Chris Hope Update: Don't Get Greedy, Chris!

From steelerslive.com:

"Hope told the Tribune-Review earlier this week that he wants to be paid like one of the top five safeties in the league, which would take a lot of maneuvering for the Steelers. The team clearly has to rework the deal for Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings, who stands to count $8.1 million against the cap in '06."

Quote: "I love the city, love the way (it) treats the team and I like the organization. But I can't continue to play for less than my worth."

Well, then I guess you'll be wearing the uniform of a different team next year. You are NOT one of the top 5 safeties in the league. Period. This team needs depth. To create depth, you have to slot values for certain positions and not overpay. Since we will have to overpay Troy Polamalu in the near future, we CANNOT overpay Chris Hope. We just can't. We can resign him, but we can't overpay him. We also can't overvalue him just because we won the Super Bowl. It doesn't work like that. You have to keep your core players.

In my mind, the core players are: Ben, Willie Parker, Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Alan Faneca, Marvel Smith, Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith, Joey Porter, James Farrior, Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu. Yes, the other players are good, but I feel they can be replaced. Jeff Hartings is in the core, but at his age with his past knee problems, he is not a priority to resign. Randle El is special because of his 'X' factor, but I still don't see him as essential. Nice? God Yes. Essential? No. It's great to have the good younger players we have: Trai Essex, Max Starks, Haggans, Foote, Coke, McFadden, Kreider, Keisel....I could go on and on....but they aren't in the core YET. They may be by next year, but as of right now - they aren't. I want consistency in the defensive backfield, but we can't devote too much cap space to role players. That's a blueprint for disaster. Here is one Steeler fan who will not be upset if the 2006 season starts without Hope, Randle El or Kimo. Sad? Yes. Upset? No.