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Smaller textRandle El focused on 'being the No. 3 receiver' for Steelers
John Harris is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review sports columnist and can be reached at 412-481-5432 or via e-mail.
Antwaan Randle El said his decision to return to the Steelers wasn't only because of his familarity with the organization that drafted him in 2002.
According to Randle El, getting the opportuinity to become the team's No. 3 receiver helped make his decision easier.
"We just talked about being No. 3," Randle El said today at the Steelers practice facility after signing a three-year contract. "Certainly if Hines (Ward) or Santonio (Holmes) goes down then, of course, being outside. But the focus is being the No. 3 receiver right now. That's what I want to do and certainly be productive at it."
Randle El played in 64 games with the Steelers from 2002-2005 and is best known for his 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward to clinch the Super Bowl XL victory over Seattle.
He signed a seven-year, $31 million free-agent contract with Washington in 2006. He played four seasons with the Redskins before being released last week.
"It happened pretty quickly. There were a couple of other teams, but the bottom line is coming home was a more comfortable situation for me," Randle El said. "I certainly enjoyed playing before here, and I know I'm going to enjoy it now."
