Ask Ed: Would Steelers Trade a Linebacker?

Good morning,

As I return and March leaves, some of your Ask Ed questions:

--- YOU: Do you think the Steelers would take Gregory if he's available at 22?

ED: The Steelers drafted Mike Adams in the second round after he failed a marijuana test. They were not going to take him until Adams drove from Columbus to Pittsburgh to plead his case. By all accounts except one, Randy Gregory would be a steal at No. 22 and a player at a position of need for the Steelers. But even if he drove all the way from Nebraska to Pittsburgh to plead his case, I just do not think the Steelers would draft him. I don't think they'll have that choice anyway because I think someone else will take him before No. 22.

--- YOU: Do you have any insider knowledge of how Spence's knee held up over the season last year? If it held up well, I expect him to make big strides this year and have a breakout season. That doesn't bode well for Shazier's playing time. Do you think they will limit Shazier to special teams if Spence has a big year?

--- ED: The Sean Spence story has been magnificent since the injury that was supposed to have ended his career his rookie season in 2012. He played every game and started eight last season, so I would say his knee held up very well. But let’s not write off Ryan Shazier as merely a special teams performer. There will be plenty of opportunities for these young linebackers. Remember that Lawrence Timmons did not become a starter until his third season and developed into a good linebacker and he has not even seen his 29th birthday yet.

--- YOU: Troy has always exhibited great spirituality, on the sidelines, in games and in PG articles. This persona seems at odds with his current apparent difficulty in accepting Troy no longer plays like Troy. The coaches want to move on and Troy's performance over the last couple of years confirm their view. Based on his cerebral approach to life, I always thought he'd find it straight forward to walk away from the game. A fan might think Troy is tied up to his ego, money or something other than reality. What do you think? Do you see an inconsistency?

ED: I think Troy Polamalu is grappling with the idea that his career may be over and he does not yet want to stop playing football. There is nothing wrong with that. He loves to play the game, which like most of these players, he’s been involved in since he was in elementary school. The Steelers are giving him time to decide and Polamalu seems to be taking it. I would not read anything else into it but that, even if for some reason that may disappoint you that he is not acting the way some think he should.

--- YOU: With the glut of inside linebackers on our team, and a weak free agent/draft class, what is the likelihood we could trade one of ours? I know that Lawrence Timmons has been a great linebacker for us for a long time but his salary and position change, to accommodate Shazier, make his current compensation to overall value seem like a diminishing return. Several other teams would likely get a higher return on investment. He still has a couple prime years left and that should bring back some value, maybe a serviceable cornerback... I think we should prioritize investing in some of the younger players we have, like Cam Heyward and see how our young linebackers progress. Do you think the Steelers would be willing to trade him and if so what value would he command in return?

ED: Trades are in vogue these days in the NFL, so maybe the Steelers could hop on that bandwagon. Timmons had been one of the most underrated players on the Steelers until he finally made his first Pro Bowl last season. He has started 69 consecutive games. Yes, he has value. How much? I’m not sure. I do not think you can get an even trade for someone as talented on the outside because those players are considered more valuable. The best you might be able to do is pick up a cornerback in a trade. I don’t see the Steelers doing that but there is a logjam in the middle with Timmons, Shazier, Spence and Vince Williams.

--- YOU: I’ve seen that the Steelers might be looking for a TE in the draft and I wondered if they made a play for Scott Chandler when he was released by the Bills. I realize this is a moot point now, but at 29 years old and a sub $2M salary, I thought he’d be attractive to the Steelers. Any insight?

ED: As you know, the Steelers made little play of anyone in free agency. Chandler signed with New England four days after Buffalo released him on March 11. It is his sixth change of uniform (counting two separate stints with Dallas). He will turn 30 this summer. The Steelers have Heath Miller and preferred to re-sign Matt Spaeth. They also have Rob Blanchflower, who spent his rookie season on their practice squad, and they no doubt will either draft another or sign one after the draft. I heard nothing about them being interested in Chandler.

--- YOU: I am confused about contracts and free agency and salary caps and all that rot. I guess I'll google it to learn more. Specifically, you talk about the options with Troy (who, in my humble opinion, should take the classy route and retire). He's suppose to make $6 M next year but it's a $8.25 M salary cap hit (go figure....,must be add-on stuff) and the timing of his releasing (or cutting is the same I take it) makes a difference on salary cap. If another team picked him up, I assume Pgh doesn't have to pay him $6 M but then again, maybe it's all part of the negotiations so anything is possible. He has 2 years left on his contract but if he gets cut by a magic date, I assume he won't get paid.

ED: His salaries are not guaranteed, so if the Steelers cut him, he neither gets paid nor does his salary count against the Steelers. What counts is the remaining part of his signing bonus, which has two years to run under his current contract. He already was paid that money but since it is pro-rated, he still counts on the books for two more years. The exception comes if the Steelers cut him before June 1, what's left, $4.5 million, is all counted this year; after June 1, and it remains the same, counting this year and next -- $2.25 million each year.