View topic - Steelers Trying to Trade Garbage and Released Reid/Drummond

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http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/08/ ... g-linemen/

STEELERS SHOPPING LINEMEN?
Posted by Mike Florio on August 30, 2008, 12:14 p.m. EDT

As they ponder their final roster cuts, the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly are pondering the possibility of shipping one of their backup offensive linemen out of town via a trade.

Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers are considering trading tackle Max Starks, center Sean Mahan, or tackle Trai Essex.

The mere fact that Starks would even be close to the trading block highlights the poor decision to use the transition tag on Starks, which gave him a guaranteed salary of nearly $7 million this year. For roughly $500,000 more, they could have forced Alan Faneca to stay for another year — or at least have gotten something for him in trade from a team like the Jets.

Mahan was the starting center in 2007, but lost his job to newcomer Justin Hartwig.

Meanwhile, the Steelers already have decided to release receiver Willie Reid and return specialist Eddie Drummond.

[4minmile Profile]

Performance and opinions of performance aside:

The most likely trade would be with Starks. We would be able to get $7M off of this year's cap, and be able to sign some other high priority guys to long term contracts with FY08 money. If he's traded, we don't have to eat any prorated portion of a signing bonus. If the staff has no intention in keeping him after this year, and no confidence in his performance, why not make a move that will free cap space, bring an additional draft pick, and allow us to upgrade and solidify things next year (or keep someone who might leave--we know Starks is gone already).

Essex provides good value with his mid-tender. We would get less in trade and less $ off our cap with a trade with him.

The least likely would be Mahan, as he's only in the second year of his deal. We would take a cap hit the next two years with him.

[SteelCityFan Profile]

I'm a little bummed to see Willie go. I thought he did enough to secure a roster spot this pre season. I had also hoped he would turn into a good, non fumbling punt / kick returner with a little more experience.

[gutofsteel Profile]

Not sure how it's going to work with trading a transition tag guy. For starters, I've thought the Rooney's were adamantly against that as abuse of the tag (even if done for relatively benign reasons). His salary is guaranteed, unless he is inked to a contract. But the Steeler couldn't sign him, and no one else was interested. Any contract for Starks is going to start at about $10M guaranteed (that's just taking his $7M this year and adding in a 3-yr deal at vet min). This for a guy who apparently couldn't beat out Willie Colon. Just look at it from his perspective - guaranteed $7M this year and he's worth at least a 3-yr deal for vet min as a back-up. Basically tack-on $7M to whatever Starks fair value is after this season as a FA (probably something closer to at least a 3-yr, $5M deal including $2M in SB). I think that makes him un-tradeable.

I'm not sure of the mechanics, but the only way Starks gets traded - and since we are talking a back-up / mediocre starter, it's a 5th round pick at best - is if the Steelers can somehow absorb part of that $7M, and unfortunately probably most of it.

Essex could have some value as a back-up swing man. Not a lot, and he really does nothing for the cap. Mahan is pretty worthless in trade, as well, and it has the same cap impact as cutting him by accerelerating remaining bonus. They might sneak a contingent 6th for Mahan in trade. Better than cutting him, but the aren't really gaining much.

[gutofsteel Profile]

I'm a little bummed to see Willie go. I thought he did enough to secure a roster spot this pre season. I had also hoped he would turn into a good, non fumbling punt / kick returner with a little more experience.

I thought Reid would be a good back-up and 4th receiver until Sweed works out the kinks. Granted, barring injury you get very little from your 4th WR, and they are probably content to tolerate Sweed's growing pains.

I think Reid is certainly capable of making a roster somewhere as a 4th receiver. He reminds me of Randle El in a lot of ways, and getting a fresh start could be a great opportunity for him. Just remember if he does show something somewhere else that it was unlikely to happen in PIT given the pressure that had built up on him to prove himself.

[ghodzilla5150 Profile]

Imagine that. A team with a horrible offensive line trying to trade its backup O-linemen.

What the hell has this world come to?

Certainly no one is stupid enough to to make such a trade with the Steelers.

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

Imagine that. A team with a horrible offensive line trying to trade its backup O-linemen.

What the hell has this world come to?

Certainly no one is stupid enough to to make such a trade with the Steelers.

My sentiments, almost exactly. I'd replace 'horrible' with 'mediocre'... All else is spot on.

In related news, Doug Legursky got cut. What's up with that? He should have made the team on sheer Pittsburgh Steelers Name Bad-Ass-Ness alone.

[gutofsteel Profile]

Imagine that. A team with a horrible offensive line trying to trade its backup O-linemen.

What the hell has this world come to?

Certainly no one is stupid enough to to make such a trade with the Steelers.

Well, it wasn't a trade but PIT did something similarly stupid signing Mahan to be a starter. And they bid against themselves for Starks and Simmons.

Too bad Colbert can't make this trade with himself, or he'd do it!

[rick723 Profile]

Starks will stay and be ok guys, chill and he'll sign for a lot less next year. BUT, I still have no idea why we did that?