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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their choice at outside linebacker, and it isnt LaMarr Woodley. Dan Fouts Womens Jersey . A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press the Steelers will part ways with the former Pro Bowler, a move that hardly serves as a surprise after fifth-year linebacker Jason Worilds agreed to accept a "transition player" tag last week. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move is not yet official. The 29-year-old Woodley will likely be designated a post-June 1 salary cap cut, but is free to sign with another team when the new league year begins Tuesday afternoon. By postponing the move until after June 1, the Steelers would free up about $8 million in salary cap space in 2014. The money saved will likely go toward signing the teams selections in the NFL Draft in May. Woodley will, however, count $8.5 million against the teams cap number in 2015. Woodley signed a six-year, $61.5 million contract in 2011, but has struggled to remain healthy. He missed at least three games in each of the last three seasons as hamstring and other lower body issues kept him sidelined for long stretches. The turning point came in a 25-17 win over New England on Oct. 30, 2011. Woodley sacked Tom Brady twice in that game but also left with a strained hamstring. He had nine sacks at the time of the injury, played in two games the rest of the way and could never seem to rediscover the productivity that made Woodley and James Harrison one of the most feared outside linebacker combinations in the league. The Steelers released Harrison last March and selected Jarvis Jones in the first round of the 2013 draft, making him the heir apparent to Harrison. Jones finished with just one sack but appeared to get better as the season progressed. Woodley did not. He failed to get a sack after Oct. 20 and ended the season on injured reserve. While Woodley sat with calf problems, Worilds thrived. He led Pittsburgh with eight sacks despite playing across from a rookie still adjusting to the league. The decision to release Woodley is the latest in a busy week for the Steelers, who have been forced to become aggressive to get under the salary cap by Tuesday. Safety Troy Polamalu and tight end Heath Miller signed more cap-friendly contracts last week, while Pittsburgh also released offensive tackle Levi Brown, cornerback Curtis Brown and linebacker Larry Foote. The Steelers agreed to terms with safety Will Allen. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported wide receiver Antonio Brown restructured his contract. The Steelers also restructured CB Ike Taylors contract to save cap room. All the movement, however, is unlikely to make the typically conservative Steelers major players when free agency begins. Dwight Freeney Womens Jersey . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Tuukka Rask, Boston (4) - Explosive, perfect positioning and great rebound control for all five games that led to this series being clinched. Dan Fouts Jersey . The new Romo deal, which is being reported by the Dallas Morning News, will save the team another $10 million. According to the report, the new deal drops Romos salary-cap figure from $21.With rumours flying surrounding his former number one goalie and the injured centre he acquired at the 2013 NHL Draft, Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis sounded as if nothing was imminent when it came to either the contract negotiations with Dave Bolland or the likelihood of a trade involving James Reimer. Nonis mentioned how the Leafs handled Tyler Bozaks negotiations last year in reference to Bollands status. “If youve got a player thats unrestricted it doesnt mean he wont sign if you dont sign him before the (July 1) deadline,” Nonis said, pointing out how the Leafs held onto Tyler Bozak despite his upcoming free agency before signing him in the off-season. “Im perfectly content letting the UFA&rdquuo;s play it out and see where we are. Eddie Royal Chargers Jersey. ” In response to the trade rumours surrounding Reimer, Nonis commented that he is in no rush to break up a goalie tandem that has played a key role in the teams success this season. “Weve been able to win games because of both of them and I think thats a strength of our group right now,” Nonis said of a tandem thats combined for the leagues fifth best save percentage despite facing nearly two shots per game more than any other NHL club. “Right now I dont see it as a smart move on our standpoint – at least from whats been offered to date -- to move either one of the goaltenders.” Nonis on Reimers status, options for Bolland wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
