Whether 3-4 or 4-3, Aaron Smith will be there

By Darrell Laurant  |   Wednesday, February 28, 2007  |  Comments( 2 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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For years, it's been an article of faith in the NFL -- you don't run on the Pittsburgh Steelers. You just don't.

And for the past eight years, Aaron Smith has been one of the main reasons. Last year, the 6-5, 298-pounder out of Northern Colorado had a personal-best 63 tackles in helping Pittsburgh rank second in the AFC and third in the NFL overall with just 88.3 rushing yards allowed per game.

The Steelers signed the 6-5, 298-pounder to a four-year contract extension this week, a deal worth approximately $25 million. Smith was in the final year of his current contract and is one of three soon-to-be free agents veterans the team would love to keep -- Smith, OG Alan Faneca and DB Troy Polamalu.

Smith's agent, Peter Schaeffer, said his client had "an overwhelming desire to play his entire career as a Pittsburgh Steeler."

Defensive line coach John Mitchell agrees. When Smith retires, he has said, so will he.

The Steelers are still looking for a strong pass rusher in the draft, perhaps for third down situations. Between them, Smith and Brett Keisel only had 10 sacks. But management loves Smith's work ethic and motor, and the way he occupies blockers to help the Steelers' gambling "Blitzburg" defense work.

Should someone like Florida DE Jarvis Moss or Adam Carriker of Nebraska tempt the Steelers at the No. 15 spot in the draft, new coach Mike Tomlin may well switch from the traditional 3-4 to a 4-3. In that scenario, Smith would move inside to team with Casey Hampton, while Keisel and the newcomer would man the ends.

Another argument for a 3-4 is the rumored defection of outside LB Joey Porter. Unless Pittsburgh drafts an outside linebacker, Porter's absence would leave the Steelers thin at that position.

Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2005, and has been a starter since his second year in the league. His first season as a Steeler was one to forget -- one tackle, one assist.

Beyond his obvious physical skills, the Colorado Springs native will remain valuable to the team as a pillar of stability in the locker room. Only Deshea Townsend and Hines Ward have been Steelers longer.
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