Keisel

[Shoes]

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Steelers are interested in re-signing free agent DE Brett Keisel to a one-year, minimum-salary deal.

Beat writer Ed Bouchette believes "it makes just too much sense for [Keisel] not to rejoin the Steelers." The soon-to-be 36-year-old wouldn't be asked to play a full complement of snaps should be be re-signed, but Keisel could help mentor rookie DE Stephon Tuitt and the other young defensive linemen on the Steelers.
Related: Steelers

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[stillers4me]

.....fingers crossed!

[GBMelBlount]

Keisel could help mentor rookie DE Stephon Tuitt and the other young defensive linemen on the Steelers.

Mentor away Brett...

[st33lersguy]

OK, only because depth is still thin at the position, there is not a lot of proven players there

[steelerdude15]

I think he would be a good mentor for the younger players.

[Shoes]

Keisel & Harrison were salt and pepper on this play.

[salamander]

Do it!

[Psycho Ward 86]

if keisel can play at least as well as last season, im down to keep him all season long. If he's had a significant drop off in play, im in favor of keeping him until final cuts, solely to help speed up Tuitt's readiness to play

[Steeldude]

I would rather sign Harrison.

[Devilsdancefloor]

I would rather sign Harrison.

i dont want harrison back at all. He made is bed lie in it, plus brett i think will do a fantasic job of mentoring and be a good rotation guy

[steelreserve]

I am all in favor of this. We could use the depth, plus as far as I could see last season, Keisel can still actually play. Let's hope they get it done.

[st33lersguy]

As long as they intend on using him in the back-up role/mentor. I don't want him starting over Tuitt.

[tube517]

Keisel would be a good insurance policy.

[Drazo85]

One of my favorite players. Hope the Steelers bring him back. I grow my beard when our training camp begins and shave when the season is over as Brett does.

[GBMelBlount]

One of my favorite players. Hope the Steelers bring him back.

I grow my beard when our training camp begins and shave when the season is over as Brett does.

How are your defensive end skills Drazo?

We might be hiring.

[Steeldude]

Ed Bouchette reported Kiesel balked at playing for vet minimum.

[ALLD]

Offer him $1.2m. If he doesn't take it then good luck and see you in the desert. I would jump on it if I was 36 years old and closing out a career. He could be an icon in Pittsburgh and his decision making is coming down to money.

Never make a major decision based solely on money.
-Chuck Noll


Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/qu...dW56D4iGDES.99

[GBMelBlount]

Good mentors ponder important decisions....

[steelreserve]

Offer him $1.2m. If he doesn't take it then good luck and see you in the desert. I would jump on it if I was 36 years old and closing out a career. He could be an icon in Pittsburgh and his decision making is coming down to money.

Yeah, the minimum deal for him would be $955K (over $1M if you also use the allowed $65K bonus). That's not exactly chump change.

The problem offering anything more is that under a minimum deal, you get the veteran credit, which lowers his cap hit to the minimum for a second-year player (or $570K). If we offered him $955,001, then it becomes a regular contract and we lose the veteran cap credit. So bumping the salary up by about $200K would cost us an extra $700K in cap space. At that point, I don't think the extra $200K is going to be what makes the difference for him; it's more a question about whether or not you really want to play football anymore.

If he's hoping we give him something like $3M or $4M, forget it, that's just not gonna happen.

[KeiselPower99]

Keisel starting and mentoring the young guys would be very beneficial to this team. I know Tuitt is a stud and was drafted to be the guy but instead of rushing him we could let him learn.

[ALLD]

As explained by SReserve, it would not be logical to offer him more than min and he's not worth $3m either.

[BigNastyDefense]

I'm for bringing him back, he can still play. Depth, rotation, keeping guys legs fresh. Heyward can still learn a lot from him, and Tuitt could learn a ton from him. I'm all for bringing him back at a reasonable price.

[Drazo85]

How are your defensive end skills Drazo?

We might be hiring.

I actually play D-line, but my potential is limited.
Similar situation is with my body hair. Limited potential.

[Steelman]

I think we could benefit from the depth and experience he would provide, would like to see him back in the Burgh for another year. I think Brett has the mindset to be a fantastic mentor, which might help Tuitt's progress.