<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Steelers pare veterans QB Maddox, CB WilliamsBy Len PasquarelliESPN.comclick thisNine-year veteran quarterback Tommy Maddox, who resurrected his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers but lost his starting job to then-rookie Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, was released on Friday, as the Super Bowl XL champions continued to make moves to get under the 2006 salary cap.The Steelers also released 13-year veteran cornerback Willie Williams. The two transactions, which created $1.585 million in additional cap space, had been anticipated since the end of the season.Out of the game for five seasons (1996-2000), Maddox signed with the Steelers in 2001 as a free agent, following stints in the Arena Football League and the short-lived XFL. He won the starting job a year later and between 2002-2003, started 27 games, including all contests in '03. In those two seasons, he completed 532 of 896 passes for 6,250 yards, with 38 touchdown passes and 33 interceptions.Maddox, 34, established franchise records for attempts (519), completions (298) and 300-yard games (six) in 2003, and his 3,414 yards were the second most in club history for a single season.But in the second game of the 2004 season, Maddox suffered an elbow injury against the Baltimore Ravens and was replaced by Roethlisberger, who then put a vise grip on the No. 1 job. Maddox played in just eight games, with five starts, after that. Last year, he dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch. He was due a $100,000 roster bonus and a $900,000 base salary for 2006.The first-round choice of the Denver Broncos in 1992, Maddox, who starred at UCLA, was projected as the eventual successor to John Elway. But he departed Denver long before Elway ever did, as he was released after the 1993 season. Maddox subsequently played for the Rams (1994) and the Giants (1995) before his career spiraled and he was out of the league for five seasons.While selling insurance, he attempted to revive his career and, after playing in the Arena League and the XFL, winning most valuable player honors in the latter, the Steelers responded to a letter Maddox wrote to all 32 NFL franchises, seeking a tryout.For his NFL career, Maddox has appeared in 93 games and started 36 of them, completing 686 of 1,200 passes for 8,087 yards, with 48 touchdown passes, 54 interceptions and a 72.4 efficiency rating.Williams, 35, began his career with the Steelers in 1996, then signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in 1997. After seven seasons with the Seahawks, he returned to Pittsburgh in 2004.The former Western Carolina standout started 10 games in 2004, and played well, but was beaten out for the starting job in 2005 by emerging young cornerback Ike Taylor. Williams appeared in just four games in 2005 and was inactive for the final two months of the season. In 188 appearances, he posted 646 tackles, 26 interceptions and 103 passes defensed.Williams was due a base salary of $1.235 million for 2006.Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.</div>Pom-Poms, you may begin your happy dance now.
Oh, baby... I sure am doing my happy dance, lol. I wanted Maddox gone sooooooo badly! I guess the Pittsburgh Steelers were thinking the same way I was, huh? That Maddox wasn't a "kickass good QB!" Do I know my team, or do I know my team? I'm pretty darn good for a girl, eh? LOLWillie Williams had been back and forth w/the Steelers all last season. I'm sure we haven't seen the end of him, but who knows. Someone may pick him up, but I doubt it what w/the CBA mess and all. I guess we'll see.Sorry I haven't been around, but as you know, I was in the hospital with pneumonia.
They also should get rid of Batch, since he sucks just as bad. Then they should look to sign good backup QB's. Ey Pom-poms, how'd u pneumonia?
Was so predicable, knew his release would be coming some time soon. Good move so we dont gotta pay him so much money because he doesnt get to play so its a good thing we have more cap room
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HnM @ Mar 5 2006, 01:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They also should get rid of Batch, since he sucks just as bad. Then they should look to sign good backup QB's. Ey Pom-poms, how'd u pneumonia?</div>Charlie Batch isn't that bad. I would say he's alot better than Tommy Maddox was this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hypnotic? @ Mar 4 2006, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wish they would of let Duce go instead of restructuring his contract....oh well.</div>I agree, Hypnotic. I wish they would let Duce go, too. I was never a big fan of his. He's so injury prone. Have you heard any rumors if the Steelers are looking for any runningbacks? I'm really going to miss Bettis. I really, really like Charlie Batch. He won every game he started this year with the Steelers, until he broke his hand, and then we had no choice but to put stinkola Tommy Maddox in because Ben was still hurt. I watched Batch carefully, and I think he's one helluva QB. I felt about as confident with him in the game as I did with Ben, and that says a lot, lol. How 'bout it, xpost? You know how much I hated Maddox, lol. Speaking of Maddox... Hey Uptown... Have you heard any rumors that perhaps the Ravens might be interested in him? I know how much your team likes our rejects, lol. I'm serious, though. Might the Ravens be interested? I heard maybe the Bengals might be. WTF is that all about? I'm feeling a lot better, HnM. Thank you for asking. I'm home from the hospital, but am confined to bed for this entire week. I just have to get up for a little bit, though, so I decided to get online to see if all you boys are behaving yourselves, lol. Please keep me posted on all the Steelers news. I feel like I'm missing so much not being able to be around much until I get over this darn pneumonia. Thanks, guys!
