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2/27/2009 3:31 AM

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By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

dlolley@observer-reporter.com

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a flurry of roster moves Thursday afternoon, just hours before the NFL free-agent period began at midnight.

Pittsburgh uncharacteristically allowed two former starters to become free agents, releasing guard Kendall Simmons and not tendering a contract offer to restricted free agent safety Anthony Smith.

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The Steelers did make contract offers to three restricted free agents, giving right tackle Willie Colon a tender of $2.198 million - the highest amount possible - while tight end/fullback Sean McHugh and cornerback Anthony Madison were issued offers at the lowest level, $1.01 million.

If Colon signs a contract with another team and the Steelers choose not to match it, Pittsburgh will receive a first-round draft pick in return. The Steelers would receive a seventh-round pick in return for McHugh, while Madison, who signed as an undrafted rookie free agent, would bring no compensation.

The release of Simmons, a first-round draft pick in 2002, leaves the Steelers painfully thin on the offensive line. With offensive tackles Marvel Smith, Trai Essex and guard Chris Kemoeatu becoming unrestricted free agents, the Steelers have only seven offensive linemen under contract.

Simmons played in just four games last season after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon in a 23-20 overtime win over Baltimore on Sept. 29. He also suffered a torn ACL in training camp in 2004, missing that entire season.

The Steelers signed Simmons to a 4-year, $24-million contract extension in 2007. That deal included a $7.85-million signing bonus and $8.5 million in guaranteed money. He woudl have had a base salary of $3.1 million in 2009.

Smith, a third-round draft pick in 2006, had fallen out of favor with head coach Mike Tomlin after starting 10 games in 2007. Smith drew Tomlin's ire for guaranteeing a win at New England that season and then being beaten for two touchdowns in a 34-13 loss.

The moves leave the Steelers with approximately $7.5 million in salary cap space.

Odds and end zones

The Steelers also tendered offers to fullback Carey Davis and offensive lineman Jeremy Parquett, a pair of exclusive-rights free agents. ... Linebacker Mike Humpal, a sixth-round draft pick in 2008, also was released after spending last season on injured reserve.

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