Offensive linemen Chris Kemoeatu and Trai Essex each signed his one-year tender, removing them from the list of Steelers restricted free agents.

Kemoeatu will earn a salary of $1,417,000 for the 2008 season and Essex will receive $927,000.

The signings leave the Steelers with two restricted free agents - wide receiver Nate Washington and long-snapper Greg Warren. Those two have until one week before the start of the April 26 draft in order to field offers from other teams; the Steelers have the right to match any contract either might sign.

Kemoeatu, a fifth-round draft choice in 2005, is the heir apparent to succeed Alan Faneca as the starting left guard. Essex is the only experience reserve tackle, unless Max Starks, a free agent but with the transition tag, returns. Essex started at left tackle in last season's playoff game against Jacksonville because of injuries to Starks and Marvel Smith. Essex, a third-round draft choice in 2005, started four games at left tackle in 2005 for the injured Smith.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.