It’s that time of year again when the Steelers must address their current free agents and decide who they feel is pertinent in helping them in their quest for ring number seven. The difference this year from many others is the front office needs to understand this team is not going to be a Super Bowl contender immediately, so some guys who may provide them immediate gains; may not be fits for this team due to the current status of the team.  They must focus on the younger guys they feel will impact them in the long term and help them get back to being a dominant franchise who is a contender for multiple years.

The black and gold currently have 21 unrestricted free agents. Let’s take a look at who they are and what should be done with each of those players along with what will most likely be done.

Wide Receivers (3)

Emmanuel Sanders-Sanders is a very solid number two option for Big Ben behind Antonio Brown. He has speed and is a good route runner.  He’s a guy that can only go up. Sanders set a career high in TD receptions in 2013 and will continue to get better over the next few years. The problem for Sanders is the team already has a speedy guy in Brown. While I believe the team should keep Sanders, it’s likely he’ll move on. The Patriots signed him to an offer sheet last year that the Steelers were able to match. The team will not have that luxury this year. With the most likely scenario being Sanders commanding a high salary, he’ll probably be off to greener pastures and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him land in New England.

Jerricho Cotchery-Cotchery had an excellent 2013. He’s a must keep. Whether the team keeps Sanders or not; should not impact the signing of Cotchery. He’s a very good possession receiver and provided a great target for Big Ben on crucial downs. He’s a great as a number three guy and could pass as a two if necessary. The team must do what they can to bring him back and I expect they will. Look for him to sign a two year contract with the black and gold.

Plaxico Burress-Burress is up there in age and missed all of last year due to injury. It’s very unlikely the team would want him back but to me he’s a guy they should look at bringing back on a one year deal at the league minimum. He’s a big receiver who could be very useful in the red zone and on critical 3^rd downs. I expect he’ll be allowed to leave and his career could actually be over if the Steelers don’t sign him.

Running Backs (3)

Jonathan Dwyer-Dwyer must be brought back. He’s an excellent complement to LeVeon Bell and brings a lot of energy and fight to the huddle. Dwyer is not afraid to get the tough yards and can even fill in as a starter if necessary. I believe the team will make a play to bring him back and he should return.

Felix Jones-Jones really didn’t show much when he was given the opportunity to play. He was supposed to be a third down back and kick returner but played no factor in either facet of the game. Jones shouldn’t be brought back but there is a scenario where he could return if the team can’t secure Dwyer.

LaRod Stephens-Howling- Stephens Howling missed the entire year due to injury, causing the Steelers to trade for Jones. There is no chance that both Jones and Stephens Howling return. I’d prefer to bring back Stephens Howling over Jones but I believe the team should allow both to walk and just keep Dwyer. I think there is an outside shot that Stephens Howing does return but it would be unlikely.

Tight Ends (2)

David Johnson-Johnson has been a decent blocker and has played the occasion role of full back but there is no need to bring him back and I don’t believe he’ll be back.  The team has Heath Miller under contract along with Matt Spaeth. Johnson will be gone.

Michael Palmer-Who?

Offensive Linemen (3)

Fernando Velasco-Velasco must be brought back. He played extremely well when brought in after the start of the season to replace Maurkice Pouncey. Bringing him back would add much needed depth to the offensive line and provide a very adequate backup at center. It could also allow Pouncey to move to starting guard and keep Velasco as starting center. The options are endless and I believe the Steelers know this and will attempt to retain Velasco.

Cody Wallace-Wallace was brought in to replace the injured Velasco and he too did a great job when called upon. He should be brought back as well. I don’t’ think he’ll be retained unless Velasco goes however.

Guy Whimper-Whimper didn’t do much and shouldn’t’ be brought back nor do I believe the team wants him back. Good luck Guy, wherever you go.

Defensive Linemen (3)

Ziggy Hood-Hood was a first round pick of the Steelers in 2009 but hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations the team has had for him. That said, the Steelers can probably resign him cheaply and I believe they should. He played well down the stretch when he came in for Brett Keisel, he knows the system and he does have the talent that warranted his first round selection. The Steelers will make an attempt to bring Hood back on a three or four year contract.

Brett Keisel-Keisel is a Steeler legend, rightfully so. He showed he could still be effective when he played this season however he did miss multiple games due to injury. Given his age and the status of the team, it just doesn’t make sense to bring him back. It’s hard to say and even harder to imagine the team without Da Beard but it’s just not in the cards. The black and gold most likely will not attempt to bring him back and Keisel will most likely retire.

Al Woods-Woods played in all 16 games in 2013 but with little impact. He may be an option for the team should they not bring Hood back but I don’t believe the team should really attempt to bring him back unless they are in a pinch.  That said, the Steelers will most likely offer him a contract in the hopes of keeping some depth on the line.

Linebackers (3)

Stevenson Sylvester-Sylvester has been with the team for four years and has never registered a sack. He may have talent but it hasn’t shown up yet and he’s not worth bringing back. The Steelers may attempt to bring him back one way or the other but should they lose Jason Worilds, the odds go way up.

Jason Worilds-Must Sign, must sign, must sign!  Worilds exploded on the scene the back half of the season and showed he can be a true force for the Steelers. The team must find a way to bring him back at just about any cost. He is young, versatile and explosive. I believe they’ll make a serious attempt to bring him back but it’s going to be very difficult as he’ll be in serious demand around the league. With the team having cap constraints; it may be just too difficult to accomplish this signing.

Jamaal Westermen-Who?

Long Snapper (1)

Greg Warren-Warren is effective at his job but he’s a dime a dozen. If they bring him back, I’m ok with that, if they don’t; I’m ok with that too. I think he’ll end up back with the team.

Punter (1)

Mat McBriar-Eh, I could go either way here. He’s ok but if they can find another option, they should do so. Perhaps even draft a punter.  I think they’ll look to find someone other than McBriar to punt for them in 2014.

The Steelers have 21 decisions to make in the coming months to help mold the team for not only 2014 but more importantly for years to come. If they are unable to retain the pertinent guys or make the incorrect decisions, they’ll be putting this team even further back.

They need to focus on the future of this organization and not fool themselves into thinking they are a contender immediately. The team needs to drop the ‘transition’ mode and move into rebuild mode. They have some core guys who can help them and we’ll see how they view the future as well as the present of this organization based on who they bring back and who they let go.

8-8, not what the Steelers had hoped for and not what many pundits expected out of this veteran laced team in 2013 but it turns out that’s what the team achieved for the second consecutive season. After the 8-8 finish in 2012, the Steelers refused to say it was time to rebuild, they insisted that the team was only in transition. Having achieved no better record in 2013, will they say the same thing?

Many folks look to the 6-2 finish down the stretch after the 0-4 and 2-6 start and say the arrow is pointed up on this team, that next year they’ll be back and ready to contend and challenge for ring number seven. They’ll mention the team hasn’t had a losing season since 2003.  While yes they finished strong in record, I have to say I don’t see the same arrow as these other folks.

Sure, the team hasn’t’ had a losing season in 10 years but they haven’t had a winning one in the last two. If anyone is happy winning as much as losing, they belong somewhere else because that is simply not acceptable, not in this town where failing to win a title is viewed as a disappointment.  How could one be happy with 8-8? 

Their 6-2 finish included two wins over the Browns, and wins over the Lions, Packers (without Aaron Rodgers), the Bills and the Bengals (who were promptly bounced out of the first round of the playoffs).  Anything impressive there?

The real lesson that must come out of this season is not that the team is close to getting back to championship caliber football but rather they may be further now than they have been in years. They wasted this season by not accepting this reality after 2012.

  They have very little depth on the roster and are short on overly talented stars at key positions. While they have an elite QB (Big Ben) and WR (Antonio Brown) and an extremely talented set of linebackers (Lawrence Timmons and Jason Worilds) they have nothing else that stands out.  You could certainly make a case for Cam Heyward at defensive end as he progressed nicely in 2013 and LeVeon Bell will make strides moving forward but the list stops there.  They need to trim the fat and bring in more talented youth as well as keep and develop the youth they currently have on this roster.

It’s apparent it’s time to part ways with some of the all-time Steeler greats. While these players have had major roles in the title runs the Steelers put up from 2004-2011, it’s time to say goodbye. It may not be easy but if the Steelers learned nothing from 2012, they need to learn it this time around, they can’t waste 2014 too.

Ike Taylor was a top corner for a long time but his deterioration happened over night. He’s no longer a shutdown guy and is not worth upwards of 12 million dollars. 2013 should have showed the team that it’s time to move on. His position must be filled by Cortez Allen or even by someone currently coming out of college.

Brett Keisel is a legend for his play and his beard. He’s a free agent and much like Casey Hampton a couple years back, it’s time to say goodbye. He can no longer stay healthy and since this team is as far away as they are, he’s not a guy that will add any value. He won’t be a part of this team when it’s ready to make a championship run.   His spot needs to go to a young player, which may mean re-signing Ziggy Hood or drafting a guy out of college.

LaMarr Woodley costs way too much money as well. He’s failed to produce numbers for nearly three years now and when he’s on the field, it’s for short stints because he can’t stay healthy. He must go and the team must use that money to bring back emerging star Jason Worilds. Worilds has to be the teams’ top priority this offseason; there are no ifs ands or buts about that.

Larry Foote missed all of 2013 and rookie Vince Williams ended up taking his role. It’s time to admit that Foote is no longer part of the winning formula in Pittsburgh and let him go.  That position is filled by Williams.

Ryan Clark is a free agent and while he has still put up some very gaudy numbers, his age makes him expendable. He’ll cost too much and it’s time to let Shamarko Thomas get more playing time.

Troy Polamalu needs to take a pay cut. He’s in the last year of his contract and is still putting up good numbers but is no longer the same player. They should keep him but at a reduced number, otherwise they may have to consider his release. Here’s hoping it doesn’t come to that.

Not only does the team need to realize who they must part ways from but they must realize who they need to keep. Aside from Worilds and potentially Ziggy Hood, the team should try to bring back Jerricho Cotchery. He had a phenomenal season and since it appears the Steelers will not pay Emmanuel Sanders, Cotchery becomes a must sign.

Jonathan Dwyer is a guy that should be brought back too. He’s a very solid back up and brings a lot of fire and energy to the team. He runs hard and can get the tough yards. They can’t let him play elsewhere.

On the O line it would behoove the Steelers to retain Fernando Velasco and Cody Wallace. Both played very well at center and with the return of Maurkice Pouncey coming next fall, these guys could prove to be very valuable on the line as well as serve as proven backups for Pouncey in the event he gets injured again.

It’s never easy to walk away from guys who have provided you with so much, who have given their heart and soul to the team and are so loved by fans; however, in order to have that type of run again, it’s something that must be done. The team failed to realize it in 2012 and because of that they fell a year behind when they wasted 2013.  The Steelers hopefully learned that they are not a team in transition, but a team who must re build and re tool. 2013 should have provided that information pretty clearly.