Home >  Sports >  Notebooks

Jackson one of two safeties team will meet this week

Tuesday, March 04, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Dexter Jackson won the Super Bowl MVP, but instead of going to Disney World he went to ... the Steelers' UPMC Sports Performance Complex.

Despite two interceptions in Tampa Bay's victory against Oakland, Jackson was snubbed by Disney, which invited winning quarterback Brad Johnson instead.

Jackson, an unrestricted free agent, visited the South Side yesterday. He's one of two safeties the Steelers will look at this week. It's doubtful they will rush to sign any of them. Jackson has a trip scheduled to Arizona Thursday and more teams next week.

"I'm out exploring my options right now," Jackson said.

The Steelers expect strong safety Lee Flowers to leave in free agency and have made no efforts to keep him. Jackson plays free safety, but he said the way the Steelers play defense there's little difference between free safety and strong safety.

The Steelers also will meet with free agent Eric Brown of Houston. They were scheduled to meet with Cory Hall of Cincinnati but he signed with Atlanta yesterday.

Agent lashes out

Jon Feinberg, fullback Dan Kreider's agent, lashed out at the Steelers for not seriously trying to work out a long-term deal.

The Steelers tendered Kreider a one-year contract of $619,000. As a restricted free agent, he can solicit other offers, but the market was flooded with fullbacks and there is no great demand for them throughout the league. If he did get an offer, the Steelers could match it and keep him.

"Frankly, I'm a little frustrated," Feinberg said. "The approach they've taken is detrimental. This is not a kid who's a punk or a risk. This is a no-risk proposition. The kid loves the Steelers and they love him."