The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is calling it the March Massacre.
In the span of three days, the Steelers let go of defensive end Aaron Smith, wide receiver Hines Ward, guard Chris Kemoeatu, and linebacker James Farrior. That’s 44 years of experience with the Steelers, gone in very short order.
The team started the process by releasing wideout Arnaz Battle and cornerback Bryant McFadden in short order.
It appears the cuts are over. Ed Bouchette writes that the Steelers have freed up enough cap space to be more than $10 million under the cap. That will allow them to tender their restricted free agents, sign rookies, and spackle some roster holes with low cost free agents.
While the process was painful, the Steelers created a lot of salary cap space without hurting their team much. Farrior was the biggest contributor of the group and he’s turning 37 years old this season.
Pittsburgh knew this process was coming and they remain a franchise in very good shape to contend for another AFC title in 2012.
