DL Steve McLendon - the Pittsburgh Steeler RFA the Pats should target

[RayClay]

I've always suspectedthat even the most trusted sights probbly list a players weight as a rookie, then just leave it up there. Does anyone know a site that updates the weights of every player every year? No way for me to tell that, but here's a Pitt fan forum.

Steve McLendon- 325 lb beast - Steelers Fever Forums

steve mclendon is reportedly weighing in at 325 lbs, way above his listed weight of 280.

no wonder his position coach told everyone not to forget about him or write him off when alameda ta'amu was drafted to replace hampton. or start this season until he is off the PUP list.

I knew he was around 305 when he started last year (2011). Good for him, and good for us as fans.

280 was bs and you could tell just looking at him standing next to anybody. he might have been 280 as a rookie, lol

anyway I like mclendon, he is a solid backup

You could tell no difference when Mclendon or Hampton was playing....Just a fact

 

[patman52]

6'4 325lbs. 27 years old.
Played backup NT to Hampton in Pitt. The last few years.
He is the heir apparent, and he has looked real good in limited duty.
Low tendered at 1.3, and no comp. If signed by another team.
Steelers are planning on using him at NT in 4-3 fronts, and moving him to DE in the 3-4.
This could be the gem the Pats steal out of Pittsburgh.

Good find, I think we need someone there to take what would have been Brace's slot. A one year 3mill deal should be enough to pry him away. If he looks good at the start of the year we could extend him

 

[Miguel]

If Pitt was as high on him as you think they wouldn't have no comp tendered him.

They liked him enoiugh to have tendered them. They did not tender two other players (Jeremy Kapinos and Stevenson Sylvester). Given the lack of interest in making RFAs offers since 2010 a team should tender a player at the lowest level possible while also not making it tempting for another team to go after that player. I believe that is what the Steelers have done in this case.

As cap-strapped as the Steelers have been this offseason one could say that they could not afford to give him the 2nd round tender level.

 

[Ring 6]

He didn't play "9 snaps a game".

He played 136 snaps in 16 games, that is actually 8 1/2.

He started and played in several games. It's not like it was spot duty at "9 snaps a game".

He staeted no games.

I mean if you're gonna criticize get your **** straight.

A) Right back atcha.
B) I wasn't criticizing, I was discussing your comments.

You're right though andy johnson. You see, and know everything.

Not sure where your nasty attitude is coming from. I am simply responding to your comments. If you are going to take it personally you may want to just ignore anyone who responds.

I beg your forgiveness my lord.

And with that it would appear there is no point trying to have a discussion.

 

[Ring 6]

They liked him enoiugh to have tendered them. They did not tender two other players (Jeremy Kapinos and Stevenson Sylvester). Given the lack of interest in making RFAs offers since 2010 a team should tender a player at the lowest level possible while also not making it tempting for another team to go after that player. I believe that is what the Steelers have done in this case.

As cap-strapped as the Steelers have been this offseason one could say that they could not afford to give him the 2nd round tender level.

Good answer, that does make sense.
However, he was portrayed as a starter for the upcoming season and a 'gem' we could steal, in the OP, so at THAT level they would have found a way to protect him wouldn't they?

I'm not saying he is worthless, just that the way Pitt tendered him doesn't seem consistent with the OP portrayal.

 

[Ring 6]

Maybe cause they've already restructured every contract under the sun, and they have no cap room to work with...maybe that has something to do with it.

I can accept that until you say he is going to be a starter and a 'gem' we can steal. That and a no comp tender doesn't add up.

Just prior to FA there was an actual link up top stating the pats were looking at DL as priority one.

Thanks for the answer. I remmeber the article and it was a prediction of what BB may be thinking based upon prior years. I would not agree that is proof DL was his #1 priority.

And he is 325.

There seems to be conflicting evidence here. I don't know. If we were to consider him, I hope he is 280 not 325, because 280 fits our needs, much, much more than 325.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I can accept that until you say he is going to be a starter and a 'gem' we can steal. That and a no comp tender doesn't add up.


Thanks for the answer. I remmeber the article and it was a prediction of what BB may be thinking based upon prior years. I would not agree that is proof DL was his #1 priority.


There seems to be conflicting evidence here. I don't know. If we were to consider him, I hope he is 280 not 325, because 280 fits our needs, much, much more than 325.

9
Pittsburgh simply does not have the cap space to keep everyone.
They've handed some massive contracts over the last few years, and have already restructured just about everyone they could this year.
This is a classic case of them getting their guy at low cost because theyre hoping no other team noticed him last year in his backup role imo.

And fwiw I never said the pats would sign him, as a starter...although I think he has the potential to be one.
Just my opinion.

 

[Ring 6]

I think in an effort, some people have missed the point of the OP. The Pats are acknowledged as looking for more DT depth. The OP was just suggesting a player that he thought flashed at that position. What's the problem?

Discussing and/or disagreeing with parts of a post or opinion does not mean it is 100% wrong.
As an RFA to add depth to the DL it is intriguing. But overbuilding a guy who played 136 snaps as a starter at NT in the 43 and DE in the 34 who is a 'gem' we could steal to fill our biggest priority requires discussion.
If I said we need to sign Julian Edelman because he will outproduce Welker would deservedly get response that the reasoning is bizarre, but that wouldn't mean Edelman has no value.

"Steelers extended an original-pick tender to restricted free agent NT Steve McLendon.
McLendon is believed to be the heir apparent to Casey Hampton at nose tackle, but there's also chatter that he could move to defensive end in the 3-4. He has ideal height at 6-foot-4 while also showing the ability to push the pocket in limited opportunities. The low tender will pay McLendon $1.323 million. Mar 9 - 3:58 PM".

Good addition to the conversation, but not consistent with the OP. That kind of is the point.

BTW- Rotoworld had him at 325, while Yahoo Sports had him at 280. That's a significant difference. But that's not the point really. While there are some suggestions that come on this board that ARE ludicrous, this one wasn't.

Ludicrous, no, but overhyped, definitely.
And 280 vs 325 are 2 entirely different roles in our defense, essentially 2 different players. I don't know how you judge fit and need without that answer.

If the Rotoworld blurb is to be believed, then why not McClendon. A 6'4 325lb guy with 4 years experience playing behind a perennial all pro, SHOULD be looked closely at.

That is a big IF. Plus NT isn't really a need here. I'm not one to believe that you are a function of the talent of the guy you played behind. The backup to a good player is no more likely to be good than the backup to an average player.

 

[Ring 6]

Pittsburgh simply does not have the cap space to keep everyone.
They've handed some massive contracts over the last few years, and have already restructured just about everyone they could this year.
This is a classic case of them getting their guy at low cost because theyre hoping no other team noticed him last year in his backup role imo.

I understand your comments, and they make sense for a reserve player who plays sparingly, which is what he has always been.
I think it is not consistent with your hype of the player. If he were projected to be a starter and stud player they would have fit him in for what would turn out to be a cheap price for a player that good, or signed him to a longer term deal that is more cap friendly.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I understand your comments, and they make sense for a reserve player who plays sparingly, which is what he has always been.
I think it is not consistent with your hype of the player. If he were projected to be a starter and stud player they would have fit him in for what would turn out to be a cheap price for a player that good, or signed him to a longer term deal that is more cap friendly.

I guess we will all find out this year when he gets his first chance at being a starter.
I like the guys potential, and the Steeler fans do, as well.
I was simply pointing out an interesting player, yet you act as if I'm claiming the guy is best to ever play.
He'd be a nice rotational player for the pats at the very least.

 

[Ring 6]

And fwiw I never said the pats would sign him, as a starter...although I think he has the potential to be one.
Just my opinion.

I'm responding to your comment that the Steelers planned to make him a starter, which seems dubious to me, and your characterizaiton of him as a 'gem we could steal'.

If he is 325, I don't see much of a role in our D as we are playing it now. But for a cheap 1 year deal, you can never have enough DL. I just don't see this guy as anything but depth.

 

[Ring 6]

I guess we will all find out this year when he gets his first chance at being a starter.
I like the guys potential, and the Steeler fans do, as well.
I was simply pointing out an interesting player, yet you act as if I'm claiming the guy is best to ever play.
He'd be a nice rotational player for the pats at the very least.

I don't think he will be a starter.
I'm not claiming anything, I'm just not ready to call a guy who barely played a starting caliber player, a gem, or the solution to our top priority.
It all comes down to expectations. I think yours are unreasonable high with this particular player. You don't have to agree.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I'm responding to your comment that the Steelers planned to make him a starter, which seems dubious to me, and your characterizaiton of him as a 'gem we could steal'.

If he is 325, I don't see much of a role in our D as we are playing it now. But for a cheap 1 year deal, you can never have enough DL. I just don't see this guy as anything but depth.

I respectfully understand your thoughts, and opinions on this player. Doesn't mean I agree, with them though.

Lets just agree to disagree.

And again I never said DL, was the top priority.
I was referring to the article about it being A priority, as BB was supposedly looking at DL early in FA.

I also said COULD be a gem in my original post.
It seems, as if you are twisting many of my comments.

 

[Miguel]

If he were projected to be a starter and stud player they would have fit him in for what would turn out to be a cheap price for a player that good, or signed him to a longer term deal that is more cap friendly.

His cap number is $1.3 million. A player with 3 years has a minimum salary of $630,000. What kind of deal would be more cap friendly? And why would he sign it now?

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I don't think he will be a starter.
I'm not claiming anything, I'm just not ready to call a guy who barely played a starting caliber player, a gem, or the solution to our top priority.
It all comes down to expectations. I think yours are unreasonable high with this particular player. You don't have to agree.

Mike Vrabel disagrees, with this premise.
There are plenty of backup players that never see playing time with original teams, for one reason or another that move on to other teams to have good careers.
In this case it's not about mclendons talent level it' the fact he was a young player on a team with an already stacked D line.

 

[Ring 6]

His cap number is $1.3 million. A player with 3 years has a minimum salary of $630,000. What kind of deal would be more cap friendly? And why would he sign it now?

Not sure I was clear, I'm not saying more cap friendly than the minimum tender. I'm looking at it from the standpoint of what would they do if it were critical to them to keep him. If a higher tender is untenable.
I meant more cap friendly that a higher tender.
I'm not sure why a backup who played 136 snaps all season would reject a long term deal with some money up front.
I'm sure you could structure a 3 year deal with a first year cap no higher than the 1.3mill that gives them no protection that would look very good to him.

 

[Miguel]

His cap number is $1.3 million. A player with 3 years has a minimum salary of $630,000. What kind of deal would be more cap friendly? And why would he sign it now?

It also makes more sense for the Steelers to wait to do any long-term deal with McLendon until June 2 because that is when they get $5.5 million in cap space because they designated Willie Colon as a June 1 release.

 

[Ring 6]

Mike Vrabel disagrees, with this premis.

Come on. By that logic Mike Vrabel is proof that every player on every bench is a star waiting to happen.
McLendon is not that blocked for playing time. Hampton is not an every down player, and if he also should be playing 34 DE the players Pitt has there are not exactly dominant.

There are plenty of backup players that never see playing time with original teams, for one reason or another that move on to other teams to have good careers.
In this case it's not about mclendons talent level it' the fact he was a young player on a team with an already stacked D line.

Pittsburgh is stacked on the DL? Really?

 

[Ring 6]

It also makes more sense for the Steelers to wait to do any long-term deal with McLendon until June 2 because that is when they get $5.5 million in cap space because they designated Willie Colon as a June 1 release.

Again, that makes sense too, but if we were talking about a vital player, which was the OPs POV, they would be working to protect him, IMO.

 

[Miguel]

I'm sure you could structure a 3 year deal with a first year cap no higher than the 1.3mill that gives them no protection that would look very good to him.

I'm sure that I can not.