The Steelers are known as a team that gets pummelled by free agency every offseason. This year they are fighting back.
They may not be making any major changes, but they are trying to improve their team little by little, without jeopardizing the future. The signing of Kent Graham is a big step in the right direction. It became obvious that Kordell Stewart needed someone to push him out of his mediocrity. Mike Tomczak was not that man. In Graham, the Steelers get a proven starter in this league who is still young enough, and talented enough to be the starter. The best thing is, at 6-5, 242 pounds, Kordell is going to take one look at him and say "Oh, oh". I think his intimidating size will help Kordell improve immediately.
If he doesn't scare Kordell into action, the team is left with a bonafide starter who was 10-5 in his 15 starts as a NY Giant. That was with a Giants team that has a worse Offense than the Steelers. Give him Jerome Bettis in the backfield, and he could turn out to be a star. Whatever happens, the Steelers find themselves in a win-win situation. My compliments to the front office for making this move. A little competition should only help to bring out the best in both Quarterbacks.
With the imminent departure of Jim Sweeney, the Steelers also made a move to bolster the Offensive Line. They signed OL Rich Tylski away from the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will likely be used as a backup the way Sweeney was, but he will have every opportunity to unseat Right Guard Brendan Stai. Stai could use a little competition. He seemed too comfortable at his position last year, and committed too many mental errors. If Tylski beats him out in the preseason, Stai and his 1.59 million salary may be gone. Just like the Quarterbacks, this move should help to bring out the best in both men. Lord knows our Offensive Line needs help, and hopefully this will help to improve it.
When the Browns offered Orpheus Roye a ridiculous contract to jump ship (6yrs 30 million), he had no choice but to take it. This left the Defensive Line of the Steelers in a state of desperation. Nolan Harrison is a free agent who wasn't offered a contract. He was hurt too much of the time. Joel Steed is coming off his second knee operation in as many years, and they don't know how healthy he will be. Did the Steelers panic? No. They calmly went out and signed Defensive linemen Kimo von Oelhoffen from the Bengals, and Chris Sullivan from the Patriots. Neither of these guys may be household names, but they bring experience to our team. They are both more than adequate run stoppers, a need that had to be addressed. Besides that, their combined salaries are less than what the Browns are paying Orpheus Roye. 2 for 1. Not a bad swap. You may not find these moves significant, but the Steelers are subtly improving the depth of their squad without mortgaging the future.
One thing that does surprise me, is the Steelers are actually restructuring some contracts to make these moves. Lee Flowers, and Mark Breuner both accepted new contracts which allowed the team to sign von Oelhoffen and Sullivan. More restructuring will have to happen in order to sign Tylski and Graham. It appears they are doing it in a way that won't cause a catastrophe down the road. That they are doing it at all, proves to me they are finally changing with the times. It shows me they are serious about returning to glory.
There were 4 players the Steelers publicly stated they were trying to sign in free agency. They were able to sign all 4. We are 6 long months away from opening day. The changes we have made thus far leave me optimistic on a return to the playoffs. It will all hinge on a healthy draft, and a good chemistry among the players. So far I think we're doing pretty good.
by SteelerGil (Feb. 28, 00)
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