This hurts a little.The Steelers brought Rex Hadnot into town last week with an eye on signing the guard/center to give the team some competition for a starting role at either center or guard. But he left without signing an offer, and there was talk that his asking price (said to be $5 million a year or so by some rumors) may make him too expensive.
Now he's signed with the Browns at the oh-so-reasonable two-years, $7 million. Yes, it may say something that a $3.5 million a year deal is reasonable, but in this market it is--and it's less than the total money of the deal the Steelers gave Sean Mahan last year. In looking at Hadnot last week in action, it was pretty apparent that he's nothing special, but he is a bigger and stronger lineman than Sean Mahan, and he would have given the Steelers some more flexibility on the line.
There aren't a whole lot of starting caliber lineman left out there on the free agent market. Pittsburgh could go bargain hunting, or they could simply decide to handle all of their needs come draft time. But right now there's not a whole lot of reason to think that the Steelers line won't be worse in 2008 than it was in 2007. They've watched the team's best offensive lineman (Alan Faneca) leave in free agency while the team has a left tackle (Marvel Smith) coming off of back surgery and a backup tackle (Max Starks) that they can't seem to decide if they want back or not.
For the Browns, the offseason spending binge continues. There's still the question of how much missing out on the first three rounds of the draft will cost the Browns in the long term, but in the short-term it's hard to argue that they've improved this offseason.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-10-2008 @ 11:03PM
Dave said...
I also believe the O-Line will struggle next year, but don't want them to overpay for mediocre linemen any more than they already have. Mahan and Simmons were paid more than they deserve, and for that matter so was Faneca, who is not nearly the player he was 3 years ago. Either pay to get a real player or build in the draft. Anyone have any idea if the backup center can play or has potential, or is he just another Chukky?
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3-10-2008 @ 11:10PM
Jared Grazulis said...
Wow, that sucks. I was really backing on us landing him. Now, Chris Crocker better get landed and hopefully a bargain lineman before the Draft. There's still some quality old guys and a few young guys who have potential. Guards- Larry Allen and Ruben Brown are oldies but goodies, and Milford Brown and Seth McKinney could be good values. Tackles- (all older)L.J. Shelton, Kyle Turley, Fred Miller. Centers- A bunch of good oldies- Casey Wiegmann, Jeremy Newberry, Andy McCollum, Mike Flanagan and younger proven guy Matt Lehr. It would be out of character for the Steelers to sign an old head. Milford Brown might be the last chance to get a decent guard at a decent age. The steelers might have to use their first two rounds on the same position again like last year. Just O-line this year instead of linebackers.
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3-11-2008 @ 6:41AM
Gina said...
We only have 6 picks this draft. Unless they plan on making some trades to acquire a lot more picks there's no way we can fill all our needs just in the draft.
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3-12-2008 @ 7:50PM
Jeff said...
I honestly believe our O line will be ok with a little shuffle here and there, and some attention in the draft. My biggest concern now as it was 10 years ago is that we need a shut down corner. This issue has not been addressed seriously in a long time and with the recent influx of quality receivers in the AFC North we need to get with the program. Is anyone else sick and tired of literally praying every 3rd and over 3?
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3-17-2008 @ 4:07PM
Mr.G said...
I have to wonder what the Steelers are doing.Have they seen their schedule this year?Their schedule last year was pretty weak,but not so this year,and they can't take for granted whipping up on the Browns for 2 easy wins again.In fact,on paper,it may be the other way around.That would leave them with 8 wins vs. a soft schedule.Whats it gonna be with a tougher schedule?The Browns are definitely not the same team they faced in week 1 last year.By not upgrading Mahan's position and losing Faneca,and with a murderous schedule,the party's over.
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