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Posted By	Discussion Topic: Steelers sign Hartings, cut Kirkland
Calm Your Nut	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 5:04 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Nov. 00	PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free agent offensive lineman Jeff Hartings to replace Dermontti Dawson at center. In order to free up cap room to sign Hartings, the Steelers released linebacker Levon Kirkland. Hartings, who had been a starter for the Lions, received a six-year deal worth $24.25 million, including a $5.75 million signing bonus. The Steelers plan to use Hartings at center to replace Dawson, whom the Steelers recently cut. "Jeff has produced at a very high level throughout his career," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said. "He has worked at center in the past, and we believe he has the physical and mental attributes to make the transition on a full-time basis." The Steelers were forced to release Dawson, a perennial Pro Bowler, in a salary cap move. The Steelers entered the sweepstakes for Hartings on Wednesday and signed the former Penn State star while he was waiting for an offer from the Arizona Cardinals. Hartings joins a strong run-oriented offensive line that includes Alan Faneca and Wayne Gandy. Star running back Jerome Bettis was signed to a six-year contract last week. Hartings has started every game since the sixth game of his rookie season in 1996. His teammates picked him as Detroit's top offensive lineman in 1998 and 2000. Information from SportsTicker was used in this report. Proud to watch over "Mud Juice and Drunken GW"

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