Hampton Will Likely Finish Career Outside of Pittsburgh

[polamalubeast]

Casey Hampton is expecting to be ready for the start of the 2012 season. He is also hoping to play for a couple more seasons. Hampton’s contract is up after the 2012 season, however, which means he would have to sign a new contract to stay with the Steelers. With Hampton’s track record and ability he will demand at least $3-4 million. However, given the Steelers salary cap issues and Hampton’s age, he will turn 35 before the start of the 2012 season, it is unlikely that he will get a new deal in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers shy away from giving older players big time contracts. They have let multiple veterans walk via-free agency rather than give them a new contract. Joey Porter and Alan Faneca are a few recent examples. Hampton may have a few more years of playing time left, but history would say he only has one year left in Pittsburgh.


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http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/hampton_will_likely_finish_career_outside_of_pitts burgh/11012645

[LLT]

I would have to disagree with the author of that article.

By the end of this season...Hampton probably wont be able to start for our team....and I know of NO team that is willing to sign a 36 year old backup NT with bad knees to a long term contract. Odds are, he will put himself on the market and get few nibbles if any.

That takes nothing away from Hamptons exceptional career or what he meant to this team...its just more about being time to step down and enjoy retirement.

[43Hitman]

Big Snack has had a great career. I hope he decides to retire a Steeler, but won't blame him if he thinks he as a few more years left.

[LLT]

Big Snack has had a great career. I hope he decides to retire a Steeler, but won't blame him if he thinks he as a few more years left.


I would be very surprised if he has a few years left...or if teams are willing to give him a chance to prove that. I know its seems strange...but Hampton has only played two full seasons since 2003. I think that Hokes ability to competently fill in kept us from realizing how many games he missed.

[Carolina Steelers]

I would be very surprised if he has a few years left...or if teams are willing to give him a chance to prove that. I know its seems strange...but Hampton has only played two full seasons since 2003. I think that Hokes ability to competently fill in kept us from realizing how many games he missed.

Didnt realize he only played 2 full seasons in almost a decade

[LLT]

Didnt realize he only played 2 full seasons in almost a decade

It really does say something about how much we took Hoke for granted.

[steelreserve]

I don't think he gets any interest anywhere else unless he proves it on the field this year. I've been wrong before, but it doesn't look like he has much left in the tank.

I could still see us bringing him back for one more year, mostly if one of our other two guys suffers an injury or if Taamu isn't ready. But even then, not as a full-time starter, and not for $3-4M. We probably have space to offer him a couple mil, which is less than he's costing us now.

[tube517]

We have our future Casey (Ta'amu) and future Hoke (McClendon). I doubt Casey is kept.

[43Hitman]

I would be very surprised if he has a few years left...or if teams are willing to give him a chance to prove that. I know its seems strange...but Hampton has only played two full seasons since 2003. I think that Hokes ability to competently fill in kept us from realizing how many games he missed.


[/B]

Didnt realize he only played 2 full seasons in almost a decade

Wow, I didn't realize that either. We've been fortunate to have such a stellar back-up in Hoke.

[Count Steeler]

Sorry Casey, you should retire gracefully. You may not have a choice after TC.

[ALLD]

Next stop is Phoenix.

[SteelGhost]

Big Snack gave us great years and I thank him for that, BUT it's time to reload the DL and he's not healthy enough IMO

[tihmtahm]

I think the Steelers should resign him as Coach Hampton.

[Steeldude]

It really does say something about how much we took Hoke for granted.

IMO, Hoke should have been starting 4 years ago.