Mike Prisuta: Decisions, decisions

Mike Prisuta
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, February 12, 2006

Jerome Bettis' grand finale couldn't have been any better.

For others, only their Steelers careers have ended.

Free agency dictates roster changes, especially for Super Bowl champions.

The Steelers aren't immune.

They'll try to keep as many of their 11 unrestricted free agents as possible, but they won't be able to keep them all.

That means difficult decisions will have to be made on the likes of:

QB Charlie Batch -- He's a quality backup to Ben Roethlisberger: Keeper.

RB Verron Haynes -- Getting benched Nov. 28 and Dec. 4, Cincinnati emphasized, in retrospect, the invaluable role Haynes plays as the Steelers' third-down back: Keeper.

TE Jerame Tuman -- He's a starting tight end in the NFL and he can't be that with Heath Miller ahead of him in Pittsburgh. Now that he has a Super Bowl ring, Tuman can move on sans regrets: C-ya.

WR Quincy Morgan -- He has a track record of achievement in the league, he'll be relatively affordable, and at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds he adds an element of size Antwaan Randle El and Cedric Wilson can't match at wide receiver: Keeper.

Randle El -- As much as the Steelers would love to keep him, they'll get priced out of the market. And they can't afford to overpay for a guy who's greatest contributions come on punt returns and gadget plays (Morgan can pick up the special-teams slack on kickoff returns and Hines Ward or Wilson can throw the subsequent reverse-passes): C-ya.

OT Barrett Brooks -- Good guy to have around, and the price is right: Keeper.

DE Brett Keisel -- It's time to allow Keisel to evolve from special teams demon and valuable reserve into the Steelers' next Aaron Smith. Keisel should be priority No. 1 this offseason: Keeper.

DE Kimo von Oelhoffen -- As heroic as von Oelhoffen was this season, in general, and during Super Bowl XL, in particular, Keisel's presence and von Oelhoffen's age (35) make Kimo expendable: C-ya.

LB Clint Kriewaldt -- He isn't looking for a monster payday or an upgrade in responsibility. And it's unlikely the Steelers would find a guy as valuable on special teams or as reliable on defense if needed: Keeper.

CB Deshea Townsend -- Another guy who had a solid season and a spectacular Super Bowl, but also another guy who's being pushed out by a young player (Bryant McFadden): C-ya.

FS Chris Hope -- Having to replace half the secondary would put an unnecessary strain on the Steelers' title defense. That makes Hope's return critical: Keeper.

Also falling into the "Keeper" category are CB Ike Taylor, WR Sean Morey (restricted free agents), and RB Willie Parker and LB James Harrison (exclusive rights FAs).

All of that ought to make the offseason as challenging for the Steelers as the postseason was unforgettable for Bettis.

Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.