As we get closer to the start of the free agency signing period, more and more names of free agent players are being suggested as potential targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers on social media sites and the blogosphere.
Every year it is my job to play the bad cop and remind everyone how the Steelers are not a team that has been very active during the free agent signing period ever since general manager Kevin Colbert came on board in 2000.
Below is the updated list of the free agents signed by the Steelers during the MAIN portion of the signing period from 2000-2012. Last offseason the big free agent addition was tight end Leonard Pope.
You will not see Jerricho Cotchery on the list as he was signed after the start of training camp following his release from the New York Jets. Also not on the list are the players that were future signings prior to the free agent period beginning. In addition, free agents added to the team after the season started also do not qualify for this list.
Due to the Steelers salary cap situation, and long list of own unrestricted free agents, this offseason, it would be shocking to see them make a run at any free agents from other teams this offseason. Sure, there might be one or two added, but if you are expecting them to be high profile types, you are sure to once again be disappointed.
The Steelers generally focus on re-signing a few of their own free agents and there is no reason to think that they will stray from that gameplan this offseason.
So everyone expecting that the Steelers will make a run at Steven Jackson, Reggie Bush, Sean Smith or Ahmad Bradshaw, consider this your yearly splash of cold water in your face.
| DATE | POS | PLAYER | PRIOR TEAM | G | GS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/14/2000 | NT | Kimo von Oelhoffen | Bengals | 95 | 94 |
| 2/22/2000 | DE | Chris Sullivan | Patriots | 15 | 2 |
| 2/28/2000 | G | Rich Tylski | Jaguars | 28 | 26 |
| 2/28/2000 | QB | Kent Graham | Giants | 14 | 5 |
| 5/30/2000 | S | Brent Alexander | Panthers | 64 | 64 |
| 3/8/2001 | C | Jeff Hartings | Detroit | 91 | 89 |
| 3/23/2001 | S | Mike Logan | Jaguars | 73 | 17 |
| 4/20/2001 | LB | Mike Jones | Rams | 21 | 1 |
| 6/12/2001 | QB | Tommy Maddox | XFL | 43 | 32 |
| 3/25/2002 | K | Todd Peterson | Chiefs | 10 | 0 |
| 4/5/2002 | LB | James Farrior | Jets | 154 | 154 |
| 6/13/2002 | WR | Terance Mathis | Falcons | 16 | 0 |
| 6/17/2002 | QB | Charlie Batch | Detroit | 34 | 9 |
| 3/5/2003 | LB | Clint Kriewaldt | Detroit | 74 | 2 |
| 3/17/2003 | T | Todd Fordham | Jaguars | 11 | 6 |
| 3/19/2003 | TE | Jay Riemersma | Buffalo | 22 | 9 |
| 3/6/2004 | P | Chris Gardocki | Browns | 48 | 0 |
| 3/9/2004 | RB | Duce Staley | Eagles | 16 | 11 |
| 3/10/2004 | DT | Travis Kirschke | 49ers | 92 | 18 |
| 5/26/2004 | CB | Willie Williams | Seahawks | 20 | 11 |
| 3/8/2005 | WR | Cedrick Wilson | 49ers | 47 | 14 |
| 4/5/2005 | S | Tyrone Carter | Jets | 89 | 22 |
| 3/14/2006 | S | Ryan Clark | Redskins | 95 | 93 |
| 3/16/2006 | DE | Rodney Bailey | Seahawks | 12 | 0 |
| 3/10/2007 | C | Sean Mahan | Buccaneers | 16 | 16 |
| 4/17/2007 | DT | Nick Eason | Browns | 55 | 11 |
| 5/10/2007 | RB | Kevan Barlow | Jets | 0 | 0 |
| 3/3/2008 | RB | Mewelde Moore | Vikings | 59 | 4 |
| 3/12/2008 | LB | Keyaron Fox | Chiefs | 45 | 3 |
| 3/18/2008 | C | Justin Hartwig | Panthers | 32 | 32 |
| 4/24/2009 | CB | Keiwan Ratliff | Colts | 9 | 0 |
| 5/1/2009 | WR | Shaun McDonald | Lions | 4 | 0 |
| 3/8/2010 | WR | Antwaan Randle El | Redskins | 16 | 0 |
| 3/8/2010 | WR | Arnaz Battle | 49ers | 25 | 0 |
| 3/8/2010 | T | Jonathan Scott | Bills | 29 | 15 |
| 3/8/2010 | S | Will Allen | Buccaneers | 46 | 7 |
| 3/15/2010 | LB | Larry Foote | Lions | 47 | 21 |
| 4/10/2012 | TE | Leonard Pope | Chiefs | 16 | 2 |
