My brother-in-law thinks the Steelers will franchise him for one year to allow them some breathing room to rebuild their o-line, which is getting both older and more injury-prone.
I don't think they will slap the franchise tag on him. I haven't heard any rumblings of that, and I don't think the Steelers want to dish out the money for one year like that and have to go through all the drama. PFW in their Way We Hear It section commented a while back during the season that Jet sources indicate they will make a strong push for Alan Faneca. They also commented that the Cardinals are a bit weary about dishing out money for Faneca since they think he may not be necessary.
Hopefully we pass. I have not interest in throwing big $ at an aging OLman that seems to have seen his skills and athleticism on the downside.
Personally I don't think Faneca is as good as he once was. Faneca has been making the probowl the last few years based on name alone. With Offensive lineman, most of the voting fans have no idea who they are, so they vote for who they know, and while faneca was a deserving probowler in years past, the last 2 he has not deserved. Look no further than our own Kevin Mawae for the truth in this statement. the last year he was here, he missed most of the season, how many games i am not sure, but I believe it was the last 8. He still was voted as an alternate for the probowl, he had played half a season, at a low level because he was shut down, yet he was still an alternate for the game. I really enjoy the two younger guards Ryan Lilja and Jacob Bell. I feel that they both could thrive in our likely new blocking system implemented by Callahan. I would prefer one of these two young guys and Stacy Andrews. this would make our line phenomenal, young, and we would likely be much improved over this season.
Lilja is a smallish zone blocking OG that doesn't fit our style of play. Bell? Maybe but we're not sure the Titans will not F-Tag him. Between Bell and Haynesworth, it isn't such an easy call for the Titans. HOW MANY YEARS do we really need Faneca for? I think if we can get 2-3 (hopefully 4) years out of him, THAT"S GREAT!! It will solidify the OL and by the time his effectiveness decreases, we'll be in a position to draft someone younger. But for now and for purposes of immediate gratification, FANECA should be part of the equation for this off-season.
The issue the Steelers have right now is that they're going to face a 6-10 season next year in the second year of the Tomlin regime if their offensive line collapses. Right now Faneca is by far the most stable member of that line and all indications are that they are going to bite the bullet and franchise him for one year to stabilize things. They'll also probably take an offensive lineman in the first round for the first time since 2002. Note for trivia fans and people who think guards are not prime positions in the NFL at this point: the Steelers, who have been one of the very good franchises in the NFL over the last decade have taken TWO guards in the first round since 1998. Faneca and Kendall Simmons and those two guys as much as anybody have made the Steelers offensive line a force.
Absolutamente!!! I sure hope that they don't F-Tag Faneca. It's the one options the Jets have for immediate impact on the OL.
Jacob Bell might be tough to get since the Titans have a ton of cap space. While Faneca may have not played to an all-pro level, he could be a great mentor to D'brick and Mangold and I think he has 3 good to great years still left. I think the problem for him is that he didn't like playing in Pitt last year because of the contract dispute.
Will anyone actually be angry if we sign this guy? Sure there are some players some of us would prefer to others, but Faneca still has some mileage left on him. He's moody? I'll take it, the Jets OL needs someone with a mean streak. Aside of that, it would indicate that the Jets could be moving away from there bargain basement mentality, which I think would be a change welcomed by everyone.
