NFL Ex-49ers receiver signs with Steelers

The addition of Cedric Wilson likely means the departure of Plaxico Burress.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- In a move that appears to signal the end of the Plaxico Burress era, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Cedrick Wilson to a four-year contract Tuesday.
Wilson, 5-feet-10 and 183 pounds, agreed to an $8 million deal that includes a $2 million signing bonus.
His signing gives the Steelers a group of smaller receivers, similar in size to those on the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, and Wilson believes it's the coming trend.
"If you watch the guys on this team, Hines Ward and [Antwaan] Randle El, and the guys in New England, those guys have been pretty successful so far," Wilson said. "So the faster guys have really become a threat in this league and that's why I feel I can be successful."
Wilson, who becomes the team's fastest receiver, touted his ability to stop and start, a skill he said will allow him to "create tons of separation from defensive backs."
"Definitely with the new [defensive pass coverage] rule, those guys can't hold on as much, and fast receivers are becoming lethal weapons in this league," he said.
Wilson, 26, played four years with the San Francisco 49ers after being drafted out of the University of Tennessee in the sixth round in 2001.
Broken leg ended season
Wilson started three games for the 49ers in his first three seasons, but started 15 games last season before breaking his left leg last season. He had career highs in catches (47), yardage (641) and touchdowns (3) last season, but the 49ers made no attempt to keep him.
Wilson has been running for two weeks and the Steelers say he's medically cleared to play.
"They wanted to go in a different direction," Wilson said. "They're doing some rebuilding, new coaching staff, new general manager. There were a lot of reasons of mine. I wanted to be on a winning team. I wanted to have an opportunity to win a Super Bowl."
"My phone's blowing up as I speak to you because everyone wants to congratulate me," said Wilson, who said he grew up in Memphis as a Steelers fan. "They're very excited for me and I'm very excited to be here. I can't wait to start."
Wilson will compete with Randle El for the open split-end position opposite Ward. His versatility is his best asset, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said.
"He's played outside, he's played a lot in the slot," Colbert said. "There are also the additional abilities to be a return guy, and you can never have enough return guys in your arsenal."
"And, really, he adds an element of speed and that's something we want to upgrade and add to, and it gives us another threat," Colbert said. "He's only 26 years old, so you're getting an experienced guy, but an experienced guy with an upside and that's always a good way to do it."
Colbert said the Steelers are not done shopping for free agents and didn't rule out bringing Burress back.
"A lot of strange things can happen in free agency," Colbert said. "We never want to say never."
Burress is scheduled to meet with the New York Giants today.
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