PLAXICO is the WAY TO GO!

[ricardisimo]

With Mike Wallace still down in New Orleans and none of the young wide receivers making a charge for a roster spot so far in training camp, the rumblings have started suggesting the Pittsburgh Steelers should sign Plaxico Burress before someone else does.

Whispers late Saturday night were linking the Oakland Raiders as a possible suitor for Burress, but nothing is imminent at the time of this posting. It really doesn't matter though, because the possibility of Burress wearing the black and gold again are pretty slim.

First off, Burress likely wants way too much money. It was evident last year after his release from prison, and even though training camps are now in full swing right and the Steelers former number one draft pick still doesn't have a home, I just can't see him signing a one year deal for the veteran minimum. Burress is better off training at home while he waits for an injury to happen around the league. That way he stands to get more money and a better guarantee of involvement in the offense wherever he should land.

Although many will disagree, the Steelers have not given up on getting Wallace in camp before the start of the regular season. While none of the young wide receivers have raced ahead in the race for a roster spot, four preseason games present plenty of opportunity for that to happen.

Signing Burress brings aboard a player that offers nothing in the way of special team contributions and a risk that his past previous back problems will resurface. Keep in mind that Burress will turn 35 next week and has noticeably lost more than one step over the years. Sure, he hasn't lost any of his size, but signing him merely to be red zone jump ball target is not a good business decision.

Burress had a chance to return to Pittsburgh last season and chose to chase the money instead. He knew how the Steelers worked even prior to coming in for a visit, and if he indeed used the Steelers as leverage to get a bigger deal with the New York Jets, that will not be easily forgiven by Kevin Colbert and company.

Burress claimed back in March that he was open to returning to Pittsburgh and also claimed that Ben Roethlisberger was his favorite quarterback. When you are unemployed and looking for work, words like that are to be expected. Burress did help out head coach Mike Tomlin this summer at his football camp in Virginia, but nothing really should be read into that either.

The only realistic way Burress is wearing a Steelers uniform come the first Sunday night game in Denver is if Wallace remains away and an injury occurs to either Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders or Jerricho Cotchery prior to then. Basically it would done out of desperation and the Steelers are nowhere close to desperation right now.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/08...f-desperation/

[LVSteelersfan]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Nobody is a bigger fan of 83 than the Dude...but he has his limitations in the red zone. He's never really stood out in the red zone at any point in his career. The OL struggles probably havent helped. And NE's defense just plain stunk last year.

w/ regards to Burress...he'd be a situational football luxury...just still not sure if he's worth the trouble/money.

You do realize that Heath was not a red zone threat mainly because of a terrible O-line and Airhead's blatant misuse of his talent. If the Oline gels this year and Heath can get out into patterns instead of staying in and blocking, I am hoping that Haley utilizes him in the red zone area. He has been a great red zone target early in his career and there is no reason that can't be done again.

No to Plexi-glass. Only in desperation and hopefully someone has to release someone younger and with a better attitude than Burress. Veteran presence is overrated. Just look at Randy Moss two years ago and Chad Ochostinko last year.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by LVSteelersfan

You do realize that Heath was not a red zone threat mainly because of a terrible O-line and Airhead's blatant misuse of his talent. If the Oline gels this year and Heath can get out into patterns instead of staying in and blocking, I am hoping that Haley utilizes him in the red zone area. He has been a great red zone target early in his career and there is no reason that can't be done again.

No to Plexi-glass. Only in desperation and hopefully someone has to release someone younger and with a better attitude than Burress. Veteran presence is overrated. Just look at Randy Moss two years ago and Chad Ochostinko last year.

And you do realize

That an aging, over the hill, shell of his former self Plaxico Burress had 7 redzone TDs.
Heath has never had 7 red zone TDs at any point in his excellent, above-the-line career.

I made my feelings on Heath very clear...but Plaxico's abilities in the red zone can not be denied.
Let me explain something about the Dude... i am also a "No to Plaxico", as long as 17 is dressed and ready to go week 1.

No Wally week 1....I'd bite on the the black Barney Fife

[steelfury02]

LOL!^^^^^

I even found a pic of him in jail, check out the tats:

[BengalDestroyer]

Originally Posted by MasterOfPuppets

for every washed up vet that occupies a roster spot, a guy who may be the next colstin,cruz , or brown gets cut.

amen, I'd rather give Clemons or Maze a shot first...

[GoFor7]

Originally Posted by BengalDestroyer

amen, I'd rather give Clemons or Maze a shot first...

From the updates I've seen of training camp, Clemons and Maze aren't exactly going to be the next Cruz...

[TheDude]

Maze has looked far better than Clemons...way too many drops for Tony

And Maze has the STs abilities that Clemons cant match.

[TheVet]

Back when Plex was here, we used to call him Dropsico - every simple pass was an adventure. But maddeningly enough, he would sometimes come up with a really acrobatic catch. Of course, his start in the league was kind of unfair, with Kordell tieing him up in knots with those ankle-level bounce passes. That can do a lot of psychological damage. But whatever the reason, he was an unreliable target during his time here. The Steelers don't need that.

Anyway, good luck to Plex - he's a guy who's been unfairly painted as a bad apple.

[Dodens Grav]

Maze had drops today and Clemons mad a nice TD catch. Things like this fluctuate on a daily basis. Let them be judged on their in-game performances.

[TheVet]

Yes, lets see what those young guys can do. Give them every opportunity, and we'll see whether someone steps up.