The Steelers are trying to sign their starting guard to a contract extension before the end of next week, but it's not Alan Faneca. Kendall Simmons, their starting right guard since 2002 when they drafted him in the first round from Auburn, has this season left on that rookie contract. "We've been talking and both sides are trying to get something done before the start of the season,'' said Simmons' agent, Eric Metz. Simmons supposedly was in competition for his job with backup Chris Kemoeatu, but early in training camp he reasserted himself as the starter and the Steelers decided to try to lock him up for the future.

Ben Roethlisberger liked almost nothing about his one half of play. The 247 yards passing, the three consecutive scoring drives, the big shift in momentum didn't impress him at all. Roethlisberger, effective for only one drive previously in this preseason, had a big half statistically even though he was disappointed by it and the Steelers shook off numerous mistakes to defeat the Eagles 27-13 Sunday night.

Jerome Bettis, the No. 5 rusher in NFL history, claims in a new book that he faked a knee injury during training camp in 2000 so the Steelers wouldn't cut him and install Richard Huntley as the starter. Bettis was worried offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride favored Huntley over him and the Steelers were ready to let Bettis go, partly so they wouldn't have to give him a new contract. Huntley had just signed a $4 million, three-year contract.

Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell left the first quarter of Saturday night's game against the Steelers with a knee injury. Campbell was hit flush on the left knee by Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel, who beat rookie free agent left tackle Stephon Heyer and stumbled as he kept up his pursuit. Keisel was assessed with a personal foul for a low hit on a quarterback in the pocket.

Ben Roethlisberger doesn't think small. Never has. Never will. Latest example: In a recent interview with Steelers Digest, the Steelers' fourth-year quarterback said his goal is to win five Super Bowls. Four's no good. Other guys have done that. "They asked me my dream," Roethlisberger said, "and I said it would be to get five, because that's one more than (Terry) Bradshaw, and, you know, one more than most other quarterbacks."

Mike Tomlin won't have much to remember from this one, and he could only give thanks it didn't count. Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger also had forgettable showings on a scoreless night for the Green Bay and Pittsburgh starting offenses. Neither Roethlisberger nor Favre did much as the Packers' and Steelers' regulars were shut out in little less than a quarter's playing time, with backup Aaron Rodgers throwing a touchdown pass and leading two other scoring drives in Green Bay's 13-9 exhibition victory Saturday night.

Moments before Mike Tomlin's debut as Steelers coach, wind-blown rain was pelting the field. Suddenly, the skies cleared, the rain ceased and the stands filled. Less than three minutes into the game, the Steelers made it feel like a warm, sunny summer afternoon for the man replacing the retired Bill Cowher. A dominant first half made Tomlin a winner, 20-7 over the Saints on Sunday night in the preseason opener. Just the third head coach in the last 38 years in Pittsburgh, Tomlin had to be thrilled about his team's quick getaway in the Hall of Fame game.

Steelers running back Willie Parker missed practice for the second day in a row Wednesday because of a sore knee and is not expected to play in the Hall of Fame exhibition game Sunday night. Parker has some swelling in his left knee and the Steelers are going to be cautious with their top running back.