faneca to jets

[donzz]

4 years 32 mil guarenteed

[RVA Steeler]

good for him.

[Sluzilla]

link.........

[donzz]

just heard it on espn breaking news looking for link

[donzz]

its now on the scroll on espn news

[donzz]

The New York Jets and guard Alan Faneca have agreed in principle to a four-year, $32 million deal that includes roughly $23 million in guarantees, ESPN.com's Michael Smith reports. Faneca is expected to travel to New York this weekend when the deal will be finalized. The Jets are planning on playing Faneca at left guard. The departure of Faneca, a former LSU standout who had spent his entire 10-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't much of a surprise. Although he was an unrestricte ...

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

They have indeed agreed to a 4 yr deal. Good luck in NY, Red

[Supersteeler]

Good luck to him. Now we can at least quit hearing about him leaving every 5 seconds hopefully.

[BillvinCowbert]

That's a pretty big deal. 8 million per year and they are all but locked in for at least the first three years. Better them than us.

[mightyguru]

Way to get paid Big Red. Thanks for all the great years. Compensatory pick?

[BillvinCowbert]

Way to get paid Big Red. Thanks for all the great years. Compensatory pick?

Behind Samuel, that the 2nd highest average per year.... so looking like a 3rd in the bank.

[Rabid since '72]

The Jets? Eh..........I guess 1 SB victory is good enough for him.

Time to get paid!

See ya!

[avoidlloyd]

thomas jones will be a good fantasy back next year behind big red, mangold, brick and possibly damieon woody soon? Hmmm to bad they dont have a qb. Well we made clemens look like unitas but we all know he's shit.

[Vader]

That's a pretty big deal. 8 million per year and they are all but locked in for at least the first three years. Better them than us.

Agree. He is a good player but that is a lot of money for an over 30 OG.

[mightyguru]

Behind Samuel, that the 2nd highest average per year.... so looking like a 3rd in the bank.

Well, that's pretty sweet. :)

[rossi]

What does that give us regarding a comp pick?

[SteelerFan448]

I thought he was going to Arizona?

[Tres Rios]

Guess he wasn't that big into Whiz & Grimm.

[Hollywood Bags]

Wait for Faneca to start whining about how inexperienced his QB is .

[FlaStGrad]

2 years from now...
The Jets never used him properly. Faneca would look good in Black and Gold.

[Supersteeler]

Guess he wasn't that big into Whiz & Grimm.

Money talks and bullshit walks.

[Spike]

What does that give us regarding a comp pick?

We'll find out in next years draft.

His compensatory picks won't count for this year.

[BermudaSteel]

Thanks Buddy...time to get to next year's business!!!

[Superman]

He'll bust ass next year then most likely be a bust afterwards. I hate to see him go but he's on the wrong side of 30 now and it's only downhill from here.

[Milkman Dan]

He got his ring, now he is getting his retirement fund.

[Vader]

He got his ring, now he is getting his retirement fund.

Just like Kimo, just a couple of years later.

[Steelerman]

Faneca to sign tonight according to agent

Friday, February 29, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Alan Faneca will decide among three NFL suitors by tonight and sign a contract tomorrow or early Monday that his agent said will make him the highest paid lineman in the league.

Faneca, who made seven Pro Bowls in his 10 seasons as the Steelers starting left guard, has offers from the New York Jets, the St. Louis Rams and the San Francisco 49ers.

The total amount of the deal, a source told the Post-Gazette, will average around $8 million a year and will contain no less than $20 million in guaranteed money. The three teams are talking about contracts for either four or five years in duration, so depending on the length it should be around $32 million or $40 million.

"He was the highest-paid guard the last three years and now he'll be the highest-paid offensive lineman in football," agent Rick Smith predicted. "I have personal satisfaction in that because if anyone deserves it, he does."

Smith called an ESPN report on Friday that Faneca had agreed to a four-year contract with the Jets "way premature" and that he still had not decided.

The Steelers tried to sign Faneca to a contract extension last year but did not come close to what he and his agent thought he should get at the time, and his new contract this weekend will show they were correct.

Faneca, 31, will not visit any of the teams until after he's agreed to a contract. He wants to decide quickly.

"When he makes his decision and flies out and signs the contract it will be a bittersweet day," Smith said. "When you play 10 years for a given organization in a city with the same teammates, it really is bittersweet. But it's a new chapter in his life."

There was little other news on other Steelers free agents, although linebacker Clark Haggans seems to be drawing the next-most interest after Faneca. The Cleveland Browns are reported to be looking at Haggans, as were the New England Patriots.

Allen Rossum, released by the Steelers last week, signed a one-year deal with San Francisco. He failed as a punt and kick returner after the Steelers traded a seventh-round draft pick this year to Atlanta for him to start the 2007 season.

[Miller]

Guess he wasn't that big into Whiz & Grimm.

What was Arizona gonna pay him with? Their cap room is nada.

[BillvinCowbert]

"He was the highest-paid guard the last three years and now he'll be the highest-paid offensive lineman in football," agent Rick Smith predicted. "I have personal satisfaction in that because if anyone deserves it, he does."

From the same guy that was claiming he wasn't even top ten!!!!

[Spike]

More...



Faneca

The departure of Faneca, a former LSU standout who had spent his entire 10-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't much of a surprise. Although he was an unrestricted free agent, the seven-time Pro Bowler was clearly irked with the team heading into last season for its refusal to trade him or give him a contract extension he felt he was worth.

Guards such as Eric Steinbach, Derrick Dockery, Leonard Davis and Kris Dielman all signed new contracts last spring, either as free agents with new teams or extensions with their incumbent franchises, and all received deals worth about $7 million per year. Only Dielman, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, has ever appeared in a Pro Bowl game.

Faneca said last spring that the Steelers' only offer to him wouldn't have made him one of the NFL's 10 highest-paid guards. He made $4.375 million last season in the final year of a $25.6 million deal he signed in 2002, but that deal was renegotiated to help the Steelers get under the salary cap.

He said last spring he would like to be traded but was resigned with staying with Pittsburgh for a final season. He skipped the Steelers' organized team activities practices in May, but did show up on time for the team's training camp.

"I've been asking since February to trade me, to let me go," Faneca said. "I've done my piece. I've done my time. I've done everything I can for this organization. I've lived and breathed Steeler football for nine years and gave them everything I've had and helped them win a Super Bowl. In my mind, I've earned the right to be treated fairly."

Faneca's criticism was virtually unprecedented for a Steelers player so accomplished -- only a handful of players in team history have made All-Pro more than he has.

The Steelers usually re-sign their key players and, thanks greatly to player-friendly owner Dan Rooney, have long been considered the NFL's model franchise for handling players.

That these barbed remarks came from Faneca, an accessible but almost never outspoken player, made his pointed comments all the more surprising. Faneca was worried that, if he sustained a career-ending injury, he would have no contract protection beyond 2007.

"To make me go out there this year and play football with no security, just to go out there and play football, for what I've done for this organization, in my mind, it's not right," he said.

In New York, Faneca will join a talented offensive line that includes left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold as the Jets

[Steelerman]

Faneca said last spring that the Steelers' only offer to him wouldn't have made him one of the NFL's 10 highest-paid guards.

"He was the highest-paid guard the last three years and now he'll be the highest-paid offensive lineman in football," agent Rick Smith predicted.

Sigh.......

[BillvinCowbert]

Sigh.......

Yep, it was obvious he was full of shit... but since the media reported it, many fans believed it was true.

[jpele]

Jets | Team reaches tentative agreement with Faneca
Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:03:08 -0800

ESPN.com reports the New York Jets have reached a tentative agreement with unrestricted free-agent OG Alan Faneca (Steelers) on a four-year deal worth $32 million. The contract includes roughly $23 million in guaranteed money. Faneca is expected to travel to New York to finalize the deal.

[The Dawg Catcher]

Wow. Money talks.

I guess 32 mil can make it a little more tolerable to play for a shitty team.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

In New York, Faneca will join a talented offensive line that includes left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold as the Jets

That fucking line is gonna be strong.....

[Supersteeler]

Uh oh, hold the phone there for just a second....

Jets | Faneca story a false report?
Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:19:24 -0800

Contradicting previous reports, Tom Rock, of New York Newsday, reports unrestricted free-agent OG Alan Faneca (Steelers) has not agreed to a deal with the Jets, according to his agent, Rick Smith. Rock reportedly spoke with Smith and Smith confirmed that the story of Faneca agreeing to a four-year deal with the Jets is false.

[Illinistlrfan]

Was it ever revealed as to what our offer was to Big Red?

[Shauk]

Guess he wasn't that big into Whiz & Grimm.

Nope he was into green and more green

[Spike]

Jets | Faneca story a false report?

Jets fans are freaking....funny

http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=30344

[Crime Fighter]

Jets are losers and always will be, so enjoy those paychecks, Faneca, because that's all you have for the rest of your career.

[Aries1247]

32 mil's what they gave O'Dumnell too.

[60 MINUTES]

That fucking line is gonna be strong.....



Yep your correct. People can say what they want about paying guys to much but one thing is for sure the Jets line will be one of the best in football. Problem is they have to many other problems. Give us their line and we win the superbowl period.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

Yep your correct. People can say what they want about paying guys to much but one thing is for sure the Jets line will be one of the best in football. Problem is they have to many other problems. Give us their line and we win the superbowl period.


And to think, we could have addressed center way back then with Mangold. But I guess we didn't do too bad with our pick that year.

[cpollock]

Just hear on KDKA that Faneca's agent says that the Deal with the Jets is not official ..

[Spike]

(Newsday)
Alan Faneca's agent denies that his client as signed with the Jets.

"False report. It's a false report," agent Rick Smith said. ESPN's website reported the two sides agreed to a four-year, $32 million contract. It appears Faneca is still weighing offers. He could easily wind up with the Jets, but there's no deal yet."



Squeezing every last drop of blood outta that rock

I bet he goes to StLouie



<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[stevew]

if all he wanted was 4/32, why didn't we do that last spring? Simmons ended up with 4/26ish. That's really not that much difference, I think Alan is a vagina and all, but he'll be worth 2m more per season than Kendall for the next few years.

[ConnecticutDan]

"Faneca was worried that, if he sustained a career-ending injury, he would have no contract protection beyond 2007.

"To make me go out there this year and play football with no security, just to go out there and play football, for what I've done for this organization, in my mind, it's not right," he said."

-----------------

I can understand his point of view. I can also understand the Steelers point of view. To cop a phrase and scene from Godfather II when Tessio is about to get whacked

Rooney to Faneca's agent: "Tell Allan it was only business, I always liked him"

[Super Heathen]

Whatever, we knew he was gone. One thing we also know is that our line sucks worse today than it did yesterday....if that is possible.

[Super Heathen]

if all he wanted was 4/32, why didn't we do that last spring? Simmons ended up with 4/26ish. That's really not that much difference, I think Alan is a vagina and all, but he'll be worth 2m more per season than Kendall for the next few years.


Right. If anybody can help me understand the justification for Simmons extension, please do tell.

[Hollywood Bags]

Right. If anybody can help me understand the justification for Simmons extension, please do tell.


Every year Simmons comes into camp and dominates meaningless preseason games and then reverts to his shitty , lazy regular season personna. Colbert, insytead of waiting to see his regular season play, overpaid for this journeyman bum based on his pre season play, dumbest move by the Steelers since extending Kordell with a huge contract after his awful 1998 season.

[Super Heathen]

Every year Simmons comes into camp and dominates meaningless preseason games and then reverts to his shitty , lazy regular season personna. Colbert, insytead of waiting to see his regular season play, overpaid for this journeyman bum based on his pre season play, dumbest move by the Steelers since extending Kordell with a huge contract after his awful 1998 season.

Can't disagree with anything here. I'm astounded by the contract they gave him for being Joe Vanilla.

[virgild]

I hope he does well..But they have no QB..Kill Balt..

[steelersoldier]

Well the dream of keeping Faneca is over. He has signed a 4 year deal with the Jets. We all know keeping him was a long shot and nearly impossible but it was still a good wish.

[Supersteeler]

Hey, he's just tryin to feed his family and put bread on the table. Everyone knows a family can easily starve to death on 32 million. Gotta find a few more bills somewhere else.

[SteelerScott]

Enjoy your crap Fans, crap Unis w/ your crap Team, Alan.

[BillvinCowbert]

if all he wanted was 4/32, why didn't we do that last spring? Simmons ended up with 4/26ish. That's really not that much difference, I think Alan is a vagina and all, but he'll be worth 2m more per season than Kendall for the next few years.

Simmons deal was FIVE YEARS, not four. It was an EXTENSION of four years, PLUS the current one year he had left.

Simmons total deal was for 24 million over FIVE years, or just under 5MM per year. It was still a crappy deal, but it was not even close to 8MM per year.

[FlaStlrfan]

Right. If anybody can help me understand the justification for Simmons extension, please do tell.

How much of Simmons contract is/was guaranteed/upfront?

[TMC]

Simmons deal was FIVE YEARS, not four. It was an EXTENSION of four years, PLUS the current one year he had left.

Simmons total deal was for 24 million over FIVE years, or just under 5MM per year. It was still a crappy deal, but it was not even close to 8MM per year.

You are correct. Instead of getting $900,000 in salary in 2007, the new deal increased that to $2.1M. The final 4 seasons have salaries of $15.5M. But, it was a 5 year extension for $24M.....or just under $5M per season.

Which, actually, is less than the going rate for average linemen now. It is just more than HALF of what Alan is getting and without all the guaranteed cash. IMO, that is key. When you compare the $8M guaranteed Simmons got VS the $23M being reported for Faneca.

[BillvinCowbert]

You are correct. Instead of getting $900,000 in salary in 2007, the new deal increased that to $2.1M. The final 4 seasons have salaries of $15.5M. But, it was a 5 year extension for $24M.....or just under $5M per season.

Which, actually, is less than the going rate for average linemen now. It is just more than HALF of what Alan is getting and without all the guaranteed cash. IMO, that is key. When you compare the $8M guaranteed Simmons got VS the $23M being reported for Faneca.

Unfortunately that's the market for mediocre linemen.... this is making drafting WAY more important, since you can lock a guy down for 4 or so years at a VERY reasonable salary cap structure.

Looking back to 2002 when the Steelers gave those big deals to Alan and Joey and Aaron, the cap was right at about 70MM. It's increased by about 65% since then, so a deal averaging 4MM per year is now about 6.6MM, while a 5MM per year deal would now be around 8.2MM. So it looks like the "top end" has progressed almost as expected.

What's really exploding is the "average guy" who was getting around 2-2.5MM back then, but are getting 4-6MM now.

[BlkNGoldBlood10]

GOOD RIDDENS!!!!!!!!! I am so glad he is gone...he was not that dominant...so over rated and the only reason he made it consistently to the Pro Bowl is because its a POPULARITY CONTEST. The Jets are going to be just as pissed about the signing as was the signing of Joey Porter to the dumb azz dolphins!

[BlkNGoldBlood10]

You are correct. Instead of getting $900,000 in salary in 2007, the new deal increased that to $2.1M. The final 4 seasons have salaries of $15.5M. But, it was a 5 year extension for $24M.....or just under $5M per season.

Which, actually, is less than the going rate for average linemen now. It is just more than HALF of what Alan is getting and without all the guaranteed cash. IMO, that is key. When you compare the $8M guaranteed Simmons got VS the $23M being reported for Faneca.

Simmons should have NEVER seen an extension....he is THE weakest link on that line followed verrrrrry closly by Sean Mahan. Simmons was always on the ground...missing blocks...looking extra slow...missing assignments...getting beat like a DRUM. He is terrible and to think he is going to make anywhere near 5 Mill this year makes me sick to my stomach!!! Between Mahan, Simmons, and Marvel they are tying up around 10 mill in cap...THAT IS WAAAAY TO MUCH FOR 3 BUMS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sean]

Just out of curiousity...

Why are the Steelers so cap-tight when teams like Cleveland can entertain the possibilities of bringing in all the big names on an annual basis?

I understand the "we do a better job of retaining our own players who are in the upper echelon of their respective position" theory, but I just can't wrap my mind around how we can't be a little more involved in free agency...

[TMC]

Just out of curiousity...

Why are the Steelers so cap-tight when teams like Cleveland can entertain the possibilities of bringing in all the big names on an annual basis?

I understand the "we do a better job of retaining our own players who are in the upper echelon of their respective position" theory, but I just can't wrap my mind around how we can't be a little more involved in free agency...

Well, IMO, the Browns have to be active in free agency....other than Anderson, name the last big FA they had. Shit, they end up releasing or trading away everyone of their first round guys. Their 2nd rounders rarely pan out. Other than Thomas, Edwards, Winslow, and Anderson, they have little "home grown" talent.

The Steelers, on the other hand, draft very well....so they have to pay guys like Ike, Troy, Parker, Hampton, Aaron Smith, Hines, and others.

They grab one or two really big FAs every season. We sign our own guys to bigger contracts. IMO, we ARE players in free agency, we just chose the devil we know instead of the devil we don't know.

[Steelerman58]

I've said it before & I'll say it again:

Ain't no O-Lineman ever played worth that kind of cash.

[BillvinCowbert]

Just out of curiousity...

Why are the Steelers so cap-tight when teams like Cleveland can entertain the possibilities of bringing in all the big names on an annual basis?

I understand the "we do a better job of retaining our own players who are in the upper echelon of their respective position" theory, but I just can't wrap my mind around how we can't be a little more involved in free agency...

It's kind of a historical issue. The Steelers have generally always "spent to limit of the cap"... sometimes it was great decisions, like Faneca, Aaron Smith, and Porter; sometimes, not so great, like Washington, Scott, and others.

IMO, the Steelers have tended to overvalue their own at times. Others may disagree, that's fine. Also, I'd say that the Steelers have run into an issue, in the past, of hanging on a bit too long. Guys like Mark Bruener are the poster child for this.

Around 2002, the Steelers started a "death spiral" of restructuring deals. You may remember that the Steelers were applauded for giving deals that weren't "backloaded", meaning a guy like Hartings or Smith could play out his entire deal with reasonable cap hits. Well, that was the original plan. But then the restructurings started.... Hartings, Bruener, Smith, et al, would consistently restructure, year over year, and "push forward" cap hits to allow the Steelers to stay under the cap. So, not only were the Steelers spending to the limit, they were actually spending OVER the limit, but putting that overage on a future credit card.

So, when you looked at the deals inked in 2002 by those core players, and projected out their cap hits to 2006, you had five or so core guys that were only going to count about 25 million against the cap. But, after all of the restructures year over year, by the time 2006 rolled around, these guys were actually counting more like 33 million against the cap. Because instead of cutting a guy like Mark Bruener, we'd convert his salary into a signing bonus and pay for it down the road.

Teams like the Eagles were "rolling over" unused funds onto future caps, while the Steelers were "rolling over" OVERAGES onto future caps, putting them at huge disadvantage relative to others. Most fans consider us GREAT at managing the cap, but I've always felt like we've done a mediocre job due to all of the restructurings.

Last year, Cleveland managed to roll over $12.6 million using the LTBE loophole. We, as always were tight to the cap, plus some players earned NLTBE incentives, so we had a NEGATIVE 1.9 million adjustment to ours. So, without even accounting for players under contract, the Browns have $14.5 million MORE to work with than we do. Sure, part of that is the fact that they've had less guys to retain, but part of it is that we'll spend to the cap every year, sometimes overpaying mediocre guys.

[papa lazarou]

It's official per NFL.com: Red has signed with the Jets $40 Million for 5 years with $21 M guaranteed.

[stevew]

Simmons deal was FIVE YEARS, not four. It was an EXTENSION of four years, PLUS the current one year he had left.

Simmons total deal was for 24 million over FIVE years, or just under 5MM per year. It was still a crappy deal, but it was not even close to 8MM per year.

Semantics, whatever. His cap hits are still horrible the next 4 years(5/5/6/6). Fanecas will be maybe 2-3m/year more(probably 6/7/8/9/10). We could have afforded this one, it's not that much cap affecting money, although the guarantees are significant. Especially if you're playing worthless guys like simmons a ton already.

[Steelerman]

Faneca goes to New York Jets

Saturday, March 01, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Alan Faneca, seven times a Pro Bowler, became the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history today when he agreed to a $40 million contract with the New York Jets.

The five-year contract includes $21 million in guaranteed money, according to his agent, Rick Smith. Faneca, a 10-year starter for the Steelers at left guard, will have a physical in New York, where he plans to sign the contract on Monday.

He leaves a team whose offensive line has declined the past two seasons with the loss of Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings a year ago and now Faneca.

[blitzburghnut]

see ya big red and thanks for the memories. you and porter got the pay day you were looking for and deserved. hope the money is worth it.

[Steelers.exe]

And he thought the Steelers were going to pay him that?

[Stlrs4Life]

http://www.doubtaboutit.com/


Friday, February 29, 2008
The Absurd Nature of NFL Free Agency
As Steelers fans, we know the drill come the end of February. While other teams are wining and dining potential free agents, the Steelers stand idly by, content to sit it out and go bargain basement shopping after the first couple of weeks. I used to be frustrated by this. I used to look at the list of free agents and start thinking about how so-and-so could bolster our pass rush, or how this guy could really shore up our offensive line, allowing us more flexibility on draft day. I used to. Now, I’m seeing where the Steelers were coming from.

Free agency is becoming ridiculous. Period. The money being thrown around for mediocre players is unbelievable. And stupid. Unbelievably stupid. Jeff Faine, a good, solid player but one who struggles with big defensive tackles, is becoming the highest paid center in the game after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Us Pittsburghers are familiar with the name Madieu Williams. He was a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals, until he signed this morning with the Minnesota Vikings. Williams made a couple of plays against us over the years, but also was responsible for just as many blown coverages that led to Steeler touchdowns. He’s an inconsistent player. And for that inconsistency, the Vikings lavished Williams with a 6-year, $34 million contract with most likely double-digit bonuses.

And then there is Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly. I thought this was a guy the Steelers could go after in free agency. He had the necessary size and skills to transition to our defense and play end in the 3-4. Playing defensive tackle in the Raiders 4-3 defense, Kelly never set the world on fire. He had 13 career sacks. But still, he was a young player who I thought would make a nice addition to our defense. I also thought we could get him at a decent price, because he wasn’t one of those top-tier free agents and because he tore his ACL last season, resulting in him only playing 7 games.

On Thursday, hours before free agency was set to kick off, the Raiders re-signed Kelly to a 7-year, $50.5 million deal with $18 million guaranteed. I was shocked, and so were others. Profootballtalk.com said reaction to the deal around the league was one of “bewilderment and laughter.”

I can really no longer fault the Steelers sitting out the first week of free agency. The money has gotten out of hand. Unless you see a guy you absolutely need to have, a guy you see can be an impact player for your team for years and years, it’s best just to sit out the first week and then scoop up the better values. Yeah, sometimes you get Sean Mahan, but other times you get James Farrior. I don’t know who said it, but I heard it recently: “Free agency is the punishment for drafting poorly.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

End of Post

[TMC]

Alex Marvez of Fox Sports and Adam Schefter of NFL Network are reporting that the Jets and guard Alan Faneca have agreed on the largest free agent deal ever given to an offensive lineman.

The reports say that both the average value -- $8 million a year for five years -- and the guaranteed portion of the contract -- $21 million -- are the most any free agent lineman has ever had.

Although Faneca didn't make any visits, he had offers from several teams, including the Rams and 49ers, but the Jets gave him the best deal. Despite some rumors to the contrary, the Cardinals were apparently never serious contenders, thanks in large part to having a huge portion of their salary cap tied up in wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

[TMC]

Well, the upside, we will get a 3rd round comp pick in 2009. Hey, lets hope Haggans hits the lotto too.

[Jer]

Since when sdid the J-E-T-S make Shauk the general manager?

Stupid move signing him to that kind of money.

[Aries1247]

Congrats Alan, you got the fat payday you were looking for.

5/40mil. Jesus.

& I bet he doesn't see past yr 3 of that. Shit I just said that in the Stallworth thread. I should just make that my sig. Idiot F.O.'s, all of them.

[FAB802]

You can't hate him for going for that kind of coin. More power to them.

[Stoney]

Eh, good for him. Can't hate on a guy for wanting to take care of himself.

Hopefully he can help the Jets beat the Pats this season.

[SteelrzGirl]

Might as well get someone past the Pats cause the Steelers cant do it.

[Guntown Bob]

All this money going to Faneca leads us to the next question:

If an older, "better-days-are-behind-him", offensive lineman can score that kinda moolah, then what's Ben gonna get in his next contract???

[Achie D]

what's Ben gonna get in his next contract???

Somewhere North of Romo's six-year, $67.5 million, but well South of Manning's 7% of the Colt's CAP.:eek:

[Steel Conviction]

Well, IMO, the Browns have to be active in free agency....other than Anderson, name the last big FA they had. Shit, they end up releasing or trading away everyone of their first round guys. Their 2nd rounders rarely pan out. Other than Thomas, Edwards, Winslow, and Anderson, they have little "home grown" talent.

The Steelers, on the other hand, draft very well....so they have to pay guys like Ike, Troy, Parker, Hampton, Aaron Smith, Hines, and others.

They grab one or two really big FAs every season. We sign our own guys to bigger contracts. IMO, we ARE players in free agency, we just chose the devil we know instead of the devil we don't know.

I don't intend to argue, but the homegrown talent argument is starting to lose water. Every year this argument comes up, we reference the exact same names for home grown talent. Every single year, that same list of names gets a year older.

Whether by signing or drafting, we haven't had a solid GROUP of players added in awhile.

We now have no offensive line (average at best IF things pan out) and if Woodley and Timmons don't pan out, we are old and thin at LB. We have drafted 98 CBs and still have Townsend manning the outside. Sure, he is underrated, but now he is getting old and slow too.

We saw last year how THIN our defensive line is. One injury and we couldn't stop a one-legged midget from running.

Our WR? Santonio good. Hines, diminishing but still ok (many more drops, slower etc). The rest? Inconsistent at best.

Our Special Teams? They are so special they probably take the short bus to the game.

[Spike]

Jets Give All-Pro Faneca Record Deal
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Sports Writer


<!--startclickprintinclude-->NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets and Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca agreed to terms on a five-year, $40 million contract Saturday, making the former Pittsburgh player the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.

Agent Rick Smith told The Associated Press on Saturday that the 31-year-old Faneca planned to fly to New York on Sunday, take a physical and officially sign the deal Monday. After making nearly $4.4 million in salary and bonuses last season, Faneca got a huge deal that Smith said includes $21 million in guarantees.

A Jets spokesman declined comment on the signing of the seven-time Pro Bowl selection, considered perhaps the league's best left guard.

Faneca chose New York over San Francisco and St. Louis, all teams that had losing records last season and need help on their offensive lines.

"When he examined the situations, Alan felt this team would make the biggest impact," Smith said.
New York sorely needed a standout left guard after trading Pete Kendall to Washington following a bitter contract dispute before last season. They plugged in the since-released Adrien Clarke, who was ineffective while starting the first 14 games and was benched the last two weeks.

Faneca will step in between left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold to give the Jets a terrific left side. Ferguson and Mangold thrived as rookies with Kendall, but struggled at times without his veteran influence last season.

"Alan can't wait to work with those guys," Smith said. "He likes to take young guys under his wing and help them develop."

Faneca's presence will surely improve the Jets' rushing game, which struggled despite having Thomas Jones. New York ranked 26th in the league last season in total yards and 19th in rushing yards per game.

"Alan is really looking forward to being a New York Jet," Smith said.

Faneca, a five-time All-Pro who was Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 1998, experienced a similar situation to Kendall last summer. Known as "Red" because of his long, flowing red hair, Faneca was unhappy before last season because he thought the Steelers misled him during contract talks last winter when he was looking for a new deal.

Meanwhile, guards such as Leonard Davis, Kris Dielman, Derrick Dockery and Eric Steinbach all signed big deals last offseason that were worth at least $6 million.

Faneca, who helped Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker rush for 1,000 yards during his tenure, was critical of ownership when he reported for minicamp last May and even announced then: "This will be my last year as a Pittsburgh Steeler."

As it turned out, Faneca was right, and he couldn't be happier now.

"He can finally put that black cloud that was hanging over him last season behind him," Smith said.

The Jets have been active in the two days since the free agency period began. In addition to signing Faneca, they acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from Carolina, traded linebacker Jonathan Vilma to New Orleans for a draft pick, signed defensive tackle Sione Pouha to a contract extension and signed fullback Stacy Tutt to an exclusive-rights contract.
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[Vader]

"He can finally put that black cloud that was hanging over him last season behind him," Smith said.


Yea, I wish I could have that 4 Million dollar black cloud over me.

[Spike]

"...making the former Pittsburgh player the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL."


He got what he wanted.

[t-bone]

think the Jets will be running and rolling out left next season?


good for Al....big money for a big money player....he picked it up a bit last season towards the end, and it least he didn't mail it in.

I always hoped that Al, Hines, and Ben would be Steelers for life....and each could go out like Jerome did.

*sigh*

[SteelerFan448]

Yea, I wish I could have that 4 Million dollar black cloud over me.

Then you see a quote in the PG saying how while he may leave the Steelers, he will always bleed black and gold.

[JEFFRO]

Momma always said "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!"

I wish Faneca all the best, but as many before him have found, the money is the end of the rainbow, he will never sniff another Super Bowl.

[Tobe]

You know, he really didn't get that far ahead. It is about 75.9% more expensive to live in the NYC/Long Island area. He was making $4 million and change and had to get just under $8 million per year to maintain the same standard of living he had in Pittsburgh.

Had he nabbed the same deal in Pittsburgh that would have been a huge pay day.

[Jmat]

Faneca didn't do much shopping around huh? Are the Jets the only team he talked too? What happened to him reuniting with his boy Grimm?

[Vader]

Faneca didn't do much shopping around huh? Are the Jets the only team he talked too? What happened to him reuniting with his boy Grimm?

Not enough cap space.

[SteelerFan448]

Faneca didn't do much shopping around huh? Are the Jets the only team he talked too? What happened to him reuniting with his boy Grimm?

I think the Grimm talk was more of something generated by the fans from Faneca's offseason comments about Grimm not being hired. He made it clear that he was going to the highest bidder, whether it was Pittsburgh, Arizona, or apparently the Jets. And there was no need to do any shopping when they made him the highest paid OL.

[DrunkinIrishman]

He was a great player while he was here. But the time had come for him to go. I actuallly agree with the front office on this one. You can not afford to overpay for a over 30 guard. You can get decent guards a lot easier than you can find tackles. The Steelers track record of letting players go at the right time has been very good. I think he has a couple more good years left but not at that money for a guard. The pay rate of lineman has gone through the roof the last couple of years.

[DavidHarris52]

Enjoy your crap Fans, crap Unis w/ your crap Team, Alan.


Why are Jets fans Crap?

[ConnecticutDan]

Well they did light the seats on fire once in Giants Stadium.

[Jmat]

I think the Grimm talk was more of something generated by the fans from Faneca's offseason comments about Grimm not being hired. He made it clear that he was going to the highest bidder, whether it was Pittsburgh, Arizona, or apparently the Jets. And there was no need to do any shopping when they made him the highest paid OL.

I'll never understand why any player would go to a shitty team just because they'll pay him the most.
I'd take less money to play on a team that has a good chance of being a winner.
Now I do believe that it was time for Faneca to go and I have no problem with the Steelers letting him go but the Jets?
It really is all about the money and not the winning.

Would you rather make 25 million bucks and be on a team that wins one game or never finishes higher than 8-8 or make 15-20 million and be on a team that goes to the playoffs every year? I guess we all know the answer to that.
Seems really stupid and greedy if you ask me.

[Coryea]

I'll never understand why any player would go to a ty team just because they'll pay him the most.
I'd take less money to play on a team that has a good chance of being a winner.
Now I do believe that it was time for Faneca to go and I have no problem with the Steelers letting him go but the Jets?
It really is all about the money and not the winning.

Would you rather make 25 million bucks and be on a team that wins one game or never finishes higher than 8-8 or make 15-20 million and be on a team that goes to the playoffs every year? I guess we all know the answer to that.
Seems really stupid and greedy if you ask me.

We weren't going to come anywhere near that contract, that's why he moved on, he knew some team would pile the cash on him, and can't really blame him.
With our Oline situation and our schedule, I'm not sure we'll be that much better than the Jets, record wise.

[Hines57]

Glad to see Faneca got paid. Also glad to see it made the AFC East better. Fuck the *Pats. Good luck Alan.

[DavidHarris52]

Well they did light the seats on fire once in Giants Stadium.

That was at Shea. Last Game the jets played thier thier I was at that game :D

[DavidHarris52]

I'll never understand why any player would go to a ty team just because they'll pay him the most.
I'd take less money to play on a team that has a good chance of being a winner.
Now I do believe that it was time for Faneca to go and I have no problem with the Steelers letting him go but the Jets?
It really is all about the money and not the winning.

Would you rather make 25 million bucks and be on a team that wins one game or never finishes higher than 8-8 or make 15-20 million and be on a team that goes to the playoffs every year? I guess we all know the answer to that.
Seems really stupid and greedy if you ask me.





11/18/08 19-16 ;)

[Sluzilla]

11/18/08 19-16 ;)

might wanna get your figures right if you're gonna try to play the correction game...

[SteelrzGirl]

Im still tryng to feel some emotion about this. I think I kind of lost it for Alan when he got mouthy about Ben. Its not even so much what he said rather that he just sounded so silly.

[BillvinCowbert]

I'll never understand why any player would go to a ty team just because they'll pay him the most.
I'd take less money to play on a team that has a good chance of being a winner.
Now I do believe that it was time for Faneca to go and I have no problem with the Steelers letting him go but the Jets?
It really is all about the money and not the winning.

Would you rather make 25 million bucks and be on a team that wins one game or never finishes higher than 8-8 or make 15-20 million and be on a team that goes to the playoffs every year? I guess we all know the answer to that.
Seems really stupid and greedy if you ask me.

Really?

You mean you'd rather make 70K per year working at Microsoft than 120K working at Joe's Computer Factory? You'd work at McDonald's for $6 bucks an hour even if Steak and Shake was willing to give you $12 an hour?

Somehow I doubt it.

Winning doesn't pay the bills, money pays the bills. And yes, there is a HUGE difference between $40 million and $25 million; it's enough to secure the lives for a few extra generations of your family.