This is often my favorite time of the offseason. It’s the point where teams start releasing players as we near the beginning of the free agency period.
When this happens, anytime a former Steelers’ player is cut loose you can bank on a collective call from many in Steelers Nation hollering for said player’s return. For instance, last week it was reported the Minnesota Vikings will likely release Mike Wallace. Cue the “sign Wallace” crowd.
Then the next player that came available was former Steelers’ cornerback Brice McCain who was released by the Miami Dolphins. As is the normal Pavlovian response, “We should sign McCain” comments were all over the place.
If you recall, McCain had a nice stint with the Steelers before heading to South Beach. He had three interceptions including a pick six that saved the Steelers in a tough win over lowly Jacksonville.
The problem is that most fans only recall the interceptions. Look further and you see a guy who was pretty bad against the run. This is in large part why Antwon Blake has seen the field so much recently. He’s far better against the run than he is the pass so therefore he plays no matter how much he infuriates the masses.
Re-signing McCain would mean in my eyes that the Steelers would be settling for average.
Whether through the draft or elsewhere in free agency, the Steelers have to think bigger and they have to think better. McCain would be nothing more than a finger in the hole of a leaky dam on a major river.
While I understand the salary cap will potentially limit what the Steelers can do, they can do better and they must do better.
Besides, I’m sure LaMarr Woodley will be available any day now and then we can focus our attention on him.
7 comments
I think McCain is a very average slot cornerback…
Normally I’d say even very average would be a nice addition, but this team desperately needs another outside CB. William Gay, Brandon Boykin, and Senquez Golson are likely all slot CB’s in the Steelers’ mind.
Find someone with some size.
…That being said, if McCain would replace Blake on the roster as the 4th CB or something I’d be on board w/ that.
Going back to the past rarely works…we’d either end up with a guy who can stop the run but can’t cover, or a guy who can cover but can’t stop the run.
Getting McCain is not a bad idea despite what you people say. The FA class of CB’s ain’t coming here for smaller amounts of money. The draft outside of Hargraves is not that good so unless something major happens getting a guy like McCain is a solid option for this team.
McCain sucks. I have rarely ever seen a cover CB who was as reluctant to be physical with receivers and was seemingly afraid to support the run. That’s why he’s unemployed.
And Vic, “those people” have forgotten more football than you are likely to ever know.
Oh and Vic, one other thing:
Dale Lolley
?@dlolleyor:
Colbert said #Steelers have every intention of taking Suisham and Boswell to camp
The Kicking situation is fine I won’t complain about that. Find me a FA CB who will come here for less money just to not only fix the secondary but to have a shot at wining a title. The draft is not guarantee to help this either cause a rookie CB will get torched just as bad if not worse than Blake. Face it folks the secondary ain’t getting any better this year. You can point out every single CB prospect in the 2016 draft and try to sell the fact that they could help this team but I really doubt it cause CB flaws are more difficult to fix than any other position. I mean honestly with Steeler fans you think every single CB outside of the top 3 or 4 can help fix the secondary. Well if that were true it would have happened already but it hasn’t. If I’m wrong then I’m wrong I will gladly admit it no question what so ever. I ask that every fan really think about all the CB’s in Fa and the draft and ask yourself this: Can they really help the Steelers or is it wishful thinking?