The Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert talked to the media today and based on his comments, we can expect a lot of change heading into the 2013 season. Change was not unexpected from a team that struggled in 2012 and finished 8-8. In fact, prior to the 2012 season, starting many fans saw change coming at the end of the season.
Before the Steelers can start making moves or signings in the off-season they must first get under the salary cap. The deadline to get under the cap number comes up in March. Colbert said to get under the cap ”It will include terminations, possible extensions and reconstructions.”
Colbert talked about the team being 12-4 in 2011 and that the team looked very good and the record may have caused reluctance to change. However, after finishing 8-8 in 2012 that reluctance to change won’t occur this year. Colbert said that if the team doesn’t change this off-season that it would be silly to expect a different result in 2013.
When asked if the team would place the franchise tag on anyone this off-season Colbert said it was doubtful because: ”I don’t think we have too many franchise players.” Corner Keenan Lewis and wide receiver Mike Wallace are the only real candidates that would be considered for the tag.
One of Colbert’s most pressing comments was in terms of the running game. There was a lot of people upset with the Steelers run game in 2012 from the players all the way up to the general manager. “That group of players didn’t produce the way we anticipated they would,” Colbert said. He went on to add: ”Where we were in running game last year was indicative of the talent at the position.”
The running game will be a major concern during the off-season. During the off-season the Steelers will be taking a look at their training team to see why there have been so many injuries on the offensive line the last few years. They will also be looking for a new running back. A feature back will have to be found in the draft with the Steelers cap problems which means a players like Eddie Lacy of Alabama could be targeted by the Steelers in April.
When it comes to the teams unrestricted free agents, it sounds like they will be able to test the waters in free agency. ”We won’t know what individual player will cost until he gets out there,” Colbert said giving the idea that players will test the water which will allow the Steelers to realize the costs for those players.
Wallace is considered to be looking or a contract in the range of $11 million a season. Lewis may be looking for a contract that averages $5-6 million per season and left tackle Max Starks could be looking for one last big contract. Starks was the Steelers most consistent player on the offensive line in 2012 and will get looks from teams in need of a left tackle.
In terms of terminations linebacker James Harrison, Brett Keisel and guard Willie Colon have been the most talked about players when it comes to being cut. These players have large cap numbers heading into 2013 and injury issues surround Colon and Hampton. The Steelers have multiple young players they want to keep around and cutting Harrison, Keisel and Colon could free up the money needed to keep guys like Lewis.
Possible extensions could include linebacker Jason Worilds and offensive linemen Marcus Gilbert and Maurkice Pouncey. Gilbert and Pouncey, who has been to the Pro Bowl in each of his NFL seasons and could both be up for extensions with both players set to hit free agency in 2015. Worilds will be a free agent following the 2014 season and if the Steelers want him to be their next starting outside linebacker they may want to lock him up while his price is still low. Same with Gilbert who’s price can only increase as he is set to move to left tackle in 2013.
Restructures will also be a part of the 2013 off-season with the team needing to fall under the salary cap. Ben Roethlisberger, LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, and Heath Miller could all be looking at restructures or extensions this off-season. Re-working these four player’s contracts would help put the Steelers in a much easier to work with cap situation.
The 2013 off-season will be very busy in Pittsburgh with contract changes, free agent signings, terminations, and the NFL draft scheduled for late April. For the Steelers the goal of this off-season and the changes that Colbert alluded to is to get the team back on top of the AFC North division and to have them still playing at this time next season.
Photo Credits: CBS
