LaMarr Woodley isn’t going anywhere. The Steelers outside linebacker is “fully expecting” to be designated as the team’s franchise player within the next two weeks, according to a source.
The Steelers want to keep Woodley, who combined with James Harrison make up one of, if not the best, outside LB core i the NFL. The hope with the tag is that it will lead to a long-term deal.
The last time the Steelers tagged a player was tackle Max Starks in 2009, and just four months later they ripped up the tag and signed him to a four-year deal. Last year, the team was ready to tag nose tackle Casey Hampton, but it instead signed him to a three-year deal just before the deadline to franchise players and tagged kicker Jeff Reed instead.
Woodley would receive the linebacker tag salary, which is expected to exceed $10 million, but could argue that he deserves a hybrid end/linebacker figure like the one Terrell Suggs received in 2009. The defensive end franchise number is expected to come at more than $13 million.
Woodley’s 35 sacks since 2008 rank fourth in the NFL.
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wardrules86
February 10, 2011 at 8:02 am
If you ask me, Woodley should get hit with a fine for not showing up to the super bowl along with the rest of the defense.
Jeff
February 10, 2011 at 8:25 am
Let’s hope they can work out a long term deal as they’ve done with others they’ve franchised. What happens though if a new CBA features no more franchise tag? My fear is that NE will go after him hard as they are desperate for a edge pass rusher since Captain Hoodie has never drafted one in many years. Imagine you play a 3/4 and you don’t draft and develop an edge pass rusher. Goes to show even though he gets coach of the year he’s over rated in my mind. Seeing # 56 wearing a flying Elvis on his helmet next year would make me hurl !!!!!
Mike
February 10, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Hines Ward should retire. He is slow and can’t seperate anymore. Great career but call it a career.
wardrules86
February 10, 2011 at 12:19 pm
How could you say that? He had a great game in the super bowl. He’s the only one the that consistently got open. Ben just chose not to find him at the end of the game.
George H
February 10, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Agreed. Ward has at least one more good year left in him, perhaps two. By the time Ward is ready to retire, hopefully Saunders and Brown will be more viable options.
Despite what some may think, I dont think Wallace played all that well in the SB. The game looked to be just a bit to big for the young man. At times he looked a little lost and not as physical as I hoped for him to be. Hopefully it was a big learning experience and he can take away a lot of positives from the season and the game.