Aside from a speculative suggestion from ESPN’s Mike Reiss in February that the Patriots might have interest, former Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend has generated little buzz in free agency. Townsend’s lack of a market is no surprise, as he was one of the main culprits for the demise of Pittsburgh’s pass defense last season, and turns 35 before Week One.
As noted by Rosenthal in Tuesday morning’s one-liners, Townsend isn’t giving up.
“I had some conversations [with teams],” Townsend told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “There’s always going to be a need for a corner somewhere. ... If something happens in training camp ... maybe.”
Townsend has pegged his market value properly. He’s likely viewed by NFL teams as no more than a fall-back signing in the event of injury.
“I want to play one or two more years,” he added. “But if it doesn’t happen, I have a lot of other stuff going on with health care and doing a lot of work with my foundation.” Townsend works with children who lack health insurance and sponsors preventative care.
He also has a plan in case no teams come calling.
“My ultimate goal is it would be great to be the next Kevin Colbert,” Townsend said, referencing the Steelers’ director of football operations. “To be like Kevin, to be like [Ravens G.M.] Ozzie Newsome, a general manager who understands what type of players teams need and go out and find them.”