Any free agent Tight Ends next year?

[Steeltime]

if we can get eithier let Speath go ...

Spaeth has been incredibly good as a blocking TE this year. He came into the league as a mediocre blocker, and more of a pass catcher, but he is now one of the best blocking TE's in the NFL.

Further, he is not a target in the passing game simply because Ben has so freaking many other targets. However, recall that when Miller went down in 2008, Spaeth caught 12 passes in two games.

He is much better than he is given credit for. The chances that an affordable replacement or mid-round draft pick becomes a better player are very low, IMO.

 

[steelpastor]

.

I agree that Spaeth is a much more rounded player than he was early in his career. That said... I wouldn't mind having Stocker or Clay on our roster.

Niles? 6'1" 225lb TE? No thank you... I will take Will Johnson.

.


.

 

[Stryker]

Is Celek an RFA? If so, I'd burn a 5th rounder for him.

 

[F83]

I'd burn a 5th as well for Celek

 

[21STEELERS21]

They will resign Spaeth. With Bell catching a lot of balls and the development of Bryant and Wheaton there are not a lot of balls
left to throw to TE, so Heath and Spaeth's blocking ability are more valuable at this point.

 

[Wingman]

They will resign Spaeth. With Bell catching a lot of balls and the development of Bryant and Wheaton there are not a lot of balls
left to throw to TE, so Heath and Spaeth's blocking ability are more valuable at this point.

In addition to their blocking they can catch and run decent routes. The beauty of this is with the emphasis on blocking they are able to get open easier as the other teams seem to forget about them for a couple times each game.

 

[deljzc]

I think Spaeth is a Steeler lifer now. We might make a change at #3 TE but that's about it.

In all honesty, I don't see much changes on the offensive side of the ball this off-season. The offensive line is set. Adams will continue to be the swing tackle backup. We might add depth if value becomes available in the draft. The WR's seem pretty set. Moore is under contract and has almost a $1.9 million cap hit but when Wheaton and Bryant on the cheap, it's certainly not breaking the bank for veteran depth.

We need a backup running back. So a $1.5 to $2 million option in lieu of Blount should be readily available (running back FA markets are normally pretty fat with option). Will Johnson is a RFA so a nice long term deal seems kind of guaranteed at FB.

All the changes will be on defense. Cam Thomas might not make it and another veteran brought it. We need to decide on the ROLB spot and our backup swing OLB is a FA and it's 99% sure Harrison is done so OLB is a huge need position for us BEFORE the draft. But inside looks solid with Timmons, Shazier, Williams and Spence all under contract. The secondary is a mess depth wise and that's where most of the changes in names will take place.

But other than that, the team MIGHT, and I say that skeptically, MIGHT have an opportunity to really improve their depth because we don't have that many holes. To say the entire offensive starters and primary backups will be the same in 2015 is not out of the question. So it's an opportunity to really invest in some defensive depth both with mid-level FA's and draft choices.

 

[Superman]

I think Spaeth is a Steeler lifer now. We might make a change at #3 TE but that's about it.

In all honesty, I don't see much changes on the offensive side of the ball this off-season. The offensive line is set. Adams will continue to be the swing tackle backup. We might add depth if value becomes available in the draft. The WR's seem pretty set. Moore is under contract and has almost a $1.9 million cap hit but when Wheaton and Bryant on the cheap, it's certainly not breaking the bank for veteran depth.

We need a backup running back. So a $1.5 to $2 million option in lieu of Blount should be readily available (running back FA markets are normally pretty fat with option). Will Johnson is a RFA so a nice long term deal seems kind of guaranteed at FB.

All the changes will be on defense. Cam Thomas might not make it and another veteran brought it. We need to decide on the ROLB spot and our backup swing OLB is a FA and it's 99% sure Harrison is done so OLB is a huge need position for us BEFORE the draft. But inside looks solid with Timmons, Shazier, Williams and Spence all under contract. The secondary is a mess depth wise and that's where most of the changes in names will take place.

But other than that, the team MIGHT, and I say that skeptically, MIGHT have an opportunity to really improve their depth because we don't have that many holes. To say the entire offensive starters and primary backups will be the same in 2015 is not out of the question. So it's an opportunity to really invest in some defensive depth both with mid-level FA's and draft choices.

what about the possibility of bringing in Darren McFadden? He's on a one-year deal with Oakland and hasn't done ****...again. He's even managed to stay healthy.
Maybe a change of scenery, all that ****?

 

[keslerclan]

Is Celek an RFA? If so, I'd burn a 5th rounder for him.

Sorry guys, it's GARRETT Celek of the 7 career receptions variety NOT BRENT Celek with over 340.

We need a suitable replacement for Heath but for a better receiving TE, we will give up the blocking ability.

Nobody on this list has both, IMO and we will probably stick with developing a guy like Branchflower, Palmer or a low level FA with the holes we have to fill on D.

 

[SteelChip]

The offensive line is set. Adams will continue to be the swing tackle backup.

Man I hope you are wrong on that, his film just came back for the Cincy game and I was not seeing things...it ain't pretty.

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN Home Page/2014/12/steelers-vs-bengals-film-review-mike-adams/

We need a suitable replacement for Heath but for a better receiving TE, we will give up the blocking ability.

If I remember correctly, Heath struggled with his blocking for a couple years.

 

[insaniti]

If I remember correctly, Heath struggled with his blocking for a couple years.

I don't remember that at all.

 

[deljzc]

Man I hope you are wrong on that, his film just came back for the Cincy game and I was not seeing things...it ain't pretty.

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN Home Page/2014/12/steelers-vs-bengals-film-review-mike-adams/



If I remember correctly, Heath struggled with his blocking for a couple years.

We suck at zone blocking. It's not just Adams.

I swear what they are asking him to do sometimes is just not in his repertoire. Not that I'm making excuses for some of that bad tape, but having Adams move laterally and keep a block on the likes of Dunlop and Atkins is asking for failure.

 

[Litos]

If I remember correctly, Heath struggled with his blocking for a couple years.

I don't remember that at all.

He struggled the first weeks after the injury, then he was back to his level

 

[Wingman]

I am not saying Adams is all that great but neither is Gilbert. I believe Gilbert has the most sacks allowed on the line. On one of the plays it looked like Adams was yanked forward, can't tell from the angle but I wonder if he was face masked. I saw something similar on other plays not posted on the discussion to Adams and Beachum where the defensive linemen repeatedly grabbed the face mask or reached under it getting hands to the face with out a flag, in many cases they tackles were bent way back but still holding their ground on one occasion I saw Adams on his back after the tactic, but he did manage to drag the defender down with him.

I see no reason to dump on Adams when there is not likely much difference between him and Gilbert. If we ever get the chance I would like to see both tackle spots upgraded and maybe put Beachum in as our left guard.

 

[bmoritz]

While Adams hasn't been great, IMHO, he's better than Gilbert. Gilbert sucks! I still think (maybe foolishly so) that Muchak can work with Adams and get him to be consistently good. I see talent there, not so with Gilbert.

 

[SteelerAl]

While Adams hasn't been great, IMHO, he's better than Gilbert. Gilbert sucks! I still think (maybe foolishly so) that Muchak can work with Adams and get him to be consistently good. I see talent there, not so with Gilbert.

Gilbert has outplayed Adams by a country mile this season. You must be hung up on Gilbert's first two games --- those were below the line but he played much better after that --- and/or thinking that just because we are 3-1 with Adams in the starting line-up that somehow he has been solid. Adams has been pretty bad the past two games.