Steelers Morning Huddle – 5/4/2013
By Kim Myers
Huddle up guys!
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE
It appears the Steelers are flirting again with WR Steve Breaston. According to John Clayton of ESPN on NFL Live this week; the Steelers are interested in signing Breaston in the next couple of weeks, presumably after they have the additional salary cap space that will be freed up by Willie Colon’s contract being cleared. Both the Steelers Depot and Behind the Steel Curtain offer their reviews of the news.
Steelers Depot suggests that the signing of Breaston, along with the 2 WR draft picks in Markus Wheaton and Justin Brown means that Plaxico Burress’ days as a Steeler might be numbered. The biggest downside to a veteran like Burress taking up a roster spot in the wide receiving corps is that he wouldn’t be able to contribute to Special Teams. Breaston previously worked with Steelers OC Todd Haley in Arizona and Kansas City so it makes sense why the Steelers continue to keep going after him. Clearly Haley sees value in adding Breaston to the roster so while the Steelers are unlikely to carry more than 5 WR on the roster at the very most; it’s probably a safe bet to say that Burress might be on his way out if Breaston comes in. Only time will tell though, the cap space to sign anyone still isn’t there.
Behind the Steel Curtain explains how Breaston could fit in under the cap, of course once Colon’s money is cleared and the rookies are all signed to their deals. As we all remember the Steelers brought Breaston in for workouts last month but did not sign the wide receiver who is recovering from an arthritic knee condition. It’s important to remember that the Steeler can afford Breaston under the cap but that will definitely limit them from being able to sign other veterans that might only tend to show up just before training camp (Max Starks anyone?). I guess what it will come down to is just how valuable they think Breaston is to the offense as opposed to say a Starks, Legursky, or even Casey Hampton. We shall see.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you think the Steelers should pick up Breaston even at the expense of bringing back other veterans or at the expense of Plaxico Burress?
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