Jerome Bettis celebrates with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after the running back scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the game against the Bears in December.
By Mike Prisuta
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
With an insider's knowledge of the operation and the acumen of a Super Bowl champion, wide receiver Sean Morey looked ahead to NFL free agency and assessed its potential impact on the Steelers.
"Here are a couple of roster moves you can count on," Morey said. "I'm pretty sure Ben will be back and I'm pretty sure The Bus is retiring."
Beyond that, Morey isn't certain what to expect.
Yes, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is signed through 2009, will return in 2006.
And yes, running back Jerome Bettis retired following the 2005 season.
The fates of the Steelers' 16 free agents are more difficult to determine.
Wide receiver Quincy Morgan, quarterback Charlie Batch, cornerback Deshea Townsend, free safety Chris Hope, running back Verron Haynes, linebacker Clint Kriewaldt, defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen, offensive tackle Barrett Brooks, wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, tight end Jerame Tuman and defensive end Brett Keisel are unrestricted free agents as of Friday.
Cornerback Ike Taylor and Morey are restricted free agents,
Running back Willie Parker, linebacker James Harrison and defensive end Shaun Nua are exclusive-rights free agents.
The Steelers must tender qualifying offers by Thursday to retain the rights to first refusal and potential compensation for their restricted free agents, and the rights to those in the exclusive-rights category.
On Friday, the free-agent feeding frenzy commences.
Morey has turned down an initial contract offer from the Steelers and intends to test the restricted waters.
"They offered me a contract to see if I would sign it, and then they might not have to compete with other teams," Morey said. "That's a smart move. I know they're tight against the salary cap and I'm comfortable with that.
"By the same token, free agency is for the players. I'll use the program that's in place."
Morey would like to return to the Steelers and take a shot at defending their Super Bowl championship.
"I'm sort of consumed by trying to win this game again," he said.
But he's also aware the dynamic of the 2005 NFL champs has already been altered.
"Losing Jerome, who was so loved and so respected by everyone, that'll change the chemistry in the locker room," Morey said. "Obviously, losing a guy like JB, a person like JB as a teammate and a friend, that's critical.
"As well as I know Jerome, his best friend on the team was (wide receiver) Hines Ward. Just from the outside of that relationship, it was great to see them coming to practice and joking around, keeping it loose and enjoying football day in and day out. That affects your mentality.
"In the next 10 or 15 years, there will be another running back coming through Pittsburgh that will have success. But I doubt he'll have the same respect or compensate for the voice of Jerome Bettis."
As for the rest of the anticipated free-agent comings and goings, "It's human nature just to take inventory of who will be around and who won't, but as players you don't want to do that because you don't want to see friends go," Morey said.
"Reality is teams will change from one year to the next. But that also means there will be new faces and new excitement and new friendships in the locker room, that chance to get to know different people and start jelling again as a team."
Mike Prisuta can be reached at ptrsports@tribweb.com.
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