Stillers News and Views

Stillers News and Views

�������������� As training camp quickly approaches, there are a lot of rumblings and news stories going on within the Steelers

organization.� I will highlight a few of the bigger topics and give you my view on each. �Enjoy!

News:� The Steelers ink left tackle Marvel Smith to a new deal.� The deal is said to be worth $25.5 million over the next 

five years, as well as a $6 million signing bonus.� I believe I read that the deal makes Smith the 4th highest paid offensive 

lineman in the NFL.� 

View:� I don�t have much of a problem with this signing.� Actually, it makes a great deal of sense.� Smith was the most

consistent lineman last year on the offensive side of the ball, even exceeding the play of Faneca.� The only downfall I can 

think of is the New Orleans game where he stood crouched in his position while everyone was playing around him.� I think

it took him about three seconds before he realized that his guy was getting to Maddox.� Lets just hope that it was

a once-in-a-lifetime type of deal for Marvel. The guy is young and this deal allows him to be with the Steelers in what

will most likely be his prime. This makes him the fourth starting lineman that the Steelers have signed through at least

2006.� Now they should have a consistent starting offensive line intact at least until 2007 when Faneca�s and Simmons 

contracts are up. Its a great feeling to know that we shouldn�t have any offensive line problems for the next three years 

or so.� So this would be what I call great news!

News:� The Stillers sign Jabari Issa who has been playing in NFL Europe most recently.

View:� Big deal.� The guys at Fox Sports Pittsburgh made this out to be a huge signing.� I must be missing

something badly.� As if they don�t have enough guys in camp already, they felt it was necessary to sign a nobody from

NFL Europe.� So what if he was drafted first in the NFL Europe expansion draft.� What has he done to deserve a 

Steelers uniform? He was the first pick of the expansion draft in Europe and he had a whopping 24 tackles and 2 sacks. 

That surely doesn�t bring fear to opposing NFL teams.� Worse yet, the guy was cut by the Houston Texans.� Most of the

Texans D-Lineman arent good enough to even make the Steelers roster, let alone a guy that gets cut by the Texans. 

I don�t even know why this is such big deal.� He will be lucky to make the roster.� Simply put! �This Issa bad news to me!

News:� Mark Bruener has been asked to take a pay cut in order for the Steelers to have enough money to make some

necessary signings.

Views:� I am all for this pay cut.� It needs to happen or else Bruener will need to be released.� Looking at the salary cap

situation, the Steelers will be screwed if he doesn�t accept a pay cut.� They have absolutely no free money and they still

need money to sign some rookies.� Bruener has been a great guy for the city of Pittsburgh and helped in a lot of ways. 

However, his playing days have been marred by injury after injury and lack of pass-catching ability.� The Steelers now 

have Reimersma at tight end, as well as Tuman.� Their offense is changing and they need to make the necessary 

adjustments to aide the passing attack further.� Everyone, including Bruener knows that he just doesn�t fit the passing

style of offense that the Steelers now have.� If he graciously accepts a pay cut then I would love to see him back in 

Pittsburgh, but if he refuses then he has got to be released.� Take the pay cut Mark!

News:� Jerome Bettis has brought his weight down to an all-time low.

View: �First of all, I would like to start by saying that I wonder how long he can keep it down this low.� Secondly, 

this is moot point to me and Ill tell you why.� It is time to move on from the splitting of time scenario between Bettis

and Amos.� It hasn�t worked for two years now and it certainly wont work this season.� Frankly, I would be furious if I 

were Amos Zereoue.� They haven�t given him a remotely fair chance of being their every down back.� He deserves that 

at the least.� I know that many fans doubt his ability to be the star back but I honestly believe that he can be just that

and run for about 1,200+ yards and 10 TDs.� Give him a full season with this offensive line and I promise you that he 

would do just that.� Not only that but he would be a very large weapon out of the backfield catching passes and breaking

away down field.� We saw that on numerous occasions last season.� I don�t see how anyone can honestly tell me that he

has been given a just chance.� He hasn�t done a thing to not deserve a chance, with the exception of trip over his own feet 

on occasion.� The point is, I could care less about how slim and trim Bettis is.� He shouldn�t see the field unless Amos is

tired or unless they are inside the five yard line.� So as I stated earlier this news is moot!

Well that�s enough Steelers News and Views for now.� I�m sure there will be plenty more to write about in the weeks to 

follow and through out the season. Take care!