Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward believes the NFL's lockout is getting out of hand. "It's still early," he told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. "Hopefully the closer it gets to training camp, both sides will realize that this is ridiculous, let's get something solved. But right now it's just a total mess —- free agency, the workers in the building. The owners ... it's hard for owners to want the best out of their players, and now they're saying you can't come into our building. It's so crazy. I don't understand that."

Art Rooney II doesn't believe that representatives of the NFLPA studied the final offer made by the NFL and its owners. Instead, the union decertified and the league entered a lockout for the first time in 24 years. "To me, that sort of was the tipoff that they weren't really interested in getting serious," Rooney, the Steelers president, said. "What we offered them, there's no reason why they wouldn't take it and look at it. They could have said 'That's not enough, we need more.' That wouldn't have been surprising. But, to not even take it, I'm not sure what purpose that served. "That was probably another indication they weren't that interested [in negotiating]. It made us think this was their plan all along."

If Tiki Barber does return to the NFL, the defending AFC Champion Steelers may be a viable option. Barber is interested in playing for a successful franchise and a player-friendly coach such as Mike Tomlin, two sources told The New York Post. According to a Steelers source, Tomlin is good friends with Barber. Also, the team may need another running back if Mewelde Moore leaves in free agency.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu played hurt during the team's run to the Super Bowl. Sources confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Polamalu never fully recovered from the Achilles' tendon injury he suffered during a Week 14 victory over the Bengals. Polamalu missed two games with the injury. He will not need surgery and is instead receiving treatment and rehabilitating the Achilles in Los Angeles.

The Steelers reportedly have no interest in signing Tiki Barber. A New York Post report suggested Pittsburgh could become a suitor for Barber, who is coming out of retirement.

The Steelers have emerged as a potential landing spot for Tiki Barber, according to two sources. are not going to impede Barber's attempt to find a new team and are likely to give permission to Barber and his agent, Mark Lepselter, to start the process of drumming up interest -- without any tampering fears by other teams -- while the CBA negotiations are ongoing.

The Steelers have hired former safety and cornerback Carnell Lake to coach their defensive backs. Lake retired from the NFL in 2001 following two seasons with the Jaguars and one with the Ravens. He played for the Steelers from 1989-98.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison had his second back surgery in two weeks. Wednesday's procedure was minor and the team doesn't expect any further complications. "It's really nothing more than a follow-up to the previous procedure," said Harrison's agent, Bill Parise. "It's nothing new or nothing crazy at all."

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward will be among 11 celebrity contestants when the ABC show "Dancing with the Stars" returns March 21, according to an ESPN.com report. The cast was announced Monday by "Dancing" hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke in segments that aired during an episode of ABC's "The Bachelor."