For a team that hasn't suffered a losing season since 2003, last year's 8-8 campaign served as a wakeup call for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Instead of marching into January, the team spent an ugly winter at home watching the Baltimore Ravens get crowned king. Steelers linebacker Larry Foote said that didn't sit well with his teammates.
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"We're pissed off we didn't make the playoffs," Foote told GoBlueWolverine.com. "On top of that, our rival won the Super Bowl. I know guys are taking it personally. It's just a whole different mindset to the offseason. I know guys are ready to get back where we need to be."
The Steelers' decorated track record makes it hard to doubt a bounce-back campaign, but their offseason has been marked by sweeping transition.
While the Steelers waved goodbye to a layer of aging, veteran leadership, the 32-year-old Foote re-upped with the Steelers in March on a three-year, $5.5 million contract. We doubt he'll play out the deal, but Foote isn't hanging around to go .500 again.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.