Maybe I am the only one who didn't like Faneca, but I don't mind dropping him at all. Super overrated and is not what he used to be. Pittsburgh should get some credit for not re-signing him. As for Leon, sad to lose him, but its hard to tell if he will ever be the same. Losing both won't hurt the team too bad, Leon was just a fan favorite.
Leon Washington was a dead man walking when he turned down that initial offer from Tanny. The injury sealed his fate. LW didn't help himself by not reporting to the voluntary off season workouts too. If he has any regrets, he should thank his agent and while he's at it, perhaps find himself a new one that has a better feel for situations. His agent waay overplayed his hand and cost LW millions. Money he'll never see again. Faneca otoh, his value dropped with each sack he allowed and this team's future, and its management/ownership, is tied to him. 6.5 sacks allowed sealed his fate. Especially once a bigger and younger player was drafted to augment guys they already had waiting in the wings. None of this should surprise anyone. Nor should it leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth as well. This is about emotionless personnel moves with the goal of getter better, younger, quicker and cheaper. Got heartburn with any of this? Drink a ginger ale and fart till you kill your dog and when you're done, Look forward to TC and the upcoming season. We got younger and better. Remember that going into Rex 2.0
That definitely comes into play, but you also have to think about the future of the line chemistry. Is it better to have 4 of 5 returning starters in '10 and '11 (Woody leaving), or have them both playing out the string and going with two new starters in 2011? I'd have to think the former is the more attractive option.
That's a good point. I had been calling for Faneca to be traded if we drafted Iupati, and again after Ducasse. I was pretty baffled last night by the news he was cut largely because of the guaranteed money and the timing, but after making sense of both, it's obviously the right move. Fingers crossed, Slauson/Ducasse will be a step up this season.
Agreed. We made it to the AFC Championship without Leon, who if he wasn't hurt, might have gotten us to the SB. But the points you made are dead on in my book.