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According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer Ed Bouchette, Plaxico Burress returned to Pittsburgh and the Steelers, where he has not been seen for more than two months, with plans to report "in great shape" for the start of training camp on Jul. 30.

"He'll report for the start of training camp and is looking forward to working with both quarterbacks," agent Gene Mato, referring to Steeler signal callers Tommy Maddox and rookie Ben Roethlisberger, told Bouchette. "I had my secretary send his two cars to Pittsburgh."

Burress, who has spent most of his absence from Pittsburgh training at the University of Miami, worked out at the Steelers complex on the South Side Monday morning. Those who have seen him recently said he is in outstanding shape.

Burress, who has teamed with Hines Ward to form one of the more formidable receiving duos in the NFL the past three seasons, skipped a mandatory mini-camp May 7-9 and was fined by the team for it. He said in a radio interview -- his only public comments in the past two and a half months -- that he did it to honor Mother's Day and criticized the Steelers for holding mandatory sessions that weekend.

Burress then continued his boycott for the rest of spring while his teammates worked out in voluntary but organized sessions through June 10. He apparently was not happy that the Steelers refused to conduct negotiations to extend his contract, which expires after the season.

Head Bill Cowher called his absence unexcused and then declined to talked about him the rest of the spring, other than to say he would welcome Burress when and if he did return.

There has been considerable concern, however, regarding the fact that Burress missed out on initial installation of the offense being implemented by new coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who had his receivers starting from different positions than they normally might.

It's also worth noting that Lee Mays made the most of Burress' absence.

Mays, who works at the same position (split end) as Burress, got more chances in practice with the top quarterbacks and according to the Sports Xchange, he's ready to take the next step in his third season. He was the team's No. 5 receiver last year.

"He's taking good use of the opportunity," receivers coach Bruce Arians said.

Mays, however, is still eager to see his mentor, Burress, in training camp.

"Plax is a great, great guy," said Mays. "He's really taught me a lot of things. I look at him as a big brother. He really meant a lot, working on my releases and my route-running, just really helping me out."

Burress talked enthusiastically about his understudy last year.

"He's probably the most improved player on the field right now," Burress said. "I've seen this guy take tremendous strides. He's probably, to this point, taken more strides than I had from my rookie to second year."

Mays, a sixth-round draft choice in 2002 from Texas-El-Paso, caught 71 passes for 1,098 yards and a school-record 15 touchdowns as a junior. It looked as though he would claim the No. 4 job last year behind the top trio of Ward, Burress and Antwaan Randle El. But he lost it to Chris Doering.

"I was disappointed in myself," said Mays, who is 6-2, 200 pounds. "They felt those were the best four receivers and I did too. Chris Doering came in and did a great job for us last year. I'm just trying to get ready for this fall and make some plays this year."

One last note on the Burress saga. ...

Asked earlier this month about Burress' mini-camp holdout and absence from the team's voluntary coaching sessions, former Steeler great and current FOX Sports analyst Terry Bradshaw didn't hesitate to chime in.

"Plexico, Plaxico, Fiberglass, whatever his name is -- if I was him, I'd shut up and get my [expletive] in here and earn your money," Bradshaw said. "And if not, let him go, unload him, 'cause if you're only playing for the money, anyway, we're not going to win with him. I hate guys like that."