Players rarely leave the Steelers unless the Steelers no longer want
them. Sometimes, they go kicking and screaming, such as Pro Bowl guard
Alan Faneca last year.
"I'm just speaking from my knowledge of being around here and that is
this is a great place to be," said defensive end Brett Keisel, who could
find himself in the Faneca boat next year. "You have great owners who
care about you, a great family atmosphere here in the locker room ,so
it's a great place for a player like myself who was drafted here."
Keisel has one year left on his contract and wants to sign an
extension before the 2009 season, as do many of his teammate in the same
spot.
"From my standpoint, if guys have an opportunity to sign before their
final year, it's kind of job security," said tight end Heath Miller, who
also has one year left on his deal. "Football is such an unpredictable
sport in some respects. Guys can have a career-ending injury or
season-ending injury, so I think job security is something that's
valuable in this sport.
"And in my case, certainly when you play for an organization like
this, I can't see myself wanting to go anywhere else. I definitely hope
it ends up good."
Players do leave as free agents, often, including cornerback Bryant McFadden, tackle Marvel Smith and wide receiver Nate Washington this
year. But the Steelers made no moves to sign any of them.
Faneca raised a fuss in 2007, when he entered the final year of his
contract, but never could come to terms. Hines Ward held out at the
beginning of training camp in 2005 when a contract extension was not
done. He could have become a free agent in 2006 but did not want to.
James Harrison wanted his new contract this year and did not want to
wait to become free in 2010.
"It's guys just being comfortable with the situation they're in and
the teams they're with," explained linebacker James Farrior, who signed
as a free agent with the Steelers from the Jets in 2002. "It's hard
going to a new team, and you have to learn everything over again. It's
like being a rookie all over again."
OFFSEASON STANDOUT: Outside linebacker Bruce Davis looked vastly
improved after a disappointing rookie season. The 2008 third-round pick
got outplayed by undrafted rookie Patrick Bailey, who went on to become
a special teams force. But Davis showed signs that he is beginning to
get more comfortable in his transition from defensive end at UCLA.
Remember, Joey Porter, Clark Haggans, Jason Gildon, Mike Vrabel and
LaMarr Woodley all struggled in their first year after transition from
end.
LINEUP WATCH: Fifth-round 2008 pick Dennis Dixon has impressed the
coaching staff this offseason and could make a strong push to unseat
Charlie Batch as Ben Roethlisberger's primary backup. Dixon can also
potential run a form of the Wildcat offense if coordinator Bruce Arians
incorporates it. If so, there's a good chance Dixon will be the active
No. 2 quarterback on game days.
ROOKIE IMPRESSIONS: The Steelers are counting on first-round pick
Ziggy Hood to step in and provide some relief for starting defensive
ends Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith, who are both in their 30s. Hood could
be a starter as soon as 2010 if he picks up the intricacies of the 3-4.
Third-round wide receiver Mike Wallace could also compete for early
playing time if 2008 rookie Limas Sweed continues to falter in his
attempt to lock up the No. 3 spot.
INJURY WATCH: FS Ryan Clark is expected to be ready in time for
training camp after sitting out spring practices following shoulder
surgery. Punter Daniel Sepulveda appears to be on track to handle the
punting duties in 2009. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL,
then had spring surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right plant
leg. But the release of Dirk Johnson in mid-June indicates Sepulveda is
making a strong recover.
Contract to watch: The Steelers got offensive tackle Max Starks
signed to a long-term deal that saved some salary cap room, leaving Hood
and guard Kraig Urbik (second round) as the only potential contract
issues heading into training camp.