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Friday, March 12, 2010

Foote to visit Pittsburgh Monday

Another one of the players I felt the Steelers would target in free agency will visit Monday when Larry Foote returns to his old stomping grounds - no pun in intended - for a meeting with the team.

Foote, of course, asked for and was granted his release last Spring when it became apparent Lawrence Timmons was going to take over his starting job.

Now, after spending a season as a starter in Detroit, Foote is looking for a new employer.

If he were to re-join Pittsburgh, Foote would give the Steelers a solid veteran backup at both inside linebacker positions.

30 comments:

Southern Steel said...

Dale,

If Foote re-signs, could it be possible that the front office is looking to keep him as a back-up for a year and then slide Timmons over to replace Farrior and put Foote back into his old spot? Or is he looked at simply as a career back-up at this point?

Tom said...

I read somewhere that Arizona was Foote's first choice. I know he met with them last week (with Porter).

Anonymous said...

Is keyaron fox no longer looked at as a possible ILB starter?

Dale Lolley said...

They're looking at building depth at this point. And as I said when I first wrote about the possibility of Foote returning, they could use him in a three-man rotation with Timmons and Farrior. I know somebody scoffed at the idea because Farrior has the green dot on his helmet. But just because he had it this year doesn't mean he has to have it next season.

Bad Ben said...

Dale:
With Ben's actions, be careful using the term stomping grounds when you mention another player.

carync said...

It's like back to the future with this team. I do like the additions for depth, but I wonder how much that hinders the development of the young guys.

Patrick said...

when I think of a back up LB i think of a guy who can play ST

I don't like this bringing back vets mentality, they need to get younger and quicker

Anonymous said...

i'd rather see a younger guy they're developing than foote as a backup linebacker at this point.

Anonymous said...

Still no OLB depth. Would they draft that position 1st even with stars as starters?

(p.s. if you say Timmons is a backup OLB I'm going to piss all over my computer screen.)

Anonymous said...

Still no OLB depth. Would they draft that position 1st even with stars as starters?

(p.s. if you say Timmons is a backup OLB I'm going to piss all over my computer screen.)

Anonymous said...

LOL. How about Timmons play OLB and Ziggy play NT?

Anonymous said...

Well, the cleanup effort's underway. The only thing that upsets me more than hearing media say Timmons can play OLB in a 3-4 is hearing Hood can play NT.

(Were you being sarcastic? Or are you Patrick? (I mean the other Patrick))

Anonymous said...

Foote, not Timmons, replaces Farrior at the buck in 2011. Timmons isn't smart enough nor loud enough. And, you can take Foote off the field on pass downs, that way you don't have to draft Spoon.
Here's something else: Steelers pass on both McClain and Haden.

-- Other Patrick's cousin

Anonymous said...

Foote, not Timmons, replaces Farrior at the buck in 2011. Timmons isn't smart enough nor loud enough. And, you can take Foote off the field on pass downs, that way you don't have to draft Spoon.
Here's something else: Steelers pass on both McClain and Haden.

-- Other Patrick's cousin

Anonymous said...

Dude, of course I was being sarcastic. That's why I thought your post was funny.

Patrick said...

a 31 year old Larry Foote playing the buck in 2011 doesn't exactly thrill me.

If they can get a rookie who can learn it in a year or Fox, I'd prefer that over Foote.

Anonymous said...

Foote's 29, won't turn 30 until June, which is still in the prime of life for a LB.

Patrick said...

The poster said 2011, and thats what I said, he'll be 31 then.

He was always solid but not spectacular. I don't think making him the main ILB for the future is the best idea.

Anonymous said...

I don't see Foote coming back. He wants to start, and he wants more money than the Steelers will give him. I think he's just visiting the Steelers to leverage Arizona and Washington into upping their offers.

Dale Lolley said...

The Steelers like to cover their bases so they don't HAVE to draft guys at one particular position.
They keep nine or 10 linebackers, so they would still have room for a young ILB even with Foote and Fox.
It's certainly not a done deal at this point.

alexrkirby said...

Foot wasn't good enough to play all three downs for us in 2008 and wasn't good enough for the LIONS to keep him. The guy is depth to play ILB for one or two years and that is it. He will have no major or long term impact for our team if we do sign him. I would much rather see fox or a young guy taken in round 2, 3 or 4 compete and play the ILB spot. Farrior should also be done after this year.

alexrkirby said...

I know the above post may sound a bit harsh but with the resigning of veterans the Steelers have been doing I am worried we might end up being one of those teams that falls in love with veterans and then has the floor drop out from under them when they rapidly age and decline, thus forcing the team to rebuild. Our offense is pretty young but the defense really needs some younger guys in there starting at ILB and Dline

Dale Lolley said...

Foote wasn't good enough to beat out Farrior to be on the field two years ago. Now, who knows?
Again, this would be a depth signing, but he's capable of playing both spots. Foote is a heady player and a leader.

adamg said...

Signed, sealed and delivered...3 yrs...9+M.

Vaflyer said...

I like the signing as well Dale. It isn't like we are bringing the guy in to be a starter and taking Timmons and Farrior out of the lineup all together. He provides an extra layer of depth.

I wonder how much mentoring he did with Timmons? I wonder if that again will be done sort of helping the kid along.

Anonymous said...

does signing foote indicate other younger linebackers are not developing well?

it seems 1 year on a perennial loser was enough for foote to realize the error of his ways last offseason.

are we shoring up other areas of defense with veteran experience to potentially move up in the draft for a big name defender and a high price tag?

of course, when roethlisberger gets released we'll have plenty of room on the payroll to spend.

Patrick said...

whos the mystery CB that Wexell is saying the Steelers lined up a visit for?

I can't imagine its Pac Man Pac Man.

Dale Lolley said...

I've been trying to post something about the Foote signing to no avail for the past couple of hours. Oh well.

I don't know what "young" inside linebackers you're talking about. Woods? Bailey? Those guys are what they are, fringe players who have to make an impact on special teams. Neither is considered possible starting timber. As I said previously, they have room for young backers on the roster.

I don't know who the "mystery" CB was.

Patrick said...

it was Earl Thomas, my sources tell me

(my sources are the Steelers MB)

The way he wrote it, I thought it was a FA. Ol Jim just wanted people to his pay site.

Anonymous said...

Since we signed Foote, might as well cut Farrior. They both suck, but Foote sucks for less money.