Foote Wants to Stay in Steel City

The rumors are flying and Larry Foote is not happy about it, longtime friend Brian Blackburn has been spreading the rumor that Foote, a Detroit native, will be returning home to finish out his career with the Lions.

"It would be ludicrous for me to say I want to leave my last year. It would be stupid to even want to do that," Foote said. "The bottom line is in 2002 the Lions had a chance to draft me. They chose not to. The Steelers did."

Foote, 28, who played his college football at Michigan, will be entering the final year of a $13.4 million contract extension he signed after winning Super Bowl XL.

He has admitted that his playing time has been reduced because of Lawrence Timmons, but assures everyone that his skill have not diminished.

"I still think I'm in my prime. I have some good years ahead of me, so I'm not going to accept that. I haven't heard anything like that." Foote said, "My play hasn't dropped off, just my (playing) time has dropped off. I can be as productive as any linebacker in the league with the opportunity."