Former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote feels that the Steelers “screwed him” and he’s much happier with the Lions…whatever:
All in all, linebacker Larry Foote said the good far outweighed the bad during his stay with the Steelers except for that one final move. It did not come fast enough for him. “They screwed me a little bit,” Foote said yesterday during a conference call with the media here. Foote saw the handwriting on the wall in the form of first-round draft pick Lawrence Timmons. “That was my concern,” Foote said. “I heard through the league that stuff like that happens, but they reassured me that that was not going to happen. “When I talked to Mike Tomlin, they told me that we were going to do the same things as last year; Timmons was going to play on third down, you are going to be in our base and they were telling me that we aren’t going to release you and you aren’t going to take a pay cut. So they told me that and I only have got to take his word, he never lied to me before, but I know this is a business.” They waited until after the draft, then cut him after finding no takers in any trades.
“I was pleading with Kevin Colbert, let’s get it done,” Foote said of the Steelers’ director of football operations. “They said ‘no’ at first, and the most disappointing thing was that they let me go after the draft. “After free agency was over with, I was thinking, well, maybe before the draft, but then they waited to release me after the draft. That was a little bummer because teams had spent their money and plus they had linebackers in the draft. But it worked out how God wanted it to happen, and I got my wish to come home and play.”
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mark
October 8, 2009 at 10:08 am
I always liked Larry Foote. He was a dependable player and was a part of a great run of defensive seasons and 2 championships. But, screwed him? I dont think so. The addition and emergence of Timmons had the entire world knowing that Foote was on borrowed time. Foote himself said this “the writing was on the wall”. Larry, you were a good Steeler, your making money and playing at home now. Stop the animosity and name-calling. Have a good game this Sunday and show the Steelers they made a mistake. When you are on the sidelines, watch your replacement too. Timmons has an upside and physicality you never had. That is not a knock on your playing skills either, Its just Timmons is younger, faster and more of a playmaker.
DrGeorge
October 8, 2009 at 10:55 am
A fine comment, Mark, and good advice as well. In exchange for an annual salary and contractual guarantees that beggar the earnings of the average Joe in a whole lifetime, an NFL player surrenders a few rights to the team that pays the gold: when and how they will be played on Sunday, and when and how the relationship will be terminated. Foote is a solid LB and played well for the Steelers, but he was never a great LB. He enjoyed far greater success in Black and Gold than he would have anywhere elsewhere, as many other former Steelers have quickly learned. Larry should be grateful for his Super Bowl rings and millions, and stop whining.
George H
October 8, 2009 at 3:42 pm
You two are both right… Foote was solid, but Timmons is going to be a beast. The ways of the NFL are simple. Play your butt off and make plays, but if someone younger and better than you comes, dont be surprised to be let go. On the other hand, I can see why Foote is upset though. The Steelers waited entirely too long to cut him. They should of let Foote go before the FA and gave him more of a chance to get some bigger offers. I am happy for him; believe it or not hes in a good situation. Peterson, Simms, and Foote = pretty solid LB core.