Steelers football blog

Steelers re-sign guard Kemoeatu

The Steelers re-signed guard Chris Kemoeatu to a five-year contract Friday, and director of football operations Kevin Colbert said he is optimistic the team can bring back some of its other players that became unrestricted free agents yesterday.

"Our big free agency is trying to keep our own players," Colbert said, "which we are trying to do. We'll be as competitive as we can be."

The Steelers generally stay idle through the first frenzied days of free agency. However, they made a significant signing yesterday on the first day of free agency, when they locked up Kemoeatu, who started every game at left guard last season. Continue

Steelers tender offers, release veteran Simmons

A busy day at the Steelers' South Side facility Thursday ended with the team making one-year tender offers to offensive tackle Willie Colon, tight end/fullback Sean McHugh and cornerback Anthony Madison — all are restricted free agents — and releasing veteran guard Kendall Simmons.

In addition, the Steelers bid farewell to free safety Anthony Smith.

Colon, who has started every game at right tackle the past two seasons, was offered a one-year, $2.198 million deal. The Steelers have the right to match any offer that is made to Colon during the free-agent signing period, which started today. If Colon signs elsewhere, the Steelers would receive a first-round draft pick as compensation. Continue

C Saturday high on Steelers

It might be a shot in the dark, but it makes enough sense for the Steelers to at least consider the possibility of acquiring one of the NFL's top offensive linemen.

Three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 a.m. Friday, wants to join the Steelers. And not necessarily as a center.

"I talked to Jeff after the Super Bowl, and he said if you can get me there, that would be beautiful," said Pittsburgh-based agent Ralph Cindrich. "This is a Rooney-type of guy if ever there was one." Continue

Steelers looking to sure up O-line

The premier offensive line prospects in this year's NFL draft do not appear to be lacking for confidence.

"I'd say, first of all, put on my film from Baylor and you'll see that I'm the best," left tackle Jason Smith said.

"To be honest," Ole Miss left tackle Michael Oher said, "I feel that I'm the best at my position."

The Steelers may have alleviated an immediate need at left tackle by placing the franchise tag on Max Starks. But if they are looking to upgrade an offensive line that has some uncertainty — tackle Marvel Smith and guard Chris Kemoeatu can become free agents on Feb. 27 and there is no guarantee that Starks will sign a long-term contract with the team — they may be a year too late. Continue

Steelers secure Starks

The Steelers shored up the most important position on the offensive line Thursday.

The question that remains unanswered is whether Max Starks is the team's long-term answer at left tackle.

The Steelers placed a franchise tag on Starks yesterday, all but guaranteeing that the fifth-year veteran will play at least one more season in Pittsburgh.

Starks, who has started on a pair of Super Bowl-winning teams, was set to become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 27.

By using the franchise tag on Starks, the Steelers have the right to match any offer that is made to the 6-foot-8, 344-pounder during the free-agent signing period. They receive a pair of first-round picks if Starks signs with another team. Continue

Cutting edge injury treatment?

Two of the Pittsburgh’ biggest stars, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, used their own blood in an innovative injury treatment before winning the Super Bowl. At least one major league pitcher, about 20 professional soccer players and perhaps hundreds of recreational athletes have also undergone the procedure, commonly called platelet-rich plasma therapy. Continue

Harrison's agent seeking more talks at combine

The agent for Steelers linebacker James Harrison said Monday that it's likely he will meet face-to-face with the Steelers at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis about a contract extension for his client.

"It looks that way," agent Bill Parise said. "We've been talking. We are talking. We'll continue to talk."

Draft-eligible prospects will be worked out at the combine from Saturday-Feb. 24.

Harrison, a two-time Steelers MVP and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year this season, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2009 campaign. Continue

Reed stays aggressive in offseason

Steelers kicker Jeff Reed was cited with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct after throwing a tantrum over an empty paper towel machine at a Westmoreland County convenience store.

Reed, 29, went in to the men's restroom at Sheetz on U.S. Route 22 in New Alexandria borough shortly before 3 a.m. Continue

Tomlin should get a raise

One more key component of the Steelers' Super Bowl team is due a new contract this year, and it's likely to come with a large boost in salary.

Mike Tomlin, halfway through his rookie coaching contract with the team, will get an extension before the 2009 season begins, if the Steelers hold true to their history.

Tomlin has two years left on a four-year contract estimated at a total of $10 million that he signed when the Steelers hired him to succeed Bill Cowher in 2007.

His average salary of $2.5 million per year was typical of what first-time NFL head coaches received. That amount could double in his next contract, according to agents who have knowledge of NFL coaching contracts. Continue

Foote no interest in Lions

Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote is the type of player every championship team should have on its roster. He's heady and productive, and you won't find a better teammate. His strong run support is a perfect complement to Lawrence Timmons' obvious strengths against the pass. So why was Foote pledging his allegiance to the Steelers a week after winning Super Bowl XLIII? And why did the Detroit native feel compelled to tell me he has no desire to play for his hometown Lions, despite a newspaper article that implied otherwise? "It would be ludicrous for me to say I want to leave my last year. It would be stupid to even want to do that," Foote said. "The bottom line is in 2002 the Lions had a chance to draft me. They chose not to. The Steelers did." Continue