David DeCastro Released!!!!

[Chucktownsteeler]

I kind of saw this coming when they brought Trai Turner in for a visit last week. He also did not participate in last week's minicamp. Possible abdominal injury, which can linger. 

There could be a new starter at every position on the line.

They did collectively have looked bad last season , next man up! Saves about 8.75 (5.75 dead money) million in cap space.

Better keep ll (4) QBs. 

Read more: Steelers release David DeCastro, 6-time Pro Bowl guard - The Athletic

[Chucktownsteeler]

Next stop Canton.

Father Time remains undefeated.

[sandfan]

They lost a pro bowl player and quality human with this move. Maybe the biggest issue is they went RB with their first draft choice and now the OL looks like swiss cheese. If they had any idea that DeCastro might not be available I have to question that decision.

Ben has been phenomenal. I feel the best QB in the history of the franchise. Bradshaw was also great but
he had Noll along with a slew of HOF teammates. Ben has Tomlin. It's sad to think he's going to finish his career running for his life or on the pine injured.

I've only seen one back in the NFL who could get it done with a lousy OL. I doubt Harris is the second coming of Barry Sanders. I had the pleasure of watching Barry and never saw so many jaw dropping moves or dropped jocks from anyone else. Ever!

[Chucktownsteeler]

The Steelers just signed Trai Turner to a 1 year deal.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I just read that his ankle needs a third surgery.

He is considering retirement.

I wish him the best!

[RaynorShyne]

I DID NOT see this one coming -> I've been guilty of taking Dave for granted. Has it REALLY been 9 years already?!?!?

[mcmillenandwife]

Very sorry to hear this about DeCastro. He's been a gem. Still glad we drafted Najee Harris, though.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I am glad we got Najee as well. The O-line last year was horrible. They didn't or couldn't get into a 3-point stance. Pouncey and DD probably played past their expiration date. I am still sorry we let AV go, but it is a business.

I am reading good things on our new line coach Adrian Klemm. He is preaching physicality and going back to a 3-point stance.

We will have a young line next year and I'm not saying there won't be growing pains but I feel it will perform better overall than last year's version.

Chuks-Dotson-Green-Turner-Banner

Turner is 4 years younger than DD and was hampered by a groin all last year. He is 100% now and a former 4-time pro-bowler, is strong in the run game and plays with a chip on his shoulder.

Time will tell.

[Rollers]

so DeCastro took a shot at ownership. Doesn't sound like he's happy about being released

[dbsfgyd1]

so DeCastro took a shot at ownership.  Doesn't sound like he's happy about being released

DeCastro made $57 million from that ownership… just saying.

I also think that eventually there will be a settlement on the $8 million bucks he’s short  somewhere in the future. There is no way DeCastro’s ankle problems are not football related. (Per Dr. Melanie Friedman)

But the Steelers accomplished two things that needed to get done. The first, replacing a guard needed for Ben’s likely last season, and secondly kicking DeCastro’s $8 million dollar cap hit down the road into next season and maybe later.

[mcmillenandwife]

DeCastro made $57 million from that ownership… just saying.

Yeah, it must be tough to have earned "only" $57 million... by age 31... playing a kid's game. 

As a thousand-aire, I can certainly understand why he'd feel compelled to take a swipe at his former employers. 

[Chucktownsteeler]

The poor guy, how will he ever make it?

[Rollers]

I guess I understand his point though. In the NFL the athletes don't have the protection people in MLB and the NBA have. Do you guys care about how much money the Rooney's make? The one think I'm sick of is the way taxpayers get bentover to cater to the NFL billionaires. I think it's disgusting.

[mcmillenandwife]

Do you guys care about how much money the Rooney's make?

I couldn't care less, honestly, as long as they make enough to keep the team in Pittsburgh. 

Pittsburgh has been good to Rooney's, and the Rooney's have been good to Pittsburgh.

[dbsfgyd1]

I guess I understand his point though.  In the NFL the athletes don't have the protection people in MLB and the NBA have.  Do you guys care about how much money the Rooney's make?  The one think I'm sick of is the way taxpayers get bentover to cater to the NFL billionaires.  I think it's disgusting.

Man, I hear ya Rollers.

Well for openers, the NFL operates under an antitrust law exemption. Secondly, I’m all for business making a profits, but making those profits using publicly funded stadiums without a significant share of profits paid back to the funding municipality, rubs me the wrong way. Further, most of the gains the Rooney family (and Nutting)are making, are currently non taxed capital gains which at death, the gain is passed on a stepped up cost basis to heirs. The growth in value the Steeler franchise from $2,500 to over 2 billion dollars has netted zero capital gains tax so far. With proper trust planning the estate tax owed is also greatly reduced.

[dbsfgyd1]

DeCastro made $57 million from that ownership… just saying.

Yeah, it must be tough to have earned "only" $57 million... by age 31... playing a kid's game. 

As a thousand-aire, I can certainly understand why he'd feel compelled to take a swipe at his former employers. 

In the end he’ll get the 8 mil he’s owed. No need for a swipe.

[mcmillenandwife]

DeCastro made $57 million from that ownership… just saying.

Yeah, it must be tough to have earned "only" $57 million... by age 31... playing a kid's game. 

As a thousand-aire, I can certainly understand why he'd feel compelled to take a swipe at his former employers. 

In the end he’ll get the 8 mil he’s owed. No need for a swipe.

Exactly. 

[sandfan]

I'm not local so my info is not up to date. What was the swipe? I've never read anything about him being a locker room disruptor or non team player.

What I have seen is the man was hurt all last year and the team did not release that info to the league. That does not fit within league rules. The team may have drafted an exciting RB but no back, except maybe Sanders, will be outstanding without a decent OL.

If one assumes the injury was common knowledge within the organization discussions should have transpired during the off season. With or without his agent. There should be no surprise about his condition and the potential impact on the OL. If those discussions did not take place someone in the front office missed the boat.

I imagine it's more a pride thing than the cash. They all eventually realize it's a business. He's not the first pro bowl player who was removed resulting in some mixed or hard feelings. Bradshaw, Troy, etc. The level headed ones come around once the initial upset subsides. I think DD will be in that category.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I believe if DD pursues the grievance he will get paid. At this point he said he would leave it up to his agent.

I also believe although there will be some growing pains and misques this year's line will be better than the one of last season. The Steelers did sign a former Pro-bowl guard (Turner) and Pouncey and DD were sheens of themselves.

The big improvement however is that of the new OC, Matt Canada. I believe he will bring a fresh approach and schemes to a very lackluster Fitchner led offense.

[RaynorShyne]

The poor guy, how will he ever make it?

Fastidious budgeting.  I got a cool Excel sheet I can send him.  He may want to increase it from the 3 and 4 digit number I need to use.

[mcmillenandwife]

The poor guy, how will he ever make it?

Fastidious budgeting.  I got a cool Excel sheet I can send him.  He may want to increase it from the 3 and 4 digit number I need to use.

[mcmillenandwife]

What was the swipe?

It was pretty subtle. 

When asked about the "non-football injury" release designation, DeCastro said, "The owners are billionaires for a reason."

The implication, according to some in the media, is that ownership is being shady. I think it's just how business is done. Negotiating tactics, along with kicking the can down the road as far as they can.

As others have said in this thread, DeCastro is likely to get money. IMO, the Steelers are just setting the starting point for negotiation. If they start at the $8M many are suggesting he'll get, maybe the final number ends up being significantly higher? 

Nothing shady. And I don't think his comment was really a swipe. But it was kinda fun to assume it was for the sake of some "he's so rich" jokes.