It's been a fairly busy few weeks for the Steelers since the NFL Combine. Free agency begins on Tuesday at 4:00, and teams are busy making roster decisions and trying to save a few bucks. The Steelers are expected to release LaMarr Woodley and his elephantine contract, as they have already done with veteran linebacker Larry Foote, tackle Levi Brown, and DB Curtis Brown.
The other thing NFL teams, the Steelers in particular, do to save money is restructure their existing contracts and push back money to a later year for more immediate relief under the salary cap. Antonio Brown got the restructuring treatment earlier this offseason and next up with Heath Miller and Troy Polamalu. Both were going into the last year of their respective contracts, and two more years were tacked onto the end of each to push the money back further. Both players will ostensibly be in Pittsburgh through the 2016 season, which will probably end Polamalu's career, at least.
Ike Taylor is also getting the "you are getting kind of old but we like you anyway" deal from the team. He may not be the fastest guy anymore, but he fits in Dick LeBeau's defense, Mike Tomlin seems to like him, and he's clearly proud to retire a Steeler when all is said and done. Like Polamalu, Taylor was drafted in 2003 and is entering the 12th year of his career, which is pretty long for a defensive back.
So with the cap situation somewhat stabilized, what are the Steelers going to do when the clock strikes free agency? Traditionally, they'd probably do nothing. Unfortunately, these aren't your dad's Steelers and the pipeline isn't exactly overflowing with fresh talent. Kevin Colbert is going to have to throw a little money around if he wants the Steelers to be competitive next year.
With the cornerback situation looking like the aging Ike Taylor, William Gay, and your uncle Dennis at nickel, one would expect the Steelers to aggressively pursue a Day 1 starter in free agency. Alterraun Verner is especially interesting for two reasons:
1. His name is Alterraun Verner, and I feel like I could have some fun with that.
2. He's 25, coming off a Pro Bowl season, and is linked to new OL coach Mike Munchak and DB coach Carnell Lake.
Verner might be a little bit expensive, but if the dude can play, Colbert needs to make every effort to get him on the team and upgrade the position.
Whatever dude runs this website thinks the Steelers will be in on former Packer TE Jermichael Finley to platoon with the aging Heath Miller.
Whether or not the Steelers can find a suitable cornerback will likely affect their draft strategy, as it's an enormous hole going into free agency. Getting Verner (or Captain Munnerlyn or whoever) to start opposite Taylor would free up the Steelers to get another outside linebacker or even a wide receiver in the first round. History suggests the Steelers won't make that sort of a splash, but history has also led the Steelers to a mediocre 8-8 team with a bleak long-term future.
Maybe Kevin Colbert can pull a rabbit out of this hat after all.
