LB Larry Foote Returns To Steelers With 3-Year Deal

Larry Foote quickly realized how much he disliked losing. The inside linebacker is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, signing a three-year contract Monday after a disheartening season spent with the Detroit Lions.

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Foote started when Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl during the 2004 and 2008 seasons, but asked for his release and subsequently signed a one-year contract with his hometown Lions because he knew the Steelers planned to make Lawrence Timmons a starter.

Foote started in Detroit, but told friends with the Steelers last season that he wearied of losing as the Lions went 2-14.

"You just can't explain it until you go through it,” Foote said. “You talk about the dog days. Those were the dog days, especially for a competitive person."

Foote knows the Steelers' system and provides flexibility at a position where defensive co-captain James Farrior is 35. If the Steelers incur any injuries, Foote could start inside and Timmons -- a 2007 first-round draft pick -- could move outside.

"I'm just here for depth,” Foote said. “Timmons and Farrior are the starters. I'll push those guys. … I accept that role."

Foote, who will be 30 in June, preferred to remain a starter and recently visited with the Redskins and Cardinals. He said he was ready to sign with Arizona, but did not work out terms and wound up back in Pittsburgh. He started every regular season game for the Steelers from 2004-08.

According to NFL.com, Foote's deal is worth $9.3 million deal, with a $1.8 million signing bonus.

The Steelers almost never bring back players once they have left the organization but, this month, they have signed both Foote and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. Randle El played for Washington from 2006-09 after spending his first four NFL seasons with Pittsburgh.

It's not a coincidence the Steelers chose to bring back two players who were popular in the locker room and were viewed as team leaders. Steelers management felt the team that went 9-7 last season and missed the playoffs lacked some of the locker room chemistry and character that their most recent teams did, and the hope is Randle El and Foote will help restore it.

The Steelers normally are one of the NFL's least active teams in free agency, but they have signed six players in eight days -- and only one of them, safety Ryan Clark, is expected to be a starter. Clark unexpectedly re-signed with Pittsburgh after he appeared ready to sign with Miami.

The Steelers also signed safety Will Allen and wide receiver Arnaz Battle mostly to strengthen their deficient special teams and offensive lineman Jonathan Scott to provide depth along an offensive line that lacked experienced backups.

Before the NFL free agency signing period started March 5, they also re-signed nose tackle Casey Hampton to a three-year contract and designated kicker Jeff Reed as their franchise player.

Last season, Foote led the Lions with 99 tackles despite missing the final two games of the season with a foot injury, ending his streak of 94 consecutive NFL games started. He also had two sacks and forced a fumble.

Previous Stories: March 9, 2010: Steelers Sign Ryan Clark, Antwaan Randle El, Jonathan Scott

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