Does Farrior Signing Say Something about the state of the Steelers?
I think it does! Think about it, Gene Upshaw was the biggest roadblock in CBA extensions and talks because of rookie pay scales. Most players and team owners are in agreement that the rookie payscale needs to change, and veterans need to be rewarded once they have “earned” the money. (See: Roethlisberger, Ben)
Do you think the Steelers knew Upshaw had passed and decided to make a back-end heavy contract extension anticipating perhaps a change to the CBA in spring of 09? I do! Why wouldnt the NFLPA be willing to turn this rookie pay scale upside down? They are still getting paid. Players would probably be happier. Holdouts would become a thing of the past. (See: Russell, Jamarcus)
All due respect to Farrior, love the guy, but wasn’t that spot going to Timmons after this season when his contract was up? Maybe Foote will be the odd man out after this season? We can’t keep everyone.
Just a few things to think about. The Steelers, as well as all the other 31 teams, may just become more involved in free agency because they have more money to throw at vets! That could have a significant impact on putting a consistently competitive team on the field.
Thanks for listening to me vent!
This post has 2 comments
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Those are excellent points about Upshaw’s presence prohibiting teams from manipulating the salary structure and I do agree that, if what you say comes into fruition, teams will have more financial leverage to sign vets due to the reduced revenue rookies will “clean up” with. That being said, I have ambivalence for the deal itself into how it practically applies to on-field gameplay. On one hand, we saw how the $#@*&ers from New England fared with “oldish” linebackers–pretty damn good. On the other hand, I don’t like it. I can’t explain the other end of my polarization on this topic except to say that although his (Farrior’s) experience helps, we HAVE younger guys who can play that position (why the hell did we draft so high at that position in 07 if we were going to extend Farrior?) AND there are other seemingly more important positions to extend (i.e., Marvel Smith, Bryant McFadden, even Max Starks!!!) Why? Because who will play tackle if Starks and Smith leave?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? And who will play the number two corner if McFadden leaves????? Please don’t sat Townsend. He can’t cover dinner let alone a wide receiver! Yes, Farrior comes cheaper than the aforementioned players (with the possible exception of Starks)—if you don’t believe me, watch how much Smith will get next year on the open market and he’s &*$#sucking younger than Farrior! I don’t get it. Also, McFadden will also get a more lucrative contract next year from someone else than Farrior just got because 1) he’s younger 2) better than people realize and 3) Rosenhaus is his new agent. In all fairness, though, McFadden has to play up to his potential to receive such an offer. Unless we’re thinking of signing Haynesworth (which won’t happen) or Shaun Cody or Nnamdi Asomugha or Chris Gamble, Dunta Robinson, Phillip Buchanon, Kelvin Hayden or Jordan Gross or Mark Tauscher, then I don’t know what we’re doing. Of course, I probably represent the typical fan who questions moves from highly successful organizations like Pittsburgh only to find out that their way works better than mine. Still, it doesn’t make sense but then again it rarely does—I remember 2005.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Big Ben interview at Maxim
http://www.maxim.com/BenRoethlisbergerisJustanOrdinaryGuy/articles/40391.aspx