Cardinals rookie punt returner Steve Breaston streaks to the end zone during his 73-yard touchdown return Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Steve Breaston became the first Cardinal to return a punt for a touchdown in more than 14 years when he did so against Pittsburgh Sunday.

He was rewarded for it Tuesday.

Breaston was named the NFC's special teams player of the week for his momentum-changing 73-yard race for a score in the 21-14 win over the Steelers. No Cardinal had pulled off the feat since Johnny Bailey had a 58-yarder in Washington on Sept. 12, 1993 (Check out the return here))).

The return was also the longest punt return by a Cardinal since Vai Sikahema ran one back 76 yards in 1987 – before the franchise moved to Arizona.

"It was an emotional game for me, playing against my hometown (team)," Breaston said after the game. "I just wanted to go out and have fun."

Breaston is fourth in the NFL with his 14.8-yard punt return average.

"The more I played, the more confident I got," Breaston said. "Starting the season the season I was a little nervous, but I'm starting to settle down back there. I trust my players, I trust my blockers and I know they trust me. As long as they do their job up front and I do my job in the back then we are going to make plays all year."

Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 10/2/07