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Steelers cut LB Foote, who wants more playing time

PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Steelers released starting inside linebacker Larry Foote on Monday, a move expected since Foote asked to be traded or cut.

Foote has started every Steelers game for five seasons, including their Super Bowl victories last season and after the 2005 season. But he was unhappy with coming off the field on passing downs for Lawrence Timmons, a 2007 first-round draft pick.

With Timmons ready to start, Foote told the Steelers last week he wanted to be traded or released. The Steelers cut him after failing to find a team willing to deal a draft pick for him.

Foote was due to make $2.885 million in the final season of his contract, but the Steelers no longer owe him the money.

"Larry has been a big part of our success but, unfortunately, the realities of the salary cap made this decision inevitable," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said in a statement. "We wish Larry and his family nothing but the best as he moves forward with his career."

Foote, a fourth-round draft pick in 2002, had three interceptions and 14 1/2 sacks in seven seasons with Pittsburg.

The Associated Press
Posted: 05/04/2009 03:19:40 PM PDT