Steelers re-sign DE Brett Keisel April 13 2005

The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed restricted free agent defensive end Brett Keisel to a 1 year deal worth $656,000. Keisel has served as a backup on defense while playing on special teams with the Steelers.The 6'5", 285 lbs. DE registered 9 tackles in 13 games during 2004.The Brigham Young product has played all 3 seasons as a pro with Pittsburgh. He has accumulated 13 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in 18 games over that span. The Pittsburgh Steelers restructured left tackle Marvel Smith's contract. The move freed up $2.55 million of salary cap space.Smith will be4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
paid the league's minimum wage, with a base salary of $540,000 in 2005. He had been scheduled to receive $3.95 million under his previous agreement. The remaining $3.4 million was paid to Smith this week as a signing bonus.The 6'5", 321 lbs. LT agreed to a 6 year contract in 2003 which included a $6 million signing bonus. Smith restructured his base salary and received a $1.7 million bonus in 2004.Smith has been given $11.1 million in bonus money while making the NFL minimum in salary since 2002. The former Arizona State Sun Devil enters his sixth NFL season, all with Pittsburgh. He has started 63 of the 66 games he's played, including all 16 last season.The Steelers need the money to sign their upcoming draft class and give them the flexibility to offer long-term contracts for young players such as Chris Hope and Verron Haynes. After 35 years of being a team announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Myron Cope is retiring. Over the past few years he has been experiencing some health problems and has decided not to spend another season as the announcer. Cope has a unique voice that is matched by no other. His voice may be considered screechy, but it has also filled the airwaves with an abundance of enthusiasm over the years. Back in the 1970's, Cope became known a recognized voice throughout the US when the Pittsburgh Steeler's won a string of Super Bowl Championships. His popularity rivals that of baseball announcers who usually gain more recognition because there are so many more baseball games than football games to announce per season.Cope is known for his unique phrases such as "Yoi!" He also added to team spirit with his creation of the Terrible Towel. To this day one can still see fans waving around their Terrible Towel at the games. The creation of the Terrible Towel made Myron Cope a "part of the team." This good luck charm of sorts was thought to ignite team spirit during crucial moments of Steelers' Games. There have been millions of dollars in sales of Terrible Towels over the years. Most proceeds have gone to charities. Over the years Cope's announcing has inspired fans and the team. He is probably as popular and respected as the players he announces for. Cope never planned on being a sports announcer. In fact, it was not until he was 40 that he had the opportunity. At the time he was a sportswriter. A WTAE radio executive brought up the idea for Cope to announce for Jets 6 Sanchez Jersey
the Pittsburgh Steelers. The executive thought that Cope's one of kind voice and sports knowledge could bring more recognition to the team who at the time was not as popular as they are today. Over the years, the fame of the Steelers grew, along with Cope's own popularity. Myron Cope will be missed by players and fans alike. This year there will be two men announcing play-by-play action. Bill Hillgrove and Tunch Ilkin will announce from the radio Booth. Ilkin, who is an analyst, joined Cope in the booth a few years ago.