Kemoeatu's Agent: 'He's One of the Better Guards In the League'

If you thought there was any chance that Chris Kemoeatu was coming back to the Steelers, there are some pretty strong signs that he will be heading elsewhere in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Steelers already have Kendall Simmons (back from an Achilles injury) and 2008 starter Darnell Stapleton under contract for 2009. They also have a starting right tackle (Willie Colon) who almost every scout/player personnel man not employed by the Steelers believes would be better off playing guard. So the only real reason to bring Kemoeatu back is if he's willing to agree to a very reasonable deal.

But if you listen to Kemoeatu's agent, it sure sounds like he's expecting a landmark offer. And he hopes it comes from the Steelers.

"I would hope so," said Ken Vierra. "Having not spoken with them yet, I don't know where they're at, but he's one of the better guards in the league, he's 26 and has room for improvement. If you have one of the better guards in the league, you try to keep him."

This is laughable. You can't fault an agent for pumping up his client, even if it's pushing the edge of being an outright lie. But I wonder how Ed Bouchette wrote down that quote without breaking into laughter. There is not one member of the Steelers offensive line that can be considered one of the "better" linemen in the league. And Kemoeatu, the guard who led the Steelers with seven sacks allowed by my count (Stats Inc. charged him with 7.5 sacks), ranks as one of the worst starting guards in the league.

In fact, only two guards in the league allowed more sacks -- San Francisco's Adam Snyder gave up 9.5 sacks while Derrick Dockery gave up 8.25 -- and in Snyder's case, he played some right tackle. In Kemoeatu's defense, some of the other sacks leaders Alan Faneca (7) and Steve Hutchinson (7) are some of the highest-paid guards in the league, so maybe that's why Vierra thinks Kemoeatu should be very highly paid. Of course, it's probably a better argument for not overpaying guards.

Kemoeatu does have some physical skills -- at his best, he can bowl over people in the running game -- but he's so erratic that it's hard to really count on him.

Tracking NFL Free Agents

Brandon Jacobs, Running back
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY GIANTS
The Latest: The non-exclusive tag means that Jacobs is still able to sign elsewhere, but would cost two first-round picks as compensation. He'll spend at least one more season in New York because of that.

Bill Kostroun, AP

Chris Johnson, Cornerback
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - 4 years, terms not announced
The Latest: Oakland wasted no time locking up Johnson with a multi-year deal, and now can focus all its attention on making sure Nnamdi Asomugha is lined up at the Raiders' other cornerback spot.

Paul Sakuma, AP

Karlos Dansby, Linebacker
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY CARDINALS
The Latest: For the second straight season, the Cardinals used the franchise tag on Dansby. He can still negotiate with other teams, but likely will spend next season in the desert - whether he wants to or not.

Ross D. Franklin, AP

Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 14 starts, 51 tackles (41 solo), 8.5 sacks
The Latest: The Titans promised Haynesworth that they wouldn't franchise him for the second straight year, so he'll become a free agent.

Mark Humphrey, AP

Kerry Collins, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 16 games played (15 starts), 2,676 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, 80.2 QB rating
The Latest: Despite his age (36), Collins feels he is in line for a big contract -- comparable to whatever Kurt Warner receives.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 117 tackles (85 solo), 3.5 sacks, 3 INTs
The Latest: The franchise tag rules mean that Lewis would become the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history at more than $11 million if the Ravens went that route. Baltimore would prefer to re-sign Lewis.

Rob Carr, AP

Terrell Suggs, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 68 tackles (53 solo), eight sacks, two INTs
The Latest: Suggs suggested that he, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott all take hometown discounts and stay in Baltimore, so he wants to be there. He's a cheaper franchise tag option than Lewis.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 82 tackles (61 solo), 1.5 sacks
The Latest: Is there room for Scott in Baltimore? With the franchise tag likely landing on Terrell Suggs and the Ravens doing all it takes to sign Ray Lewis, it doesn't look like Scott is a priority.

G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 92 catches for 904 yards, four touchdowns
The Latest: The only way Housh returns is if the Bengals franchise him. Otherwise, he'll sign a lucrative contract elsewhere -- possibly with Philadelphia, where he's already expressed interest in playing.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 40 tackles (33 solo), one interception
The Latest: Asomugha's numbers are skewed by opponents' fear of throwing anywhere near him. The Raiders will use the franchise tag on him if they need to.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-18-2009 @ 10:01AM

BigIrish84 said...

I LMAO when I read that quote. He also had a TON of holding penalties and false starts against him. He is garbage and better not be re-tained.

2-18-2009 @ 1:20PM

waterlillies10 said...

well said bigirish84, get rid of all the clowns, they are not woth a damn, worhlessberger,jeff reed,aj.raisineddie these are stealer fans, son putos y hotos de pittsturd y tambien gcn or whatevr the culero calls himself -the writer of essays. i forgot also santonio holmes and crying ward

2-18-2009 @ 11:43PM

gcn said...

Waterlillies, if you were even a little less stupid, you would realize that bigirish10 is actually a Pittsburgh fan.

But no, you are that stupid.

2-18-2009 @ 3:08PM

IronCity4ever said...

Get rid of this looser. What a joke he's not worth a landmark turd out of the Rooney's ass!

Room for improvement is right!! He sucks! Send him back to the south pacific were he came from!

Waterlillies again has done a great job of proving that even retards can blog.

2-18-2009 @ 3:53PM

sherwood2255 said...

lol I saw better guards at the mall over Christmas! The guy's a walking "FALSE START" penalty...i definitely think he should start fore the Ravens or Patriots next year though LOL :)

2-18-2009 @ 3:59PM

lol and as far as the Steeler insults go...keep em comin...your anger betrays your jealousy. Can we all count to SIX together now? lol:)

2-18-2009 @ 4:12PM

that is 4 and 2 with an asterisk next to the games seattle and arizona, i think a terrible towel belongs in every toilet these stores, that is all there good for, i like riling up you pinche zealots, jeff reed sure needed one

2-18-2009 @ 5:05PM

peggy said...

Can't we just ignore aquaboy 10???

2-18-2009 @ 11:32PM

I post a long thought and waterlillies10 calls me the "writer of essays"? That's because he can't read. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! You should learn to read and write, chica.

2-18-2009 @ 11:34PM

PS: If anybody wants to see what a loser (and coward) waterlillies10 is, check out these links:

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/10/steelers-offseason-is-all-about-planning-ahead/#cont

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/14/jeff-reed-will-not-tolerate-empty-paper-towel-machines/6#comments

waterlillies10 es mucho stupido