Steelers cut starting lb Larry Foote

[az jam]

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.

 

[Mulli]

me likey.

 

[az jam]

I wonder if Whisenhunt will go after and sign him.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Can he play inside?

Bring his azz in....

 

[az jam]

Can he play inside?

Bring his azz in....

He was the starting inside lb for the past five years. He is 28 years of age and 6'1" 244 lbs.

 

[Twist18]

I remember him wanting to go to the Lions. Seriously.

 

[Mulli]

Didn't he also play hockey in Colorado?

 

[az jam]

I remember him wanting to go to the Lions. Seriously.

He is from Detroit and went to University of Michigan so that makes sense. Lions could make a play for him. But he is experienced in the 3 - 4 which is what the Cards are going to.

 

[Twist18]

Jam, I would love to see Foote here. I think Hayes would be in a battle for the starting job.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Bring Him In Whiz/Graves!!

 

[HeavyB3]

Jam, I would love to see Foote here. I think Hayes would be in a battle for the starting job.

Or it could allow us to move Dansby to the will and have Hayes and Foote starting inside.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

He was the starting inside lb for the past five years. He is 28 years of age and 6'1" 244 lbs.

Ahh... I saw Timmons and Woodley mentioned and thought they both played outside. Should have read more carefully.

Holy crap get on the phone - cut Chike and Edge and get this guy in here. We need the depth! And he is only 28. Cripes. This would be Dansby insurance.

If we bring him in and actually find a decent back up center I would have NOTHING to worry about going into the season.

This would be new as I am used to wanting to replace a whole unit.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Cut Edge, Sign Foote, Get Wilson Done and I am happy...

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Will be surprised if he is not looked at closely.

 

[Mulli]

Or it could allow us to move Dansby to the will and have Hayes and Foote starting inside.

winner!!

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Could this be the reason the team did not draft another ILB? Maybe Whis had the inside word?

 

[splitsecond]

foote was a beast during the 2005 super bowl run, but has declined a little since then. that may have more to do with other players improving and breaking out more than his own abilities though.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I do not think the Cardinals will bring him in.

I think they will think about it, but I don't see Larry Foote coming here.

At 6'1" and 244 lbs he is a clone of what we already have in Gerald Hayes who is 6'1" 247 lbs.

Not to mention he will cost about the same as Hayes as well.

Nothing against Larry Foote, and his abilities. Just don't see it happening.

 

[splitsecond]

I do not think the Cardinals will bring him in.

I think they will think about it, but I don't see Larry Foote coming here.

At 6'1" and 244 lbs he is a clone of what we already have in Gerald Hayes who is 6'1" 247 lbs.

Not to mention he will cost about the same as Hayes as well.

Nothing against Larry Foote, and his abilities. Just don't see it happening.

he really is. their stats, age, size and playing style are almost identical.

 

[Mulli]

he really is. their stats, age, size and playing style are almost identical.

Who better to pair him with then?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I get the redundancy thing but I think its a moot point for a couple reasons.

One - Dansby is gone. Its just a matter of time. We need to get someone in here before next year to make the transition easier.

Two - We have no depth right now to speak of. If Hayes or Dansby go down (which they have shown in the past) then we are in trouble

Three - He knows the "Steeler Way"..which is obviously important to Wiz

Four - He is a strong vet influence in the locker room

With McFadden coming here, Wiz being here, and him getting an upclose look at us in the SB I think there is a good chance he comes too.

Although Detroit could always use more LB help too.

 

[Shane]

Will be surprised if he is not looked at closely.

Look to long and he will be gone.

 

[Carddan]

For- what Pitt player hasn't Whisenhunt wanted?, depth at ILB is very thin, Dansby looks to make a splash next year and be gone, consistent player.

Against- too expensive probably, already set with Hayes/Dansby, Cardinals don't make dramatic moves like this, are there other reasons he was cut...health or attitude?

 

[joeshmo]

1. He will be 29 in two months.
2. He isnt strong enough to play the 3-4 SILB, its why he plays the 3-4 WILB for Pitt, so he would not be a replacement or backup to Hayes, it would be for Dansby.
3. What is up with the huge decline in production 3 years in a row?
4. How much is he willing to sign for?
5. Is he willing to be a backup until Dansby leaves in 2010?
6. If signed, is there a team out there willing to trade for Dansby and his 9 mill franchise tag?
7. Dansby on the outside with Foote and Hayes in the middle would be a far worse D then last year because Dansby would stink on the outside becuase he cannot set the edge, priority #1 for a 3-4 OLB, and Foote is not nearly as good in coverage as Dansby at the WILB spot.
8. In any 3-4 your WILB is usually your highest tackles guy, Foote started avery game and couldnt even get 70 tackles. This guy is overratted and Pitt doesnt drop good LB's they drop overused and done LB's. Count me as one who would only sign him as a depth guy, not a starter.

 

[Mulli]

1. He will be 29 in two months.
2. He isnt strong enough to play the 3-4 SILB, its why he plays the 3-4 WILB for Pitt, so he would not be a replacement or backup to Hayes, it would be for Dansby.
3. What is up with the huge decline in production 3 years in a row?
4. How much is he willing to sign for?
5. Is he willing to be a backup until Dansby leaves in 2010?
6. If signed, is there a team out there willing to trade for Dansby and his 9 mill franchise tag?
7. Dansby on the outside with Foote and Hayes in the middle would be a far worse D then last year because Dansby would stink on the outside becuase he cannot set the edge, priority #1 for a 3-4 OLB, and Foote is not nearly as good in coverage as Dansby at the WILB spot.