Foote Says He'll Be a Lion

In its effort to rebound from the worst season in NFL history, Detroit is hoping a hometown hero can provide some optimism.

A little more than 24 hours after he was cut by Pittsburgh, Detroit native Larry Foote agreed to a one-year deal with the Lions. Foote said that he expected to sign his new contract on Wednesday -- and he will immediately inherit Detroit's starting middle linebacker position between Julian Peterson and Ernie Sims.

"I'm excited because it's a fresh start for me," Foote said Tuesday night in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It's a one-year deal to show my talents, and hopefully end up signing a long-term deal after showing the Lions and their new coaching staff what I can do."

Foote said he met everybody from coaches to executives to cooks at Lions headquarters in Allen Park, Mich., earlier in the day, and his agent, Ken Kremer, worked to complete a deal.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released Foote on Monday, a move expected because he asked to be traded or cut. He started every game for them the past five seasons, including their Super Bowl victories last season and after the 2005 season, but was unhappy coming off the field on passing downs.

The former Detroit Pershing High School and University of Michigan star said a lot of teams have expressed interest in him, including Arizona, Kansas City and Indianapolis.

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

With Lawrence Timmons ready to start, Foote told the Steelers last week he wanted to be dealt or cut. Pittsburgh released Foote after failing to find a team willing to part with a draft pick for him.

Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said Foote was a big part of the team's success, but the salary cap made the decision inevitable.

Foote, a fourth-round draft pick in 2002, had 14 1/2 sacks and three interceptions over the last five years with Pittsburgh after mostly being used on special teams in his first two seasons.

- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-06-2009 @ 5:46AM

Dr. TCB said...

Don't look now but Detroit is starting to build a defense!!!! GO LIONS!!

5-06-2009 @ 8:38AM

pauln286 said...

The Steelers play a 3-4 defence. Foote had Farrior beside him and a solid D line in front of him. Even with this he was pulled out on passing downs.

I think Foote is a solid player that could hold his ground in the Steelers style of defence. How will he do as the sole defender in the middle with a questionable line in front of him?

Good luck Detroit.