FanHouse ClarkHaggans

When the NFL's compensatory picks were awarded on Monday everything went according to expectations, unless you were the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While the NFL gave out four third-round picks and four fourth rounders, it determined that losing Alan Faneca and Clark Haggans (countered by the signing of Mewelde Moore) was only worth a fifth-round pick for the Steelers.

The guru of compensatory picks, AdamJT13, is baffled as he calls it the one pick that doesn't make sense in this year's comp picks.

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

After astonishing everyone and heading to the Super Bowl last season, the Arizona Cardinals now face truly raised expectations for the first time in memory. We all remember the magical postseason run, when Larry Fitzgerald established himself as the NFL's premier wideout (even if Andre Johnson wants to argue), Kurt Warner polished his legacy, and the defense showed its capability -- one we had not seen much in the regular season.

Over the past two weeks we've heard all about the numerous connections between Pittsburgh and the Arizona Cardinals, and there are plenty. So many, in fact, that the Cardinals are jokingly referred to as "Pittsburgh west" by Steelers fans.

The story's of Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm are well documented. Clark Haggans, Brian St. Pierre, Jerame Tuman and Sean Morey are all former Steelers, while Steve Breaston and Reggie Wells were actually born in Pittsburgh.

So we know Herm Edwards hates hippies and all they stand for. But the unintended consequences of the the proposed "hair rule" is some players might totally disregard it. Like, say, Troy Polamalu. At least that's what former teammate Clark Haggans, recently on Fox Sports Radio, thinks:

"Now they're diving into you got to wear your hair a certain way. I know Troy Polamalu is not going to cut his hair for anybody. He's going to grow his hair until the end of time. So with him, I don't know if he was suppose to rock a bun or something like that or go with a little scrunchy that girls wear. I know with him that's not going to happen because when he lets his hair out, its time to play. I would say it's personal preference. I mean you got players from the 70's that play in the NBA that have all kinds of afros, corn rows, and all that other stuff. Hockey has mullets. So why change your hair in football."

Haggans makes a good point: Polamalu only "rocks a bun" during pregame warm-ups and formal occasions. Game time = go time*. And if hockey players can sport mullets, which presumably hide the name on the jersey, why is it an issue for the NFL?

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network (via PFT), the Arizona Cardinals and free agent linebacker Clark Haggans have agreed to a one-year deal; financial terms have not been disclosed.

Haggans, who turned 31 in January, was expected to make a relatively decent splash in free agency this year. He had performed well in the Pittsburgh Steelers 3-4 system last season and proved that he still has plenty left in the tank. Unfortunately, things didn't go his way this offseason, and he drew only slight interest from the Cleveland Browns prior to signing with Arizona.

For the Cardinals, the addition of Haggans fills the void left by their inability to sign Brandon Chillar due Larry Fitzgerald's contract. However, it's not exactly a step backwards. Haggans is a very talented and physical tool that should fit right in with Clancy Pendergast's defensive system.

The seven-year NFL veteran will rejoin both Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt in Arizona, who he became very familiar with during his time in Pittsburgh.

Steelers linebackers who go on to play with other teams have had mixed careers. For the most part, Pittsburgh has been right to move on -- Joey Porter is the most recent example -- although Mike Vrabel's emergence in New England is still a sore spot for fans in a completely baffling, "where the hell was that when he played in Pittsburgh?" sorta way.

Clark Haggans, a four-year starter for the Steelers, is currently without a contract and looking for work. We're three weeks into free agency and Haggans made his first visit yesterday when he met with the Browns. And even though Cleveland is a 3-4 team in need of defensive help, well, up and down the depth chart, Haggans doesn't appear to be in their plans. Which should tell you all you need to know about his NFL future.

If the Browns have one more free-agent signing up their sleeves, it doesn't appear to be Clark Haggans.

The veteran Pittsburgh outside linebacker left a Browns' visit without a contract offer. And with nothing else on the horizon, agent Jeff Sperbeck indicated to one media outlet in Pittsburgh that Haggans has not ruled out returning to the Steelers.

The Patriots have made a career out of repurposing thought-to-be castoffs released by the Steelers. And New England would seem like a potential destination for Haggans except that their linebackers are all fossils, and adding a 31 year old doesn't exactly make them younger. Worst case, Haggans could return to Pittsburgh as LaMarr Woodley's back-up, which, in my mind, is a lot better starting for the Browns. Or worse: having to get a real job.

We all know that Alan Faneca is headed to free agency, but he's not the only Steeler who will be out trolling for a big contract. Here's a look at the Steelers free agents.

Starters: OLB Clark Haggans, OG Alan Faneca.

Key Backups: DE Travis Kirschke, DE Nick Eason, FB Dan Kreider, OT Max Starks

Less-Important Backups: QB Brian St. Pierre, OLB Marquis Cooper

Restricted Free Agents: LS Greg Warren, OG Chris Kemoeatu, OT Trai Essex, WR Nate Washington.

If you buy the conventional wisdom that Faneca is long gone, he's the one starter the Steelers will hate to lose. Haggans would likely lose his job to LaMarr Woodley even if he returned, so he's as good as gone.

Even at their best, Steelers fans are prone to the extremes. When our team is good, we celebrate, and worry, too much. And when our team is playing poorly we are ready to believe the sun will never shine again.

Right now, we're looking at a blizzard that shows no signs of clearing up. After getting manhandled by the Jaguars, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced on Monday that the Steelers may be missing three starters on Thursday against the Rams, to go with the two (Aaron Smith and Ryan Clark) that were already sidelined.

Defensive end Travis Kirschke (Smith's fill-in), outside linebacker Clark Haggans and left tackle Marvel Smith are all good bets to miss Thursday's game. Kirschke is batting a rib injury, Haggans has a knee sprain and Smith's aching back has flared up.

Kirschke's nothing special at defensive end, but with Smith already out, it does mean the Steelers will be extremely thin on the defensive line. The Steelers wore down against the Jaguars with Kirschke, without him they'll have to rely on Ryan McBean, a call-up from the practice squad last week, and hope that he can do more than he did in the preseason, when he failed to make any kind of an impact.

LaMarr Woodley will fill in for Haggans while Max Starks will step in for Smith. Starks has done a solid job of replacing Smith in recent weeks, but he'll get his toughest test when he moves inside to a turf field after getting chances to use his bulk on sloppy fields in recent weeks.