Roster

On Friday, the Steelers signed WRs Dallas Baker, Gerran Walker and Jeremy Bloom, DB Mike Lorello, LB Anthony Trucks, RB Justin Vincent and TE Cody Boyd to reserve/futures contracts. All of them will vie for spots on the depth chart this offseason and next training camp.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end Travis Kirschke to a two-year contract Tuesday. Kirschke was a backup until he started four games at the end of last season after Aaron Smith went out with a torn biceps muscle. Kirschke has played in 141 games, including 64 with the Steelers. He played six seasons in Detroit and one in San Francisco before signing with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent before the 2004 season.

On Sunday, the Steelers inked WR Dallas Baker, TE Jon Dekker, S Grant Mason, DE Ryan McBean, DT Scott Paxson, C Marvin Philip, WR Gerran Walker and RB Jamaal Branch to be on their practice squad. Of these players, all except Branch were on the training camp roster. Branch comes from New Orleans' team.

The Idaho Statesman reports that former Boise State QB Jared Zabransky is expected to sign a reserves/futures contract with the Steelers. Zabransky was a late preseason cut by the Texans last offseason.

On Friday, the Steelers signed WRs Dallas Baker, Gerran Walker and Jeremy Bloom, DB Mike Lorello, LB Anthony Trucks, RB Justin Vincent and TE Cody Boyd to reserve/futures contracts. All of them will vie for spots on the depth chart this offseason and next training camp.

Steelers DB Anthony Smith, who famously guaranteed a victory over the Patriots, didn't put up overwhelming stats in 2007. He had 69 tackles (53 solo) with two interceptions and one forced fumble.

Steelers QB Brian St. Pierre (emergency QB), RB Gary Russell, LB Andre Frazier, LB Clint Kriewaldt, TE Jon Dekker and DL Ryan McBean have all been listed as inactive for Week 16 at St. Louis.

Steelers LB James Farrior's tackles declined from 128 in 2006 to 94 (64 solo) in 2007. But Farrior still had six sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles. Despite the decline in tackles, the six sacks were a career-high.

Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons didn't do much as a rookie in 2007. He finished with only 13 tackles despite appearing in all 16 games.

Steelers DL Casey Hampton totaled two tackles (both solo) and picked up his first sack during a Week 16 win against the Rams. It was his fifth career sack and first since the 2003 season. He now has 29 tackles.

Steelers rookie WR Limas Sweed, who was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, lined up at the team's first minicamp as the No. 4 wide receiver, playing behind starter Santonio Holmes. He is behind Holmes, Hines Ward and Nate Washington right now on the depth chart, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports it all could change between now and the start of the season. Randy Fichtner, who coaches the Steelers wide receivers, believes Sweed can be an integral part of the Steelers offense as a rookie. "I don't think there's any question," Fichtner said. "Obviously there's a learning curve, but that hits everybody. But I know that he's capable of learning." Fichtner envisioned Sweed claiming the No. 3 job this year. Moments after they drafted him, he said, "It tickles you to death because you're looking at a three group that's really strong and a possibility of Nate Washington being four is really exciting."

Domestic violence charges were dropped Thursday against Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who was arrested in early March after hitting his girlfriend. Allegheny County prosecutors announced the decision as a judge was preparing to open a preliminary hearing for Harrison on charges of simple assault and criminal mischief. Harrison's attorney, Robert DelGreco Jr., said Harrison has completed anger management and psychological counseling, which likely would have been required had the case gone to trial.

On Friday, the Steelers signed WRs Dallas Baker, Gerran Walker and Jeremy Bloom, DB Mike Lorello, LB Anthony Trucks, RB Justin Vincent and TE Cody Boyd to reserve/futures contracts. All of them will vie for spots on the depth chart this offseason and next training camp.

On Friday, the Steelers signed WRs Dallas Baker, Gerran Walker and Jeremy Bloom, DB Mike Lorello, LB Anthony Trucks, RB Justin Vincent and TE Cody Boyd to reserve/futures contracts. All of them will vie for spots on the depth chart this offseason and next training camp.

The Steelers signed RB Mewelde Moore to a three-year contract, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Moore visited the Steelers on Monday and passed a physical. Moore had been with the Vikings since 2004 but played sparingly last season with Adrian Peterson, who won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2007, and Chester Taylor ahead of him. Moore has had success as a third-down back and a kick returner and could fill both roles for the Steelers.

The Steelers have released veteran TE Jerame Tuman, LB Clint Kriewaldt and CB/KR Allen Rossum.

Neck

QB Ben Roethlisberger signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers that makes him one of the NFL's highest paid players. According to a report, the deal is worth $102 million over eight years. The Pro Bowl quarterback led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory two years ago, and was the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft. He's been the starter in all four seasons with the team. Roethlisberger threw 32 touchdown passes with only 11 interceptions in leading the Steelers to the playoffs this season, bouncing back from an injury marred 2006 season.

The Steelers allowed 221 yards of total offense and only seven points in Week 1 at Cleveland. LB James Harrison, DB Ike Taylor, DB Ryan Clark, LB James Farrior, LB Clark Haggans and DL Aaron Smith all had a sack. Taylor and DB Deshea Townsend added an interception each. DB William Gay, DB Bryant McFadden, and Smith had a fumble recovery as the Steelers totaled six sacks and five turnovers against the Browns.

Steelers DB Ike Taylor set a new career high in 2007 with three interceptions. He also scored a defensive touchdown with one sack and one forced fumble. He also added 80 total tackles (69 solo).

Steelers WR Hines Ward underwent surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee and will need about six weeks of recovery time before beginning offseason workouts. The surgery was done Wednesday, but was not disclosed until coach Mike Tomlin's season-ending news conference Thursda