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ESPN The Magazine seventh annual Ultimate Standings were released today, which measures how much MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises give back to the fans in exchange for all the time, money and emotion the fans invest in them. The Steelers ranked number 3 overall and are number one as far as NFL teams go. The Penguins came in at number 7 overall and fourth in the NHL. We will not talk about the Pirates. That is the first rule of Pirate fans.

Steeler safety Troy Polamalu was voted smartest player by his AFC North peers in a report on ESPN. He and linebacker James Harrison tied for second in the Best All-Around Player category.

Another story on the group of Steelers working out at Tom Shaw's Performance at Disney's Wide World of Sports. This story features the work of linebacker James Farrior and cornerback Ike Taylor.

Wide receiver Limas Sweed visited kids at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh who are being treated for Sickle Cell Anemia.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave the city of Pittsburgh major props, saying Pittsburgh is not only a great place to showcase businesses but also the success of American sports. The comments were made at the swearing in of Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney as the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

It still may be a while until first round draft pick, Ziggy Hood is signed as only one second round pick and two first round picks from the 2009 NFL draft have been signed. The Steelers usually wait until a few draft picks above and below sign so they can get a good market value. Signings should start ramping up in the middle of the month as many teams open up training camps at the end of July.

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Steelers running back coach, Kirby Wilson, told the B.C. Lions player personnel director Roy Shivers they can forget about getting running back, Stefan Logan back. "Kirby told me to forget about him," Shivers said at the Lions training camp Friday. "They like him and they've moved him to slotback. The idea is that they can get him the ball in space and everything. He's opening some eyes. The veterans have gravitated toward him because he's shown stuff in mini-camps. And they plan to use him as a kick returner, too. Kirby told me, 'You're probably not going to get him back.' "

Dale Lolley gives props to Steelers contract negotiator, Omar Khan, and his ability to get 8 of 9 contracts done before training camp starts.

Steelers.com has posted the fan Q & A of rookie Frank "The Tank" Summers. Summers says he considers himself a defensive player playing offense. Got to love his attitude. He fits in well as a Steeler.

Another week, another story on cornerback William Gay. Gay has been focusing on his conditioning and working out with teammates Ike Taylor, James Farrior and Santonio Holmes down in Florida.

Steeler great, Rod Woodson held an online chat on NFL.com and praised defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and linebacker Lawrence Timmons.

It seems the state of Oregon is the first state to adopt the Rooney Rule. The state requires that every public university interview a minority candidate for every open head coaching job.

Steelers center Justin Hartwig weighs in on several topics on ESPN. He talks about the holding call in the Super Bowl that resulted in a safety and discusses the 2009 season.

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Wide receiver, Santonio Holmes is bulking up his upper body, especially around the neck and shoulders. Holmes claims he weighs around 200 lbs now after working Tom Shaw at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

The Steelers are nominated for five ESPY AWARDS and Steeler fans have the opportunity to vote for them. Voting runs through 11:59 p.m. ET on July 11. Fans can vote online at www.espys.tv or via mobile phone at www.espn.mobi.

The Football Scientist, KC Joyner, calls the 2009 Steelers underrated champions. He goes on to say that Pittsburgh is the odds-on favorite to win the AFC in his opinion.

Signs the 2009 season is close? The Steelers are already as much as 5 point favorites in their opening game versus the Tennessee Titans. Training camp will be here before you know it.

Local Pitt product LeSean McCoy agreed to a four-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. McCoy rushed for 2,816 yards and 35 touchdowns in two seasons at Pitt. He also caught 65 passes for 549 yards and one TD.

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Mike Tomlin was interviewed from the NFL Rookie Symposium by NFL Network reporter, Steve Wyche. Wyche also reports Tomlin's view on second round running back, Rashard Mendenhall, and how he plans to incorporate him into the running game. LINK HERE

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Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a great story on soon to be Hall of Famer, Rod Woodson.

More than 400 people, including Bills head coach Dick Jauron and Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, honored Steeler defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau Saturday night at London High School in Ohio. The event was part of a fundraising effort that is expected to produce a new building for the high school that has already been christened the LeBeau Field House.

Steelers cornerback, Ike Taylor, held his "Face Me Ike" youth camp on Friday at Arden Cahill Academy in Gretna, Louisiana. Taylor is a graduate of Louisiana-Lafayette.

In an online chat with ESPN, wide receiver, Santonio Holmes, said he looks to get around 65 or 70 catches this season.

The Upper Deck trading card company has a great video interview of rookie wide receiver, Mike Wallace.

Steelers.com has posted part three of the fan Q & A with rookie offensive lineman, A.Q. Shipley.

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The Steelers signed rookie offensive lineman, Kraig Urbik, to a three year contract on Monday. Urbik was the first of three third round draft picks selected by the Steelers in the 2009 NFL draft. The Steelers now have 8 of 9 draft picks signed with only first round pick, Ziggy Hood, unsigned.

Sports Exchange reports that outside linebacker Bruce Davis is looking much improved and getting more comfortable in his transition from defensive end to the linebacker position.

Steelers owner Dan Rooney was officially confirmed Thursday night by the United States Senate as ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.

Dale Lolley looks at how the Steelers will function without Rooney being around as much.

Former Steelers lineman Carlton Haselrig will fight a mixed martial arts match on Saturday at Mellon Arena. It is the first of four Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge events scheduled for the Pittsburgh area after the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission legalized the sport.

The Heinz History Center's new exhibit, "Forbes Field: A Century of Memories," opens Saturday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the storied park's inception. The exhibit is part of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum inside the History Center in the Strip District and it showcases rare artifacts from baseball to boxing that span Forbes Field's 62 years.

Former Steeler running back, Chuck Sanders, is listed in Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the top Black Businesses in the nation in the June 2009 issue.

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Former Steeler running back Jerome Bettis has begun a summer sports camp for asthmatic children. The camp will be on July 7th and 8th at Duquesne University and is free.

NFL.com did a segment on which teams get the most bang for their buck. Not surprisingly, the Steelers rank in the top five of the league.

Jennifer Allen has a great story on how former head coach, Chuck Noll and the old Steel Curtain had an influence on Tony Dungy. Well worth the read.

ESPN.com AFC North blogger James Walker, thinks it is a race between safety Ryan Clark and tight end Heath Miller on which one is locked up next by the Steelers. Our money is on Miller.

Steelers.com has posted part 2 of the ask A.Q. Shipley, Q & A.

Heinz Field is hosting a free July 4th celebration that is headlined by fireworks and the band, Bad Company. Steely McBeam will also be there.

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The contract signed by offensive tackle Max Starks on Tuesday, will reportedly create about $2 million in salary-cap room for this year.

Speaking of the Steelers salary cap, I have updated my salary cap numbers to reflect the current cap situation. These numbers are not exact, but should be close. Currently I have the team at around 9 million under the cap.

Mike Bires thinks the Steelers will likely try to finalize a new deal soon with tight end Heath Miller, who’s in the last year of his contract. Hopefully this can be wrapped up by training camp.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is looking for a little rest, relaxation and golf before training camp starts, but did take time to fire back at former head coach Bill Cowher and his prediction that the Bengals would make the playoffs.

Defensive tackle Chris Hoke explains why he re-signed with Pittsburgh, rather than pursue a starting job elsewhere.

After two full seasons cornerback William Gay says he has a full grasp of the Steelers complex defense designed by defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

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Steelers cornerback Fernando Bryant announced his retirement on Tuesday following a lengthy and well traveled, 10-year NFL career. The 32 year old Bryant had signed with the Steelers on Nov. 11, 2008. Bryant was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 26th overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft and he became only the second Jaguar to start every game as a rookie. He went on to play for the Detroit Lions in a career that saw him start 109 of 112 games played.