Larry Foote's self-forced exit from Pittsburgh is a rare instance in which a Steelers player asked to be traded or released so he could pursue his career elsewhere.

Players rarely leave the Steelers unless the Steelers no longer want them. Sometimes, they go kicking and screaming, such as Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca last year.

"I'm just speaking from my knowledge of being around here and that is this is a great place to be," said defensive end Brett Keisel, who could find himself in the Faneca boat next year. "You have great owners who care about you, a great family atmosphere here in the locker room ,so it's a great place for a player like myself who was drafted here."

Keisel has one year left on his contract and wants to sign an extension before the 2009 ...More