Steelers free agency update
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Steelers made two moves yesterday to secure two new starters on defense when they signed end Brett Keisel and safety Ryan Clark to four-year contracts.
The team also is close to an agreement with their No. 2 tight end Jerame Tuman.
Keisel, a backup since the Steelers drafted him in 2002, will start at right defensive end. He will replace Kimo von Oelhoffen, who yesterday signed a three-year, $9.2 million contract as a free agent with the New York Jets.
Keisel signed a contract that will pay him $13.1 million, including a $3.29 million signing bonus.
Clark, 26, started at safety for the Redskins the past two seasons and will replace Chris Hope as the Steelers' starting free safety. The Steelers will pay him $7 million, including $1.65 million signing bonus. The Steelers tried to re-sign Hope, a starter the past two seasons, but he balked at their offer and is looking elsewhere.
Clark was giddy yesterday when he talked about signing with the Steelers.
"It's a wonderful day. I was at the airport, swinging my Terrible Towel. I was with a team with a great fan base, but now -- they're going to hate me for this -- I'm with a team with an even better one. [super cute!]
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So officially now...
IN: Charlie Batch (re-signed), Brett Keisel (re-signed), Clint Kriewaldt (re-signed), Jerame Tuman (re-signed), Barrett Brooks (re-signed), Jeff Hartings (re-signed), Doug Easlick (49ers), Ryan Clark (Redskins)
OUT: Antwaan Randle El (Redskins), Kimo von Oelhoffen (Jets),
CUT: Tommy Maddox, Mike Logan, Russell Stuvaints, Willie Williams
Am I missing anybody? I'm tired.
Anyway, I'm going to miss Kimo. He was cool.
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Did anybody notice that my blog is mostly back? This is all thanks to the Google Cache, so you are definitely OK in my book Google. We're definitely friends now, and I will stop secretly hating you for my lack of Google Rank. And also, thanks to me, for the hours of effort spent last night copying and pasting. I lost some of my first posts but I suppose nobody ever read those anyway.
Bettina
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Reader Comments (3)
It's a shame about Kimo, but thank God the Steelers locked up Keisel.
Hopefully Clark can fit within the system. The guys over at Heels Sox Steelers are down on Hope, but you really can't fault the way the guy played during this year. Certainly the safety play was much improved over the Lee Flowers Era, and it can't all be Polamalu.