The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers put an end to one of the few distractions they've had this offseason. The team granted veteran linebacker Larry Foote his release after he wanted out of Pittsburgh because of a reduced role.
Foote, who did not attend last weekend's mandatory minicamp, started all 16 games for Pittsburgh last year but gradually had his playing time cut in favor of former first-round pick Lawrence Timmons. The Steelers also are close to the salary cap and get to save on Foote's $2.885 million salary, which factored into the decision.
"Larry has been a big part of our success, but unfortunately the realities of the salary cap made this decision inevitable," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said in a statement. "We wish Larry and his family nothing but the best as he moves forward with his career."
Foote, 28, recorded 86 tackles and 1.5 sacks for Pittsburgh in 2008. He was a former fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2002.
Huh? Foote wasn't unhappy; the Steelers released him for cap reasons. I'm sure he wasn't happy about being phased out for Lawrence Timmons, but he never requested a trade or release.
Foote is still a starting-caliber linebacker, so he'll definitely find a starting gig somewhere. I'd be surprised if he didn't end up in Detroit. He was a great player, but the emergence of Timmons and his almost $3 million salary made him a luxury the Steelers couldn't afford.
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steelerfan513 wrote:Huh? Foote wasn't unhappy; the Steelers released him for cap reasons. I'm sure he wasn't happy about being phased out for Lawrence Timmons, but he never requested a trade or release.
Foote is still a starting-caliber linebacker, so he'll definitely find a starting gig somewhere. I'd be surprised if he didn't end up in Detroit. He was a great player, but the emergence of Timmons and his almost $3 million salary made him a luxury the Steelers couldn't afford.
Steel Curtain RIsing- Foote Wants Out ESPN- "It was my doing," Foote told the Post-Gazette. "I wanted to go."
Behind the Steel Curtain- Foote release "just another cruel reminder that balance sheets, budgets and salary caps have to be made each month and year in the National Football League."
steelerfan513 wrote:Huh? Foote wasn't unhappy; the Steelers released him for cap reasons. I'm sure he wasn't happy about being phased out for Lawrence Timmons, but he never requested a trade or release.
Foote is still a starting-caliber linebacker, so he'll definitely find a starting gig somewhere. I'd be surprised if he didn't end up in Detroit. He was a great player, but the emergence of Timmons and his almost $3 million salary made him a luxury the Steelers couldn't afford.
Steel Curtain RIsing- Foote Wants Out ESPN- "It was my doing," Foote told the Post-Gazette. "I wanted to go."
Behind the Steel Curtain- Foote release "just another cruel reminder that balance sheets, budgets and salary caps have to be made each month and year in the National Football League."
Seems he was unhappy based on this report:
Source: Pittsburgh Sports Gazette
"It's nothing personal," said Foote, who turns 29 on June 12. "James Farrior never slows down, and Timmons came in and I can't grow here any more. They turned me into a two-down linebacker last year. I was stuck in a role.
"I love the team, I love winning, but you can't keep being unhappy. It got to the point where they were not giving me a chance."
Yea, he was unhappy in that he thought he could still be a 3 down LB rather than the 2 downs he was being used for and being pulled for Timmons on 3rd downs. Too bad we couldn't keep him but with Farrior/Timmons in the middle, I doubt he would have even been starting this season.
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by madaslives911 » Mon May 04, 2009 6:42 pm 
