Chad Scott predicted last summer he would have the best season of his career in 2004. Instead, it turned into his last with the Steelers, and an abbreviated one at that.

Scott, the Steelers' first-round draft choice in 1997 who made big plays and gave them up at cornerback, was released yesterday in a move that did not come as a surprise.

The Steelers also released tight end Jay Riemersma, who was plagued by injuries and never lived up to the team's expectations when they signed him as a free agent from Buffalo two years ago.

The moves will save the Steelers $5,385,000 under the salary cap. There could be more before next Wednesday, when all NFL teams must be under their cap. Those include an expected decision from either Jerome Bettis or the Steelers that he will return to play for less money next season, retire or be released.

The savings on Scott come to $4,085,000 -- his salary plus a $200,000 workout bonus. The team saves Riemersma's $1.3 million salary. The Steelers will be charged $2,053,334 against their cap this year for the two players in the form of their prorated signing bonuses -- $1.8 million for Scott and $253,334 for Riemersma.

The Steelers gave Scott the news at their UPMC offices Thursday.

"I'm happy they gave him the respect of an early notice as opposed to letting him find out through you," said his agent, Mason Ashe. "He was in good spirits, very appreciative of his time in Pittsburgh. He loves the fans there. He had a great run there."

Scott and fellow cornerback Dewayne Washington benefited four years ago when the Steelers moved into Heinz Field and they had one year left on their contracts. In a bold move, partly to show fans they were serious about using their new stadium to prevent good players from leaving, the Steelers signed their two cornerbacks on the day training camp began. Scott received a six-year $30 million contract, and Washington was given $25 million on a five-year deal.

Neither saw the final two years. Washington was released last year.

The Steelers have salary-cap issues that helped them make the decision on Scott, but they also want to play second-year cornerback Ricardo Colclough, their second-round draft pick last year.

Scott, 30, had his knee injured in a game at Dallas Oct. 17. He missed the next nine games, and Willie Williams replaced him. Scott started in the regular-season finale at Buffalo, but he played only in their passing defenses in the playoffs. He had one interception last season and 19 in his career, four returned for touchdowns.

His best season came after he signed his new contract when he intercepted five passes in 2001, returning them 204 yards including two for touchdowns.

"Chad was a walk-on at Towson State and a walk-on at Maryland," Ashe said. "He's a Cinderella story. He's a very appreciative young man. He's no prima donna. He always enjoyed playing with some of the legendary characters on that team."

Scott was one of those, often turning up for practice wearing all types of paraphernalia hanging from his uniform, from streams of ribbon to yellow "Do Not Cross" police tape stuck to his jersey.

Ashe believes Scott will have no problem finding another starting job in the NFL.

"I think he has maintained his body very well, he's a tremendous athlete. His work ethic has always been superior. Mentally and physically, he can add a lot to a team. He has a lot of experience. He can step right in and help."

Riemersma caught only seven passes last season as the No. 2 tight end before an Achilles' heel injury ended his season Dec. 5. He caught 10 passes in 2003, another injury plagued season. After Buffalo released him in 2003, the Steelers signed him to a three-year, $4 million contract with a $760,000 signing bonus.