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Agent: Steelers not chasing Burress
Steelers unrestricted free-agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
Jerry DiPaola is the Tribune-Review high school sports editor. He can be reached via e-mail.
"The Steelers have not made one call to me since last week," Michael Harrison said.
The most recent conversation Steelers officials had with Harrison was to inform him that they did not place the franchise tag on Burress.
Asked if he believes Burress could re-sign with the Steelers, Harrison said, "I never say never, but at this point in time, I haven't heard from them."
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings are considering the possibility of signing Burress or Travis Taylor of the Baltimore Ravens to replace Randy Moss, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders.
"Plaxico's interested in being in Minnesota," Harrison told The Associated Press. "I think it is a good fit for both sides."
Nonetheless, Harrison told The Tribune-Review last night that Burress is not scheduled to visit the Vikings.
"We are just chatting," he said. "We are getting substantial interest and weeding through it. We really are trying to find the best situation. He is going to make money, no matter what. We have to find a situation where he can get used properly and really help the team and showcase his skills at the same time, one that Plaxico is comfortable with."
Burress was the Steelers' No. 1 draft choice in 2000, and he had his best season in 2002 when he recorded 78 receptions for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns. But his production fell every year since then, and he managed only 35 receptions, 698 yards and five TDs last season.
While Burress pondered his next move, Vikings officials met yesterday with Taylor.
Vikings coach Mike Tice had no comment on Burress, but he said Taylor "was recruiting us, really."
"We had a different strategy, but this young man is aggressively pursuing us," Tice said. "He's a fine football player. Very articulate young man and dresses well."
In five years with the Ravens, Taylor had 204 catches for 2,758 yards and 15 touchdowns.
"Travis Taylor is a player that is intriguing," Tice said. "He has not been explosive in this league. You look at that offense and see that not many people have been."
The free-agent market for wide receivers has been slow to develop since the signing period began Wednesday. Former Tennessee Titan Derrick Mason, who led all NFL wide receivers with 96 catches last season, received a five-year, $20 million contract with a $7 million signing bonus from the Ravens.
