PA Season Ticket Holder
04-17-2003, 02:46 PM
A league source tells us that Steelers running back Jerome Bettis continues to have problems with his left knee, which was 'scoped back on January 27.
Bettis's lingering health problems will do little to ensure that he'll return to the Steelers in 2003. As we previously have reported, the Steelers have opted to take a wait-and-see approach with Bettis, delaying any final decision on his future until after they've had a chance to monitor his offseason progress.
In January, coach Bill Cowher was surprisingly candid regarding the fact that Bettis is not a lock to return.
"We are going to have to talk about the direction and the options we have in regards to those players," Cowher said. "We have to sit down and look at the direction we are going, as it relates to our roster and cap."
In recent weeks, speculation has mounted that Bettis indeed will be released -- most likely after June 1, when the cap hit would be spread over two seasons.
If Bettis is cut before June 1, the cap charge would be roughly $4.4 million. If he is released after June 1, the Steelers would carry $1.1 million in dead money this year, and $3.3 million in 2004.
If Bettis stays, his cap figure will be roughly $3.85 million, given his 2003 salary of $2.75 million.
Bettis signed a six-year, $30 million contract two years ago, which included a $6.5 million signing bonus.
The increasing possibility that Bettis will get the boot should fuel rumors that the Steelers will go for a tailback in round one. Though Amos Zereoue has a key role in the offense, the feeling is that he can't withstand the pounding of 25 carries per game over a 17-week season.
As a result, there's a growing buzz that the Steelers are eyeing Penn State product Larry Johnson, and we've got Johnson penciled in as the Pittsburgh pick at No. 27.
We know, we know. The first round has been littered with failed Penn State running backs over the past dozen years, from Blair Thomas to Ki-Jana Carter to Curtis Enis. But once upon a time the Steelers drafted a running back from Penn State named Franco Harris. And he worked out quite nicely.
Still, we'd prefer to see the Steelers nab Miami running back "What You Talkin' 'Bout" Willis McGahee. But McGahee's remarkable comeback from a Theismannesque knee injury on January 3 likely guarantees that McGahee will be long McGone by the time the Steelers are on the clock.
http://profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
Bettis's lingering health problems will do little to ensure that he'll return to the Steelers in 2003. As we previously have reported, the Steelers have opted to take a wait-and-see approach with Bettis, delaying any final decision on his future until after they've had a chance to monitor his offseason progress.
In January, coach Bill Cowher was surprisingly candid regarding the fact that Bettis is not a lock to return.
"We are going to have to talk about the direction and the options we have in regards to those players," Cowher said. "We have to sit down and look at the direction we are going, as it relates to our roster and cap."
In recent weeks, speculation has mounted that Bettis indeed will be released -- most likely after June 1, when the cap hit would be spread over two seasons.
If Bettis is cut before June 1, the cap charge would be roughly $4.4 million. If he is released after June 1, the Steelers would carry $1.1 million in dead money this year, and $3.3 million in 2004.
If Bettis stays, his cap figure will be roughly $3.85 million, given his 2003 salary of $2.75 million.
Bettis signed a six-year, $30 million contract two years ago, which included a $6.5 million signing bonus.
The increasing possibility that Bettis will get the boot should fuel rumors that the Steelers will go for a tailback in round one. Though Amos Zereoue has a key role in the offense, the feeling is that he can't withstand the pounding of 25 carries per game over a 17-week season.
As a result, there's a growing buzz that the Steelers are eyeing Penn State product Larry Johnson, and we've got Johnson penciled in as the Pittsburgh pick at No. 27.
We know, we know. The first round has been littered with failed Penn State running backs over the past dozen years, from Blair Thomas to Ki-Jana Carter to Curtis Enis. But once upon a time the Steelers drafted a running back from Penn State named Franco Harris. And he worked out quite nicely.
Still, we'd prefer to see the Steelers nab Miami running back "What You Talkin' 'Bout" Willis McGahee. But McGahee's remarkable comeback from a Theismannesque knee injury on January 3 likely guarantees that McGahee will be long McGone by the time the Steelers are on the clock.
http://profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm