TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Steelers optimistic on future of WRs
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:58 pm
Colbert optimistic on future of WRs
By Jerry DiPaola
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, February 11, 2005
Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert didn't completely reject the idea of giving multi-year contracts with big signing bonuses to players at the same position this offseason.
"If they are your best players and they deserve to be compensated at those numbers, then you have to do that," he said Thursday while taking a break from meetings with his staff.
The Steelers may be faced with that dilemma, with four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward expecting a contract extension and Plaxico Burress approaching unrestricted free agency in three weeks.
Colbert didn't guarantee that both players will receive contracts from the Steelers, although president Art Rooney II said last year the team will consider an extension for Ward before the start of the 2005 season.
Colbert indicated that signing both players is not necessarily impossible.
"People can say (it will be difficult), but we would never approach it and say we have too much (money) in one position," said Colbert, who made Burress his initial first-round draft choice with the Steelers when he was hired in 2000. "We will make the decision based on what's best for the organization."
The Steelers have not begun negotiations with any of their free agents, but talks could begin with some of them by the end of the month.
If the team is unable to satisfy Burress, who has said he doesn't expect to be back, Colbert and coach Bill Cowher will seek a replacement in free agency and the draft.
It might be easier to find one in the draft.
The free-agency class of wide receivers isn't especially deep this year.
It includes Jerry Porter of the Oakland Raiders, David Patten of the New England Patriots, Corey Bradford of the Houston Texans and T.J. Houshmandzadeh of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots' David Givens is a restricted free agent, who would cost a seventh-round draft choice to sign.
If the Steelers can't find an adequate replacement in free agency, they will look to the draft.
"The draft class looks promising, both in terms of numbers and quality," Colbert said.
Colbert said it has become easier to find good wide receivers in the draft in recent seasons.
"Colleges are playing more spread offenses," he said
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune ... 02597.html
By Jerry DiPaola
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, February 11, 2005
Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert didn't completely reject the idea of giving multi-year contracts with big signing bonuses to players at the same position this offseason.
"If they are your best players and they deserve to be compensated at those numbers, then you have to do that," he said Thursday while taking a break from meetings with his staff.
The Steelers may be faced with that dilemma, with four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward expecting a contract extension and Plaxico Burress approaching unrestricted free agency in three weeks.
Colbert didn't guarantee that both players will receive contracts from the Steelers, although president Art Rooney II said last year the team will consider an extension for Ward before the start of the 2005 season.
Colbert indicated that signing both players is not necessarily impossible.
"People can say (it will be difficult), but we would never approach it and say we have too much (money) in one position," said Colbert, who made Burress his initial first-round draft choice with the Steelers when he was hired in 2000. "We will make the decision based on what's best for the organization."
The Steelers have not begun negotiations with any of their free agents, but talks could begin with some of them by the end of the month.
If the team is unable to satisfy Burress, who has said he doesn't expect to be back, Colbert and coach Bill Cowher will seek a replacement in free agency and the draft.
It might be easier to find one in the draft.
The free-agency class of wide receivers isn't especially deep this year.
It includes Jerry Porter of the Oakland Raiders, David Patten of the New England Patriots, Corey Bradford of the Houston Texans and T.J. Houshmandzadeh of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots' David Givens is a restricted free agent, who would cost a seventh-round draft choice to sign.
If the Steelers can't find an adequate replacement in free agency, they will look to the draft.
"The draft class looks promising, both in terms of numbers and quality," Colbert said.
Colbert said it has become easier to find good wide receivers in the draft in recent seasons.
"Colleges are playing more spread offenses," he said
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune ... 02597.html