February 26th, 2009 
Matt Loede 
Posted in Free agency is just hours away, and the team has issued tenders to FB Carey Davis and G Jeremy Parquet. Both players received the exclusive rights players contract tenders.
The team also made somewhat of a surprise move, as they released starting guard Kendall Simmons, which makes him an unrestricted free agent.
Last season Simmons had an Achilles tendon torn in the fourth game of last season and was placed on injured reserve and did not play again. The teams also released linebacker Mike Humpal, a sixth-round draft choice last year.
The team also today placed a first-round tender on ORT Willie Colon, Scout.com has confirmed. Colon will receive the one-year tender level at $2.198 million. Should another team sign Colon to an offer sheet and the Steelers not match it, the team would be entitled to a first-round pick in compensation from the other team.
Fullback Sean McHugh and cornerback Anthony Madison also were tendered deals. Safety Anthony Smith, a third-round draft pick in 2006, did not receive a tender and he now becomes an unrestricted free agent. McHugh and Madison received the low tenders of $1.01 million, maintaining the Steelers rights to match.
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Well, here we go. Its FA time and the releases are starting. It is estimated that over 400 players will be FA this off-season. Now all Steeler fans can start thinking draft. I am concerned about Mcfadden,Harrison, Ward and Miller. I hope these deals get done SOON!