Linebacker Keyaron Fox – Steelers 2011 Free Agent
Free Agent Classification: UFA (unrestricted free agent)
2010 Salary Estimation: $800,000 Base – $990,000 Cap Charge
Analysis: We continue our breakdown player by player at each Steelers free agents as we head deeper into the offseason and free agency. Next up for analysis is linebacker and special teams player Keyaron Fox. The contribution that Fox has made mostly over the last few seasons is on special teams and he was credited with 16 special teams tackles over the course of the entire season and that includes the playoffs. Where he hurt the Steelers the most on special teams was in the penalty department where he was flagged 7 times in 2010 with 3 coming in the playoffs. A few of the penalties were simply situations where Fox was not using his head
As far as his work on defense, Fox saw just under 60 snaps at an inside linebacker spot throughout the season. Nearly all of those snaps came in mop up duty when the games where in hand. On defense he recorded 4 tackles and 1 quarterback pressure in limited time. He also had 1 penalty as well. Fox has shown he can play both outside and inside in the past, but is likely best suited inside and is merely a spot duty player at best.
Future: The future of Fox with the Steelers is gloomy right now as the Steelers will likely go younger inside either through the draft, an undrafted signee or even free agency. The penalties might be hard for the team to swallow as Fox was the special teams captain and did not set a great example and failed to control his temper a few times. A new deal with Fox would likely cost around a $1 million a season and the Steelers could really use some of that money elsewhere. While it is not out of the question that #57 could be back in Latrobe for camp, it seems highly unlikely at this point and time. If he is in camp, you can bet he will have tons of competition to beat out. I just don\’t see it happening. He may get a look or two in free agency from teams needing special teams help.
Other 2011 Steelers Free Agents Analysis
Trai Essex
Mewelde Moore
Doug Legursky
Greg Warren
Dennis Dixon
Tony Hills
Chris Hoke
Ryan Mundy
Anthony Madison
Nick Eason
Jonathan Scott
Daniel Sepulveda
