A familiar face returned to the Steelers' defense today when the team signed veteran LB Larry Foote to a three-year contract through 2012. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
Foote, a nine-year veteran, started at inside linebacker in the Steelers' two most recent Super Bowl victories (XL and XLIII) after originally being drafted by the team in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Michigan. He started every game with the Steelers from 2004-08 before signing a one-year deal with his hometown Detroit Lions on May 6, 2009.
Foote led the Lions with 99 tackles (70 solo) in 2009, while also recording two sacks, four passes defensed and one forced fumble. He started the first 14 games in 2009 before a foot injury ended a personal streak of 94 consecutive starts dating back to 2004.
In 124 career games (98 starts), Foote has recorded 612 tackles (414 solo), 15.5 sacks, three interceptions, 18 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
