--There won't be as many twice-daily practices as coach Mike Tomlin held in his first summer camp on the job. He cited the smaller roster as a reason. "Some of the changes that we have made in terms of scheduling indicate that it is a concern," Tomlin said.
--Mike Tomlin acknowledged that the uncertainty of Rooney ownership could become a distraction for his players if they let it.
"Potentially," he said, "because there will be questions that I'll have to answer in regards to that and there will be questions that potentially our team has to answer in regard to that.
"I don't have the answer to those questions and neither does our football team; I'm here to coach, they're here to play. Those questions will be answered by the Rooneys."
--The Steelers were interested in running back Kevin Jones after his release by the Lions. Their plan was to sign him to a one-year contract and put him on the PUP list until he was healthy. Jones was interested, then signed with the Bears. Mike Tomlin said their interest had nothing to do with Willie Parker, who broke a fibula in the 15th game last season but practiced in the spring with no apparent lingering problem.
"I think you do it for just that purpose, to create great competition so that you can come away with the best 53," Tomlin explained. "Anything that we did in that regard had no bearing on Willie Parker's situation."
--The Steelers used their fullback less last season and, with veteran Dan Kreider unsigned after tearing his ACL late last season, it's likely they'll phase it out even more in 2008.
"I don't have the answer to that, I really don't at this point," Tomlin said.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I love football, I love this process. I love going to camp, I love team-building, readying ourselves to pursue our goals. I am extremely excited." -- Coach Mike Tomlin, as he prepared to open his second training camp.
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