Jul 23rd 2008 3:43PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Steelers, AFC North, NFL Free AgencThe new salary cap management technique sweeping the NFL is locking up your players before they reach free agency. It explains why so few elite players reach the free agent market, and it also explains (with a little help from some hefty salary cap bumps) why so few teams battle to stay under the cap.

But as the Steelers get ready to head to training camp, it’s pretty clear that they aren’t going to be able to re-sign everyone who is heading into the final years of their deals.

Pittsburgh has three offensive tackles (Marvel Smith, Max Starks and Trai Essex) heading to free agency after the season, along with one guard (Chris Kemoeatu), one wide receiver (Nate Washington), a cornerback (Bryant McFadden) and a linebacker (James Farrior).

Smith, Kemoeatu and Farrior are all starters, while Starks and McFadden could earn starting roles this year, and Washington is a valued No. 3 receiver who has started as an injury fill-in in the past. So these are some pretty significant decisions facing the Steelers.

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