Kevin Colbert used his very first draft pick on Plaxico Burress. Plaxico Burress had a rocky rookie season but then followed with Steelers four good seasons (his rookie season was a bust) and them moved on, although it should be noted he did drop a touchdown pass in the 2004 AFC Championship gave vs. New England.
Since that day, Burress went on to be a goat who gassed out trying to reach the end zone in New York, to the hero of Super Bowl XLII, to a victim of his own gunshot wound, to doing time in prison, to being a parolee coveted by the Steelers to signing with the New York Jets.
When injuries hobbled the Steelers receiving corps in mid 2012, the Steelers turned to Burress, proving that you can come home again, and also bringing Kevin Colbert full circle as a GM whose success with first round draft picks and street free agents is unmatched.
Burress only made three catches during the season, but one of those was for a game sealing touchdown in the season finale vs. Cleveland. But he showed enough to know that he’s still got something left.
- No one is going to throw big money at Burress in free agency, as he’s a year older for those three catches.
If the Steelers can get him back at or near the veteran minimum, he’s someone who can help them on the field while perhaps providing veteran leadership off of it.
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