Six highlights from Tomlin, Colbert pre-draft press conference

1. FREE AGENCY

Entering the free agency period, the Steelers had a plan to be able to replace players that were lost to them, focused on positions of need – especially at depth. “You go.with a plan we would like to be able to keep a wide receiver, a running back, but if we don’t then who are our options on the outside,” said general manager Kevin Colbert on Monday. “You monitor where the various markets are, the various interests of each individual player.” Colbert reiterated that some of their losses weren’t just due to contract issues but also player investment and temperament.

Colbert said that entering the offseason, the Steelers were interested in following their plan, and that it unfolded as he and head coach Mike Tomlin felt it should have. “We were happy with the way it did [unfold]. Getting the extensions done with Heath Miller and Troy Polamalu, being able to secure Jason Worilds for at least another year, having Ike Taylor to be able to return, and keeping Will Allen, Greg Warren, Michael Palmer, Guy Whimper, Cody Wallace and exercising the option on Cameron Heyward.” Colbert said those moves were their top priorities.

The addition of outside players to replace those who were lost to the team was also a priority. The Steelers brought in free agents Mike Mitchell, LaGarrett Blount, Lance Moore, Cam Thomas, Arthur Moats, Brice McCain, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Adam Podlesh.

“We didn’t anticipate having all the extra room when free agency started, and we were happy to get [that],” said Colbert. “We lost a few guys along the way, maybe some character issues or medical issues, or just a reevaluation or a closer look, but I think we probably gained just as many guys on the flipside of that with guys whose character may have been a little bit better than we thought or their medical may have checked out, or maybe we have under evaluated.”

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