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The Steelers have re-signed 26-year old DT Steve McLendon to a 1-year deal. McLendon played in 14 games for the Steelers last year and he had 13 tackles, 1 sack and 1 tackle for a loss. He has now played in 21 games in his first two years with the Steelers and he has 15 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 fumble recovery. It was smart of the Steelers to bring back McLendon for 2012 as Casey Hampton isn’t getting any younger.
The Steelers have re-signed 27-year old punter Jeremy Kapinos to a 1-year deal. Kapinos played in 8 games for the Steelers last year and he punted the ball 34 times for 1,530 yards (45.0 avg). He also had only 1 touchback (2.9%) and he pinned the opposition inside their own 20-yard line 10 times (29.4%) last year. Kapinos has now played in 12 games in his first two years with the Steelers and he has punted the ball 48 times for 2,106 yards (43.9 avg). He has only 3 touchbacks (6.3%) and 15 punts downed inside the opposing 20-yard line (31.3%) in his career. This was a smart move for the Steelers.
The Steelers have re-signed 27-year old RB Isaac Redman to a 1-year deal. Redman played in all 16 games for the Steelers last year and he carried the ball 110 times for 479 yards (4.4 ypc) with 3 TD runs. He also caught 18 passes for 78 yards (4.3 avg) last year. Redman has now played in 32 games in his first two years with the Steelers and he has carried the ball 162 times for 726 yards (4.5 ypc) with 3 TD runs. He has also caught 27 passes for 150 yards (5.6 avg) with 2 TD grabs so far in his career with the Steelers. This was an important signing for the Steelers as Redman tops the depth chart at RB as of right now, due to the fact that Rashard Mendenhall could miss the whole 2012 season as he rehabs from surgery to repair a torn ACL.
The Steelers have re-signed 25-year old CB Keenan Lewis to a 1-year deal. Lewis played in all 16 games for the Steelers last year and he had 37 tackles, 1 interception and 6 passes defensed. He has now played in 29 games in his first three years with the Steelers and he has 49 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles. Lewis took a big step forward last year, so it was smart for the Steelers to bring him back for another year in 2012.
The Steelers have re-signed 27-year old safety Ryan Mundy. Mundy played in all 16 games for the Steelers last year and he had 37 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed. He has now played in 48 games in his first three years with the Steelers and he has 91 tackles, 1 interception and 6 passes defensed. Mundy is a decent backup, but little more as the Steelers’ pass defense suffers when Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark aren’t starting at safety.
The Steelers have re-signed 37-year old QB Charlie Batch to a 1-year deal and he will likely be the Steelers’ #2 QB in 2012. Batch played in 4 games (1 start) for the Steelers last year and he completed 15 of 24 passes (62.5%) for 208 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT (72.9 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 3 times for -2 yards (-0.7 ypc) for the Steelers last year. Batch has now played in 31 games (7 starts) in his first seven years with the Steelers and he has completed 120 of 208 passes (57.7%) for 1,594 yards with 11 TD passes and 8 INTs (83.7 QB Rating). He has also carried the ball 47 times for 77 yards (1.6 ypc) with 1 TD carry so far for the Steelers in his career with them. Batch is 5-2 (71.4%) as the Steelers’ starting QB so far in his career with them. This was a good move as Batch is a rock solid backup QB despite his advancing age.
The Steelers like to draft the best player available, but with them right up against the salary cap, they are going to be drafting for need this April. Here is who I saw the Steelers getting in my mock 2012 NFL Draft, which can be found at bloglockers. com:
1. (24) Dontari Poe, DT/NT, Memphis
2. (56) Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)
3. (86) Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois
4. (119) Josh LeRibeus, OG, SMU
5. (159) Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly
6. (193) Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky
7. (231) Robert Blanton, CB, Notre Dame
7. (240) Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois
7. (246) DaJohn Harris, DT, USC
7. (248) Mike Harris, RB, Murray State
The Steelers have re-signed 25-year old G/C Doug Legursky to a 1-year deal. He played in 10 games (all starts) for the Steelers last year. He has now played in 34 games (14 starts) in his first three years with the Steelers. It was smart of the Steelers to bring back Legursky due to his versatility on the interior of the O-Line.
The Steelers have re-signed G/T Trai Essex. Essex played in 16 games (3 starts) for the Steelers last year. He has now played in 75 games (28 starts) in his first 7 years with the Steelers. He’s backup material and little more. That being said, the Steelers need as much help as they can get on the O-Line, so it doesn’t hurt to bring him back for 2012.
The Steelers have re-signed 24-year old TE/FB David Johnson to a 1-year deal. Johnson played in all 16 games for the Steelers last year and he caught 12 passes for 91 yards (7.6 avg) with 1 TD grab. He has now played in 47 games in his first three years with the Steelers and he has caught 18 passes for 146 yards (8.1 avg) with 1 TD grab. This was a good move for the Steelers who have pretty good depth at TE for the 2012 season.
