Catches for 1,108 Yards, 2 TD’s, and even had 1 Punt Return TD to boot.  In addition,  Brown also led the team in Catches for 1st Downs (57), and was even targeted more times than Wallace was last season (123).

And if you can remember back to the end of last season, it was Brown that made the splash plays on a more consistent basis than Wallace was.  While I am not a huge fan of Brown’s End Zone and big-play celebration theatrics (I’m not a fan of that behavior from players in general), he has an electrifying presence on the football field, and possesses the makings of a Pro Bowl and future “elite” Wide Receiver down the road.

Because Chris Rainey was selected in Round 5 of the Draft, and Marquise Maze was signed to a UDFA contract, Brown’s focus will shift entirely to the Wide Receiver position, which could not come at a better time as the team does not have Wallace in the present.  As a full-time Wide Receiver, Brown will get to hone his skills each and every day this offseason, and get a jump on Wallace in terms of his understanding of the Offense and what role he is going to play.  Because Brown is the best all-around (combination of: route-running, hands, speed, 1st Down converting prowess, and ability to get open) Wide Receiver on the team in my opinion, he has the chance to emerge as the “leader of the pack” if Wallace does not choose to join the team until later this Summer, Fall, or even during the season.

If Brown chooses to accept a leadership role and steps up in Wallace’s absence it will be of  great value to him, because it will illustrate to the Front Office a sense of maturity and dedication on Brown’s part.  Maturity goes a long way with Colbert & Co., and if Brown impresses the Coaching Staff to boot, he will likely be rewarded with a contract that correlates to his overall talent either when he becomes a Restricted Free Agent after this season, or an Unrestricted Free Agent after the 2013 season.

Emmanuel Sanders: Chance to Step Up His Game

Sanders will look to step up his game in 2012 while Wallace sits. Mandatory Credit: Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

Although Emmanuel Sanders would likely not benefit as greatly as Brown would in terms of becoming a “star” in Wallace’s absence, he does have an advantageous opportunity to help himself in the process.  Indispensable when he has worked in the slot over the last two seasons, Sanders should continue to improve as he enters the 2012 campaign.

For those of you that remember, Sanders became a reliable target for Big Ben down the stretch in the 2010 season, and was actually ahead of Brown on the depth chart when the season ended.  While Emmanuel’s statistics went down last season due to foot and knee ailments, Sanders had some pretty nice games last season when he was healthy.

At Arizona he had 5 grabs for 46 Yards and a nice Touchdown catch when he stayed alert when Ben was flushed from the pocket and found an open space.  When the Steelers went with the effective dink-and-dunk/get the ball out of Ben’s hands quickly Offense against New England (something Arians refused to employ on a consistent basis for the rest of last season which still burns me), Sanders had 5 catches for 70 Yards and him, Miller, and Brown all enjoyed nice days.  Finally, Sanders was actually the leading receiver against the Broncos in the Playoff game last January, and racked up 6 catches for 81 Yards during the losing effort.

While Sanders’ skill-set is better suited as a possession receiver in the slot as opposed to making plays downfield outside the numbers (in addition to working on the inside like Brown can do), he still has much riding on this season and must take advantage of every opportunity .  Like Brown, Sanders will also be a Restricted Free Agent after this season, and an Unrestricted Free Agent after 2013.  Because of this, Sanders must continue to develop the good rapport he has already established with Big Ben, and work with Brown to learn the new Offense in the coming months.  The key for Sanders to succeed and earn a new contract will ultimately rest with him keeping himself out of the training room and prove to the Front Office and the Coaching Staff he is healthy.  Thus, the more chances he gets and shines with Wallace out of the picture, the more likely he will be sticking around and earning himself another contract with Pittsburgh in a couple of years.

Final Thoughts

Mike Wallace can do whatever he wants, and is his decision to ride this current situation out, and nobody else’s.  What I believe the Steelers should do if they cannot come to a long-term agreement with Wallace is the following:  Let him play out his RFA tender this season.  When he decides to report is a mystery, but he will have to join the team eventually and play in 6 games to accrue the season needed for him to be a UFA.  If this happens to be the case, the Front Office should let him walk and go after a tall-field stretching pass-catcher to add to the Brown-Sanders-Cotchery-and hopefully Toney Clemons combo to groom for the future.

My hope is that the Steelers can come to sort of long-term contract with Wallace.  As far as deep-threats go, there are few better in the game, he is one of the best, if not the best Wide Receiver in the League in regards to that specific skill-set/ability, and anytime he is on the field he is a threat to take it the distance.  He is a valuable piece of the Steelers’ Wide Receiving Corps, and a fan-favorite still among many.  Nevertheless, if he is hell-bent on getting a dollar amount that Pittsburgh’s Front Office cannot scrounge up or chooses not to allocate in his direction, he will likely be on his way out of town sooner rather than later (if the team does not choose to Franchise him after this season).  If this is indeed the case, what better way to help make Wallace expendable and to help the team and themselves in the process, than for Brown and Sanders to become leaders of the Wide Receiving Corps this offseason and continue to develop their overall games.

With Hines Ward gone, Jerricho Cotchery also learning the new Offense, still relatively young (29), and newer to the team as well, this is the time where “all hands must be on deck,” Rosetta Stones are needed, everyone must do their fair share to learn the Offense, gather as much information as possible about their new Offense and their roles in it, and most importantly: get back to the grind.  Giving Big Ben at least some comfort and some familiar targets during the early stages of learning the new system will be of great help, and Brown and Sanders would be wise to step into those roles as the current “WR#1″ sits on the sidelines working out his contract issues.

Statistics Courtesy of: ESPN.com Steelers Page

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Brandon Lindsey might still get to play his home games at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Linebackers

Brandon Lindsey OLB (Pittsburgh)

Local college Defensive End (6’2” and 254 lbs.) who should transition to Outside Linebacker.  Lindsey can hopefully contribute on Special Teams at the beginning of his career, and in time push Jason Worilds and Chris Carter for playing time as a backup.  Could be a steal because Lindsey had a Day 3 draftable grade on him, and the Steelers can always use depth behind Harrison and Woodley.  Keith Butler can develop Linebackers, and it would be nice to see a former Panther succeed with the Steelers.

Adrian Robinson OLB (Temple)

Likely will be in the same boat as Brandon Lindsey and will vie for playing time at Outside Linebacker after contributing on Special Teams for a season or two.  At 6’1” 250 lbs., Robinson will have to make the transition from 4-3 Defensive End after starting 38 games at the position in college.  Robinson earned 2011 1st-Team All-MAC honors and could be a nice addition to the roster if he is stashed on the practice squad for this season.

Defensive Backs

Terry Carter CB (Louisiana Tech)

Former track athlete at Louisiana Tech, Carter will look to find a backup role on the Steelers or at least a spot on the Practice Squad.  At 5’10” 184 lbs., the 2011 1st Team All-WAC performer has decent size for the position, and will need to prove he can support in the run game like the other Steelers Corners as well  Carter will have to battle Robert Golden and Terrence Frederick for likely the final roster spot at Cornerback in camp.  Otherwise he will be on the practice squad.

Robert Golden CB/S (Arizona)

Golden has a decent shot of making the team due to his versatility as a Defensive Back and the thin depth at the Safety position.  A three year stater at Arizona, Golden (5’11” 202 lbs.) played both Corner and Safety, and possesses decent size to play either position.  Should compete with Terrence Frederick and Terry Carter for a backup job at Cornerback, and with Ryan Mundy the only backup Safety with any experience, Golden should get a look there as well.  Should be a Practice Squad guy with a good showing, and an outside chance to make the 53-man roster.

Defensive Linemen

Ikponmwosa Igbinosun DE (Southern Connecticut State)

Igbinosun is a 5-Technique Defensive End who should compete for time in the rotation as a backup behind Keisel, Hood, and Heyward.  He’s a raw prospect for Defensive Line Coach John Mitchell to work with, and should at least find self on Practice Squad if he flashes something in camp.  At 6’4” and 288 lbs., Igbinosun has the perfect body type to play the 5-Technique and a year or two of developing his game with Mitchell could make him a solid addition to the rotation in time.

Jake Stoller DE (Yale)

Will have an uphill battle to make team, and main competition will be with Igbinosun for final backup spot in 5-Technique rotation.  At 6’3” 284 lbs., Stoller was a 2nd Team All-Ivy League selection last season and a two year starter.  Stoller’s best chance of contributing will likely be on Special Teams, as it could be his only chance to make the Practice Squad.

Specialists

Drew Butler has a legitimate shot of becoming the Steelers' Punter in 2012 and beyond. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

Drew Butler P (Georgia)

Excellent chance of earning a roster spot with Daniel Sepulveda gone, and Jeremy Kapinos providing his only competition.  Butler, a three year starter with a big leg, was a 2nd Team All-American in his Junior season, and averaged 45.2 Yards per Punt during his career.  Butler was also named to Georgia’s “Team of the Decade” as a collegiate player as well.  Of all the Free Agents brought in, Butler has the best chance to make the team.

Grant Ressel K (Missouri)

Ressel should compete with Shaun Suisham and possibly another candidate (Swayze Waters) for the starting job in camp.  Ressel was an All-American in 2009, but has been dealing with some confidence issues.  Ressel had only missed 3 of 46 kicks in the two seasons prior to 2011 until he lost his job after going 7 for 13 to start the year.  Hopefully Ressel’s confidence can come back, because some competition must come in for Suisham.

Offensive Linemen

Ryan Lee OG (Furman)

Ryan Lee will face stiff competition from the three Linemen the Steelers drafted, fellow Free Agent signee Desmond Stapleton, and entrenched backups Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster.  At 6’3” and 308 lbs., Lee will try to find a spot at the crowded Guard position, but will likely not be making the final roster or even the Practice Squad.

Desmond Stapleton OG (Rutgers)

If you recognize the last name it’s because he is indeed related to former Steelers’ Guard Darnell Stapleton (brother) and consequently he plays the same position (Guard).  At 6’5” 301 lbs., Stapleton will likely be coming in to compete for a job at Guard.  It will not be easy though, because with the amount of depth Pittsburgh has at the position now, Stapleton will have a tough time making the Practice Squad.

Wide Receivers

Marquis Maze WR (Alabama)

Maze should compete for time on Special Teams this season. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-US PRESSWIRE

Maze will have an uphill climb to make the roster as he will have to beat out Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, and newcomers Toney Clemons and Connor Dixon for a spot.  Furthermore, Maze will face competition on Special Teams and in the return game from RB Chris Rainey as well.  The tiny Maze (5’7” 186 lbs.) could be sent to Practice Squad and developed for a year until Wallace leaves, but he still will have to make heads turn in camp to stay around.

Connor Dixon WR (Duquesne)

A former Quarterback, Dixon, like Maze, enters a crowded WR group and would likely have to show his worth on Special Teams before getting any real time as a pass catcher.  At 6’5” and 222 lbs. he towers over the rest of Pittsburgh’s Wide Receivers, which could give him an advantage.  However, he has only played the position for two and a half years, and will face some stiff competition to make the roster, although he could make the practice squad.

The Law & Order theme song is my new ring tone. Dun-Dun!

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:

• Peyton officially announced as Broncos new QB
• Tebow traded to NY Jets twice in one day
• Goodell drops the hammer on the Saints
• Hines Ward officially retires as a Steeler
• Rooney adamant about wanting to keep Wallace despite reports he wants big money
• Steelers are among other teams proposing rules changes for next season
• The Steelers lose their first big name to free agency

It seems as though March Madness this year can also refer to the NFL offseason.  What a crazy month it has been so far.  In one week, Peyton Manning was announced as the newest Denver Broncos quarterback for an obscene amount of money, Timmy Tebow was traded to the Jets twice in the same day, the Saints lost their head coach for a season among other punishments from Goodell for Bounty-Gate, and Hines Ward officially retires and earns Steeler For Life status. (more…)