Steelers football blog

LB Foote signs 3yr deal

The signing of linebacker Larry Foote to a three-year, $9.3 million contract Monday could be the last significant free-agent signing for the Steelers — at least for a while.

"We haven't closed the door on anything, but I would just say we're refocusing on the draft," director of football operations Kevin Colbert said yesterday after agreeing to talk only on the condition that questions pertain to free agency.

The shifting of the Steelers' focus comes after they were unusually aggressive during the first part of free agency.

Pittsburgh, which is normally quiet at this time of year, have signed five free agents — including former Steelers Foote and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. Continue

Clark signs 4 yr deal with Steelers

For a team that historically has tiptoed into free agency, the Steelers dived headfirst and unleashed a flurry of activity that began with the quick signing of two unrestricted free agents and ended Monday with a new four-year, $14 million contract for free safety Ryan Clark and a three-year agreement to bring receiver Antwaan Randle El back to his former team.

Randle El, one of their Super Bowl XL heroes who played for the Steelers from 2002-05, is expected to visit the Steelers today to sign his contract. He was released four days ago by the Washington Redskins despite being their second-leading receiver in '09.

But that's not all.

After signing Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Will Allen and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle to three-year contracts Monday, the Steelers will sign another unrestricted free agent today with whom they already have reached contract agreement -- former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Jonathan Scott. Continue

Hampton signs 3 year deal

The Steelers and nose tackle Casey Hampton have come to a a three-year contract agreement worth more than $21 million this morning.

The deal comes ahead of today's 4 p.m. deadline in which the Steelers planned to make Hampton their franchise player.

The team then placed the franchise tag on kicker Jeff Reed, meaning he will earn $2,814,000 in 2010 -- the average of the top five kickers in the NFL.

Hampton, who will be 33 years old next season, will remain with the Steelers through the 2012 season under the new deal. Hampton would have been paid a $7 million salary if he had been franchised. Continue

Hampton still seeks long term deal

The agent for Casey Hampton said Tuesday that the veteran nose tackle wants to sign a long-term contract with the Steelers even if the team places a franchise tag on him.

The two sides have been working toward a new deal, but the Steelers only have until 4 p.m. Thursday to use a tag that would prevent Hampton, an unrestricted free agent, from hitting the open market March 5.

A franchise tag, which Hampton has said would be a point of contention with him, could significantly extend the negotiating period for the Steelers and Brian Overstreet, Hampton's agent.

"All you can do is take people at their word, and the Steelers committed to us that they want to get a deal done long term," Overstreet said. "All we can hope is that they're serious about it. Both sides are working real hard to get it done, and hopefully, it happens." Continue

Steelers will use franchise if necessary

Casey Hampton has made it clear he does not want the Steelers to use a franchise tag on him.

In less than two weeks, the Steelers may do so anyway and tell the five-time Pro Bowler that it is simply business.

By tagging Hampton, the Steelers would effectively deny the veteran nose tackle the chance to hit the open market.

"Our stance on the tag is that while we don't like to use (it), we're never going to say that we're not going to use something that is collectively bargained as a tool in this process," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said Friday.

Translation: the Steelers will use a franchise tag on Hampton as a last resort March 5, when the free-agent signing period starts. Continue

Hampton wants multi-year deal

The Steelers want Casey Hampton, an unrestricted free agent, to return to the team. The Pro Bowl nose tackle wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

How the two sides arrive at that common ground is where it gets a little complicated and potentially messy.

Hampton said Friday "it will be a problem" if the Steelers use a franchise tag and offer him a one-year contract instead of signing the accomplished veteran to a multi-year deal.

"You say we're family, and you'll take care of me. All I've done for this organization, and I feel like that's a slap in my face if you franchise me," Hampton told the Tribune-Review following a Pro Bowl practice at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. "That's not right. You don't do business like that. I want to be treated fair, and I think franchising me is not fair." Continue

Hartwig signs 3 year extension

The Steelers beat their self-imposed deadline to retain Justin Hartwig beyond this season when they signed their starting center Tuesday to a three-year contract extension.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed that three years were added to the final year of a two-year deal scheduled to end after this season.

Hartwig's signing comes right before tomorrow night's season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field. Steelers management has a policy of not negotiating with players during the regular season.

The 6-foot-5, 312-pound Hartwig started every game at center for the Steelers last season. He has started 79 games in his NFL career.

The Steelers had previously signed starters such as outside linebacker James Harrison, wide receiver Hines Ward, tight end Heath Miller and defensive end Brett Keisel to new contracts. Continue

Steelers cutting corners on special teams

This isn't about the Steelers releasing Anthony Madison, a 27-year-old cornerback who was a corner in name only but the heart and soul of the special teams.

One-dimensional NFL players — no matter how much they bring to the team in their specialized area — are living on borrowed time if they weren't drafted or recommended personally by the head coach. Especially if they're scheduled to earn $1.01 million just for playing special teams.

No, this is about coach Mike Tomlin speaking with a forked tongue about the importance of special teams.You can earn a job just by playing on special teams, Tomlin tells his players.He forgot to tell them: Only don't make too much money. Continue

Hampton to be released?

Casey Hampton reacted to Internet rumors that the Steelers will release the veteran nose tackle before the start of the regular season.

"Oh, they're going to cut me today?" Hampton said after Tuesday's practice.

If he didn't seem too concerned, neither did inside linebacker James Farrior, who's long benefited from Hampton occupying multiple blockers up front.

"Been nice working with you, dawg," Farrior said, with a laugh, as he left the Steelers' locker room.

Unfortunately for Hampton, Farrior may say something similar to him in the not-so-distant future.

Hampton is one of a handful of starters heading into the final year of his contract, and the Steelers may be finished doing business until after the 2009 season following the signing of defensive end Brett Keisel to a five-year deal Monday. Continue

Keisel signs 5 year deal

Defensive end Brett Keisel signed a five-year contract this afternoon, most likely the final player the Steelers will sign until after the season.

Keisel was among a large group of starters entering their final season under contract. The Steelers have a policy that once the regular season starts, they no longer will negotiate contract extensions.

Among those starters who will enter their final year under contract are nose tackle Casey Hampton, halfback Willie Parker, tackle Willie Colon, safety Ryan Clark, center Justin Hartwig and kicker Jeff Reed.

Keisel, 30, has been their starter on the right side of their defense since 2006. He is now under contract through 2013. Continue