It's that time of year again. Here is a closer look at the 2010 Steelers free agents list as we head into the offseason. I listed the probability of their return with a brief summary of the player. The 3 most high profile free agents are Casey Hampton, Jeff Reed and Willie Colon. I also noted if they are restricted or unrestricted free agents.

LB Patrick Bailey RFA – Bailey is a special teamer that registered 13 tackles on returns in 2009. He was also part of one of the worst Steelers special teams units in quite a while. Bailey is a coin flip at best to return in 2010. He could be re-signed and brought to camp, but with another draft right around the corner, he likely could be beat out by another rookie linebacker.

Probability of returning: Coin Flip

RT Willie Colon RFA - Because of 2010 looking like an uncapped season, Colon will not qualify to be an unrestricted free agent. With a little more emphasis expected to be on the running game in 2010, Colon likely will be tendered at a first or second round offer in hopes of bringing him back. He also might be considered for a new contract before the start of free agency. Either way, I feel pretty good about him being back on the roster in 2010.

Probability of returning: 75%

RB Carey Davis RFA - Davis was brought back at the end of September when rookie running back Frank Summers was placed on injured reserve with a back injury. Davis was inactive a few games nonetheless and the Steelers will likely just keep his number in the Rolodex.

Probability of returning: 5%

CB William Gay RFA – Big Play William Gay lived up to his name in 2010 by giving up several big plays. At the end of the season veteran Deshea Townsend was having to start in his place. I doubt he will be tendered and will be allowed to sign elsewhere when free agency starts.

(UPDATED February 22nd) I have changed by stance on Gay based on the landscape of free agency and removing my personal bias. It does indeed make since that he will be tendered at some level and better than average shot of being brought back.

Probability of returning: 5% 55%

P Daniel Sepulveda RFA – Sepulveda was a welcome sight to Steelers fans. He did not amaze in 2010, but I can not remember any shanks either. He could be a sought after free agent, but the Steelers likely will tender him high enough to keep him. The last thing the Steelers want to do is to waste a draft pick on a punter or worry about bringing in someone else late in free agency.

Probability of returning: 95%

TE Matt Spaeth RFA – Spaeth is a curious subject and could go either way. He is the only other real pass catching tight end on the roster besides Heath Miller. If he is tendered or resigned, he likely will have some competition in form of a draft pick or free agent signing.

Probability of returning: Coin Flip

C/G Darnell Stapleton RFA – Stapleton never made it out of training camp with a knee injury and spent the season on IR. He is better suited at center, but can play some guard, but not at a high level. The Steelers will likely draft a guard or center in the draft and if Stapleton signs for the minimum, he might be in camp fighting for a roster spot.

Probability of returning: 25%

QB Charlie Batch UFA - Father time tracked down Charlie in 2008. He and Dennis Dixon sprinted past him in 2009. Batch likely will retire and at best be a training camp invite. Based on his veteran minimum, he will be too expensive to be a number 3 in 2010.

Probability of returning: 10%

LB Rocky Boiman UFA – Boiman was brought in late for special teams help and I can't see him being brought back.

Probability of returning: 0%

SS Tyrone Carter UFA – Carter has a history with Tomlin and is much better suited as a backup free safety instead of a backup strong safety. All that said, the Steelers need to get younger in the secondary, so Carter has likely played his last game in Pittsburgh.

Probability of returning: 0%

FS Ryan Clark UFA – Clark has seen his better days and really played below the line in 2009. I can't see the Steelers re-signing him or placing a tag on him. In an uncapped year, Clark can get bigger money elsewhere for his final contract. This one still could really go either way.

Probability of returning: 35%

DE Nick Eason UFA - Eason will be 30 in May and while he showed some glimpses of good play in a few games, he was inactive for several others. He will likely be signed by another team needing backup defensive end help. I doubt he will be back.

Probability of returning: 15%

NT Casey Hampton UFA - Big Snack claims he wants to come back. He made the Pro Bowl this year and will be very upset if he hit with the franchise tag without the promise of working out a bigger contract. He stands to make big money if not tagged and could hold out if he is slapped with an exclusive tag. The Steelers certainly will be looking for another nose tackle early in the draft and that might not set will with him either. If I was a betting man, I say he is gone, but for right now it is a toss up.

Probability of returning: Coin Flip

DE Travis Kirschke UFA - Kirschke will be 36 at the start of the 2010 season. He does not have much left in the tank and will likely sign elsewhere as a reserve.

Probability of returning: 5%

RB Willie Parker UFA - FWP is saying all the right things, but simply will not be back. He also had his best performance in week 17 versus Miami and that alone will get him big money elsewhere. He does not want to be a number 2 to Rashard Mendenhall if brought back. Off he will go to free agency.

Probability of returning: 0%

K Jeff Reed UFA - Despite his off field problems and early season hiccup, Reed was money this year. No one knows Heinz Field like he does and he can win games for the Steelers. He will be a perfect candidate for a transition tag or a new deal. He needs to work on his kickoffs in the offseason.

Probability of returning: 90%

CB Deshea Townsend UFA - I just can't see Townsend being worth any type of money. There are holes in the Steelers secondary and they will be filled with younger bodies in 2010.

Probability of returning: 0%

WR Joey Galloway UFA - Who? Signed for the final 2 games, Galloway never was active. He was merely a veteran to use in case Hines Ward could not heal his hamstrings. Gone for sure.

Probability of returning: 0%

The Steelers will have two franchise tags (teams will have use of one franchise tag and one franchise transition tags) to use should the 2010 season be an uncapped year. Right now the Steelers have 11 unrestricted free agents listed below. Their are really only 2 players that realistically could be considered for the franchise tag, those being Casey Hampton and Jeff Reed. By placing the franchise tag on a player, the Steelers must offer a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. While those amounts are not known yet, the cost for a defensive tackle in 2009 with a tag was just over 6 million, while the cost for placing the tag on a kicker was almost 2.5 million.

Another concern is the players attitude. I think Jeff Reed would be fine with being franchised. He could likely get a little longer contract for close to the same type money, but he knows Heinz Field and would likely be fine earning nearly 3 million dollars. Casey Hampton could be a problem though. He has publicly stated he does not want to be franchised, but is open to staying in Pittsburgh. Should he be franchised, his attitude and preparations could be affected. In a season without a salary cap, Hampton stands to profit pretty good with a final and lucrative contract. Considering his age, I do not think the Steelers will want to sign Hampton to a multi-year deal that could hurt future seasons should a cap be put back in place.

In closing, I see Reed being the only unrestricted free agent player being given an exclusive franchise tag.

Steelers Unrestricted Free Agents
QB Charlie Batch
LB Rocky Boiman
S Tyrone Carter
FS Ryan Clark
DE Nick Eason
WR Joey Galloway
NT Casey Hampton
DE Travis Kirschke
RB Willie Parker
K Jeff Reed
CB Deshea Townsend

The Steelers wrapped up their practice preparations on Friday for the upcoming Sunday game versus the Miami Dolphins. Defensive end Brett Keisel (neck) did not practice for a third straight day and is listed as questionable on the injury report. Guard Chris Kemoeatu (wrist) and safety Troy Polamalu (knee) were both limited again on Friday and both are listed as questionable. It is still highly unlikely Polamalu will play this week. Linebacker Rocky Boiman (calf), defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf), running back Willie Parker (shoulder) and wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) all practiced fully on Friday and all four al listed as probable.

For the Dolphins on Friday, ruunning back Ricky Williams (shoulder) is questionable after being limited for a second straight day. Tackle Vernon Carey (knee) practiced fully again on Friday and is listed as probable.

The Steelers continued their practice preparations on Thursday for the upcoming Sunday game versus the Miami Dolphins. Defensive end Brett Keisel (neck) and wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) both sat out for a second straight day of practice. Both are hopefully to work in some capacity on Friday and likely will be game time decisions on Sunday. Guard Chris Kemoeatu (wrist) was limited on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday and safety Troy Polamalu (knee) was also limited for a second consecutive day. It is still highly unlikely Polamalu will play this week. Linebacker Rocky Boiman (calf), defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf) and running back Willie Parker (shoulder) all practiced fully on Wednesday. Linebacker James Farrior (not injury related) also worked fully after having a day of rest on Wednesday and has been removed from the injury report.

For the Dolphins on Thursday, running back Ricky Williams (shoulder) was limited in participation after working fully on Wednesday. Tackle Vernon Carey (knee) practiced fully for a second straight day.

The Steelers began practice preparations on Wednesday for the week 17 game in Miami versus the Dolphins. Linebacker James Farrior (not injury related), defensive end Brett Keisel (neck), guard Chris Kemoeatu (wrist), defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf) and wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) all sat out practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Rocky Boiman (calf), running back Willie Parker (shoulder) and safety Troy Polamalu (knee) all practiced on a limited basis. Polamalu working was the best news of the day, but he did not work in the contact portion of practice. Thursday and Friday are still key days to determine his availability for Sunday, but it still does not look good according to reports on Wednesday.

For the Dolphins on Wednesday, tackle Vernon Carey (knee) and running back Ricky Williams (shoulder) both had full participation in practice.

The Steelers wrapped up Friday practice preparations for the Dallas Cowboys by releasing their official week 14 injury report. DE Brett Keisel (knee) and T Marvel Smith (back) as expected are listed as out after neither practiced all week. DE Travis Kirschke (back), CB Bryant McFadden (forearm), RB Willie Parker (knee, shoulder), S Troy Polamalu (calf), QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and DE Aaron Smith (knee) are all listed as probable on the injury report and all practiced fully on Friday as expected.

On Thursday the Steelers continued practice preparations for Sunday's game versus the Dallas Cowboys. DE Brett Keisel (knee), T Marvel Smith (back) and S Troy Polamalu (calf) all sat out again on Thursday. Keisel and Smith have long been ruled out, while Polamalu looks to return to practice on Friday. DE Travis Kirschke (back), CB Bryant McFadden (forearm), RB Willie Parker (knee, shoulder), QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and DE Aaron Smith (knee) all practiced fully on Thursday as expected.

On Wednesday, the Steelers started week 14 practice preparations for the Dallas Cowboys. DE Brett Keisel (knee) and T Marvel Smith (back) did not practice as expected and have already been ruled out for Sunday. DE Travis Kirschke (back), RB Willie Parker (knee, shoulder), S Troy Polamalu (calf), DE Aaron Smith (knee), CB Deshea Townsend (not injury related) and WR Hines Ward (not injury related) all sat out practice on Wednesday as well. CB Bryant McFadden (forearm) continued to practice fully on Wednesday and is looking to be back in the lineup this week. QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee) was limited on Wednesday in practice as well after he slipped and slightly injured his right knee while throwing a pass. Everyone except Keisel and Smith should be back to practice on Thursday in some capacity.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin held his usual Tuesday press conference on the South Side in preparation for the Sunday game at home versus the Dallas Cowboys.

Tomlin opened with stating the team needed to improve in two areas after watching the Patriots game tape. Tomlin noted red zone efficiency needs to improve for the offense and they need to start putting 7 points on the board instead of field goals. Secondly, Tomlin noted that the post snap penalties need to stop and need to be corrected.

Tomlin did his usual praise of the opposition, calling Cowboys running back Marion Barber a violent runner and naming linebacker DeMarcus Ware the best pass rusher the Steelers will see all year.

Injury wise, Tomlin said it is as good as it can be coming out of the Patriots game. Defensive end Brett Keisel will be out again this week with a MCL knee sprain and termed week to week. Cornerback Bryant McFadden has a good chance to return this week and was very close last week as he recovers from a broken forearm. Running back Willie Parker continues to improve health wise, but is still not 100%. Parker should be good to on Sunday and likely will continue to share carries with Mewelde Moore. Linebacker James Harrison is fine after being injured on the field goal attempt just before half time against the Patriots. Tackle Marvel Smith is still out with a back injury and still termed status quo injury wise. Defensive end Travis Kirschke was the only new injury reported by Tomlin and is suffering from back spasms. He will be monitored throughout the week, but does not seem in jeopardy of missing the game on Sunday.

Steelers starting defensive end Brett Keisel has reportedly suffered only a sprained left knee against the Bengals and is expected to miss the next few games according to reports. The injury was feared at first to be more serious. Although missing a few weeks will be bad, it is much better than being out for the year. Keisel hopefully will be available come playoff time, should the Steelers advance that far. Travis Kirschke is expected to fill in in the absence of Keisel. Head coach Mike Tomlin will address all injuries at noon during his weekly press conference.