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

[Miguel]

3 years 6mill
2 mill sb
Salaries of 650k, 1.5mill, 1.85mill.

Let's say that this is actually the deal that McLendon would accept. Why would the Steelers offer to him now when doing so would make it even easier for a team to craft an offer to Emmanuel Sanders that the Steelers could not match?

 

[mgteich]

If we any team has interest and McLendon is agreeable, the time is now. As Miguel says, the steelers have to be worried about matching a Sanders offer. Personally, I think that they have plans to match if necessary, involving a restructure.

 

[Brady6]

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.

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

And he is 325.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=79325&draftyear=2009&genpos=DT

He weighed 306 at his pro day. Sites list Wilfork at 325lbs and even thinned down in 2012 he was above 350lbs easily so the list weight isn't always that trustworthy do you think Chandler Jones played at 260lbs, Deaderick at 305lbs or Love at 315?

Also as you've pointed out several times in other threads we play a 4-3 anyway so him being 3-4 NT size isn't that necessary.

 

[Ring 6]

As I said before, my point was that there is no need to give a player a higher tender than you need to. Why tender McLendon at the 2nd round level when the ROFR level will suffice?

But good players are getting a higher tender so it would seem there is a reason right?
Cruz is one example. There are others.

 

[Ring 6]

Let's say that this is actually the deal that McLendon would accept. Why would the Steelers offer to him now when doing so would make it even easier for a team to craft an offer to Emmanuel Sanders that the Steelers could not match?

First, because it would let them keep the player. Remember the premise is they really want him and he will start.
Second, your argument has been that no one signs RFAs so why would they be worried about Sanders.
I don't think you argue on the one hand that the tender made to McLendon is irrelevant because no one signs RFAs then argue on the other hand that they haven't signed him long term because they are worried about someone signing RFA Sanders.
3rd, that deal would be the same cap cost as the tender they gave so it wouldn't really restrict them.

 

[Ring 6]

FoxboroFlyer and I are giving our opinions. Our opinions like yours are based on facts, our understanding of the NFL, and our understanding of the salary cap.

Do not see how yours are more realistic. Yours is just a differing interpretation of the facts.

Agree with all of that, I'm just pointing out that when you say 'if he thinks he will be a starter' isn't based on fact, but in FFs opinion, and we are talking about a guy who has only been a bit player so far.
My comment essentially was that its a stretch for a player in his position to consider himself a starter, and projecting him as such is a leap.
I was basing my contract on those facts, not annointing him a starter.

 

[Ring 6]

I believe he will play out his deal this year, and turn in a nice season, and cash in next year. It makes no sense, for him to sign an extension for backup money when this could be his year to prove his value in a vastly larger role in pittsburgh.

Thats fine, I happen to disagree. When you have been a deep on the bench player your entire career, a 2mill SB is a big deal.
I also wouldn't be sure that Pitt will offer that, it was based on your contention that he is valuable and want to retain him.
The point was why WOULDNT they offer that if he is as valuable as your opinion.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Thats fine, I happen to disagree. When you have been a deep on the bench player your entire career, a 2mill SB is a big deal.
I also wouldn't be sure that Pitt will offer that, it was based on your contention that he is valuable and want to retain him.
The point was why WOULDNT they offer that if he is as valuable as your opinion.

"Deep on the bench player" is way off base. The guy gets playing time.

Why would pittsburgh offer him anyrhing more right now when there is no need to?

That coaches agreement on staying away from other teams RFA coupled with the fact he has been a backup would be enough for pittsburgh to feel secure that he'll stay there.

Also pittsburgh has the right to match any offer he would sign. Who is to say they wouldnt just wait for that to extend him?

The guy was an udfa 4 years ago, and you continue to harp on him being a career backup.
Believe it or not some players take time to develope.

This conversation is going no where.

 

[mgteich]

So moving his cap hit from $1.323M to $1.327M is going to cause PITT not to match. Obviously, I missed something important.

3 years 6mill
2 mill sb
Salaries of 650k, 1.5mill, 1.85mill.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

So moving his cap hit from $1.323M to $1.327M is going to cause PITT not to match. Obviously, I missed something important.

He was saying, if pitt. Thinks so highly of him, why wouldn't they make him an offer like that to keep other teams away from him.

 

[Ring 6]

So moving his cap hit from $1.323M to $1.327M is going to cause PITT not to match. Obviously, I missed something important.

You did. To recap the argument was:

Pitt wants him to be a starter
Pitt couldn't afford to RFA him at a level that would give them any protectiion(ie comp)
Pitt also couldn't afford to sign him to a long term deal.

That contract was an example of a 3 year deal for a backup at good backup money that would cost them mo more than the low tender.

 

[Ring 6]

"Deep on the bench player" is way off base. The guy gets playing time.

Semantics. McLendon played 136 snaps. Marquice Cole played 196. Justin Francis 190 Ron Brace 90
I consider those deep on the bench players, Deaderick played almost 3 times as much for example.

Why would pittsburgh offer him anyrhing more right now when there is no need to?

Because they want to keep him? If you think that a tender where any team can take him is no reason to not lock up a player you want to keep, I'm not quite sure where you are coming from.

That coaches agreement on staying away from other teams RFA coupled with the fact he has been a backup would be enough for pittsburgh to feel secure that he'll stay there.

If such an agreement existed why are some RFAs tendered higher? If there was a such an agreement everyone would get 1.3mill. They do not. Bad argument.

Also pittsburgh has the right to match any offer he would sign. Who is to say they wouldnt just wait for that to extend him?

Come on. You are arguing they want him so they are waiting for someone else to sign him to whatever they want to so they can match? If he was that valuable they would be proactive.

The guy was an udfa 4 years ago, and you continue to harp on him being a career backup.
Believe it or not some players take time to develope.

He is what he is. That is the point. If he were showing development wouldn't he be out there more than 8.5 snaps a game?
Your argument seems to be anyone who hasn't played well yet can't be consider less than a stud because maybe they will develop into one?

This conversation is going no where.

Actually it is, but you don't seem to like where it is going because there are no facts that support your position. Granted there are none that say you are entirely wrong about the player, but most of the facts lead to you severely overrating him compared to the team who is making the decision to keep him or let him walk, as well as all the other teams that have not stepped up to try and sign him.

 

[Brady6]

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.

I think we need a true #1 3tech DT to create penetration next to Wilfork not a guy like this. The fact is that Kyle Love is perfect as a backup to Vince Wilfork and Brandon Deaderick is a good backup 3tech DT.

This kid really doesn't give us anything we don't already have in Love and he isn't going to fits as a 3tech DT.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Semantics. McLendon played 136 snaps. Marquice Cole played 196. Justin Francis 190 Ron Brace 90
I consider those deep on the bench players, Deaderick played almost 3 times as much for example.


Because they want to keep him? If you think that a tender where any team can take him is no reason to not lock up a player you want to keep, I'm not quite sure where you are coming from.



If such an agreement existed why are some RFAs tendered higher? If there was a such an agreement everyone would get 1.3mill. They do not. Bad argument.


Come on. You are arguing they want him so they are waiting for someone else to sign him to whatever they want to so they can match? If he was that valuable they would be proactive.


He is what he is. That is the point. If he were showing development wouldn't he be out there more than 8.5 snaps a game?
Your argument seems to be anyone who hasn't played well yet can't be consider less than a stud because maybe they will develop into one?


Actually it is, but you don't seem to like where it is going because there are no facts that support your position. Granted there are none that say you are entirely wrong about the player, but most of the facts lead to you severely overrating him compared to the team who is making the decision to keep him or let him walk, as well as all the other teams that have not stepped up to try and sign him.

I have read several pittsburgh based articles stating otherwise. Many of them believe mcclendon is in, for a large role this year.
How you know differently is beyond me.
I would think their beat writers would have a better understanding of the situation than you.
Hampton is gone, and mclendon is ahead of both hood, and heyward.
ROFR is all they need to secure him, if they can't steal him for 1.3 this year, they'll up their offer to him to retain him.
With his current 1.3 and their 2 mill. In space they could offer him up to 3.3 this year if they have to.

 

[Coach42]

Wow I can't believe this argument lasted 4 pages. All the dude said was he COULD be a gem. What's the problem with that? Pitts front office never mis evaluated one of its own players before?

Since when has 6'4" 325 not worked for our D?

 

[Brady6]

Semantics. McLendon played 136 snaps. Marquice Cole played 196. Justin Francis 190 Ron Brace 90
I consider those deep on the bench players, Deaderick played almost 3 times as much for example.

Not that I want to pay this kid starter money but it is worth saying he did have more sacks and stuffs than Love or Deaderick in as you pointed out 1/3 the snaps.

 

[Brady6]

Wow I can't believe this argument lasted 4 pages. All the dude said was he COULD be a gem. What's the problem with that? Pitts front office never mis evaluated one of its own players before?

Since when has 6'4" 325 not worked for our D?

Pittsburg missed here.. http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/...le-alameda-taamu-promote-wide-receiver-david/

Ron Brace didn't work for our defense and he was that type of build.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Wow I can't believe this argument lasted 4 pages. All the dude said was he COULD be a gem. What's the problem with that? Pitts front office never mis evaluated one of its own players before?

Since when has 6'4" 325 not worked for our D?

It is comical.
Evidently I said this guy was the best player to ever play, and a guaranteed gem.
Crazy, cause I keep rereading my first post to make sure it's written in english.

 

[Brady6]

It is comical.
Evidently I said this guy was the best player to ever play, and a guaranteed gem.
Crazy, cause I keep rereading my first post to make sure it's written in english.

I don't have problem with your OP or suggestion I just don't think we have a need for another NT I think we need a 3tech DT. Ron Brace could be a gem but he was always stuck behind Wilfork and not a fit to play next to him I envision this kid would have the same problem and we'd be paying starter money for a guy who saw less than 20% of our snaps. That's my only reasoning for objecting I actually think you're correct in the belief he could be a gem.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I think we need a true #1 3tech DT to create penetration next to Wilfork not a guy like this. The fact is that Kyle Love is perfect as a backup to Vince Wilfork and Brandon Deaderick is a good backup 3tech DT.

This kid really doesn't give us anything we don't already have in Love and he isn't going to fits as a 3tech DT.

According to the steelers depot blog the kid not only plays the 0, but can play 1,3,4, and 5 tech. As well.
He has versatility.