Cut Marvel Smith?

[jcharding]

Marvel's last contract year is the 2008 season.  His 2008 salary is $3.95 million, with an overall cap hit of $6.645 million.  His pre June 1 cap hit, if cut, would be $2.195 million, post June 1st it would be $2.695 million.

Given his declining play, does it now make sense to cut him and use those savings for another lineman?  I am not saying that we should necessarily throw money at Starks (who has played well) - especially given Starks' track record (as well as the stupid coin we threw at Simmons), but at this point cutting Marvel makes an increasing amount of sense.

[steelerfaninCO]

I don't know about straight up cutting Marvel. Clearly his best years at LT are behind him, but I think he could take the LG spot after Reddy leaves. At guard he wouldn't have to deal with the speed rushers off the edge that give him the most problems.  

[kluisi61]

Tough to do that IMO...After Faneca leaves, he's our best lineman (not saying much I know). We need to get other people in for OL, not get rid of what we have. I'm all for bringing in some new starters next year, but not for getting rid of good depth guys for behind that person too. I don't see any reason why we couldn't keep Smith for his last year and still sign and draft some other OL help.

[padgfrombf]

Marvel's last contract year is the 2008 season.  His 2008 salary is $3.95 million, with an overall cap hit of $6.645 million.  His pre June 1 cap hit, if cut, would be $2.195 million, post June 1st it would be $2.695 million.

Given his declining play, does it now make sense to cut him and use those savings for another lineman?  I am not saying that we should necessarily throw money at Starks (who has played well) - especially given Starks' track record (as well as the stupid coin we threw at Simmons), but at this point cutting Marvel makes an increasing amount of sense.

Unless you have someone in mind, though, you're only one injury away from Trai Essex.

I'd think that you want to fix the IOL first.  Faneca could well be gone, and Mahan-Simmons in tandem has often been pretty grim.  Using Marvel's cap savings to address this might help, but also leaves the Steelers thin upfront.

[LambertsFrontTeeth]

Mahan-Simmons in tandem has often been pretty grim.

I hope that isn't a joke about Russ.

It isn't funny -- the wounds are still too fresh...<sniff, sniff>

[padgfrombf]

Mahan-Simmons in tandem has often been pretty grim.

I hope that isn't a joke about Russ.

It isn't funny -- the wounds are still too fresh...<sniff, sniff>

Holy crap, batman, that wasn't intentional, though there may be something subliminal or Freudian in there.