New Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says he'll reach out to offensive lineman Alan Faneca, who was a no-show at the team's voluntary minicamp over the weekend. Faneca, a six-time Pro Bowl guard, is believed to be upset because the Steelers haven't extended his contract, which has one year remaining. His current deal has a base salary of $3.375 million and progress toward a possible extension has been slow.

Six-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, who has not participated in any of the offseason conditioning workouts, missed the beginning of the Steelers' first full-squad minicamp under rookie coach Mike Tomlin on Friday and is expected to boycott all three days of the weekend practice sessions. The team's top lineman and a fixture at left guard since moving into the starting lineup midway through his rookie campaign, Faneca is reportedly upset with his contract. The deal runs only through the 2007 season, at a base salary of $3.375 million, and progress toward a possible extension has been slow.

The Pittsburgh Steelers added defensive line depth Tuesday, signing tackle Nick Eason to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Lynn Swann is thinking about running for Congress. The former Steelers star, a Republican who lost Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race last fall, said Thursday he has been approached to run for the Pittsburgh-area seat held by Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire. "I'm still collecting information," Swann, of Sewickley Heights, told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "People are still talking to me about it." Swann would not say who has talked to him or when he plans to make up his mind.

Mike Tomlin won't be able to convert the Steelers from a 3-4 to a 4-3 in 2007, not when the Steelers don't have enough speed-rushing defensive ends and an active, space-eating middle linebacker to do more than experiment with the 4-3. They could make the switch in the future though. "Really, I think my philosophy in terms of style of play falls in line with what's been done in Pittsburgh," Tomlin told reporters last week at the owners meetings, when he made it official that the Steelers will stick with the 3-4. "Whether you do it out of a four-man or a three-man line, the attacking personality and mentality is the same."