Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed Barrett Brooks to 1 year contract March 29 2005

The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed offensive tackle Barrett Brooks. The 10 year veteran lineman is expected to serve as a backup.The 6'4", 325 lbs. Brooks played in 5 games but did not start in 2004. The former Kansas State Wildcat began his pro career with Philadelphia Eagles, from 1995 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
until 1998. He then went on to play for the Detroit Lions (1999-2001) and the New York Giants (2002), before joining the Steelers in 2003. The Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker Larry Foote have agreed on a five year contract.Foote, a fourth round pick in 2002, started all 16 regular season games and both playoff games this year after having to fill in for injured Kendrell Bell. The linebacker registered 78

tackles with three sacks, one forced fumble and one interception.Foote was the first of the Steeler's restricted free agents to sign. Pittsburgh has also made qualifying offers to running back Verron Haynes, safety Chris Hope, defensive end Brett Keisel, wide receiver Lee Mays and kicker Jeff Reed. With little to play for, the Pittsburgh Steelers benched quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and two other injured starters -- running back Jerome Bettis and receiver Plaxico Burress -- for their regular-season finale against Buffalo. Roethlisberger is nursing a rib injury and will sit out a game the Bills must win for a chance at the playoffs. A Buffalo victory coupled with a New York Jets or Denver loss would put the Bills (9-6) in the postseason for the first time since 1999. Tommy Maddox will start in place of Roethlisberger, who has started every game since taking over for Maddox in the third week. Roethlisberger was injured last week in a victory against Baltimore. Roethlisberger has guided Pittsburgh to 13 consecutive victories, helping the Steelers (14-1) clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC Steelers 43 Polamalu jersey
playoffs. Bettis and Burress also were listed as inactive. Bettis has a sprained ankle while Burress has a tender hamstring that has forced him to miss five of the past six games. Bettis has a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns; Franco Harris' team record is 14. Bettis was also 59 yards short of reaching the 1,000 yard plateau for the ninth time in his 12-year career. Duce Staley, who also has a hamstring injury, will start for Bettis. Staley had been sidelined for six of Pittsburgh's past eight games. Starting cornerback Deshea Townsend was inactive due to a hand injury.