A former NFL player who joined the Marines and was motivated by college roommate Pat Tillman, who died in Afghanistan, was heading for the war himself Tuesday night. Lance Cpl. Jeremy Staat, a former defensive lineman for the Steelers and Rams who had been playing Arena Football, was one of 300 Marines in the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment being deployed from Kaneohe Bay. The unit is expected to be in Iraq for seven months.

Linebacker Colby Bockwoldt signed with the 49ers on Monday. Bockwoldt played mostly on special teams for the Titans last season after two years with the Saints, starting 16 games in 2005. The Titans and the Steelers also hoped to sign him, but Bockwoldt chose to reunite with 49ers special teams coordinator Al Everest, his coach in New Orleans for two years.

The Steelers on Tuesday signed restricted free agent punter Andy Lee to an offer sheet. The 49ers have seven days to match the offer by the Steelers. If they fail to match, they would receive a sixth-round pick from the Steelers in April's draft.

According to a report on NFL.com, Joey Porter agreed to a five-year, $32.5 million contract with the Dolphins on Tuesday. The deal would come just five days after the outside linebacker was released by the Steelers. The heartbeat of Pittsburgh's defense for the last several years, Porter would significantly bolster a Dolphins team which went 6-10 last season. A three-time Pro Bowler, Porter led the Steelers with seven sacks and recorded 64 tackles, including 43 solo, and two interceptions this past season.

The Steelers released veteran outside linebacker Joey Porter and running back Verron Haynes, the team announced today. Porter, an eight-year veteran, was originally selected by the Steelers in the third round (73rd overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft out of Colorado State. Porter started in 14 games in 2006, and finished the season tied for seventh on the team with 64 tackles (43 solo). He led the Steelers with seven quarterback sacks and intercepted two passes which tied for second on the team. In eight seasons with the Steelers, Porter played in 122 games and made 106 starts. He recorded 498 tackles (374 solo) and 10 interceptions, and ranks fourth in team history with 60 quarterback sacks. Porter, who was the team's defensive co-captain since 2003, earned three trips to the Pro Bowl (2003, 2005 and 2006) and was voted Steelers' co-MVP in 2002. Haynes was the Steelers' fifth round draft choice in 2002 (166th overall). He played seven games in 2006 before being placed on the reserve/injured list with a knee injury versus Oakland (Oct. 29). Haynes played in 60 games with the Steelers and rushed for 738 yards and three touchdowns on 174 carries (4.2 avg.).