Steelers Free Agent Update: Batch Re-Signs, Leftwich GoneBryant McFadden, Nate Washington, Marvel Smith Also LeaveUPDATED: 3:13 pm EDT April 16, 2009 PITTSBURGH -- Some of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers are leaving as free agents, while others are signing new contracts to stay with the team. (Scroll down to see the full list of free agents and post your comments.)Just days after quarterback Byron Leftwich left Pittsburgh for Tampa Bay, the Steelers on Thursday announced quarterback Charlie Batch had signed a one-year deal to stay with his hometown team.Batch, a Homestead native, missed all of last season with a broken clavicle, prompting the Steelers to sign Leftwich to back up starter Ben Roethlisberger.
Offensive tackle Marvel Smith -- limited to 17 games the past two seasons because of back problems -- agreed to a multiyear contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers did not attempt to keep Smith, a 30-year-old veteran who was on injured reserve when the team made its postseason run to the Super Bowl. Offensive tackle Trai Essex re-signed with the Steelers on a two-year deal, and cornerback Anthony Madison signed a one-year deal.The Steelers also re-signed veteran cornerback Fernando Bryant, 31, to a one-year deal. A former first-round draft choice by Jacksonville, he joined the Steelers on Nov. 11 and played in two games.Bryant should compete for more playing time following the departure of cornerback Bryant McFadden, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. McFadden played 10 games for the Steelers in 2008, with two interceptions and one sack. He was a second-round draft pick in 2005, when Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator. Cornerback/return specialist Chris Carr visited with the Steelers but signed with the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens, who outbid the Steelers for Carr's services, according to the Baltimore Sun.The Steelers re-signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Andre Frazier to a two-year deal and free agent linebacker Arnold Harrison to a one-year deal.Right tackle Willie Colon, who was a restricted free agent, signed a one-year contract. The fourth-round draft pick from 2006 has started every game for the Steelers the past two seasons. Free agent wide receiver Nate Washington was signed by the Tennessee Titans for six years and $27 million.Washington, 25, had three touchdowns and 631 yards as the Steelers' third receiver in 2008, with a healthy average of 15.8 yards per catch. He also caught a pass on the game-winning drive in the Super Bowl. (Related: Just How Good Is Nate Washington?) Guard Chris Kemoeatu wasn't a free agent for long. He re-signed with the Steelers for five years and $20 million after former first-round draft pick Kendall Simmons was released. The Steelers have made offers to two exclusive-rights free agents -- fullback Carey Davis and tackle Jeremy Parquet. Steelers' Complete List Of Free AgentsUnrestrictedCharlie Batch (QB) - re-signed with Steelers Mitch Berger (P) Fernando Bryant (CB) - re-signed with Steelers Trai Essex (OT) - re-signed with Steelers Keyaron Fox (LB) - re-signed with Steelers Andre Frazier (LB) - re-signed with Steelers Arnold Harrison (LB) - re-signed with Steelers Chris Kemoeatu (OG) - re-signed with Steelers Byron Leftwich (QB) - signed with Tampa Bay Bryant McFadden (CB) - signed with Arizona Marvel Smith (OT) - signed with San Francisco Orpheus Roye (DE) Nate Washington (WR) - signed with TennesseeRestricted Willie Colon (OT) - re-signed with Steelers Sean McHugh (FB) - re-signed with Steelers Anthony Madison (CB) - re-signed with Steelers Anthony Smith (S) - signed with Green Bay Exclusive Rights Carey Davis (FB) - received offer from Steelers Jon Dekker (TE) Jeremy Parquet (OG) - received offer from SteelersReleased: Kendall Simmons (OG) Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
















