Tuesday, December 26
Bettis, Dawson want to remain Steelers



PITTSBURGH -- Jerome Bettis and Dermontti Dawson, Pittsburgh's two most accomplished players, dropped hints Tuesday they are willing to make financial sacrifices to stay with the Steelers.

Bettis, coming off the fourth-best rushing season in club history, is confident of re-signing with the Steelers even though he has played out the $14.4 million, four-year contract he signed in 1997.

Bettis, who has had five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Pittsburgh, suggested he would take less money than he might command elsewhere to remain in such a running back-friendly system.

"I'm positive, I'm real positive about coming back," Bettis said as the Steelers held their season-ending meetings with coach Bill Cowher. "The management, coaches, players, I think everybody wants me back and I want to be back, so I don't think there's a problem with it."

Still, Bettis understands the Steelers haven't decided if they have enough salary-cap flexibility to sign him and still make other necessary moves, such as signing a veteran wide receiver.

Bettis' agent, Lamont Smith, met with the Steelers two weeks ago, but the two sides agreed only to postpone any more talks until the season ended. The Steelers beat the San Diego Chargers 34-21 on Sunday to complete a 9-7 season.

"I know they're going to meet and look at things, as they should, and they're going to weigh everything from a cap standpoint," said Bettis, who rushed for 1,341 yards this season. "But I do hope when they come to a decision, and if it is to pursue me, then we can get it done quickly."

Several teammates, including linebacker Levon Kirkland and cornerback Dewayne Washington, are lobbying team president Dan Rooney, director of football operations Kevin Colbert and Cowher to re-sign Bettis.

"I think it's very important, not just because of what he can do as a running back, but because of his leadership," Kirkland said. "He adds a big dimension to your team."

The Steelers also must make a difficult decision concerning Dawson, the six-time All-Pro center who was Bettis' main blocker until missing 17 games with hamstring problems the last two seasons.

Dawson made it only to midseason until reinjuring a hamstring that kept him out of nine games a year ago. During training camp, he said he probably would retire if the injury persisted, but he now wants to play at least one season in the new Steelers stadium that opens in 2001.

However, the Steelers must pay Dawson a $1 million bonus if he is on their roster Feb. 22. Also, he is due to make $1.6 million next season, a lot of money for a player who will be 36 and has an injury that could occur again at any time.

Dawson hinted he is willing to rework his contract to eliminate the $1 million bonus if it helps him stay in Pittsburgh.

If the Steelers don't pay him the bonus or don't rework his contract, he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

"I'm flexible about that," he said. "They've got to make some personnel moves, and I don't know what their cap situation is, but I'm sure that (the bonus) is a big consideration.

"I want to be in the black and gold, and I don't want to be going to another team if I don't have to. I feel like I can still give a lot to the team."

Bettis also wants to get his contract situation resolved quickly so he can begin concentrating on his offseason conditioning program.

"But it is a business, and you have to prepare your mind for the possibility you might not be here," he said. "You hope it doesn't happen, but the possibility does exist."




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