RealGM

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09118/966120-66.stm

Larry Foote played a lot of football as a starting inside linebacker for the Steelers the past five seasons, and in a strange twist, his search for more playing time will cause them to release him.

Foote said he wants to continue his career as a starting linebacker where he can play more often and asked the Steelers to accommodate him. After finding no offers in a trade over the weekend of the draft, sources on the club say they plan to release him sometime after this weekend's minicamp, which Foote will not attend.

They were going to release him this morning, then decided to wait as they pursue last-ditch efforts to trade him.

"It was my doing," Foote told the Post-Gazette. "I wanted to go. They were trying to trade me.''

Foote has one year left on his contract that was scheduled to pay him a salary of $2,885,000 in 2009. There was much speculation leading up to the Super Bowl that the Steelers might release him or ask him to take a reduction in pay because of that salary and because 2007 first-round draft choice Lawrence Timmons is behind him. Foote indicated during Super Bowl week that he would not take a pay cut.

Word is he wants to go to the Detroit Lions. I could see that happening. Lions sure could use him.

The Lions can use all the help they can get. If Foote feels that Detroit is where he'll get more starting time at ILB. Go get it.

there was an article yesterday on steelers.com saying that all of these rumors are false and that the steelers want him to return. I guess we will find out the truth in time.

I'm sure we will.

He threw out the 1st pitch at the Tigers game the other day. This is the 1st time i've seen a player under contract for another team be treated like a free agent.

For reference; 0-16, Lions could use just about anybody at this point. The only 2 posistions not in need are kicking and punting. Team need helps everywhere else.

In that case, Steelers can let Foote go elsewhere. I wonder though did he break any rules doing something like that while being under contract with another sports team.

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... ase_foote/

It's official: Steelers have release Larry Foote from the team so he can seek PT elsewhere.

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... ase_foote/

I'm pretty sure the Lions had nothing to do with it. Foote is from Michigan, and played for U-M.

Since he's signed with the Lions. Hopefully he's cool and thrill about gettin more PT with the team. Good luck to him as well.

SD2042 wrote:Since he's signed with the Lions. Hopefully he's cool and thrill about gettin more PT with the team. Good luck to him as well.

Yeah, he was solid while he was here, and wish him the best. The Steelers have some young studs that need playing time, but I think Foote still has some game left and should be able to help some team out. If it is the Lions, I hope he does well for them.