Tribune-Review columnist Dejan Kovacevic has an interesting column in regards to Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's somewhat passive-aggressive response to an off-season that saw him called out for extending plays, fired his buddy offensive coordinator and a supposed overhaul of the offensive scheme.

Kovacevic's column isn't slanted the way the headline "Kovacevic: Get Over It, Ben" implies. It's actually more pro-Roethlisberger, but the message is true; he needs to get over it and perform. It's a message given to every pro athlete, whether directly or indirectly, and how that message is taken is all in the delivery of it.

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It's a simple proposition for Steelers 5-time Pro Bowl OLB James Harrison.

If suspended Saints LB Jonathan Vilma loses in his lawsuit against NFL Commission Roger Goodell, he feels it shows Goodell has too much power.

If Vilma wins, however, according to Harrison, "the floodgates will open."

The floodgates of media attention will open over Harrison's comments, that's for certain.

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With new offensive coordinator Todd Haley kept under media lockout, analysts and fans alike have been making projections as to what the Steelers offense will look like in 2012.

There's a hint or two here and there, but the biggest wrinkle will no doubt be the inclusion of the fullback position once again.

It appears as if David Johnson will assume a dual-role this year, one part blocking back, other in-line protector.

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I just turned 40 recently (brief self-serving pause for "Happy Birthday" wishes), and it's a weird feeling. To paraphrase comedian Louis C.K., you're older, but you're not really old. And you're still youthful, but you're not really young anymore.

Turning 80 is an even bigger milestone, and 2012 just so happens to be the 80th year anniversary season of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that was founded in 1933 by the late Arthur J. Rooney.

The good thing about being a 40 year old Steelers fan is that I wasn't around for a lot of the tough times that the franchise experienced in its first four decades of existence. I came on board just when the team started to turn the corner and become what it is today.

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Sorry to have been MIA for the past few days, but I'm finally back from la belle France. I was sad to leave, but it's good to be back in the U.S. of A., and especially to be back in the Burgh. And OTAs started yesterday, so what better time to be back!

Ever since Homer J. wrote one of his usual terrific articles, "The Immaculate Selection: Luck as the Residue of Design," I've been meaning to write this article. Not because of Homer's article itself, although I loved it, naturally. But dogthebus's comment sparked this post. I started to edit his comment for brevity, but it is sheer poetry, so I didn't:

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In the interest of providing comprehensive coverage of all things Steelers as well as taking advantage of the current lull resulting from the off season, I am redirecting the focus toward Steeler Nation, particularly its fans. The supporters of the team are just as much a part of the story of Steelers football as are the players and other members of the organization.

Usually once a week, Wednesday night, I spend some time with Arla talking Steelers football. Both of us are Pittsburgh natives residing in Northern Virginia and avid fans who always find plenty to discuss about the team. It is a testament to the numbers and diversity of the Steelers fan base in our area that though both of us frequent Steeler bars on game days, we have never watched a game in the same location. My area is also extremely well represented on BTSC. Homer J and PaVaSteeler are examples of the regular contributors to the discussion around here. And, of course, that doesn't include the many that regularly visit the site and don't post or comment.

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Most people are aware Steelers WR Mike Wallace is not attending OTAs. Most are even more keenly aware he's doing it because he wants a contract extension, and not the $2.7 million restricted free agent tender offer the Steelers have given him.

There seems to be a split in SteelerNation on whether Wallace is doing the right thing - or even the ethical one. Turns out, there's a long list of Steelers who will not graduate OTAs with 100 percent attendance.

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The NFL's Injured-Reserve (IR) list was created as a way for teams to make room on their roster for a healthy player while maintaining rights to an injured player under contract.

Among other things, a player placed on the IR receives the remainder of the money owed to him in that season, but is no longer eligible to play for the remainder of the year.

The NFL is currently in negotiations to tweak that rule, allowing a player to return to the roster from the IR at a point in the season.

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