Predictions on Steelers free agents

A look at the Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers' unrestricted and restricted free agents and how their futures will be unfolding:

UNRESTRICTED
-- QB Charlie Batch: Likely to re-sign as Ben Roethlisberger's backup.
-- P Mitch Berger: Rides off into the sunset with a Super Bowl ring.
-- CB Fernando Bryant: Was added for depth and likely will not be re-signed.
-- OT Trai Essexis: A valuable backup tackle and guard they would like to keep but he might find more opportunity elsewhere.
-- LB Keyaron Fox: An excellent special teams player. Could return if not offered a starting job elsewhere.
-- LB Andre Frazier: Was mostly a special teams player.
-- LB Arnold Harrison: Spent much of the season on injured reserve with a torn ACL.
-- G Chris Kemoeatu: Likely to leave because he's among the best available at his position in free agency.
-- QB Byron Leftwich: He says not to write him off yet as returning as Roethlisberger's backup.
-- CB Bryant McFadden: Almost surely will leave as perhaps the top prospect in free agency at corner.
-- OT Marvel Smith: Will not return after nine seasons with the Steelers.
-- DE Orpheus Roye: Got a ring in his 13th season and will not be back.
-- WR Nate Washington: Should attract offers to become a starter with another team.

RESTRICTED
-- OT Willie Colon: Should receive a high tender to ensure he returns to start on the right side.
-- FB Sean McHugh: Became their starter and did a decent job as a blocker, but it will be tough to put a high tender on him.
-- CB Anthony Madison: Became one of team's top special teams players. Could receive a low tender.
-- G Jeremy Parquet: A backup who played little and is not likely to be tendered.
-- S Anthony Smith: Did not suit up for the playoffs but could receive a tender that would bring them a third-round pick if someone signs him.

(Contact Ed Bouchette at ebouchette<at>postgazette.com)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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Spot on with McFadden-Gone

Spot on with McFadden-Gone and Fast. William Gay-Time! . Orpheus Roye-Ring&Gone. I think Leftwish is gone and gone, however it'd be great to have him back. Look no further than the Patriots to see that stock-piling QB's . How bout that Salary Cap change? We got some folks to resign quick. I think we're around 7mil under the cap, in 2010 there is no cap, now you got to extend some contracts. We got the coach, quarterback, defense and backs, how about a fullback to seal the deal...again!

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