Steelers Release Foote; Lions Release Three, Sign One

by Sean Yuille on May 4, 2009 6:01 PM EDT in Roster Comment 11 comments

The Steelers released middle linebacker Larry Foote today, ending speculation over what would happen with his career in Pittsburgh. News broke last week that he had been released, but we quickly found out that that was a bit premature. The news became that Foote was going to be released if the Steelers couldn't find a trading partner, and that obviously never happened since Foote is now a free agent. Whether or not the Lions sign him is left to be seen, but I see no reason for them not to. Right now the middle linebacker situation is less than ideal, and it's rare that free agents from Super Bowl teams want to play for the Lions. It would be very disappointing if Foote didn't become a Lion.

The Lions also made some moves today, one of which was releasing running back Brian Calhoun. This move is not surprising at all. Calhoun was a third-round pick back in 2006 and had a very disappointing career in Detroit. He was never healthy and didn't have a chance to show anything because of that. Now that the Lions have Kevin Smith, Maurice Morris, and draft pick Aaron Brown, this move was bound to happen eventually. Factor in Aveion Cason, who can returns kicks and play running back, and it is even less surprising. There is simply no room at RB for someone that can't stay healthy and has shown the team no reason to keep him around.

On top of releasing Calhoun, the Lions also got rid of wide receivers Travis Taylor and Steve Sanders. Defensive end Eric Hicks, who played under Gunther Cunningham in Kansas City, was signed by the Lions.

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Busy day for Mayhew

If Larry Foote can play MLB in a 4-3, I hope the Lions can get him without breaking the bank. 3yr/10mil sounds fair.

by JazzyBBP on May 4, 2009 6:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m hoping those couple of releases will be enough cap space to sign Foote.

by BIGWalt2990 on May 4, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have more cap space then Egghead

by Runnin' Rebel on May 4, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let me rephrase that… this might free up enough money to convince the Millen twins to sign Foote.

by BIGWalt2990 on May 4, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really hope

they can reach a deal with Foote. Would be a excellent addition not only on the field but in the locker room as well. All of a sudden the linbacking core would look pretty solid and didn’t have to spent the #1 overall pick to make it happen.

by CR on May 4, 2009 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Acquiring Foote...

…would be huge! Ernie Sims, Julian Peterson, and Larry Foote…….wow. And his enthusiasm would be high in a Lions jersey. Let’s hope for the best and expect the worst though….until Mayhew proves us wrong.

I’d feel much better about things.

BTW, Delmas is impressing me big time. And I think we will end up loving Pettigrew in Big D.

GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!

by Twon82 on May 4, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with all of that

And if Grady can do his thing along with Cliff and Dewayne. If those seven can stay healthy and bring heat, the other guys just have to hang on for the rest and get in the way sometime, This could be a nice defensive unit.

by lionsfan64 on May 4, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

More coach`s guy`s

Another Chief, man these coach`s always bring in more “blue collar guy`s” from their old team that never started or played much or are on a comeback of some type, sounds like Rod Marinelli and Mike Marks again. I hope it works out better this time.

by lionsfan64 on May 4, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marinelli is a bad example...

…of just about everything. In his defense, he was out of his league, overmatched, overwhelmed and completely without assistance from his own management. I do however understand the concept of bringing in guys from their old teams. While on the surface it looks like nepotism of the worst kind, I think a lot of it serves as a bridge for the players that are already with the team, and the new players, to understand what the coaches are trying to accomplish. I think its a useful approach, but the problem with Marinelli running with it was that he was never qualified to be a head coach in the first place and he just thought he could fill a roster with guys who did what he wanted regardless of talent.

by Mushy on May 4, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

foote!!!

yeah, i agree, we are almost in desperate need of a starting middle backer…..and he WANTS to play in detroit! what more do you need?? i still think that we should have drafted either lauranitis or maualuga, but i don’t see why we shouldn’t sign foote. i still think he can play, and would love to see him in honolulu blue!! anything has to be better than what “paris hilton” did in the middle last year!

by big smoove on May 4, 2009 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs