I feel like I'm in a dream here. Are the Steelers actually doing some wheeling and dealing? Can it be they are actually going to try to improve the team via free agency? It sure appears that way.

The signing of a big name free agent such as Jeff Hartings is something I never thought the Steelers would do, especially at the cost of releasing Levon Kirkland. But, as much as I loved Captain Kirk, this move makes perfect sense, and it does nothing but improve the team.

If this is the new era that director of football operations Kevin Colbert is taking us to, I like it.

Sure, I'm going to miss Kirkland, but I don't think the defense has been the main problem with the Steelers. It has been the lack of continuity with the offensive line. Since '95 the team has seen the departures of Leon Searcy, John Jackson, Justin Strzelczyk, Will Woolford, etc., plus an assortment of linemen playing musical chairs at the RT position. I haven't even mentioned bust's such as Jamaine Stephens and Chris Conrad.

Although the OL play improved somewhat last season, it has been a liability for the past 3 years. The signing of Hartings will make it a strength. Roger Duffy filled in admirably for Dermontti Dawson the past 2 years, but he didn't have near the athleticism that Dawson had. Although Hartings is not Dawson, he will bring athleticism to the position.

It is something that has been lacking. You could tell every time Bettis ran up the middle for no-gain. It happened far too often. I think Hartings will put an end to that trend.

As far as Kirkland, it was a move the team had to do. He was due to count $5.7 million against the cap this year, and the team could not afford that. They have left the door open for him to return, but it would be for substantially less money. He has said he would like to return to the Steelers, but he is going to test the free agent market first.

Here is the bio on Jeff Hartings:

Career Highlights PERSONAL Two-time All-Conference selection, adding All-Ohio honors as a senior at St. Henry (Oh.) High.Two-way lineman, leading the team to the state title in his final year. Also lettered in track. One of ten children (four brothers, five sisters). Brother, Scott, played football at Ohio Northern, and another brother, Joe, attended Penn State on a football scholarship.He and wife, Rebecca, had their first child, Sierra, born October 29, 1997. Pro Career Will be a cornerstone of Lions'' offensive line for years to come. A fixture at the team''s starting right guard spot almost immediately since reporting to team in October of his rookie year after a lengthy contract holdout. After missing all of training camp, preseason and the regular season''s first five games, Hartings entered the Lions'' starting lineup only 16 days after signing his first pro contract on September 29, 1996. Strong drive-blocker with thick legs and fine upper body strength. Heading into his fourth NFL campaign is beginning to receive league-wide acclaim as one of the game''s top young interior linemen. Second of two Lions'' first round picks in 1996 NFL Draft (23rd overall). 1998 Started all 13 games in which he appeared, missing three outings in mid-season with a sprained knee.Voted by teammates as the 1998 Erik Andolsek Most Valuable Offensive Lineman.Played at near-Pro Bowl level down the stretch of the year once he fully re-gained strength and endurance following the injury.Returned to lineup for last seven outings of '98 after missing Games 7-9 with knee injury suffered vs. Green Bay (10/15).Named second-team All-NFL at midway point of '98 by the Sporting News and as an alternate on the 1999 NFC Pro Bowl squad. 1997 Played extremely well in first full year in the NFL. Starter at right guard for the Lions in every game during '97 campaign, and consistently graded out very well. Part of line that contributed to Barry Sanders becoming only the third player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. Named by Pro Football Weekly as someone who is likely to ascend to Pro Bowl level of play within the next couple of years 1996 Was named to NFL All-Rookie team by both USA Today and College and Pro Football Newsweekly. College Highlights Became only the tenth player in school history to earn first-team All-American honors in consecutive years (last was offensive guard Steve Wisniewski, 1987-88)... Joined receiver Bobby Engram as the only Nittany Lions to earn All-Big Ten Conference honors three times... 1995 All-American first-team choice by The Poor Man''s Guide to the NFL Draft, Walter Camp Foundation, United Press International & the American Football Coaches Association... Semi-finalist for the Lombardi Award... GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-District, National Football Foundation & Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete, Hitachi/College Football Association Scholar-Athlete Team & Academic All-Big Ten selection...Earned his degree in marketing.

by SteelerGil (March 8, 01)