Steelers/NFL
LATEST LARRY FOOTE RUMORS The vibe inside Steelers circles for weeks has been that veteran linebacker Larry Foote was considered a near lock to return to the Steelers as the two sides opened preliminary discussions in mid-February on a one year deal. With free agency just hours away, something appears up with Foote still unsigned.
Agent Brian Levy,
when reached for comment this morning in the 9:00 a.m. hour, said he remains in contact with the Steelers, but indicated that “multiple teams” have expressed interest in the veteran Foote who was the Steelers second best linebacker last season behind Lawrence Timmons.
The one team with the biggest shot of luring Foote away from Pittsburgh is believed to be the Arizona Cardinals. Rumblings are picking up steam of the Cardinals preparing to officially make a 2 year offer to Foote today worth over $2.5 million per season, well out of the Steelers price range who had been discussing a one year deal in the range of $1.25 million to $1.5 million with Foote.
Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports call the Cardinals the “favorites” to sign Foote.
The Steelers only have one legitimate NFL inside linebacker under contract in Lawrence Timmons. The career of third round pick Sean Spence could be over and the Steelers have no expectations of him being an option to play this season. The team opted against tendering Stevenson Sylvester, a former 5th round pick.
Free Agency News: Ramon Foster’s deal with the Steelers is for three years, $6 million…….The Steelers are bringing back CB DeMarcus Van Dyke who will battle for a depth cornerback spot……. Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin along with a number of top Steelers officials are on scouting trips this week. The Steelers don’t plan to bring in any buy-low free agents until later in the week. One LB who will be visiting is former Penn State linebacker Dan Connor who could be looked at to replace Foote, if Foote bolts for Arizona. Connor, 27, is 5 years younger than Foote and is regarded as a two-down linebacker. He had 57 tackles and no sacks last season for Dallas. In his career he has 213 tackles with 1 sack in 57 games……The Steelers have made tenders to Running backs Jonthan Dwyer, Isaac Redman, WR Emmanuel Sanders, and NT Steve McLendon. Dwyer has signed his tender.
