Mendenhall stars; Steelers hold on to beat Chargers 38-28

Pittsburgh — Coming off back-to-back losses, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin challenged his team this week and the Steelers offense answered the bell early and often. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns and the Steelers got a dominating performance from 2nd year running back Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall making his first start of the season, rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on the night. The Steelers controlled the clock with a strong running game and precise passes from Roethlisberger to take a commanding 28-7 lead in the 4th quarter. But, for the defending Super Bowl Champs, no lead is safe. Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers roared back, scoring 21 (4th) quarter points to

Steelers begin quest for 7th Super Bowl Title

The road to Miami kicks off Thursday night as the six time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers begin their title defense at home against the Tennessee Titans. Trying to repeat as champions is the hardest thing to do in sports. The Steelers found that out in 2006. The focus for the Steelers has been on the upcoming season not what they accomplished in 2008. Some believe the Steelers are deeper and more talented than last year. Opening up the season with the 4th easiest schedule in the NFL, expectations are high and it all starts Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.

NFL: Steelers, Ward agree to four year deal worth $22 million

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Hines Ward agreed to a 4 year extension worth $22 million, ESPN.com reported Saturday afternoon. Ward, 33, had 81 receptions for 1,043 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2008. It was Wards first 1,000 yard season since 2004. Ward approached the Steelers in mid March, expressing a strong desire to work out a long-term extension that would be fair for both sides. Ward’s extension will give the Steelers much needed salary relief.

Latest Rumblings from Monday’s OTA workouts

Mike Tomlin’s top project this off-season is wide receiver Limas Sweed. Tomlin is very high on Sweed and expects him to make a significant jump from year 1 to year 2. Project #2 is 2008 third round draft pick Bruce Davis. Davis has bulked up this off-season and the Steelers have hopes of him making strides in year 2. There continues to be some rumblings that Davis needs a stronger commitment to be a successful NFL player. Big off-season for him Hines Ward approached the Steelers in late March, expressing a strong interest in working out a two year extension before the season. The two sides will talk as training camp gets closer. No progress on the Max Starks front.

NFL: Steelers to turn attention to Starks, Miller

With James Harrison locked up, the Steelers focus has now turned to Left tackle Max Starks. The two sides have been in negotiations since March but talks have yet to reach the serious stages. Starks is due 8.451 million for the 2009 season, the average of the top five highest-paid tackles in the NFL. The Steelers want to get that cap hit in the $5.5 million range but the difficult task is giving Starks enough guaranteed money to satisfy him as he is due a guaranteed salary of $8.451 million this season. Talks will pick up later this week according to sources with the Steelers and the Steelers would love to get a deal done by the middle of May.

Afternoon Buzz

Malkin officially off the left point? I‚Äôve been told the Penguins will go into tomorrow‚Äôs game with a unit of Bill Guerin ‚Äì Sidney Crosby ‚Äì Evgnei Malkin down low on the power play. The same unit they worked on in Tuesday’s morning skate but didn’t use it until late in the third period. The Penguins did not work on their power play in today‚Äôs practice but will do so in tomorrows morning skate. The exact reason the team continues to play Malkin at the left point remains to be seen but Crosby likes to play the top of the right side and doesn‚Äôt want to play the left point. Look for Crosby to move down low tomorrow and Malkin

The Latest Steelers Buzz: Steelers to open up talks with Heath Miller in March

Free Agency begins on February 27th The Steelers have been involved in contract talks with James Harrison for about 7 days now. Reports indicate Harrison’s agent will meet with the Steelers at the combine. Talks with Heath Miller will begin in March once the Steelers priorities in free agency are taking care of. Miller is just as much of a priority for the Steelers as anyone. They have no intention of him entering 09 without a long-term extension. Jason Witten received a $6 year Р$28 million contract a few seasons ago. Miller doesn’t put up the numbers Witten does but is regarded as the most complete tight end in the game. Here’s some new stuff on Nate Washington, Bryant

Pittsburgh Steelers Contracts

Quarterbacks 7 Ben Roethlisberger 3/3/2008: Signed an eight-year, $102 million contract. The deal contained $33.2 million guaranteed, including a $25.2 million signing bonus. Also included is a clause forbidding Roethlisberger from participating in hazardous activities. 2009: $4.75 million + $3 million roster bonus due in March | 2010: $8.05 million | 2011: $11.6 million| 2012: $11.6 million | 2013: $11.6 million |2014: $11.6 million | 2015: $12.1 million, 2016: Free Agent 2 Dennis Dixon 7/7/2008: Signed a three-year, $1.28 million contract. The deal included a $130,000 signing bonus. | 2009: $385,000 | 2010: $470,000 | 2011: Restricted Free Agent | Free Agents 4 Byron Leftwich 16 Charlie Batch

The Latest Steelers Buzz

A lot of buzz going around right now that the Tennessee Titans will be the team that comes to Heinz field for the NFL’s Thursday night season opener in 2009. The San Diego Chargers are believed to be the second choice at this point. The opportunity will be presented to the Baltimore Ravens for a rematch of the AFC Championship game to open the 2009 season but it is likely that they will decline like the Denver Broncos did in 06. Steelers 2009 Schedule Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit

News and Notes

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward went through a full practice on Thursday. The only reporter allowed in the Steelers practice is SI.com’s Peter King. Hines Ward is the only Steelers player on the injury report. For the Cardinals defensive end Travis LaBoy (biceps), defensive end Antonio Smith (knee), running back J.J. Arrington (knee), and punter punter Ben Graham (groin) have been limited in practice according to reports. All four players are expected to play. Mike Tomlin denied an internet report (profootballtalk.com) that Ben Roethlisberger had a X-Ray on his ribs yesterday. Roethlisberger hurt his back in the first half of the Ravens game. Nonetheless this is a non-story because the only practice Roethlisberger missed was last Wednesday and there