Don’t Call It a Comeback: Does Tiki or Plaxico Have Advantage in Joining Steelers?

I don’t understand the saying “one man’s spoils, are another man’s riches.”

I can’t think of any occurrences where that statement has proven to be true for me, and I don’t think it would work out for the Steelers either.

The spoils I’m referring too would be the two ex-New York Giant stars, Tiki Barber and Plaxico Burress, who have both been linked as potential candidates to revive their careers with the black and gold this season.

While I don’t really see either player suiting up for the Steelers this coming year, I have to agree with Craig’s recent “Morning Cup,” and say Barber really has no future with the Steelers.

But…..because the two players have been linked to the Steelers by some credible sources, why not take the time to compare and contrast the two faded stars, and let Steeler nation decide for themselves, which player (and neither really isn’t a good answer for this arguments sake) would be the most valuable addition to the Steelers roster for the coming season.

Out of the game for an extended period of time:

Both Plaxico and Tiki could not be farther from game shape for this upcoming season.

Obviously we know Plaxico has spent the last two years of his life behind bars. Lifting weights in a prison weight room, and running routes on the prison yard are no way to stay in shape for the grueling NFL season…..unless you are Adam Sandler, Nelly, or Michael Irvin in the longest yard.

I know Michael Vick was able to come right out of jail and make an impact in the league, but Vick is one of the most gifted athletes the game has ever seen, and I don’t think Plax possesses the same unique athleticism Vick does.

Then there is Tiki, who has been retired from football for the last four years. Getting back into the league after two years away from the game is hard enough, but four! Put aside the fact the Tiki is entering his upper-30’s, I don’t think coming back after that long a lay-off is possible for anyone.

In a recent Sports Illustrated article, Tiki said he walked away from the game because he was dealing with a lot of inner demons. Who’s to say those demons have been exercised, or merely masked by a love, and more likely a financial itch to get back on the football field.

Advantage: Plaxico

Last season played in the league:

In Tiki’s last season in a Giants uniform, he rushed for 1,662 yards on 327 carries, impressive numbers for anyone’s standards. What is equally as impressive is Tiki had not missed a game in his last five seasons, rushing for over 1,200 yards in each of those years.

Tiki had been a model of consistency, missing only six total games in his 10 years in the league, and durability is one of the most important attributes a back-up running back can have.

On the other hand, Plaxico finished his final season with the Giants playing in only 10 games. He recorded 35 receptions for 454 yards and only 4 touchdowns. Plaxico had missed time in nearly half the seasons of his career, which does not bode well for teams looking to pick up the embattled receiver.

Advantage: Tiki

Best fit for the Steelers:

Seeing either of these men in the black and gold might be a long shot this year, but picking one or the other in not an easy job.

The Steelers are fairly deep at both the running back and wide receiver positions. With Mewelde Moore’s departure seems to be inevitable as he will be a free agent once the lock out is lifted.

The Steelers will still have Isaac Redmond, Jon Dwyer, and of course Mendenhall, but will lack the receiving threat out of the backfield. Tiki could provide help as a pass catching running back, but his time spent out of the league is just too off-putting to consider him a viable candidate for the Steelers.

Plaxico seems to be rehabilitated for the time being. He has said all the right things, and made all of the right appearances…heck he even went out and got Tony Dungy as a life coach, which all but guarantees you credibility in the rehabilitation world.

I don’t know how Dungy garnered his holier than anyone status, but that can be another argument for another time.

With Hines Ward’s career undoubtedly on the decline, the rest of the receiving core is very young and inexperienced. Adding Plaxico would certainly provide depth, a deep threat, and experience for the receiving core. Not to mention at one point Plaxico was Roethlisberger’s favorite target.

Advantage: Plaxico

I think if the Steelers were going to go after one of the two ex-Giants, Plaxico would make the most sense for the black and gold. The team could use another deep threat receiver to take some pressure off of the running game, and Plaxico has been in Pittsburgh before.

Free agency has so many twists and turns, and with so much speculation of who will end up where, it can make your head spin. When the lockout lifts we will see where everyone will end up, but until that time we can only guess.