Defense Could Get Beat Up in Free Agency

Look for the Steelers to drop the hammer before March 13 on as many as four players who opened the season as starters according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The defense that yielded the fewest total yards, total points and total yards passing will take the biggest hits all over the next few months.

The Steelers are $25 million over the roughly $124 million salary cap that will go into effect March 13. That, Steelers president Art Rooney said Tuesday, will call for some tough decisions.

Candidates on defense to be released and their scheduled 2012 salaries that would vanish if they are: Aaron Smith ($2.1 million), Bryant McFadden ($2.5 million), James Farrior ($2.82 million), Casey Hampton ($4.89 million), and Larry Foote ($3 million).