"I'd like to see their best players," said Gradkowski, a Pittsburgh native and former Seton La-Salle High star. "Anytime you are playing against a great team, especially the No. 1 defense in the NFL, you want to get their A-game and just see what they are all about."

Most of the Steelers' defensive starters will play against Browns, but Pro Bowl outside linebacker James Harrison is questionable for the 1 p.m. game because of a hip pointer. Harrison did not practice yesterday.

"It's gotten a whole lot better," said Harrison of the injury he suffered in the Steelers' 31-14 loss at Tennessee this past Sunday. "I want to play, but it all depends on how I'm feeling."

The Steelers (11-4) have already wrapped up the AFC North title, and they cannot improve their position in the playoffs with a victory over the Browns (4-11).

However, Don't try telling Gradkowski that the game is meaningless.

He will play in front of about "50 or so" family members and friends at Heinz Field. Gradkowski, who signed with the Browns less than a month ago, also acknowledged that the game will be an audition of sorts as he will likely be looking for a new team after the season.

"I think anytime you get an opportunity like this, if I am called upon to start or to play, you just have to try to take advantage of it," said Gradkowski, who started for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Steelers in a 2006 game at Heinz Field. "I am going up against a great defense, and it will be a great challenge."

Hoping for a rush

The Steelers, who have averaged just 77.3 rushing yards in their past three games, hope to get the ground game going tomorrow against the team that ranks 29th in the NFL in run defense (150.3-yard average allowed).

"We're trying to sharpen it up going into the postseason," running back Willie Parker said of the Steelers' rushing attack. "I think we're going to come out and try to run the ball a little bit more."

Parker rushed for 105 yards on 28 carries in the Steelers' 10-6 win over the Browns on Sept. 14. He has not had a 100-yard rushing game since.

Following his lead

Coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that the Steelers are playing to win and are not approaching the Browns game as if it is a chance to rest some players. Practices this week reflected the tone Tomlin set, linebacker James Farrior said.

"Under these circumstances, you might have a lot of guys trying to take off, just trying to be easy about the whole situation," said Farrior, the Steelers' defensive captain. "We don't have that out there. We've got guys flying around, running to the ball. That's what Mike Tomlin's looking for, and that's what we're trying to give him."

Extra points

Harrison and free safety Ryan Clark (shoulder) were the only Steelers who did not practice yesterday. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is nursing a sprained ankle, practiced every day this week and is listed as probable for tomorrow's game. Clark has been ruled out. ... Lawrence Timmons will start at right outside linebacker against the Browns if Harrison is unable to play. ... Steelers linebackers have combined for 37.5 of the team's 48 sacks this season. If they get more than five against the Browns, they will break the NFL record of 42.5 sacks by linebackers set by the San Diego Chargers in 2006.