Foote Back on Three Year Deal

[SteelerOfDeVille]

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.

thing about it... it happens to all teams that win big... we've had it for years

[SteelerOfDeVille]

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).

I keep hearing this... is it including signing bonus? If so, $2.5 million is PEANUTS... Sounds like just above vet minimum plus a signing bonus (year one is where the biggest money is)... put it in perspective... it's 1/3 of what Harrison was going to make... it's like double vet minimum... I'm just baffled at all the complaints about $2.5 million... WTH???

[steelz09]

I keep hearing this... is it including signing bonus? If so, $2.5 million is PEANUTS... Sounds like just above vet minimum plus a signing bonus (year one is where the biggest money is)... put it in perspective... it's 1/3 of what Harrison was going to make... it's like double vet minimum... I'm just baffled at all the complaints about $2.5 million... WTH???

Dan Connor made 800K last year. Why not sign him instead of Foote? He's younger and he wouldn't be any less productive. Connor had the potential to be more than just an old stop gap (i.e. Foote).

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Dan Connor made 800K last year. Why not sign him instead of Foote? He's younger and he wouldn't be any less productive. Connor had the potential to be more than just an old stop gap (i.e. Foote).

Again, was it cap, salary or signing bonus? Dan Connor was set to count $4.35 against the cap that's why he was cut. Now, maybe his SALARY may have been $800k with a $6 million bonus (dunno), but, he had a much bigger paycheck last year than $2.5 million.

[SS Laser]

As fans we don't value Foote. The Steelers must. So I can only as a fan hope he plays as well as 2012. I also can hope someone else is drafted or steps up so Foote does not see as many snaps. Against some teams he will be replace by a CB I think. Is it a good signing? I hope so and we will see 2013. Also can Connor or anyone CHEAP really come in and replace foote for 2013? That is the question. Steelers are not banking on it.

[NJ-STEELER]

I keep hearing this... is it including signing bonus? If so, $2.5 million is PEANUTS... Sounds like just above vet minimum plus a signing bonus (year one is where the biggest money is)... put it in perspective... it's 1/3 of what Harrison was going to make... it's like double vet minimum... I'm just baffled at all the complaints about $2.5 million... WTH???

im with ya ville.

i'm gonna guess 2.5 cap hit is way below average for a staring inside LB.

and bringing in someone would require time for that player to learn the system.

plus, doesnt larry call the defensive signals

[SteelerOfDeVille]

As fans we don't value Foote. The Steelers must. So I can only as a fan hope he plays as well as 2012. I also can hope someone else is drafted or steps up so Foote does not see as many snaps. Against some teams he will be replace by a CB I think. Is it a good signing? I hope so and we will see 2013. Also can Connor or anyone CHEAP really come in and replace foote for 2013? That is the question. Steelers are not banking on it.

yup... foote was a weak link on an excellent defense. Connor was the weak link on a BAD defense... let's just hope for an ILB in the draft... or that Spence recovers quickly this summer...

[SteelerOfDeVille]

im with ya ville.

i'm gonna guess 2.5 cap hit is way below average for a staring inside LB.

and bringing in someone would require time for that player to learn the system.

plus, doesnt larry call the defensive signals

i think you're right on all counts... i'm just dumbfounded - other than rookie contracts, you don't get a starting ILB for $2.5mil... you just don't. And based on experience alone, he's even worth $2.5mil as a backup, should they find someone else... assuming $2.5 mil is the right number, and they view him as a stopgap and either a) get spence back or b) draft in ILB or C) both, it's a GREAT signing at a GREAT price...

and for the record, i very much DISLIKE foote as the starter - i wanted donta hightower instead of decastro...

[NJ-STEELER]

yeah

i'm no "lARRY FOOTE FAN" PER SE

but, he a pretty solid starter for this defense a starter on 2 superbowl winning teams. you cant have pro bowlers at every position

[NJ-STEELER]

larry's contract

Three years, $5.5 million.

2013: $1,000,000 signing [URL="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=68&f=1897&t=11371774#"]bonus[/URL], $1,500,000 salary (1,833,333 cap hit)
2014: $1,500,000 [URL="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=68&f=1897&t=11371774#"]salary[/URL] ($1,833,333 cap hit)
2015: $1,500,000 salary ($1,833,334 cap hit)

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

larry's contract

Three years, $5.5 million.

2013: $1,000,000 signing [URL="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=68&f=1897&t=11371774#"]bonus[/URL], $1,500,000 salary (1,833,333 cap hit)
2014: $1,500,000 [URL="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=68&f=1897&t=11371774#"]salary[/URL] ($1,833,333 cap hit)
2015: $1,500,000 salary ($1,833,334 cap hit)

At these numbers it is an excellent deal.

Cap hit for a potential starter/experienced backup < $2M

Easy contract to get out of next year, only $667K dead money if dumped after 1 year.

This contract allows you to draft or sign an ILB without worrying about the contract ahead of him, yet doesn't force you to overdraft one because you have no options.

[Slapstick]

Smart deal for both sides...Larry wasn't going to do any better...the Steelers could have done much worse...

[7 UP]

I have no problem with the contract as long as Foote is here as a veteran backup. We desperately need to upgrade our linebacker corps. I hope this deal dosent mean the Steelers are done thinking about upgrading the position.

[Slapstick]

I have no problem with the contract as long as Foote is here as a veteran backup. We desperately need to upgrade our linebacker corps. I hope this deal dosent mean the Steelers are done thinking about upgrading the position.

I don't think that the Steelers are done thinking about upgrading ANY position...

What the current signings have done is allow the Steelers to field a team with experience at each position so that the best players available can be drafted in April...if there is an upgrade at a position that can be drafted with good value in mind, the entire roster is pretty much open...usually, you can't upgrade every position that could use it p in one draft...any positions that aren't able to be filled will have at least a warm body with some experience taking the field...

[deljzc]

It's not really the deal I'm worried about.

The fact he is on the roster means Lebeau is going to use him. Because that's Lebeau's M.O. I am pretty sure no matter what happens in the draft, no matter what young player looks good in preseason, come September 8th, Larry Foote will be starting and get 100% of the snaps that game barring injury.

At any price, that's unacceptable to me. I've seen too much of Larry Foote. I know what he is. And I know that means that position will NOT improve vs. 2011 and 2012.

In fact, I can't find one position on the team that will improve. Maybe you could argue RG because I think DeCatro is a stud. Where else?