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Steelers, LB Gildon reach agreement Posted: Monday February 25, 2002 10:41 AMUpdated: Monday February 25, 2002 8:14 PM PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jason Gildon agreed to a five-year, $23 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday that will keep the core of one of the league's top defenses intact. Gildon, has led the team in sacks the past four seasons and is third on the team's all-time sack list. He was named the Steelers' franchise player Thursday after the team failed to reach contract terms. The contract includes a $7 million signing bonus. Gildon, drafted in 1994, said he didn't doubt he would continue to play for the Steelers. "I want to be here and they want me here," Gildon said. "I have the opportunity to finish my career as a Pittsburgh Steeler." Gildon, who was voted to the all-Pro team this year, replaced two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Levon Kirkland as defensive captain after the Steelers cut Kirkland, a nine-year veteran at inside linebacker, in March 2001 to make room under the salary cap. "He is a very unselfish player, a leader, a professional," head coach Bill Cowher said. "He had his chance to play and he's playing." Gildon finished last season with 12 sacks and 65 tackles as well as one interception and six blocked passes. He also forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles. With 62 1/2 sacks, Gildon, who played at Oklahoma State, is third behind L.C. Greenwood (73 1/2) and Joe Greene (66) on the team's all-time sack list. But Pittsburgh still has several key players who remain unsigned. On defense, linebacker Earl Holmes, the Steelers' leading tackler last season, linebacker Joey Porter (61 tackles, nine sacks) and defensive end Aaron Smith all become free agents. The Steelers last week signed linebacker John Fiala to a three-year contract. Fiala replaced Holmes when he was injured in the playoffs and could replace him again if he opts for free agency.
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