Before I could even put together a story about Joe Haden’s release from the Cleveland Browns and all the teams that could use his services, he was snatched up from the waiver wire by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only that, Haden agreed to a new contract with Pittsburgh that will pay him $27 million over three season with $7 million guaranteed his first season, and that’s not incumbent on whether he ever completes his full transformation into a werewolf.
Haden’s issues with his old contract with the Browns that he signed in 2014 that paid him $74.678 million was his healthy. For the last two seasons Haden struggled to stay on the field. He started and played in 13 games for Cleveland last season recording 48 tackles, 11 passes defended and three interceptions, but he wasn’t fully healthy even then.
Haden should immediately slide in as a starter for the Steelers opposite Artie Burns, with William Gay, Ross Cockrell and Sanquez Golson vying for the slot corner job.
The #Steelers are signing CB Joe Haden to a 3-year, $27m contract, source said. $7m guaranteed in year 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2017
It’s been a busy off-season and preseason for Pittsburgh and for a team that doesn’t usually make player trades or sign bigger free agents, they sure as hell have signed a lot of free agents and made some significant trades. Earlier this week they acquired tight end Vance Joseph from the San Francisco 49ers by trading a draft pick. That’s virtually unheard of in Steeler Nation.
For Haden, this must feel like he’s been let out of jail. He’ll be making less overall money with the Steelers than he would have if the Browns had kept him on his original deal, but he’ll get to play on a contender and even (GASP!) make the playoffs. If he bounces back to his old, healthy form, the Steelers are getting a Top 10 corner and paying him a Top 25 contract. It’s not a bad deal for them, either, and while all the contract details haven’t been released, they’re probably only on the hook for any guaranteed money this season.
Our man Joe Haden had more money sitting on the table from other teams but chose Pittsburgh. That's Steelers material
— Zac Celedonia (@ZeFlashNFL) August 30, 2017
The deal works well for the Browns too, who get to pocket the $4 million they would have owed Haden in off-set pay if he’d signed for a lower dollar amount.
If Haden does have any hard feelings, and he shouldn’t, he can work it out in Pittsburgh’s season opening game against Cleveland on Sep. 10.
Cutting Haden wasn’t the only news the Browns made Wednesday. Cleveland Finalized a deal to trader former first round pick Cameron Erving to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2018 fifth round pick. Again, this is a great opportunity for Erving who has likely been wasted with shitty Browns coaching until Hue Jackson arrived last season. On Andy Reid’s team, he’ll finally get a chance to develop into the player he’s physically capable of being.
Joe Haden played all last year w/ hernia. If Antonio Brown, WR coach Richard Mann both tell Mike Tomlin Haden is still plenty tough, I'd buy
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) August 30, 2017
Still untraded and uncut, as of this writing at least, is quarterback Brock Osweiler. Which makes me think the Browns have a deal in the works with another team which we need to keep an eye out.
Bengals’ Burfict has suspension reduced
After appealing his five game suspension for a hit in the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, linebacker Vontaze Burfict got it reduced to three games on appeal. It’s likely that’s as good as he’s going to get it.
#Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict had his suspension reduced from 5 games to 3 games, a source said. He was informed today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2017
Burfict will now miss the season opening game against the Baltimore Ravens, then contests against the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers. Cincinnati does have options for Burfict’s absence. They drafted Carl Lawson out of Auburn in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft and Jordan Evans out of Oklahoma in the sixth round. Lawson was one of my top pass rushing picks in the lead up to the draft. Last season with the Tigers he recorded 30 tackles, 14 for a loss and 9.5 sacks. Evans had 98 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, eight passes defended, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns for the Sooners.
Burfict isn’t the only Bengal that will miss the season opener thanks to a letter from the NFL. Cornerback Adam Jones has been suspended for the first game for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Green Bay signs Brooks
Linebacker Ahmad Brooks didn’t get snapped up as quickly as Joe Haden, but he never had to make an appointment at the unemployment office either. Wednesday the Green Bay Packers brought in Brooks, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, on a one year, $3.5 million contract which could be worth up to $5 million in bonuses.
Have a feeling Ahmad Brooks is the kind of player @Mike_Daniels76 will appreciate having on defense.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) August 30, 2017
Brooks will rotate in at outside linebacker for starters Clay Matthews and Nick Perry and could see some action with all three on the field in blitzing situations. He also gives the Packers plenty of insurance if either guy goes down with an injury.
Last season Brooks started 15 games for San Francisco and played in all 16. He recorded 53 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble and four passes defended.
Texans vs Cowboys preseason finale cancelled
After moving the game from NRG Stadium in Houston to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Texans finally made the call to cancel the whole thing after East Texas continues to deal with disaster conditions caused by Hurricane Harvey.
“The Houston Texans have made the decision to travel back to Houston after local authorities have now found a safe route for the team to drive home today,” the team said in a statement. “The fourth preseason game scheduled for Thursday night in Dallas will be cancelled. At this time, the priority of our organization is getting our players, coaches and staff back home to be reunited with their families, many of whom have been evacuated from their homes and are currently sheltered. The team feels it is imperative to get back home to help the Houston community recover from devastation of Hurricane Harvey.”
Texans game against the Cowboys Thursday night has been cancelled so Texans can go home to Houston and be with their families.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) August 30, 2017
The weather actually cleared up enough to make it safe for the Texans to travel back to Houston and they chose to do that rather than play a meaningless preseason game. The Dallas Cowboys, of course, placed no objection. The team and many players, most famously defensive end J.J. Watt, are raising money to help rebuild after the flooding disaster.
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