One position that Steelers fans seem to think the team should focus in on for free agency in 2011 is that of cornerback. With Ike Taylor being a free agent himself, and the team losing games to premiere QB’s like Drew Brees, Tom Brady and in SB XLV to Aaron Rodgers, there’s no doubt that it’s an area that should be looked at.
So here’s the list of those CB’s that will hit the free agent market if they are not re-signed or franchised by their clubs before free agency starts.
1) Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders
2) Jonathan Jospeph, Bengals
3) Antonio Cromartie, Jets
4) Brent Grimes, Falcons
5) Champ Bailey, Broncos
6) Ronde Barber, Buccaneers
7) Carlos Rogers, Redskins
8) Richard Marshall, Panthers
9) Ike Taylor, Steelers
10) Eric Wright, Browns
11) Josh Wilson, Ravens
12) Fabian Washington, Ravens
13) Ellis Hobbs, Eagles
14) Kelly Jennings, Seahawks
15) William Gay, Steelers
16) Brandon Carr, Chiefs
17) Lito Sheppard, Vikings
18) Jason Allen, Texans
No question that Asomugha is the best, but he’ll cost a fortune. Joseph is an interesting pickup, and Cromarite isn’t worth the trouble with his big mouth. Grimes is an up and coming CB, and could end up being the best in the bunch. Another name that could have an impact for the Steelers if they pick him up is Panthers CB Richard Marshall.
So any of these names get you excited? Leave a comment and let Steeler nation know who you think the club should pick up, if any of the possible CB free agents.
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Jay
February 15, 2011 at 3:50 pm
I was also looking at Marshall. He’s young and the Panthers seem to be happy with Chris Gamble who also is relatively young and the even younger Captain Munnerlyn. They most likely won’t resign him or even franchise him with Charles Godfrey, the soon to be a FA as well ( if not this year then next perhaps?); and that’s just in their secondary. I hope the Steelers don’t let Taylor walk and then sign Marshall. I hope they retain Taylor for 2-3 years and give Marshall a nice 4-6 year deal, allowing some of the younger corners (I.e., Lewis, Butler) to step in after Taylor leaves, allowing Marshall to move over to number one and then the aforementioned Lewis and Butler can slide in at number two or safety positions. But what do I know, I’m just an armchair QB who the experts opine doesn’t know about the intricacies of the inner workings of these things. I do know that our secondary has been getting torched by good QB’s for years now!
Wes
February 15, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Go get Brent Grimes A.S.A.P! And resign IKE TAYLOR!! KILL GAY!
Diane Hake
February 15, 2011 at 8:01 pm
You have to resign Ike. He’s awesome – loves Pittsburgh and wants to stay with us. Get ridof Gay- he is horrib le.
Jeff Adissi
February 15, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Ummm, I have some time on my lunch break… If Gay needs a ride to the airport, I will be more than happy to take him… More than willing to help purchase a one way ticket as well. If one looks like they suck, and plays like they suck, then they usually suck… William Gay, making the avg QB look great, and the good look like the best ever. Asumugh for one year, will get us a title… Why settle, you have a year before you have to sign Troy and a few others.. We will appreciate XLI more for this loss.
master alster
February 15, 2011 at 11:54 pm
ONLY IF ASOMUGHA WILL TAKE LESS $ TO JOIN THE STEELERS FOR A SHOT AT THE SUPER BOWL WOULD BE NICE. IF WE LET GAY WALK AND CUT MCFADDEN, GET A CORNER OR TWO THROUGH DRAFT AND SIGN TAYLOR FOR SURE WOULD HELP US ALOT. WE NEED TO START TESTING BUTLER AND LEWIS SOON. ITS ASOMUGHA OR NOBODY! GO STEELERS #1
Dwayne
February 16, 2011 at 6:45 am
Take Richard Marshall from the Panthers. You’ll get a bargain but also a good clean player who is hungry & ready to be on a winning team. Jerry Richardson doesn’t put up with any troublemakers so this is why I feel like you’ll be getting a quality player for a good price. We all know the Panthers are horrible.
DrGeorge
February 16, 2011 at 9:37 am
Gay is only technically a CB. Mostly, he played nickel and covered at CB when McFadden was down. I’d cut McFadden (his technique and his health are questionable). Ike will be resigned. Keep Gay (he won’t cost much, because no one else wants him). And then sign the best veteran CB we can afford, preferably one with shut down speed and agility. Since Lewis and Butler have yet to make much of an impact, I assume they simply aren’t as good as we thought.
The choice of CB goes hand in glove with improvement of the DE position. We simply aren’t getting to opposing QBs often enough. The more pressure we put on the passer, the less pressure it puts on the secondary — and vice versa. Our secondary looks bad in part because our pass rush without the blitz looks anemic. And the blitz is less effective than when LeBeau first unleashed it. Opposing QBs have figured out how to neutralize the blitz, by throwing to the spot vacated by the blitzing defender.
Ron
February 16, 2011 at 10:27 am
22 has some value and has made plays.he is a nightmare comming off that nickel pressure scheme. I remember when Woodson was nailed to the cross in his younger years also. Maybe when the new D.B coach comes in 22 will be more tactfull in coverage. Until then you know his limitations and develop him from special teams play as containment. Work his speed, his tackleing ability and his capability to create turnovers. Playing to the strong part of his game will build the confidents needed to over come the weaknesses. Yes he will be inexpensive to retain to.
Steel Q
February 16, 2011 at 10:46 am
gay sucks. cut him.
SBSteelers
February 16, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Asomugah is said to want to play for a SB contender. That’ll never happen in Oakland even with Coach Rod Woodson. Asomugah supposedly is close to Charles Woodson but GB seems set with what they already have. So, maybe this is a pipe dream, but Pittsburgh could sell their 3 trips in 6 seasons. Not even perennial favorites New England or Indy can say that. I believe the Steelers can afford Asomugah but do they want to afford his salary? Are the decision makers content with what they have being they did go to the SB 3 times over the past 6 years without Asomugah? I can’t get in their heads and can’t spend their money for them. All I can do as a fan is wish.
Mike
February 16, 2011 at 8:26 pm
I don’t mean to be a buzz kill but the steelers are not going to sign a high priced free agent corner. Not their style. Taylor, gay and mcfadden were the top 3 corners on two super bowl teams. The steelers dont need a shut down corner to win the division or make and win the super bowl. It would be nice to have if we can draft a great corner but i think they are going to continue their trend of addressing corner in the 2nd thru 6th rounds. Why mess with a successful formula?
George H
February 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t the Steelers secondary been the weakest part of the team, perhaps next to the o-line? I assume you watched the Superbowl… are you really going to say that the secondary was successful during that game? Against high flying offenses are secondary gets lit up like a birthday cake. If the Steelers blitz isn’t on during a game then we all know its going to be a long day for the defense simply because they can’t cover. Ike is a solid 2 but not a number one in most instances and Troy can’t do it all by himself. There were a few games this year Troy had to come up with his heroics to win the game and as Troy gets older/more injury prone, the heroics will slowly start to fade away. The Steelers absolutely need a shutdown number 1 corner if they want to even think about winning future Superbowls. The league has changed, its now a high flying pass happy scoring league led by elite quarterbacks and big time play makers. The defense needs players who can cover 3 or 4 options on every play and if they dont then you know what happens a la GB dismantling the secondary. However,I agree that the Steelers wont sign a high priced free agent, but we have been known to sign some young players that have already started to establish themselves. A Jonathon Joseph or Carlos Rodgers at the right price would help tremendously.
Mike
February 17, 2011 at 6:33 pm
My only point is that the steelers have been successful with a bad secondary. They need to upgrade their secondary in the worst way but i do not think it is going to be their top priority
mike
February 17, 2011 at 9:39 pm
I believe that the team must re sign lamarr woodley (no matter the cost, off subject.) and also Nnamdi Asomugha at any cost as well, then pick up a legit o-lineman in the first round and another corner later on.. try to work out a deal with ike if not possible oh well. and this team will be nearly unbeatable.. especially if they can get ike and Nnamdi on the same roster.
George H
February 18, 2011 at 9:03 am
I wish the Steelers would go after Nhamdi, but theres just no way. He is a west coast guy and is demanding a huge contract which isnt the Steelers mo. The FO still has to resign Ike and Woodley which certainly wont be cheap. Of course I would rather have Nhamdi over Ike but the reality is Nhamdi is too much and too high profile. The Steelers also have to get Wallace and Troy back next year so they are already looking to the future this year.