Kemoeatu and Essex staying in Pittsburgh

By Neal Coolong  |   Tuesday, March 18, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers kept two back-up members of an unimpressive offensive line in 2007 by agreeing on restricted free agent tenders with T Trai Essex and G Chris Kemoeatu.

Kemoeatu has played in 18 games for the Steelers over the past three seasons. He received a one-year deal for $1,417,000. Essex signed a one-year deal for $927,000, and started for injured LT Marvel Smith in Pittsburgh's 31-29 loss to Jacksonville in the playoffs last season.

Commentary: Kemoeatu is penciled in as the replacement for seven-time Pro Bowl G Alan Faneca, who signed with the Jets in February. Essex could see time at tackle, as Smith's injury-plagued 2007 season shows instability at the position. Primary back-up, Max Starks, still hasn't signed his transition tag, and can still negotiate with other teams.

Fantasy Football Impact: The Steelers offensive line, with Faneca, gave up a league-high 47 sacks last season. Kemoeatu has some large cleats to fill, especially considering RB Willie Parker led the league in rushes and carries when he got hurt in Week 16.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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