Ken Whisenhunt called ex-Steelers K Jeff Reed about a tryout

Jeff Reed is turning into Jeff George.

The former Steelers kicker was cut by both Pittsburgh and San Francisco in 2010,and by the Seahawks in 2011, and hasn't kicked in the NFL since. He turned 35 years old in April, but he told Post Gazette reporter R.J. Schaffer recently he still feels he can kick in the NFL.

Ex-Steelers coach Ken Whisenhunt is reportedly willing to give him a shot.

Schaffer wrote Reed was contacted by Whisenhunt, and although the current Titans head coach said his preference is to bring in a younger kicker, he's willing to give Reed a shot.

"I looked into the CFL and the Arena League," Reed told Schaffer, speaking on his desire to prolong his pro career. "It’s just a lot of work for little pay, and it sounds kind of shallow, but when you’ve played for the most elite level of football and you think you can still do it, why wouldn’t you?"

A refreshingly honest take, although no details were given on whether Reed had a chance to become one of those overworked and underpaid players in the AFL or CFL.

Reed was a dependable kicker in Pittsburgh, until he wasn't. He missed seven field goals in Pittsburgh's first nine games of the 2010 season, the last one being a 26-yard chip shot in a blowout loss to New England. He complained about the field after the game, and the fans who booed him. His release came shortly after that, with the Steelers signing Shaun Suisham not long following the game.

Incidentally, Suisham missed two of three from under 40 yards in a 21-18 loss at Oakland last year and didn't complain about the field or the fans. Reed may have been attempting to make amends for those comments when he told Schaffer, "Seattle’s facility was unreal," he said, speaking about his time with the Seahawks. "They put a lot of money into it, but nothing beats [Pittsburgh]. This is a truly family-owned and operated team. The loyalty is great and the fan base is great.

"Besides Seattle’s home games, which are off-the-charts loud, there’s nothing that compares to this fan base."