Tuesday, March 03, 2009
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Nate Washington's departure means Limas Sweed will likely move up as the Steelers' third receiver.
The Steelers lost their first free agent of the offseason when wide receiver Nate Washington signed with the Tennessee Titans, and they could be on the verge of losing another.
On the same day that Washington signed a six-year, $27 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, cornerback Bryant McFadden was visiting with the team the Steelers beat in Super Bowl XLIII, the Arizona Cardinals, and considering an offer from the NFC champions.
Washington, the team's No. 3 receiver, signed with the Titans -- the final team to beat the Steelers last season -- in a deal that guarantees him $9 million. An undrafted free agent from Tiffin College in 2005, Washington had 40 catches for 631 yards and three touchdowns last season playing behind Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward.
But he was also the team's fastest and most athletic receiver, and distinguished himself during one stretch in which he caught at least one pass of 48 yards or longer in four consecutive games.
His departure means Limas Sweed, a No. 2 draft choice last season, will move up as the third receiver and increase the likelihood the Steelers will use a high- or mid-round pick on a wide receiver in the April draft.
Peter Diana / Post-Gazette
Cornerback Bryant McFadden, center, is the only starter from the Steelers' defense who is an unrestricted free agent.
McFadden is the only starter from the NFL's No. 1 defense who is an unrestricted free agent, and the Steelers have talked to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about re-signing with them.
Rosenhaus declined comment yesterday when reached on his cell phone.
The Cardinals, who are coached by former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, have hired former Steelers assistant Billy Davis as their defensive coordinator in an attempt to incorporate more of a 3-4 alignment into their scheme.
McFadden is being viewed as a starter opposite cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
But McFadden already might be running out of options, if not time, if he wants to snare some of the big money being tossed around on the free-agent market.
Free agency is only 5 days old, but already two other cornerbacks who, like McFadden, are unrestricted free agents have signed big contracts with other teams -- Atlanta's Domonique Foxworth received a four-year, $28 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens and Andre Goodman left the Miami Dolphins to sign a five-year, $25 million contract with the Denver Broncos.
Not only that, but the free-agent market for cornerbacks got a little more crowded last week when the Detroit Lions released Leigh Bodden, who played at Duquesne University; and the Kansas City Chiefs released Patrick Surtain because of salary-cap reasons.
But St. Louis Rams cornerback Ron Bartell decided yesterday to remain with the Rams rather than accept a five-year offer from the New Orleans Saints, who are also seeking a cornerback.
If McFadden leaves, the Steelers will replace him with William Gay, who started four games last season and finished the season rotating every second series with McFadden.
Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com.
First published on March 3, 2009 at 12:00 am
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