Foote Back on Three Year Deal

[deljzc]

They drafted a linebacker from Miami. His name is Sean Spence. He was going to be groomed to play next to Timmons in the future.

They have these contests called pre-season games. And, if you were paying attention like any realistic fan would be, he was injured during one at Heinz Field and his 2013 season, and his career, is in danger.

3 Preseason games and you already knew Spence was talented enough to be the quarterback of our defense and starter in 2013? Really?

I hated the Spence draft pick, way before his injury. He was completely undersized and not suited for the 3-4 defense at all. He showed very little ability to shed blocks. He was a complete run-and-hit linebacker that needed a clean front in front of him to make plays. He was not an effective pass rusher at all (the ability to beat a RB/TE one-on-one in pass rush set is a TENET of Dick Lebeau's zone blitz scheme).

I swear Sean Spence because a BETTER player in Steeler Nation since he got hurt.

[Siggy00]

Why in the hell couldn't Colbert and Tomlin draft anyone that is a legit backup / potential starter since 2007.

You mean like Lawrence Timmons?

You seem confused.

[deljzc]

You mean like Lawrence Timmons?

You seem confused.

Last I checked we play TWO inside linebackers. Can Timmons magically play both at the same time?

[Siggy00]

3 Preseason games and you already knew Spence was talented enough to be the quarterback of our defense and starter in 2013? Really?

Never said that.

But their PLAN was to draft Spence as an eventual pairing with Timmons.

[NJ-STEELER]

sylvester was groomed for years to start inside.

didnt work out, what can you do

[thor75]

sylvester was groomed for years to start inside.

didnt work out, what can you do

Good on special teams, but I remember Butler saying Sylvester didn't play low enough when they drafted him. I guess they couldn't correct that .ILB will definitely be addressed in the draft....I hope.

[NJ-STEELER]

Good on special teams, but I remember Butler saying Sylvester didn't play low enough when they drafted him. I guess they couldn't correct that .ILB will definitely be addressed in the draft....I hope.

well he gushed about getting 3 LBs in that draft.

maybe they should stop listening to him so much

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Well, there goes $2.5 million that we won't be able to put toward signing Lewis...you can kiss Keenan goodbye...

[lloydroid]

The Steelers probably had to give Foote some sort of bonus to keep him from going to AZ, and the length of the deal could have been for purposes of spreading the cap hit.

Yea, but, if and when they cut him before 3 years, the remaining amount spread over the 3 years hits the cap all at once. This seems very odd to me. I guess the Steelers are like our govt.: Kick the can down the road. That is BS

[Chadman]

What Foote's signing says to Chadman is that they are not ready to give up on Sean Spence. Spence is unlikely to have much impact in 2013, so 2014 looks as if it might be his 'rookie' year. 2015, the last year of Foote's contract, is when most would expect him to be cut. So essentially, the Steelers are giving Spence a redshirt year, then a year of back-up play, to then look at inserting him as a starter in 2015. If they had drafted an ILB, or signed a young ILB, it would have indicated giving up on Spence. Rolle might be the insurance plan.

[steelz09]

What Foote's signing says to Chadman is that they are not ready to give up on Sean Spence. Spence is unlikely to have much impact in 2013, so 2014 looks as if it might be his 'rookie' year. 2015, the last year of Foote's contract, is when most would expect him to be cut. So essentially, the Steelers are giving Spence a redshirt year, then a year of back-up play, to then look at inserting him as a starter in 2015. If they had drafted an ILB, or signed a young ILB, it would have indicated giving up on Spence. Rolle might be the insurance plan.

And let me guess... when Spence finally plays, he'll be a UFA at the end of the year and we'll lose him to another team? No worries though, we'll bring back Foote when he's on his way to 40 years old.

[Dee Dub]

Or be a realistic fan and realize our competitors are getting better and we are getting worse.

Look it is well documented that I am not the biggest Larry Foote fan but you are totally losing sight of reality.

Our biggest competitor, the Ravens, today are now without, Ray Lewis, Dannell Ellerbe, Anquan Boldin, and Paul Kruger. Get a grip.

[steelz09]

Look it is well documented that I am not the biggest Larry Foote fan but you are totally losing sight of reality.

Our biggest competitor, the Ravens, today are now without, Ray Lewis, Dannell Ellerbe, Anquan Boldin, and Paul Kruger. Get a grip.

Lewis was a shell of him former self. They will lack his leadership though (he's still a murderer though). But hell, I bet Foote will be able to play as good as Lewis when he's 37 years old (i.e. based on his contract).

The Ravens have Upshaw as well who is going to be a beast.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

What Foote's signing says to Chadman is that they are not ready to give up on Sean Spence. Spence is unlikely to have much impact in 2013, so 2014 looks as if it might be his 'rookie' year. 2015, the last year of Foote's contract, is when most would expect him to be cut. So essentially, the Steelers are giving Spence a redshirt year, then a year of back-up play, to then look at inserting him as a starter in 2015. If they had drafted an ILB, or signed a young ILB, it would have indicated giving up on Spence. Rolle might be the insurance plan.

I agree he's a stop-gap, but, the draft will tell us whether or not it's Spence they're holding out for...

[steelz09]

I agree he's a stop-gap, but, the draft will tell us whether or not it's Spence they're holding out for...

True, but I still don't understand why you pay him 2.5 million in year one of a 3-year deal (which is to long IMO).