Foote in Contract Talks per Bouchette

[phillyesq]

He reported on twitter that Foote is in talks with the Steelers. Apparently, on the radio this morning, Foote said his agent has been talking with the Steelers and that it's apparently a money issue at this point.

I would like to see Foote come back on a qualified veteran contract (900k or whatever the minimum is, and it counts less against the cap) to provide an option at ILB, but I wouldn't want to see him paid at the level he was this season.

Whether Spence or perhaps another young player, I think that Foote has value as a mentor.

[lloydroid]

If he comes cheap, OK. But any contract with much of a signing bonus with more than 1 year I would pass on. He had a decent year, but he isn't the solution moving forward. But seeing how badly we are lacking leadership, that would be one reason to bring him back. He isn't Ray Lewis level leadership, but he is better than most of the players we have in that area.

[pittpete]

How about a vet min contract with incentives?

[Eddie Spaghetti]

if it takes teo off the board, I am all for it.

[Oviedo]

"Money issue?" Really Larry? How many teams do you think will be knocking down the door to sign you. Didn't you learn your lesson once already going to Detroit? I really hope the FO isn't wasting more than about a minute dealing with any "demands" Laryy has. Should be as simple as here it is, yes or no! If no, then move on.

[supersteeler]

I'm thinking he'll accept a lower salary than what he makes now but not the minimum. He has a little leverage in the fact we have no one to play now as it stands. Sylvester isn't the answer and Spence is a question mark for now.

[Slapstick]

I'm thinking he'll accept a lower salary than what he makes now but not the minimum. He has a little leverage in the fact we have no one to play now as it stands. Sylvester isn't the answer and Spence is a question mark for now.

He has about the same leverage that Wallace had last year at this time...not much...

[Eddie Spaghetti]

who said anything about foote "making demands"? Please point it out for me.

did you ever stop to think that until the coming restructures that the steelers themselves don't know what they can offer? Maybe that is the "money issue".

you guys are a trip.

[NJ-STEELER]

good

it would stop the crazy thinking of taking (another) ILB with a 1st rd pick

[Steelhere10]

DUMB is all I got to say, I hope we are looking at him for backup only. DL love the old players geez!

[phillyesq]

"Money issue?" Really Larry? How many teams do you think will be knocking down the door to sign you. Didn't you learn your lesson once already going to Detroit? I really hope the FO isn't wasting more than about a minute dealing with any "demands" Laryy has. Should be as simple as here it is, yes or no! If no, then move on.

Ovi, I didn't take it as Foote making demands. It read more like there had been some talks, and he wasn't quite sure what was going on. The quote (which I didn't provide before) was "[the Steelers] and my agent have been talking back and forth. I guess it's a money thing right now."

That could mean anything. A cap issue, the agent is trying to get a better deal (as he should), etc. This wasn't Foote coming out and demanding a huge payday.

I agree, if he has crazy demands, they should let him test the market. I think Foote has value, but not much more than the vet minimum, if any.

[supersteeler]

He has about the same leverage that Wallace had last year at this time...not much...

Today, 05:23 PMsupersteeler
I'm thinking he'll accept a lower salary than what he makes now but not the minimum. He has a little leverage in the fact we have no one to play now as it stands. Sylvester isn't the answer and Spence is a question mark for now.

I think if Spence could of played last season even in spot duty he would be prepared to play now. With that said, the Steelers don't have many options beside signing Foote.
He won't demand an amount they can't pay, so I think the two sides will work something out. He can groom next years starting LB whoever that may be. Out of all the players that could be gone he is the one most likely to stay. Stay tuned.

[Shawn]

Larry will get paid more than he is worth. He isn't stupid, he knows the Steelers have no real options besides him.

[NorthCoast]

Wow. You guys amaze me at how quickly you forget.

Do you realize Foote had more tackles than guys like Ray Lewis, Demeco Ryans, Lawrence Timmons, Sean Weatherspoon?

C[mon man. Foote isn't a superstar but he represented good value for his contributions, which is a LOT more than we can say about a few others on the defense.

[AkronSteel]

I would expect a little more than the veteran minimum for Larry Foote as the team really has no choice but to lock him up for 2013. They cant know what they have in Spence and Sylvester will obviously never be more than a special teams contributor. I still think the team invests in an ILB early in the draft which would supply them with a ton of depth in the middle. Plus then they can take something other than ILB in round 1. Although I still think Minter would make the front 7 elite again, with ir without JH.