PITTSBURGH - Dante Brown and nine other players were released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who tried to trade the running back before Sunday's roster cutdown deadline but were unable to work out a deal.

With several teams thin at running back, the Steelers were looking to trade one of their extra backs. They wound up keeping free agent rookie Willie Parker of North Carolina and third-year pro Verron Haynes, who can play either running back or fullback.

Brown, who played in college at Memphis, ran 27 times for 120 yards, a 4.4 average and three touchdowns in four exhibition games. He led the team in rushing during the 2003 exhibition season with 106 yards and two touchdowns, but was activated for only two games during the regular season.

"We talked (about a trade) and nothing materialized," coach Bill Cowher said. "We talked about him (Brown) and some other players as well."

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Parker rushed for only 181 yards at North Carolina last season, but led the Steelers with 202 yards in exhibition play, including 106 yards against the Eagles.

"He's got very unique speed," Cowher said. "He's got excellent hands. He had no trouble picking up the offense. ... He's got a lot of unique qualities that are intriguing."

Also cut were sixth-year linebacker Adrian Ross, a former Bengals starter brought in when training camp started; fifth-year defensive lineman Kendrick Clancy; and second-year safety Russell Stuvaints, a former Youngstown State player and a native of suburban McKeesport.

Clancy became expendable when fourth-year lineman Chris Hoke had a strong exhibition season, leading the team in sacks.

The Steelers also released kicker Rob Bironas, who kicked two field goals in their 16-13 exhibition loss last Thursday to Carolina; fullback J.T. Wall, a seventh-round draft pick in 2003; rookie offensive linemen Drew Caylor and Bo Lacy, linebacker Dedrick Roper and defensive end Eric Taylor.

Lacy, a sixth-round pick from Arkansas, became the second draft choice to be cut before Sunday's season opener against Oakland. Previously waived was fifth-rounder Nathaniel Adibi, a former Virginia Tech star who struggled to make the transition from defensive end in college to NFL outside linebacker.

Some players are expected to re-sign Monday, when the Steelers can add eight players to their practice squad.

The moves came a day after the Steelers freed up a roster spot by trading backup offensive lineman Todd Fordham to the Panthers for an undisclosed draft pick. Fordham began last season as a starter and had a strong start to training camp this year, only to be beaten out both times by Oliver Ross.

By trading Fordham, the Steelers chose to keep backup Jim Jones, who spent the last two seasons on Baltimore's practice squad, and ninth-year pro Barrett Brooks, who signed at midseason last year but was activated for only one game.

The Steelers also kept four tight ends for the second consecutive season, with rookie Matt Kranchick of Penn State joining Jay Riemersma, Jerame Tuman and Matt Cushing. Kranchick, a sixth-round pick, and Parker both made the Steelers after not being regulars for most of their college careers.

The Steelers kept nearly as many tight ends (4) as they did wide receivers (5).