Hines Ward remains the lone player in active negotiations for an extension with the Steelers. The others, apparently, will have to wait either until Ward comes to an agreement or talks reach an impasse with him before the club opens negotiations with anyone else. "The focus is always going to be on Hines first," said cornerback Deshea Townsend, who enters his eighth year with the team, the past 1 1/2 as a starter. "That's how it goes. I want to sign a new contract and stay here. I have to go out there and prove myself on the field again, I guess." While negotiations began between the Steelers' Omar Khan and Ward's agent Eugene Parker the last week of April, it appears not much progress has been made. Parker would not say what kind of deal he is seeking other than something commensurate with Ward's accomplishments and ability. Ward would receive nearly $1.7 million in salary this season if no new agreement is reached.

Tommy Maddox injured his elbow in Week 2 and thereafter Ben Roethlisberger took the snaps for the Steelers and they did not lose again until the AFC Championship game. "Yeah, I want to play, and I don't think you ever accept being a backup" said Maddox, who is signed through 2007 and will count $1.35 million against the team's salary cap this season. "I know I can play in this league, and I'm excited about the next opportunity that I will have to play. But I'm not sitting around worrying about that. Things will happen and things will work out. I'm confident out there, and there will be a time and place where I get to go out and play again, whether it's here or there or who knows? I'm not going to sit around and worry about all of that. Things will work out for themselves."