STEELERS 101

As everyone has heard, the Pittsburgh Steelers have some tough choices to make with their salary cap. This is nothing new in the Steel City, in fact, it seems more like an annual happening than a rarity.

Last offseason, the Steelers went to nose tackle Casey Hampton and the two sides agreed that Hampton, who was rehabbing an ACL injury, would take a pay cut to remain with the franchise. This season, the agent for linebacker James Harrison has made it clear that will not happen for his client.

Agent Bill Parise did say that the Pro Bowl linebacker would be willing to renegotiate his deal, but in no way just take a pay reduction. For the Steelers, Harrison has long been rumored to be one of the players the team would target this offseason. The 34-year old linebacker, who is slated to make $6.57 million in 2013 and $7.57 million in 2014, did suffer from an up-and-down 2012 after opening training camp on the PUP list with a knee injury.

If the team does decide to part ways with the five-time Pro Bowler, their defense could take a huge hit. In 2012, neither linebacker Jason Worilds nor Chris Carter totally seized the opportunity provided to them by the injuries to Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. Worilds did flash some pass rush ability and had his best season with the Steelers, but the jury is still out on whether is he a potential long-term solution on the outside.

Also,

• Be sure to "like" Steelers 101 on Facebook and to follow Steelers 101 on Twitter
• Be sure to “like” Sports Media 101 on Facebook and to follow Sports Media 101 on Twitter

Tags: Casey Hampton, Chris Carter, Football, James Harrison, Jason Worilds, LaMarr Woodley, NFL, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers

Related Videos

Returning Soon!!!!

Related posts

• Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Linebacker Kion Wilson to Reserve / Futures Contract
• Could the Pittsburgh Steelers Look at Inside Linebacker in the First Round of the NFL Draft