Steelers decline CB Artie Burns' fifth-year option

[stillers4me]

The Steelers have elected not to pick up the fifth-year option on cornerback Artie Burns, and he will become a free agent after the 2019 season, a source told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.


Burns, a No. 1 pick in 2016, would have cost the Steelers $9,594,000 in 2020 if the team exercised the option. He will count $3,051,677 against the salary cap this season.


Burns lost his starting job last season and has been pushed down the depth chart with the free-agent signing of cornerback Steve Nelson. But the team is hoping he might be able to contribute in their sub-package defenses this season......


Read more @ https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...s/201905030084

[AtlantaDan]

If only Colbert would have shown some initiative in 2016 like he did last week to trade up into the top 10 picks and grabbed a star at CB like Eli Apple!

Oh wait

Saints won’t pick up Eli Apple’s option

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...apples-option/

[Born2Steel]

If only Colbert would have shown some initiative in 2016 like he did last week to trade up into the top 10 picks and grabbed a star at CB like Eli Apple!

Oh wait

Saints won’t pick up Eli Apple’s option

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...apples-option/

At least now their draft selections make more sense.

[steelreserve]

If only Colbert would have shown some initiative in 2016 like he did last week to trade up into the top 10 picks and grabbed a star at CB like Eli Apple!

Oh wait

Saints won’t pick up Eli Apple’s option

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...apples-option/

Just for the record, I counted myself among the many members of this board who thought going for Apple would be a BIG mistake; the guy had red flags all over. Still, it would've been nice if we'd at least tried to take one of the best CBs still available with our pick ...

[Steeldude]

What? They didn't give him a raise? I'm surprised. One more year of Dupree and he will be gone, hopefully.

[Six Rings]

Did the Steelers try to take Burns? I think they should especially if Layne shows something early in camp. I'll take whatever is offered, even a 7th round pick.

[Born2Steel]

Did the Steelers try to take Burns? I think they should especially if Layne shows something early in camp. I'll take whatever is offered, even a 7th round pick.

I guess it's possible but it's different now since there's only one cut down to 53 just before the season starts. You probably want as many as you can get at TC then make some deals from there maybe??? But teams know the cuts are coming so why trade unless it's a specific player/position you want/need. Would love to get something for Burns at this point but he looks like a TC cut to me so why trade for him.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I guess it's possible but it's different now since there's only one cut down to 53 just before the season starts. You probably want as many as you can get at TC then make some deals from there maybe??? But teams know the cuts are coming so why trade unless it's a specific player/position you want/need. Would love to get something for Burns at this point but he looks like a TC cut to me so why trade for him.

I agree. Also, maybe Teryl Austin finds a way to get some production out of him and he is worth being on the 53. I think the bias of him being a 1st round pick is gone and if he is good enough to make the 53 he will and if not, he will be a camp cut.

I always said pre draft that Burns has lousy technique and got his INT's by cheating off his coverage, or bad throws from some mediocre QB's. He was an athlete that needed to learn how to play CB and I don't think he was ever able to embrace becoming a technician. Something tells me that Layne wants to be, by his comments of being a sponge behind Joe Haden.

I really have optimism that with Teryl Austin on the staff, that young guys like Hilton, Sutton, Layne, Nelson, Edmunds, etc can really start to be better. Its a bit early to say that Austin is to DB's as Munchak is to O linemen, but his track record in places like Arizona and Detroit and Seattle seem to show that.

[Mojouw]

I agree. Also, maybe Teryl Austin finds a way to get some production out of him and he is worth being on the 53. I think the bias of him being a 1st round pick is gone and if he is good enough to make the 53 he will and if not, he will be a camp cut.

I always said pre draft that Burns has lousy technique and got his INT's by cheating off his coverage, or bad throws from some mediocre QB's. He was an athlete that needed to learn how to play CB and I don't think he was ever able to embrace becoming a technician. Something tells me that Layne wants to be, by his comments of being a sponge behind Joe Haden.

I really have optimism that with Teryl Austin on the staff, that young guys like Hilton, Sutton, Layne, Nelson, Edmunds, etc can really start to be better. Its a bit early to say that Austin is to DB's as Munchak is to O linemen, but his track record in places like Arizona and Detroit and Seattle seem to show that.

Camp and preseason are going to be interesting with where the development or lack there-of drive the Steelers DB roster. Figure Davis, Edmunds, Haden, Nelson, and Layne are locks. But, to me, it appears both fans and the team have significant questions about every other guy on the roster. Be interesting if Bradley in year 2 and Austin in year 1 really take a strong role in shaping things or what. Multiple cuts and position changes from Hilton, Sutton, Burns, B. Allen, M. Allen, Dangerfield, and all the other DBs they've picked up this off-season so far wouldn't shock me at all. Hard to believe that they are at a point where cutting Hilton is an option I can see them considering, but with his contract status and the way they seemed to sour on him late last season...it just feels possible.

[steelreserve]

I guess it's possible but it's different now since there's only one cut down to 53 just before the season starts. You probably want as many as you can get at TC then make some deals from there maybe??? But teams know the cuts are coming so why trade unless it's a specific player/position you want/need. Would love to get something for Burns at this point but he looks like a TC cut to me so why trade for him.

Here's what you do: Publicly announce "We're going to cut Burns during training camp!" Then ask for trade offers. Then be mystified when nobody offers anything and they all just wait for him to be released like you said.

Later, fly to Vegas and get $1,000 in chips and go to the poker table. Push all $1,000 into the pot, and announce to the table, "I have the two of hearts and the eight of clubs!" then sit back and confidently fold your hands across your chest. Then put your hat and sunglasses on and jealously hide your cards so no one can see them. You did things in the right order - guaranteed to work!

[st33lersguy]

Good

[Born2Steel]

I see your sarcasm and raise you this is different than the Burnett situation. Nobody even knows what they have in TC yet. If a team has a rash of DB injuries they will be willing to trade rather take a chance after cuts. Right now Burns is a CB that has starter experience and we don’t know why he fell off so hard last season. So did Hilton. So did Sutton. Has Sensabaugh been brought back yet? Can either of the Allens take a leap forward? Burns may be a better option than Layne or Nelson at the start of the season. It’s always a poker game.

[hawaiiansteeler]

It’s always a poker game.