*So, another Steeler in the last year of his contract wants to be treated "fairly." Outside linebacker Lamarr Woodley said that he can't understand why the Steelers haven't approached him about a new deal. I can think of good one reason, Lamarr: A threat of a lockout. It looks more and more like the owners will lock the players out next season because they want a new collective bargaining agreement. Why in the world would they negotiate a new contract right now? I'm not sure of the particulars, but I don't even think they're allowed at this point. Woodley said he's going to do the right thing and report for training camp, but my guess is this is going to be a Summer of "Woodley the Martyr." Poor Lamarr is going to be risking injury by participating in camp with that measly $500,000 base-salary that he's scheduled to make this year. Don't get me wrong, I like Woodley, it just annoys me when guys complain about not being treated fairly. This is Alan Faneca all over again. Faneca was in the last year of his contract in '07 and reported to camp pretty grouchy and remained that way the entire year. He wanted that huge contract and the Steelers wouldn't give it to him because he was over 30 years old and they had other, younger priorities in Roethlisberger, Polamalu, Miller, and Harrison. Those guys were all eventually signed to huge deals. Woodley is obviously pretty young and not in the same boat as Faneca. I'm pretty sure Woodley will get his money, and if this was a normal year, he probably already would have. Now, onto the "being treated fairly" deal. I always have a problem with that statement because, for one, he's getting paid six-figures to play a sport. I can't think of better way to be treated. And secondly, it's not like the Steelers signed him to a contract with the hopes that he'd play poorly. It just so happens that he exceeded what most players making $500,000 in base-salary usually do. If he performed poorly, would the Steelers have a right to ask for some of their money back? A contract is a contract, Lamarr. You'll get your payday. Just relax.
*Signing Woodley might mean getting rid of someone else. James Farrior is probably in his last year. Some have said Harrison could also be let go in order to make room for Woodley. He is 32 years old, and it wouldn't shock me. It's a young man's sport and when there is a new CBA, there will still be a salary cap and the Steelers are going to have to find room somewhere for a huge Woodley deal. It might actually come down to Harrison or Woodley. I remember about 15 years ago, the Steelers had a similar choice to make between a younger Chad Brown, who was going into free agency, and an older Greg Lloyd, who was already under contract. They chose Lloyd and he spent the last year in Pittsburgh on the injured list. Woodley has 29 sacks in three seasons and he's only 24 years old. If they had to make that choice again, I'm thinking they'll go with youth.
*Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers first round draft choice, is being accused of accepting $100,000 from an agent's runner this past January before Florida's Sugar Bowl game against Cincinnati. Apparently, this happens all the time and I'm not surprised. Of course these agents are going to do whatever it takes to get these NFL prospects to sign with them. Especially someone like Pouncey, who was a first round selection. It means more money for them. And I can understand why these kids accept the cash. If you're a college athlete under scholarship, you're not even allowed to have a job. If I was 19 or 20, or heck, even 38, and someone offered me that kind of money, I'd have a hard time turning it down. I'm sure the players know it's wrong and in violation of NCAA rules, but when you're broke, you're broke. However, if I was someone like Pouncey and I knew I was going to be making big money in just a few short months, I wouldn't accept $100,000 from some sleazy agent. I would just get a credit card or two or three and run them up. What's the worst thing that could happen? A bad credit score? I'm sure the score would improve greatly after my first NFL paycheck. I'd pay those credit cards off pretty quickly. And then I'd max them out again, just because I could.
*Once again, the Baltimore Ravens are getting a lot of preseason love. Many are picking them to be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl this year. I've never understood why the Ravens are always so popular with the national media. It's almost like they want them to win for whatever reason. I'm sure it has something to do with their desire for Ray Lewis to be in the Super Bowl again and on the biggest stage in sports. For media members looking for quotes and stories, it might be the sports equivalent to porn. Seriously, what other reason could there be for picking the Ravens every year? They hardly ever win their division. They usually finish the regular season at 9-7 and barely make the playoffs. Their offense is normally pretty average and their defense isn't nearly as dominant as people think it is. This year, however, the experts might actually be on to something. They picked up Anquan Boldin in the offseason and he'll be their number one receiver and a threat every time he touches the ball. Also, Joe Flacco is coming into his third year as a starting quarterback and the only thing he's seemed to lack thus far is a really explosive receiving threat. And their running game is pretty potent, as well. Ray Rice might be the best all-around running back in the NFL with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The Ravens defense doesn't impress me as much. Ray Lewis is just about at the end of the line and their cornerbacks look to be the weak link in their defensive armor. I don't care how great a pass rush you have or how good you are at playing the run, if your cornerbacks are suspect, you're going to give up a lot of big plays. Just go back and watch the 4th quarter of most Steelers games from last season. And Ed Reed is supposed to miss six weeks with a hip injury. We all know what happened to the Steelers secondary when Troy missed most of last year with injuries. I hope I'm right about the Ravens defense because the thought of watching Baltimore dominate the division and the league would just be down-right nauseating.
*Speaking of nauseating, I'm taking a trip to Ohio next week while on vacation. But it's ok, because it'll be a good part of the state: Canton. We're going to visit the NFL Hall of Fame. I've always wanted to go there and I can't wait to check it out. I might want to move in. I'll keep you posted.
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