It wasn’t so long ago that Limas Sweed was considered a Steelers draft-day steal: A long, lean, play-making deep threat to groom behind Santonio Holmes and perhaps eventually replace Hines Ward.
Nearly three years later, it feels like Sweed is close to the point of “Where are they now?” mystery-man status. More likely to evoke trivia questions or laughs than reappear on a football field.
But Rosenthal spotted Sweed at Super Bowl Media Day, and some reporters even had questions for him.
Asked Tuesday if he’s in the Steelers’ long term plans, Sweed replied “I believe so.”
“The whole state of Texas has called me wanting tickets to the game,” added Sweed, who played college ball for the Longhorns.
Selected 53rd overall in the 2008 draft, Sweed entered the league with chronic wrist problems, lost out to then-rookie Mike Wallace for Pittsburgh’s third receiver job in 2009, and finished that season on the reserve/non-football injury list for what some speculated to be “severe depression.”
An Achilles’ tendon tear at May minicamps wiped out Sweed’s 2010 season.
He is signed for $555,000 in 2011, but has been long since overtaken by rookies Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. Sweed will have a hard time making next season’s roster. Sweed does still have an impressive college highlight reel, and figures to get a shot from another team.
