Steelers sign Hampton 3 year deal.

• thavoice

  and Franchise Reed.
  
  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10056/1038588-100.stm
  
  I am surprised....but Ok with only a 3 year deal.
  
  Will ahve to see what is guarenteed and what his cap figured would be in the last two years.....if there is one.
• killer_ewok

  

  Nice. Big Snack might have 3 pretty good years left in him. They're gonna use the franchise tag on Jeff Reed now.
• THE4RINGZ

  

  Good to see. Hopefully now they can get a couple of guys healthy and we won't have to hear about the jets having the best defense in the league anymore.
• Non

  

  I think this was more personal than smart business.
  
  The Steelers didn't negotiate with Hampton before last season, as they often do with free agents that have one-year left and they have an interest in keeping. He was upset but then went out and had another good year.
  
  Then he said he didn't want the franchise tag. The Steelers had to give a little here. I'm surprised three years, though.
  
  Keeping Hampton and Reed even for next year is a big deal and takes some pressure off of free agency and the draft.
  
  They won't draft a NT in the first round now. Focus shifts to defensive back, offensive line and inside linebacker.
• rock_knutne

  Smart IMO, NT's are hard to find nowadays.
• Al Capone

  1st pick will probably be Farriors replacement.
• Gblock

  Non wrote: I think this was more personal than smart business.
  
  The Steelers didn't negotiate with Hampton before last season, as they often do with free agents that have one-year left and they have an interest in keeping. He was upset but then went out and had another good year.
  
  Then he said he didn't want the franchise tag. The Steelers had to give a little here. I'm surprised three years, though.
  
  Keeping Hampton and Reed even for next year is a big deal and takes some pressure off of free agency and the draft.
  
  They won't draft a NT in the first round now. Focus shifts to defensive back, offensive line and inside linebacker.

  
  i agree with this
• thavoice

  3 years is about all I would have offered him. Doubt he would accept a 2 yr deal and woulda walked.
  
  Id like to know what his guarenteed $$ is in year 2 and 3. Just in case there is a cap..but to be hones..with 7 mil average that isnt bad at all for both sides.
  
  Good job by the front office. Reed, other than his minor off field stuff, has been very reliable in a tough place to kick. His KO's are a bit weak and wish that Sepulveda could KO but from what I know he hasnt kicked off.
• rock_knutne

  thavoice wrote: 3 years is about all I would have offered him. Doubt he would accept a 2 yr deal and woulda walked.
  
  Id like to know what his guarenteed $$ is in year 2 and 3. Just in case there is a cap..but to be hones..with 7 mil average that isnt bad at all for both sides.
  
  Good job by the front office. Reed, other than his minor off field stuff, has been very reliable in a tough place to kick. His KO's are a bit weak and wish that Sepulveda could KO but from what I know he hasnt kicked off.

  Radio is saying $14 million guaranteed.
• thavoice

  ^Not terrible. Wonder how much they lumped in for 2010 season just in case they do agree to a cap in the next CBA for 2011 and beyond.
• Non

  

  I don't think they'll get three more good years from him. That's asking a lot. The Steelers should realize that. The three years seems like a nice gesture from the Steelers but it should be noted because they haven't always done that with other players. Maybe by keeping him and keeping him happy they'll get at least two more years of his best rather than one more year where he may be upset at the front office and it starts to impact his play. It didn't this past year but the combination of a little more age/decline and added frustration could set him back.
  
  The Steelers like flexibility in the draft, too. If Hampton only had one year left under the franchise tag, they would've had to get a good nose tackle prospect, either in the first or second round. Now they don't have any position they must address. Cornerback is a weak area but do they have to get one in the first round? No. Inside linebacker? No. Offensive line? No. They can see the value of players available and pick and choose more among a few different positions.
• 77Legend

  

  Not sure if I like this. Hampton comes to camp out of shape constantly, and it was so bad two years ago he was benched. How many plays will he play? I think our problem is the lack of pass rush inside. But I understand he is one of the best in the league against the run, I guess I am just an upset Steeler fan.....lol.
• Non

  

  I thought Ziggy Hood showed some potential late in the year. He's not a nose tackle but they still use him in the rotation and sometimes he ends up playing inside. He has some good quickness. If Hampton, Keisel, Smith and Hood are all healthy that's not bad. They'll probably still add somebody else in the draft, just not Dan Williams or Terrence Cody. I wouldn't think.
• rock_knutne

  I just heard this on Steelers 365 with Ken Laird on espn radio 1250..........Steelers front office goffed at reports that Hampton was getting $11 to $14 million guaranteed money. Laird said it's probably only $8 million, $6.5 million signing bonus and a $1.5 million roster bonus.......that's it. If accurate, the Steelers got one hell of a deal. BTW, don't be surprised if they do go after someone like Cody because Hampton can be cut after next year.
• Al Capone

  I can see 2 more years for Hampton and thats it. 14 million guaranteed for a 2 down player is alot of money, so I am glad its (only) 8 million. But this should keep everybody happy and hopefully Hampton has a good season.
• thavoice

  77Legend wrote: Not sure if I like this. Hampton comes to camp out of shape constantly, and it was so bad two years ago he was benched. How many plays will he play? I think our problem is the lack of pass rush inside. But I understand he is one of the best in the league against the run, I guess I am just an upset Steeler fan.....lol.

  In the 3-4 they dont ask the DL to get much of a rush. They are mostly to take up the blockers so the LB's can make plays. In the 4-3 ya gotta get sacks from you DE's and DL but in the 3-4 it is different.
  
  Hampton did come into camp way outta shape to MT's liking two years ago. Thing is....he is a NT. He has to be V E R Y big to go along with athleticism so he can withstand constant double teams. No player on any team gets doubled more than the NT in the 3-4 Thats why many drop in production rapidly. They dont seem to have a slow decline..more like very good....then bad.
  
  Hope it reall is just that new amount guarenteed cause I dont see him being productive in that third year.
  
  Gotta keep fiscally responsible just in case the cap comes back. I imagine there might be some teams who screw thmeslves with a big deal but we ll see.
• DaBrowns41

  This is so they can draft their future NT in either the 2010 or 2011 NFL Draft and get him groomed and ready. It wasn't because he's made a big impact over the last 2 seasons, moreso than the organization appreciating him being a dominant NT for a long time for them, and leading that defense to two Super Bowl victories.
  
  He has some gas left in the tank, but he's nowhere what he was a few years back.
• Al Capone

  Per the Post-Gazette, Colbert says picking a nose tackle is still not out of the question.
• thavoice

  Of course. I imagine the only position hed say we wouldnt draft would be a QB.
• Non

  

  Ryan Clark is another important domino.
  
  Mundy came on a little bit and might be close to starter material but obviously if they keep Clark along with Mundy at free safety, that's a solid tandem.
  
  If they lose Clark and just have Mundy going into the draft, that makes the Earl Thomas pick seem much more likely.
  
  They also have Keenan Lewis who could be moved to free safety.
  
  Let's say they lose Ryan Clark and draft CB Patrick Robinson.
  
  Cornerbacks would be Ike Taylor, William Gay, Patrick Robinson, Joe Burnett.
  
  Then you might as well try to move Lewis and have Lewis and Mundy at free safety.
  
  Or draft Earl Thomas who definitely can play free safety but also has CB potential.
• Non

  

  On one hand I think Clark is expendable. He was a fringe starter before coming to Pittsburgh, had some good years, including his best year in 2008, but might not play at that level again.
  
  However, they did draft Anthony Smith, a younger prospect, and Clark flat out outplayed him and the defense was better with him in there.
• thavoice

  Clark has been pretty reliable and Id like to keep him if all possible Of course....not breaking the bank...but if all possible With TP getting hurt often we need a guy back there who can be the QB of the secondary when TP is not in.
• Non

  

  Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers -- specifically new offensive line coach Sean Kugler -- spoke at length with Idaho's Mike Iupati.
  
  Iupati is a 6'5 327-pound guard. Good toughness and tenacity and he offers the ability to pull in the run game, something the Steelers have lacked since the departure of Alan Faneca.
  
  If drafted, Iupati might be used as an extra blocker on the goal line or in short yardage until he develops into a starter.
  
  This pick would make a lot of sense with the Steelers looking to place more emphasis on the running game.
  
  
  
  
  
  Mike Iupati
  
  pronounced ee-you-PAH-tee
  
  22 years old (23 in May)
  
  born in American Samoa