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Yesterday it was reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker James Farrior were close to a contract extension, and today it’s being reported that the deal is done.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Farrior, who had one year remaining on his current contract at a base salary of $3.24 million, will sign a four-year extension through the 2012 season today.
Per Bouchette, the deal is worth $18.25 million and includes a $5 million signing bonus, slightly less than $10 million over the first two years and $12.6 million over the first three years.
The 33-year-old Farrior is coming off a 2007 season in which he started all 16 games and had a career-high 6.5 sacks.
August 21st, 2008 at 11:28 am
He really has been huge for the stillers, easily their best LB over his tenure there. but, i dunno that hes not slowing a bit. I guess we’ll see over the next 4 years
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Rating: 4.25 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 11:36 am
Four-year extension to a 33 year old linebacker? Questionable decision. Don’t get me wrong…he’s a good player and has been for some time. I don’t see him holding up until he’s 37, though.
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Rating: 2.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 11:38 am
oh god. a one or two year extension for about 2 mil a year wouldn’t be bad, but 4 years and 18.25 mil? don’t get me wrong, farrior has been a very consistent leader of the defense for the past 5 years, but keeping him till he’s 37? with harrison, timmons, woodley, and bruce davis drafted this year, we should be good on linebackers for a while. we don’t need an old slow linebacker when we have a bunch of good up and coming ones.
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Rating: 2.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Great news! If anyone deserves to retire a Steeler, It’s James Farrior. He’s got a Steelers heart and soul and is just an alround great player and human being. Nothing not to like about Jmaes Farrior, on or off the field. Good job, Steelers!
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Rating: 3.8 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Good signing. Cap friendly for the Steelers.
His leadership for the young LBs will pay off.
I like this move alot.
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Rating: 4.15 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
great deal. now let’s get smith done.
.
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Rating: 3.75 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
It is a very cap friendly deal for the Steelers. Only the signing bonus is guaranteed, and $5 million is chump change. For those that think it’s a bad signing go look at what the Cowboys gave Zack Thomas. Farrior is two years younger and took less money. Oh, and his brain isnt cottage cheese from 20 concussions.
Too old for a 3-4 ILB? Nah… At the end of the deal he’ll be as old as guys like Bruschi, Zack Tjomas, and younger than Junior Seau was last year. Farrior is in great shape, and he’ll likely be a good starter for another 3 years. After that he can be a back-up or get cut with little to no cap hit.
Nice signing (and another sure sign that the Steelers ownership situation is causing problems, eh Foolio??)
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Rating: 3.85 / 5 with 7 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 3:43 pm
5.65m for the 4th year? It’s obviously only a 3 year deal, and then they will cut him or renegotiate. Why does anyone listen to agents pimping their contracts? 3 years and 12.6m doesn’t sound bad for a 33 yr old LB, and it would be honest too.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I’m not a cap guru but it looks to be more of a 2 year deal. After that the cap hit is nil in years 3 and 4. About as good a deal as he was going to get, Pitt can pretty much cut whenever, but if he holds up over 4 years great for them. I envy the Steelers front office, it makes me sick to say that.
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
August 21st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
You shouldn’t underestimate the importance (in any sport) of having a veteran in the team to coach youngsters. It’s especially important for us, given that we’ve signed so many youngsters (as stiller43 noted above).
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)