--LB James Harrison became the Steelers' highest-paid defensive player when he signed a six-year, $51.175 million contract. He had one year left on his old deal at $1.4 million.
"I don't feel like I have totally peaked," said Harrison, 31. "I feel like I can get better at some things that I have seen on tape that I did last year that I feel I can do better this year."
--The Steelers were generally pleased with their 2009 schedule. They've often complained that their bye week comes too early and they're sent to Florida in September when they play one of those teams. This year, they have a Nov. 1 bye, their latest since 1990, and they will play in Miami Jan. 3. Three of their four previous games in Miami came in September.
--QB Charlie Batch will become the backup to Ben Roethlisberger again this year -- unless young Dennis Dixon moves up -- after the Steelers failed to convince Byron Leftwich to return. Of course, Pittsburgh's meager offer to Leftwich of two years at the minimum was less than convincing. Batch re-signed for one season at $745,000 plus a $50,000 signing bonus. The Pittsburgh native has been with the Steelers since 2002, when he signed as a free agent from Detroit.
--Former Steelers TE Jonathan Dekker was acquitted of an obstruction of justice charge in Virginia but it proved costly nonetheless. Dekker was arrested after an incident in Alexandria's Old Town Jan. 24 and the Steelers told him he was not welcome at the Super Bowl. He was on IR at the time. They then released him after the season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I will just be a little more reckless on the field because I don't have to worry about too much anymore." -- James Harrison, NFL defensive player of the year, after signing $51 million contract.
