THE 50-YARD LINE

Now that your Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 season has come to a close, it's time for Mrs. Black-N-Gold to take a look at the team's unrestricted free agents and see if the Steelers should consider re-signing any of them.

Defensive Backs (2)-Will Allen, Ryan Clark
Color Clark gone. It would be nice if they could bring Allen back for depth. He was a nice pickup when they brought him back off the scrap heap.

Defensive Lineman (3)-Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Al Woods
Ziggy, don't let the door hit you on the way out. He was a first-round bust. It will be sad to see the Beard leave but he's not getting any younger on a unit that does need to get younger. Woods looked good filling in for Steve McLendon at NT this season. Maybe they can slide Big Mac over to DE and let Big Al move into the starting lineup at NT?

Linebackers (3)-Stevenson Sylvester, Jamaal Westerman, Jason Worilds
Sylvester was in the trainer's room more than he was on the field. Westerman was a late-season roster-filler. The jury is still out on Worilds. He still doesn't stay healthy, but neither does LaMarr Woodley. The Steelers can't keep both Worilds and Woodley. And what if they do sign Worilds and he pulls a LaMarr, getting a fat contract and getting fat in return?

Offensive Lineman (3)-Fernando Velasco, Cody Wallace, Guy Whimper
All three O-Lineman had their bumps in the road but filled in admirably on a decimated O-Line. They may be able to parlay their performances into big contracts/starting gigs elsewhere. Otherwise, try and retain at least one of the three for much needed depth.

Running Backs (3)-Jonathan Dwyer, Felix Jones, LaRod Stephens-Howling
If Dwyer can stay motivated, book 'em, Dano. Jones ended up being a nice pick up, too. Pitt fans may have a soft spot in their heart for the local product but if they keep Dwyer and Jones and with the emergence of Le'Veon Bell, the numbers are against Stephens-Howling.

Special Teams (2)-Mat McBriar, Greg Warren
The Steelers recently signed P Brad Wing and LS Bryce Davis to futures contracts. That may be telling of the futures of McBriar and Warren.

Tight Ends (2)-David Johnson, Michael Palmer
Do the Steelers really need Johnson and Palmer? They have Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth and David Paulson tied up for next year.

Wide Receivers (3)-Plaxico Burress, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders
Burress' career could be over. If not, it should be over in Pittsburgh. Would love to see the Steelers keep Cotchery. He led the team with 10 TDs. Also, they need to get Markus Wheaton into the lineup. The Steelers should have let Sanders sign with the Pats last offseason. They could really use that draft pick.

The Steelers have the 15th pick in the draft come May and have more holes than draft picks. They also have their backs against the wall of the salary cap. It all comes down to a numbers game with many of these free agents. What players' price tags will be more cap friendly? As free agency gets into gear, we'll see if the Steelers are going to play if safe in the slow lane, or get in the fast lane for a return to the postseason. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!