Bryant McFadden's up-and-down career with the
Steelers ended Wednesday, with NFL writer Adam Caplan
reported his release after six seasons with the team - and one with Arizona.
It's not a surprise. McFadden had a hamstring injury early in 2011 and eventually lost his position to
William Gay, as well as the nickel role to
Keenan Lewis.
NFL Films won't likely be airing a documentary on McFadden's Hall of Fame career. The Steelers will probably give out the No. 20 at some point in the near future as well.
Sometimes careers aren't defined by every game - they can come down to one specific play. That's McFadden's legacy, and it's one of the most important in franchise history.
McFadden, a second-round draft pick out of Florida State in 2005, left the team in free agency after starting in Super Bowl XLIII - one of his two Super Bowl championships with the team, and one of the 13 players to have played in the last three Steelers' Super Bowl appearances.
The Steelers fell off dramatically in 2009, losing several games in the fourth quarter due to shaky pass defense.
The Steelers used the 5th round pick they acquired in the
Santonio Holmes trade to re-acquire McFadden from Arizona, one season after injuries led to a poor season for the veteran cornerback.
He was re-inserted into the team's starting lineup, replacing William Gay, and Pittsburgh returned to the top scoring defense in the NFL.
Was it all McFadden? Perhaps not, but it was one piece of a Steelers team that dipped back into the past to rebound from a tough year. McFadden was a Steeler. He came back to the team, along with
Larry Foote,
Antwaan Randle El and
Byron Leftwich, in something of a reunion of players who contributed to the Steelers' high level of success from 2004 to today.
That's the easy story about McFadden. That's the one you'll hear about all over Steeler Nation the next day or two.
The one I prefer is from his rookie year.
Playing behind
Ike Taylor and
Deshea Townsend, McFadden showed potential; more than anything, in the playoffs, he showed no fear.
The Steelers faced a 2nd-and-2 on the 28-yard hash mark on the carpet of the RCA Dome. The fans inside had come back to life after The Fumble. The Steelers looked half-dead.
QB Peyton Manning doesn't need even a crack in a door to push his way through, and RB Jerome Bettis's fumble left the door wide open. The play after the fumble, a 22-yard completion to
Reggie Wayne on the rookie McFadden. Then an 8-yard gain to
Marvin Harrison (on Taylor).
The
Colts spread three wide, and a national television audience could see the saliva pouring out of Manning's mouth as he saw McFadden locked on Wayne without inside help. Seeing a rookie on Wayne with only 28 yards separating one of the most surprising comebacks in NFL history, thinking of snatching victory away after being the lesser team in a game for the first time that season, taking one more step toward getting that big game monkey off his back - Manning had to have seen these things in his mind's eye. His physical eyes stared McFadden down much like a shark stares down chum in open waters.
It makes no difference if the defense knows that is where he's going. It's pure competition now: may the best man win.
Manning fans his left hand in Wayne's direction before he receives the shotgun snap. He catches it, and pumps immediately in Wayne's direction, indicating a double move. Manning was going for it all.
He released, complete with that insanely perfect form he has. He put it right where Wayne could make a play on the ball.
Freeze that moment.
(read more) http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/2/8/2785360/steelers-release-cb-bryant-mcfadden-owner-of-one-of-the-biggest-plays
