Dec 30, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) runs the ball against Cleveland Browns defensive back Trevin Wade (26) during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers have opted to match the New England Patriots offer of one year 2.5 million dollars to retain WR Emmanuel Sanders. The Steelers had until today to match the offer and they let it come right down to the buzzer before deciding to retain the WR.

This worked out about as well as it could have for the Ravens. The Patriots dont get another offensive weapon and the Steelers are in a worse cap situation than ever. They had just over 2 million coming into the day(which included Sanders origional tender worth  1.323 million), that means with the new 2.5 million dollar cap hit on the books the Steelers now have less than 1 million in cap left.  They have somewhere in the neighborhood of $300,000-600,000 left. That means that in addition to not being able to sign any free agent that isnt a vet minimum contract, they also are going to have to either cut some players or restructure some contracts to sign their rookie class. The Steelers will probably get a pretty good player at 17, but they are going to have to find a way to pay the money that the 17th pick commands. The Steelers will also likely lose  Sanders in free agency next year, which means they basically gave up a third round pick(what the Patriots would have had to give them if they had signed Sanders) for one year of Sanders services.

I love it, The Steelers are in a terrible spot, the Patriots gamble on a player contract and have it blow up in their face as they dont get the guy they wanted, this could not have worked out better.

November 18, 2012; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) catches a pass as he is hit by Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed (20) during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won the game, 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Here is a bit on non-Ravens news that has a huge impact on the Ravens.

The Patriots have extended an offer sheet to Steelers RFA WR Emmanuel Sanders. The offer sheet is 1 year worth 2.5 million. The Steeler will have an opportunity to match or beat the offer, but with just 2 million in cap space, it will be difficult for them. Their only real chance to do it is to sign Sanders to a multi year contract with a super low 1st year cap hit, the problem with that is that the first year has to be worth at least 2.5 million. That means, even if his base salary is 1 million, he would have to have a 1.5 million or higher signing bonus for the Steelers to keep him. if the deal were a three year deal, that would make his 2013 cap number 1.5 million. that only leaves the Steelers with .5 million in cap space and they still have an entire rookie class to sign(including the 16th pick). The Steelers have 5 days to make an offer.

There is a very high possibility that Sanders is a Patriot next year.

Now, i am a bit torn on this one. on one hand, I like anything that takes a good player from the Steelers, but at the same time the Patriots are a much bigger threat in the AFC and I hate when they get better.

December 2, 2012;Baltimore, MD, USA;Baltimore Ravens running back Bernard Pierce (30) runs with the ball while being chased by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) at M

Here is a pretty interesting story for you.

Recently released Steelers OLB James Harrison is interested in playing for the Ravens.

If i were a Steelers fan, I would be pissed. Not because Harrison is a great player(he isnt anymore), but because a guy who has been a central to my team as any player over the past 5-6 years is not only willing but also interested in playing for my hated rival. Harrison might just be trying to stir the pot here, but if he really is interested in playing for us, and for a reasonable salary, then bring him in.

Now, let me say again, Harrison is not a great player anymore. He just isnt, he is to old, he is banged up all the time etc. but he is still a good player, and a player that could be a beneficial addition to any 3-4 defense. In Pittsburgh, he didnt work anymore because they were asking him to be a 3 down player(the same reason I believe Paul Kruger is going to be a flop in either Cleveland or Indy) when is no longer capable of doing so. In Baltimore, he can replace Kruger in being a situational pass rusher. That leaves Courtney Upshaw as a full time starter and Harrison as a 3rd down and obvious pass situation player. That is a pretty good OLB duo, especially with Terrell Suggs on the other side who would play all downs because he is equally good as a pass rusher, coverage backer and a run stuffer.

I think there are probably better players the Ravens could acquire, but I am not sure if they could get any of them for cheaper. The one guy other than Harrison that I think would fill the role well is Osi Umenyiora, but I would suspect that Osi will probably get quite a bit more money than Harrision will. Harrison is also a pretty safe add. Osi would have to learn to play the 3-4, but Harrison would be coming from a system that, as far as OLB play is concerned, is almost Identical to that of the Ravens. Harrison would just have to learn some new terminology and he would be good to go.

This seems like a good idea, but I still cant shake the idea that I dont care to have a Steeler loyalist in my ranks. I know Harrison was a Raven long before he was a Steeler, but even so. It is just weird. That said, if Harrison could get 8-12 sacks in a Ravens uniform next year, I might be able to get over it.

What do you think Ravens nation? let me know in the comments section.