Steelers/NFL
The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as a contender for the services of wide receiver Plaxico Burress.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reportsthat it is “likely that Burress will be playing for one of his two former teams, the New York Giants or the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have yet to make an offer according to sources, but Burress will be traveling to meet with head coach Mike Tomlin this weekend, Mortensen reports.
It is a meeting Tomlin intends to make a strong sales pitch.
Sources say three main reasons for the Steelers emerging as a legitimate suitor are:
1. Burress has expressed strong interest in playing for a coach like Mike Tomlin who has an open door policy, hence, a player can walk into his office and discuss things outside of football.
2. Ownership is said to be behind a possible reuinon and believe the enviroment in Pittsburgh would help Burress turn his life around.
3. The market is not as strong as super agent Drew Rosenhaus expected it to be, which has helped the Steelers cause tremendously.
If there’s anyone who can make a sales pitch, it’s Mike Tomlin, but for a player who’s lost millions, money is likely going to be a big factor. Mortensen reports the Giants are offering an incentive based 2 year deal worth around $10 million.
The Steelers coaching staff most notably Mike Tomlin have been intrigued all summer by the prospect of Burress as a situational receiver in four receiver sets and potential redzone weapon.
The Steelers depth chart at wide out is crowded with Mike Wallace, Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown in the top-4.
Sanders though battled two foot procedures this summer and Ward showed some signs of slowing down last year.
A signing of Burress would close the door on Limas Sweed and Antwaan Randle El’s tenure with the club.
Burress had a close relationship with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during their one season together in Pittsburgh.
