Published: Friday, March 30, 2001

report

Steussie signs with Carolina Panthers for 6 years, $28 million

---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- ASSOCIATED PRESS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Todd Steussie, a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle, and the Carolina Panthers, who surrendered a league-high 69 sacks last season, agreed Thursday to a six-year, $28 million deal. The 30-year-old Steussie is Carolina's third major free-agent acquisition on the offensive line in three weeks, joining Ravens center Jeff Mitchell and Dolphins guard Kevin Donnalley. Steussie was released by the Vikings in a salary-cap move. ``We think he's one of the better left offensive tackles in football,'' Panthers coach George Seifert said. ``He brings experience at that position and that's something that we've been looking for. Aside from that, he's also been a very durable player throughout his career.'' Steussie's deal includes a $4.75 million signing bonus and $2.5 million roster bonus next March, according to his agent, David Dunn. Steussie will count only $1.3 million toward the salary cap this season. Steussie's main responsibility this season will be to protect the blind side of new quarterback Jeff Lewis. Steussie, taken by Minnesota in the first round of the 1994 draft out of California, became the first Vikings offensive lineman to start all 16 game

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), March 30, 2001