Visit NFL from the sidelines on the new Observer-Reporter site: http://www.observer-reporter.com/section/BLOGS08

Monday, March 15, 2010

Foote signs with Steelers

Saying he wanted to play with a winner, Larry Foote returned to the Steelers Monday, signing a three-year deal worth $9.3 million.

Foote said he's comfortable returning in a backup role with the Steelers, one year after asking for and getting his release because he wanted to start.

I guess it's a case of being careful of what you ask for.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Foote said Arizona was his first choice, so Whis must have lowballed him. Since when do we take in Arizona's sloppy seconds? It's usually the other way around.

carync said...

Good depth signing, however, with that money he signed for, I'm wondering if he's possibly Farrior's replacement?

Tiger Ben said...

Can Foote play quarterback?

Truthbetold said...

Willie Williams to visit Steelers South Side complex on Wednesday. Deal is imminent if he passes a physical.

Anonymous said...

I hear Rod Woodson and Chad Scott are UFAs.

Anonymous said...

What does this contract look like year to year? Could Foote be Farrior's replacement in 2011?

alexrkirby said...

Thats more money than I expected. The Rooney's really are taking advantage of the uncapped year. They are one of the biggest spending teams.

Unknown said...

I'm also very curious about the money. What will things look like when the cap returns? Are we going to be on the hook for paying our #3 or #4 ILB $3 million per year? Can we bounce Larry after this season? What do you see for the team in 2011 at ILB? Timmons/Foote? Timmons/Fox? Timmons/draft pick?

Darren said...

What is Bubby Brister up to?

Just kidding. I like the signing.

Patrick said...

maybe Marvel Smith's back is fixed

Dale Lolley said...

I would guess the Rooneys know as much about the cap and its future than just about anyone. Maybe they're thinking when/if the cap comes back, it will be at a similar rate of increase.

Also, don't overlook the new investors. It's not just the Rooneys signing paychecks any longer. There are a whole group of investors who want something for their up-front cash. A winner would go a long way toward that.

Patrick said...

no offense Dale but if I'm a new investor and my money is going to overpaying Larry Foote and Randle El, and they don't come with a time machine to go to 2005, I'm a little concerned about my investment.

noel said...

I like the signings. Randle El is depth at WR as well as on returns. Foote provides great veteran depth in the middle. He's only been a season since he was starting. I doubt he forgot how to play in that time.

All these moves free them up to do the right thing on draft day. I can't wait.

Anonymous said...

i think these signings illustrate some questionable drafting the last few years. we don't really have a backup safety so we had to bring in allen. wallace was a steal, but sweed is most likely a complete bust, so we had to bring in battle and el. woodley and timmons are obviously good to go, but what about the other linebackers we have drafted or signed? we had to bring back foote.

i can't rip off our previous seasons drafts like most people on here, but it just feels like the guys we have drafted in middle to later rounds that we expected to develop have not, so now we're signing free agents to fill the gap. it will catch up with us eventually if we don't get a good deep draft here sooner than later.

Patrick said...

marc i agree except with these signings, even if we have a deep draft this year, what are we going to do with them all? of course hardly any draft is going to give you 7-8 guys who make the team, but I don't like the Foote signing, because it gives a false sense of comfort. And then we have no quality ST guys and have to sign guys like Battle or the ridiculous moves they had to make during the season to prevent kick off returns.

The lack of youth in the starting 11 on defense is definitely a concern.

I think the Steelers will stay put at 18, but I think they will try to make moves up in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Anonymous said...

i guess by deep i just mean we need to bring in quality young players who are going to "grow up" in our system. you're right, it probably won't be this draft. but, maybe it will take a couple good drafts to get it done.

Dale Lolley said...

It's difficult to do that with the current salary cap situation, Marc.
If you draft a guy and he's any good, he's going to go elsewhere and start if he can't start for you.
Look at Trai Essex as an example. He couldn't win a starting job for, what, four years? He's a bust.
Suddenly, he hits the open market and has suitors. Now, the Steelers want him back and he gets a starting job.

Not to mention, that if you're a bad team, your young guys play at lot more and more of them play, that if you stink.
The Browns have 25 picks in this year's draft - an exaggeration - and half of them will get serious playing time next year. Does that mean the Browns had a good draft? Nope. Just means they stink.