Burress staying in Pittsburgh. Tomlin still has holes to fill on the roster. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:

• Steelers active in Free Agency
• Wes Welker defects from Patriots to join Manning in Denver
• Mass Exodus from Baltimore as Ravens can’t afford anyone but Flacco
• Emmanuel Sanders visits New England but leaves without offer sheet
• Steelers lose more players to free agency
• Tomlin speaks on state of Steelers

The free agency period is open for business and there is plenty of moving and shaking involved, even with the Steelers.  The team usually remains relatively quiet during the free agency period, typically re-signing their own players but no splash signings to speak of.  Within the first week of free agency the Steelers re-signed Ramon Foster, Greg Warren, Larry Foote, Plaxico Burress and signed Pittsburgh native back up QB Bruce Gradkowski.  In addition the Steelers welcomed back TE Matt Spaeth from the Browns, whose re-signing is pending a physical.  The signing of Gradkowski likely means either Charlie Batch’s or Byron Leftwich’s time is done in Pittsburgh.  I’d lean towards Leftwich not getting signed back as he’s spent more time on the IR the past few years than Willie Colon, who incidentally was signed by the Jets this week as well.

In moves across the league remember that time when Tom Brady restructured and took a “pay cut” so that the Patriots could make some big signings during the offseason?  Yeah apparently that didn’t work out too well for them seeing as how they couldn’t come to terms with their leading receiver, Wes Welker.  Welker now joins Peyton Manning and what has become a very dangerous receiving corps in Denver.  Too bad they can’t play against their own secondary every game or they’d run away with the Super Bowl hands down.  Also the Baltimore Ravens seem to be closely following the 2003 Florida Marlins offseason handbook and starters are jumping ship like beads on a Mardi Gras float.  After they traded their top WR Anquan Boldin to the 49ers for a stick of Double Mint Gum and some Chuck-E-Cheese tokens they watched starter after starter sign contracts with other teams.  The Ravens not only have to look for the next Ray Lewis in their linebacking corps but will also be faced with replacing Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe along with safety Bernard Pollard.  Not to mention the fact that longtime safety Ed Reed is in the process of being courted by the Houston Texans.  The Ratbirds fell into this whole after offering Joe Flacco the biggest contract in the NFL and having relatively no space left under the cap to resign the rest of the players undoubtedly feeling underpaid as Super Bowl Champions.  Basically they Ratbirds will consist of Flacco, his eyebrow, Suggs, and the kid from the Blind Side.  Good luck with that guys.

Last week Emmanuel Sanders made news after word broke that he was in New England visiting the Patriots.  Sanders is a restricted free agent whom the Steelers offered a tender to before the free agency period started.  Sanders himself cleared up some confusion that was circulating as to if he had signed/not signed/was going to sign/ with the Pats by saying he had not been offered anything.  If Sanders does receive an offer sheet by the April 19^th deadline, the Steelers would have a week to match or beat their offer or they will receive that team’s 3^rd round draft pick as compensation for losing Sanders.  Steeler Nation is all a flutter awaiting the outcome similarly to last year when we were wondering if anyone would offer up their 1^st round pick for Mike Wallace.  I realize losing Wallace is a blow to the receiving corps but I’m not understanding why the collective Nation is stressing the outcome of a wide receiver that had only 626 receiving yards and 1 touchdown last season.  If Sanders choses the same path that Wallace just went down and thinks he’s due a big payday for his potential rather than his numbers, then I’m not sure we’re losing a whole lot there.  Let’s just see how this one plays out before stressing out, shall we?

Speaking of Wallace, the free agency period was barely a few hours old and his massive contract with the Miami Dolphins was already signed signifying the first of three Steelers to defect in the first three days of free agency.  Next was Rashard Mendenhall to the Arizona Cardinals and then Keenan Lewis signed with his hometown team the New Orleans Saints last week.  That wipes out the entire 2008 draft class for the Steelers.  Willie Colon also signed with the Jets last week after being released by the Steelers.  The departure of Wallace will hurt, his talents can’t really be replaced even if that’s hard to admit.  Mendenhall, on the other hand, was part of a lackluster rushing game last season and topped it off by quitting on his own teammates by punking out and pulling a “no show” for a game he wasn’t slated to play in.  See ya later buddy, I’m sure you can do plenty of dancing at the line of scrimmage for 1 yard gains in AZ.  Keenan Lewis showed signs of promise at the CB position opposite Ike Taylor last year and his efforts will certainly be missed.  Cortez Allen had an amazing end of the season and will most likely have the starting position opposite Taylor to start the 2013 season.  Can’t really hold it against Wallace and Lewis if they wanted to leave Pittsburgh.  Aside from all the Plaxico’s and Foote’s in the world who have left the Steel City only to return and never want to leave again, there are some that just don’t get it.  Best of luck to Wallace and Lewis, here’s hoping that Tannehill can stay upright long enough to hit Wallace downfield and Lewis can effectively matchup against Julio Jones twice a season.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert are in Arizona this week for the owner’s meetings and took some time to talk about the recent departures from the roster.  Both expressed sentiments that there is no need for panic and even Colbert reminded us that we lost players that were a part of an 8-8 team, therefore we were bound to make some kind of changes.  Tomlin said that Worilds would be first in line to take over for the loss of James Harrison, adding that

“We’ll see what Jason Worilds is capable of doing.”

I think we’ll have to see what Tomlin and Colbert are capable of doing too.  They have a big challenge, not only with the upcoming draft and trying to fill some of these holes, but also with maintaining a team that should be re-tooling to compete for a Super Bowl each year and not be losing key players that can’t be replaced.  I agree with Colbert that after the disappointing season the Steelers had, changes were due to come about.  I just hope that the right changes are being made and the right players are being brought in.  On the other hand, you can argue that if Ben doesn’t throw that interception against Cincy we’re in the playoffs and then who knows what could have happened so you have to put yourself in a position to do better next year, not worse.

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Swapping Mikes. Could Mike Williams replace someone like Mike Wallace? Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

The Steelers may not be able to come to terms with their young speedster receiver, Mike Wallace.  And if by chance that happens, the Steelers may (or very well may not) be on the market to pick up a viable #2 or #3 receiver to compete against the rest of The Core while in camp or even someone who could come along post-Wallace era.

While constantly thinking about the Steelers, I get to play a lot of ‘what if’s’ in my head.  Some are pleasant, some would make a person shudder.  The ‘what if’ currently swirling around the ol’ noggin’ is the Steelers deciding to let Wallace hold out AND take it a step further by looking for another receiver to compete in camp.  There’s one in particular who’s available because his former team showed him the door this past Friday.  The other potential receiver is not likely to sign a long term deal with his current team and will be forced to play with a franchise tag this year.  Without that new deal, he will probably be a free agent next season and may get a good glance by the Steelers were it to come to that.  But which one of these receivers – Mike Williams or Wes Welker – would be a viable option over Mike Wallace?

Mike Williams would be entering his 6th season in the NFL were he to play for another team.  Williams had a shaky start to his career for the first few years and all but completely disappeared by 2007 when on the Tennessee Titans’ roster.  But former college coach and now head coach of the Seahawks, Pete Carroll, signed Williams and got him back in action after Williams missed the 2008 and 2009 seasons.  Williams quickly reached a potential everyone could get behind after catching 65 passes for 751 yards in his first season back.  After Seattle snagged Sydney Rice from the Vikings, most folks thought that Rice and Williams would be a duo to fear.  Williams is 6’5″ and runs a 4.5 40.  Not lighting fast, but on par with most receivers.  That tall frame and decent hands could snag bomb after bomb if given the chance.  However, as most things that come Tavaris Jackson’s way, Williams had a hard time connecting with his QB.  Williams’ production fell in 2011 by 500 yards and was shown the door this past Friday.

Williams could be an effective and make an immediate impact for the Steelers were they to sign him to a one year deal by camp.  It certainly would show Mike Wallace that the Steelers are playing hard ball and playing for keeps.  Everyone is replaceable.  Sure, it could sour relations immensely between Wallace and the Steelers, but I can only assume that things aren’t really that great right now with Mike and the FO over this contract stalemate.  Williams has a big frame and could be a nice compliment to Antonio Brown on the other side of the field.  He’s not as fast as AB, but his size would play a huge advantage.  Were the Steelers offense to have a formation that included Williams, AB, Leonard Pope and Heath Miller – that’s 3 out of 4 guys over 6 feet for corners and linebackers to cover.  A recipe for big gains over the middle with quick screens and in-curls.  Who needs to go big down the field when you can keep peppering a team with 15-20 yard gains every passing down?  I think that Williams is far from being washed up.  He had the potential in 2010 when he was with Matt Hasselbeck.  You have to look at the context of his next season when playing with Tavaris Jackson – who is simply awful.  Little Doug Baldwin was their best receiver with over 700 yards.  The next top receiver had barely over 400 yards.  Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst just killed the offense for these Seahawks.  Williams can still cut it in the league and very well could be a good addition to the Steelers if they decide to ‘move on’ from Mike Wallace.  Williams was supposed to get $3 million in 2012 and would be a steal.

Should Mike Wallace not sign a long term deal and only play one season with his tender (or no season at all), I could certainly see the Steelers deciding to call it quits with Wallace and not go after him as an unrestricted free agent.  At that point, they will have no leverage.  If Wallace doesn’t play at all, then we know he is dead set on big money and the Steelers will never offer it up to a guy who hasn’t deserved it yet.  So who could be out there as a replacement.  Well, regardless of Mike Williams being in the picture or not, there’s a current (and soon to be former) New England Patriot who could take Wallace’s roster spot.

Wes Welker has averaged over 1,000 receiving and averaged 6 TD's per season since 2007. Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Wes Welker got slapped with the franchise tag this offseason by the Patriots.  Welker has been trying to work on an extension with the team this whole time and has until 4pm on Monday to get a deal done.  If that doesn’t happen, then he will be forced to play 2012 with his tendered tag of $9.5 million guaranteed.  My feeling is that if a long term doesn’t get done by then, then Welker probably won’t get signed at the end of the season by the Pats.  There might be a bit of bad blood from all those drops against the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Should Welker be available and the Steelers boot Mike Wallace into the big ocean of free agency, then I think the Steelers could sign Welker to a one year deal.  Worth something close to $6 million.  It’s a bit pricey and Welker is getting up there in years – will be 32 by next offseason – but, he has yet to show any signs of slowing down.  Welker runs a 4.6 40 yard, but his size plays a huge advantage in slants and crossing routes.  He is a very good technique football player and, aside from those drops in SB XLVI, has very good dependable hands.  He is another version of Hines Ward minus the blocking.  And, I would say he’s a cut above Jerricho Cotchery who plays a very similar game.  At least right now he is.

I’m sure it’s a bit of a hard pill to swallow to think that the Steelers would sign a guy just like Hines Ward and almost just as old when the Steelers decided to release Ward.  Depending on how Cotchery continues to pan out, and depending on how this offense evolves this season without Wallace (for the sake of this post), then Welker could be a good addition and short term solution.  There’s no way the Steelers would sign him to anything more than a one year deal, but he could be worth the single season investment.  It might be just the thing they need to be Super Bowl bound again.  They just may want to bench Welker in February…. I kid I kid.

I honestly think that Williams is the better investment.  Bigger frame, younger, and faster are three of his advantages over Welker.  Which one would the Steelers go with?  Hard to say since we are looking at two different periods in time.  But, having to guess which one fits the Steelers offense better and could act as a better replacement over Mike Wallace – I’d have to go with the other Mike.  I’m kind of sick of the Wallace ‘thing’ and wouldn’t mind the Steelers going with someone like Williams as a different option.  Some sources think Williams could go to the Vikes – God love the irony, right Sydney?  As always, we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.

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You gotta hand it to Bill Belichick.   Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand the MILF-chasing, sneaky videotaping (thankfully, those hobbies don’t overlap) stone face.  But you have to appreciate his ability to spin straw into gold.  This is actually a rebuilding year for the New England Patriots as they attempt to inject fresh talent in to a team which has only a few remnants remaining from the glory teams of the past decade.   And, yet, they don’t seem to miss a beat, winning the AFC East last season and posting a 6-2 record thus far in 2010.

STEELERS DEFENSE vs. PATRIOTS OFFENSE

Coming off knee surgery, Tom Brady took a while to get back into the swing of things last season but rebounded to post one of his usual fantastic stat lines.   This year, not even his ridiculous Bieber-hair has interfered with his ability to get the ball where it needs to go.  A 14/4 TD-INT ratio puts to rest any worries that Tom Terrific is slowing down.   One concern, however, is a sprained foot which kept him out of practice this week.   Not that Brady has ever been mistaken for a Slash but the ability to slide around the pocket to buy the extra second or two may be something to look for when he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers hellacious pass rush.

WR Wes Welker, coming off a serious knee injury, remains one of the best slot receivers in the league.  Although without Randy Moss stretching the field and keeping the defense from clogging the middle, Welker’s numbers have declined sharply (36, 24, and 25 yards in the past three games).  Part of the slack is expected to be picked up by the returning Deon Branch and second year player Brandon Tate.  Although the Pats best receiving threats have been rookie TEs Aaron Hernandez and Woodland Hills alum Rob Gronkowski.

Shockingly, the Patriots actually rank higher in rushing offense (15th) than passing (17th).  The running back position is a motley crew of misfits.  Oft-injured Laurence Maroney has been shipped out of town in favor of a two-headed monster consisting of Benjarvis Green-Ellis and little Danny Woodhead.   If you watched HBO’s fantastic Hard Knocks this year, you’ll remember Woody as a Rex Ryan favorite.  The 5’8 195 runt has become a New England cult hero because he embodies all the qualities Massholes hold dear (ie:  He’s white).

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Belichick takes a page from his own book and comes out throwing the ball 35 consecutive times like he did in a memorable Monday Night game many years back.  The Browns held them under 70 rushing yards last week while the Steelers remain the top ranked rushing D.  On the flip side, our pass defense continues to slide down the standings on a weekly basis.  Gay covering Welkah or B-Mac giving one of his patented 8 yard cushions to Branch is the stuff nightmares are made of.

STEELERS OFFENSE vs. PATRIOTS DEFENSE

Remember all that nice stuff I said about Billy boy in my introduction?  Well, despite my puke-inducing praise, one fact remains.  The current Patriots defense is garbage.  GARBAGE.

They’re 29th in total yards allowed, 29th in passing yards per game, and 21st in rushing yards per game.  We should’ve seen this coming after the Ravens absolutely humiliated them 33-14 in last year’s playoffs.   But the point was more than driven home last week when Browns RB Peyton Hillis gashed them for 184 yards while Colt McCoy directed a steady attack without throwing a single interception.  Belichick is reloading the defense but it’s very much still a work in progress.

The fly in the Steelers’ ointment is half the team is in desperate need of Tiger Balm.  The offense was decimated by injuries last week.   Heath Miller is battling a gimpy knee.   Mewelde Moore and Issac Redman were both concussed last week but have been cleared by team doctors.  Of course, one bell-ringing hit and Jon Dwyer is a step closer to toting the rock.

Naturally the biggest concern is an offensive line which has been left in shambles.  Max Starks has a herniated disk in his neck which requires season ending surgery.  The Steelers haven’t said exactly what their plan is for Sunday night but I have to think they’ll either move Flozell Adams back to his original LT position or insert Jonathan Scott who started there for Sean Kugler’s Buffalo Bills.  Personally, I’d leave the Hotel on the right side because they’ve been generating great push in the running game.

But wait, there’s more!  Chris Kemoeatu has a double whammy knee/ankle sprain which in his own words is “not good.”  Meanwhile, Maurkice Pouncey is battling a bruised tibia.  Mike Tomlin was hoping both would be good to go but it sounds like only Pouncey is expected to play.  If the line can hold it together with scotch tape and Bubble Yum, Ben Roethlisberger and the offense should have plenty of opportunities against a fairly porous defense.

One final note, I don’t usually mention special teams since I like talking about real football players.  However, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has a bum hip and is done for the year.  They’ve brought in former Bungle Shayne Graham to handle FG duties in his absence.

The Steelers were 6-2 at the mid-way point last year and we were saying, “Who cares how you win or how many injuries you have?   We’re 6-2!”   Then we fell into an epic swoon where we lost five straight games against some of the most pathetic teams in the NFL.  I hate to put too much emphasis on one particular game but I feel this is the tipping point for the entire season.  Win this game and I’ll feel a whole lot better about our chances going forward.  Lose or even have another 4th quarter like the one against the Bengals and the alarm bells will continue to grow louder.