Foote might be released

[Canadian BoyzFan]

Steelers Cutting Larry Foote
Posted by Mike Florio on April 28, 2009, 11:22 a.m. EDT

A league source tells us that the Steelers will be cutting linebacker Larry Foote.

More details to come after radio spot with Paul Allen of KFAN in Minnesota.

 

[JonCJG]

Foote’s Departure Clears $2.885 Million In Cap Space

Posted by Mike Florio on April 28, 2009, 11:46 a.m.

With the Steelers dumping veteran linebacker Larry Foote, the uncharacteristically cap-strapped defending Super Bowl champs will clear $2.885 million in 2009 salary space.

Foote has started every game for five straight years. In 2008, he had his lowest output of that half-decade run, with only 63 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Lawrence Timmons, a 2007 first-round pick, will be expected to earn and keep one of the starting jobs at inside linebacker. To date, Timmons has been overshadowed by 2007 second-rounder LaMarr Woodley, who has become an impact player on the outside.

And it’s a bit surprising that the Steelers are making the move now, two months after the start of the 2009 league year. Cutting Foote in February would have given him a fair chance to participate in the free-agent feeding frenzy.

We also wonder whether the locker room will support the sudden departure of Foote, and whether there might be something more to the story that would make the guys left behind more inclined to accept the move.

 

[AbeBeta]

He's a nice player but signing guys like him is exactly what Jerry is trying to avoid doing.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

Damn, we could have had him instead of Brooking ?!?!?

 

[Hypnotoad]

I figure they had to cut him because they couldn't sign all their rookies. They were something like only 300k under the cap. Ike Taylor had to restructure his contract, but I guess that wasn't enough.

They seem to always have this problem. They had to cut or let go Randel El and Plaxico for similar reasons.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

after drafting ten LB signing 2 in the off season you want us to sign another one?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think Dallas is likely going to go with the younger guys they just drafted for linebackers rather than sign another older one. I'm not sure how old Foote is but I'm pretty sure it's older than the guys we've just brought in, outside of Brooking of course.

 

[tayloner]

I don't think we sign him. But, can anyone honestly say they'd rather have Brooking over Foote? Cap implications aside, I'd prefer to cut Brooking and sign Foote. Of course, given the fact that Brooking is here mainly because with his previous relationship with Wade, I don't see that happening. Solid veterans always get cut around this time of year though, so I guess situations like this are really nothing new.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

I think Dallas is likely going to go with the younger guys they just drafted for linebackers rather than sign another older one. I'm not sure how old Foote is but I'm pretty sure it's older than the guys we've just brought in, outside of Brooking of course.

Foote is only 28

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I would think about it if he were a strongside guy. With Williams being drafted, we don't have room for him. But it worries me a lot that we don't have a backup for Bradie.

 

[anava]

I would bring him for a look just for his work ethic and attitude. Nothing wrong with bringing people in that can try to spread around leadership and a winning attitude to the youngsters.

 

[Monster Heel]

I would've signed him over Keith Brooking, but that ship has sailed.

 

[21Savage]

I would think about it if he were a strongside guy. With Williams being drafted, we don't have room for him. But it worries me a lot that we don't have a backup for Bradie.

He's actually a strong side guy (Bradie's spot). The other great LB (name skips me right now), played weak side.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

He's actually a strong side guy (Bradie's spot). The other great LB (name skips me right now), played weak side.

You sure? I thought Farrior was the strong side guy.

Well, looking at their site, it looks like they just play left and right, not weak and strong.

Either way, is Foote big enough to play Bradie's spot in this D? Not sure. Doubt he'd sign to back up anyway, though.

 

[Alexander]

Damn, we could have had him instead of Brooking ?!?!?

I have no option here but to invoke the Spagnola Principle. If he's so good, why are the World Champions letting him go?

 

[Yeagermeister]

Pitt will probably resign him for vet min

 

[Alexander]

Pitt will probably resign him for vet min

I disagree. If I am the teams like Green Bay, Denver and Kansas City that are implementing the 3-4, I would think they will pay him more. Capers would probably jump on him.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I disagree. If I am the teams like Green Bay, Denver and Kansas City that are implementing the 3-4, I would think they will pay him more. Capers would probably jump on him.

Not if he wants to stay in Pitt and I wouldn't blame him if he did.

 

[Alexander]

Not if he wants to stay in Pitt and I wouldn't blame him if he did.

If he really wanted to stay and they wanted him, they probably would have renegotiated by now. Foote will learn the hard way that he was a very small part of their defensive success.

 

[Yeagermeister]

If he really wanted to stay and they wanted him, they probably would have renegotiated by now. Foote will learn the hard way that he was a very small part of their defensive success.

True and Pitt will just plug in some other no name in and he'll become and all pro