OAKLAND, Calif. -- The agent for Jerome Bettis has made a contract proposal to the Steelers, but Bettis already has done him one better.
Bettis helped Lamont Smith, his agent, secure a contract this week.
With a little help from Bettis, Smith signed University of Pittsburgh running back Kevan Barlow, who is considered a potential first-round draft pick, and Smith knows his way around that area. Smith, based in Denver, represents running backs Barry Sanders, Eddie George and Bettis among other players.
"I'm very excited to have him," Smith said yesterday.
Bettis, he said, helped by recommending him to Barlow.
Smith, though, wants to work out a contract for Bettis long before Barlow is drafted.
He visited Pittsburgh the past week hoping to sign Barlow and make progress in contract talks with the Steelers for Bettis.
He had to settle for one out of two.
Smith was hoping to get a personal meeting with the Steelers Art Rooney II while he was in town, but only talked to Rooney by telephone.
"They were not able to sit down and talk, so we chatted by phone," Smith said. "I just took it like we're going to be patient with the process. Ideally, we would have liked to talk to them. We're anxious to get something done. It's disappointing but we'll be patient.
"We've given them a proposal and we'll wait to hear back from them."
Smith would not say what that proposal is, but Bettis likely is not seeking the length or amount of money the Bengals offered to running back Corey Dillon. The $60 million, eight-year deal included a $12 million signing bonus and was quickly rejected by Dillon, who wants a $15 million bonus.
Various coaches and officials of the Steelers have said signing Bettis is their top priority. Bettis has declared he wants to end his playing days with the Steelers and make his permanent retirement home in Pittsburgh. He has said he hopes to come to a contract agreement with the club before free agency begins March 2.
"We certainly would like to work it out," Smith said. "I've been making every effort I can to try to get it done. We'd like to see if it's going to happen there. If not, I guess we have to evaluate our options. Based upon his production this year, I would have to assume he would be in quite a bit of demand."
Bettis played through various minor injuries without missing a game to rush for 1,341 yards, seventh in the running backs-rich AFC and the fourth-highest total in Steelers history. Bettis has three of the four best rushing seasons in the franchise.
Bettis' agent makes proposal 
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