Steelers Morning Huddle 3/4/2014
By Kim Myers
Nov 10, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and the Steelers offense huddles before running a play against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Steelers season goes all year long so whether we’re looking ahead to the start of free agency, predicting the possible draft choices, or looking around for mentions of your Black & Gold we’ve got you covered. Here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the block.
Plaxico Burress wants to come back and play for Steelers
Plaxico Burress spoke to Teresa Varley of the Steelers website about his desire to come back to Pittsburgh for another season, making sure his last year of spending the entire season on IR wouldn’t be his last in the NFL. Burress said he spent the entire offseason last year training and preparing to be a contributor for the Steelers offense in 2013. Spending the season watching the games from home or the sidelines was not what he envisioned.
"“Nobody wants to leave via injury. I am too much of a competitor to go out on that note. I am going to attack it and compete. I am going to train and rehab that way. I am approaching it with a business mind. I want to help the Steelers get to the ultimate goal, and that is winning a championship. That is why we work so hard when nobody is watching.” – Plaxico Burress"
He’ll definitely need that business mind when it comes time to work out a new deal with the Steelers. He’ll be 37 by the time the season kicks off and with a draft so deep with wide receiver talent; it’s tough to say if the Steelers will invest another year for Burress.
Steelers to start making moves
Now that the cap is set and the new NFL year is just a few days away it’s time for the Steelers to get active, says ESPN’s Scott Brown. The Steelers can get under the 2014 salary cap with just one cut, OT Levi Brown, who would count $6.25 million against the cap and never played a single down anyway. Brown explains that more moves and cuts will need to be made in addition to Brown, for the Steelers to be able to afford to re-sign any free agents as well as their draft class. One suggestion he makes is for the team to request a pay-cut from CB Ike Taylor, whose base salary in 2014 will be $7 million.
Important NFL Offseason Dates
If you’re into the wheeling and dealing of the NFL offseason, you may want to mark your calendars now for the upcoming dates which are important parts of the NFL offseason. As it relates to the Steelers, here are some dates you’ll want to keep handy:
- March 8-11: Teams are permitted to contact and begin negotiating with players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents
- March 11: All teams must be under the 2014 Salary cap prior to 4:00 pm est. Also at that time all 2013 player contracts expire and the league year and free agency period beings. The trading period begins at that time as well.
- April 21: All teams with returning head coaches may begin their offseason workout programs
- May 8-10: 2014 NFL Draft
What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation? Do you think the Steelers will re-sign Burress for another year? How active do you think the Steelers will be this week in anticipation of the free agency period beginning?
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