50-YARD LINE

     Happy New League Year, Pittsburgh Steelers fans! At 4pm yesterday, free agent season officially began around the league. As Mrs. Black-N-Gold writes this, the Steelers went back to their conservative ways of not bagging any big free agents on the first day. You may recall, last season, the Steelers tried something different, snagging S Mike Mitchell early on and paying him big bucks. Since that went over like a lead balloon, it appears the Steelers have reverted back to being non-players in free agency's early goings.

     However, the Steelers did make waves the last few days. The most notable announcement was that they released DE Brett Keisel. Da Beard had a strong 2014 but finished the season on the IR, thus ending his career in Black-N-Gold. Of course there are the rumors that should the Diesel decide to continue playing, he may go to Arizona or follow Dick LeBeau to Tennessee. Whatever happens, Mrs. Black-N-Gold wishes Brett nothing but the best, so long as his business doesn't conflict with Steelers business.

     The same goes for S Troy Polamalu, CB Ike Taylor and OLB James Harrison. The Steelers still haven't made any decisions as far as these veterans go. What we do know is that both Taylor and Harrison are among the Steelers unrestricted free agents. That list also includes WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, TE Michael Palmer, RB Ben Tate, S Will Allen, DL Clifton Geathers, CB Brice McCain and OLB Jason Worilds.

     Most of these free agents aren't worth retaining although the Steelers entertained bringing back Worilds. This morning, ESPN reports that Worilds is retiring. Although he was an experienced OLB, his injuries and inconsistency were maddening. Mrs. Black-N-Gold wouldn't mind seeing Allen and McCain return as they filled in admirably this season when the defense needed them most.

     The Steelers re-signed 2 of their free agents, OLB Arthur Moats and TE Matt Spaeth. We may see more of Moats this season if the Steelers don't bring back Harrison and/or if they fail to land another OLB in the draft or free agency. They need someone to team-up with the oft-injured Jarvis Jones.

     The Steelers also tendered deals to 3 restricted free agents, CB Antwon Blake, S Robert Golden and FB Will Johnson. This gives the Steelers the right to match any offer sheets these players may sign.

     With the Steelers $7 million under the salary cap, it comes as no surprise to Mrs. Black-N-Gold that they didn't try go after any big free agents. Keep in mind, some of the best Steelers free agents didn't exactly set the world on fire when they got here: James Farrior, Kimo von Oelhoffen, Kevin Greene. The Steelers just need to get back to evaluating talent they way the used to and not grasp at straws like they did a year ago with Mitchell and DE Cam Thomas. They need to go back to the Steelers way. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!