Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyson Alualu opts to sign two-year deal

After a free agent visit with the Steelers on Monday, 29-year-old defensive end Tyson Alualu decided to sign a two-year deal to join Pittsburgh.

The Steelers announced the signing on Tuesday.

"As soon as you walk in the building you get a sense from talking to the people, it's real genuine," Alualu told Steelers.com. "Just a place that loves to win, so I would love to be a part of that. Just excited about this opportunity."

Alualu spent his first seven seasons with Jacksonville after being selected by the Jaguars with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

In 110 career games (88 starts), Alualu has totaled 258 tackles, 17 1/2 sacks, six passes defensed and a pair of forced fumbles.

He is expected to play behind starters Cameron Heyward, Javon Hargreave and Stephon Tuitt on the defensive line. While playing mostly at defensive end last season, Alualu has also played at the tackle position.

"That has been a part of my strength, the versatility of being able to play inside and outside," Alualu told the Steelers' website. "Whatever the coaches want me to play, whatever position, I am just willing to play anything to help out, help this team."

Last season, Alualu totaled 37 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble in a career-low 14 games (10 starts) with the Jaguars.

Alualu was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2010 and was First-team All-Pac-10 in 2009, the final season of his standout college career at California.