Steelers/NFL
Nate Washington entering the final year of his contract has 8 catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games. Washington has responded to Mike Tomlin who challenged Washington to become more consistent. Regardless of how Washington plays the rest of the season, he is likely auditioning for a contract elsewhere. The Steelers remain very high on Limas Sweed and want to go into next season with Sweed as their #3. Keeping Washington around hinders Sweed’s development.
There has been no contact between the Steelers and Ty Law since Bryant McFadden was injured. The Dolphins and Browns are the only teams believed to be considering Law at this time. If Pittsburgh decided to go the free agent route, (which is unlikely), they could pursue David Macklin and Fernando Bryant. Bryant recently worked out for the Miami Dolphins.
Pittsburgh is expected to sign Ryan Mundy to the practice squad next month when he becomes healthy. Many insiders believed Mundy had a strong chance to make the team out of camp. He was injured in the Steelers first preseason game against the Eagles.
Marvel Smith is going to be week to week for the rest of the season. His back could be a problem at any time
The Steelers are very high on Darnell Stapleton and if he continues playing at this level, what do the Steelers do about Kendall Simmons next season? One option is moving Stapleton to center.
Bryant McFadden was open to the idea of signing an extension during the summer. The two sides had discussions but an official offer was never made. McFadden’s stock has been on the rise this season and his injury won’t derail his value as scouts around the league don’t feel he has reached his potential yet. Deshea Townsend is not getting any younger, and losing McFadden to free agency will make the Steelers have to focus on adding a corner back in the early rounds of the draft.
