The Calm Before the Storm
Amidst the lull that is the
6 weeks between the �team school� (formerly known as mini-camp) and training
camp is a chance for Stiller fans to kick back, enjoy the summer, and assess
where their favorite team is. The development of Chris Hope, and Cowher/Lewis�
ability to realize Burnt Alexander�s ineptitude, will go a long way to
determine that last year�s secondary abomination was a one time occurrence. I
believe the Front Office failed by not signing a veteran DB like Kwame
Lassiter. If Hope gets injured or is not ready to start, the B&G faithful
will once again be forced to watch Alexander cripple the secondary.
Should Hope be ready to
start, the secondary should be much improved. The starting four (Hope,
Polamula, Washington, Scott) should be at least competent and Mike Logan,
Deshea Townsend and Ivan Taylor will provide depth and improve the package
defenses. The last two DB�s on the roster are Hank Slowteat and Burnt
Alexander. Signing a veteran free safety would add depth at a key position and
give the Stillers 8 competent members of the secondary. The only value that
Alexander has is as a player-coach to Hope. However, that is why Darren Perry
was brought in. So really Burnt Alexander has no value as a member of the
B&G. The addition of a low priced veteran free safety with at least decent
speed should allow Alexander to join Flowers on the list of ex-Stillers. If the
B&G signs a veteran FA from another team to the league minimum they get a
cap break. An example of this was when Terence Mathis was signed from Atlanta
at the veteran league minimum of $750,000. Mathis� hit against the 2002 cap was
only $450,000. The Stillers got a bargain and hopefully they can find another
value like this before training camp commences.
The Stillers made a good
move by releasing John Fiala. When Larry Foote beat him out last year and
Kriedwaldt was signed, the writing was on the wall. The FO needs to continue
this trend by releasing Mark Bruener. The offense has evolved beyond the
Bruener-Bettis three yards and a cloud of dust mentality. Should Bruener accept
the veteran minimum, he may very well end up on the Stiller�s 53 man roster.
This would be a very disappointing development for the B&G. The Riemersma-Tuman
tandem at TE will really open up the middle of the field. Jay Riemersma is the
most dangerous pass catching tight end the Stillers have on the roster right
now and should start. I believe Jerame Tuman, when given the opportunity, is
really an asset to the Stiller�s passing game. He has twice the pass catching
ability of Bruener but has been banished to the bench because of Cowher�s
fixation with TE�s being a third tackle. Keeping Mark Bruener around will only
limit the playing time and effectiveness of this productive pair of tight ends.
By cutting Fiala and
reducing Bruener�s cap hit (or hopefully releasing him) the FO has freed up
enough cap space to sign the three remaining rookies. I believe if Bruener is
released the B&G should give Tommy Maddox a small bump to his salary. I
realize the perception that Maddox is making less than his backup is false,
Still Desi did an excellent job of explaining this. That being said, in no way
should the Stillers give Maddox a hefty contract at this time. I am merely
suggesting that the Stillers increase his salary for 2003 by $250,000 and give
him another $250K in likely to be earned incentives. I know this is not
necessary. However, doing this will end the false perception that Maddox earns
less money than Batch. In addition, it will become a dead issue with reporters
and give Tommy assurances that if he has another year like 2002 (with less
INT�s) he will receive a new contract. Let me pose you with this question. What
is the wiser use of cap space; keeping Bruener around for $750,000 or releasing
him and keeping your starting QB happy with 2/3 of the money that was going to
be wasted on Bruener? Personally, I would prefer extending a small olive branch
to Maddox versus keeping Bruener around to stagnate the progress of the
B&G�s passing game.
Kevin Colbert was right on
target when he stated that teams are doing a much better job of managing the
salary cap and June 1st will not be as big of a day for signing free
agents as many people thought it would. Post 6/1 is a good time to release
aging contract 3 type veterans or to sign a low cost free agent. Really, Brian
Griese and J.J. Stokes are the only relatively �big name� free agents who have been
signed after June 1st. Cap space permitting, I would be happy if the
B&G could cut Bruener, sign the 3 rookies, give Maddox a small bump and
sign a veteran DB to the league minimum.
In short, this team is good
enough to win a championship. It will come down to improving the passing
defense, staying healthy and good coaching. In the past I was a huge Cowher
supporter, but this should be his final chance to win the big one as the coach
of the Stillers. It would be very disheartening to watch Mularkey lead another
team to a superbowl trophy a few years from now. Should Cowher win the big one
this year and Mularkey leave to be the head coach of another team, I can live
with that. However, should Cowher fail once again, it�s time to hand the reigns
to Mike Mularkey.
Well there it is, so enjoy
your summer and get ready for some Stiller football. Training camp can�t get
here fast enough!