The Steelers open camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on Sunday, July 27. One of the last teams to report. The biggest news in Pittsburgh is off the field. The five sons of team founder Art Rooney are in negotiations to determine the future of the team. Team chairman Dan Rooney and his son, team president Art Rooney III, hope to keep a controlling interest. That is not guaranteed with some of Dan's brothers wanting to divest themselves of the team because of estate planning issues and also to conform to the NFL's ruling that that they must give up ownership in the Steelers or their two casino-race tracks. Billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller has shown a serious interest in the franchise, but is not willing to work with Dan Rooney. The uncertain future of the ownership of the Steelers could become a distraction.

On the field all the players are healthy and expected to be ready to practice. General manager Kevin Colbert is on record that both unsigned rookies, first rounder Rashard Mendenhall and second rounder Limas Sweed, will have contracts by Sunday. Mike Tomlin in his most recent press conference stated that this camp will not be as physically demanding as his first because the roster contains five fewer players than last year due to the demise of NFL Europe and the accompanying roster exemptions. Tomlin will not conduct as many two-a-day practices as he did before last season.

QB: Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch are set barring injury. Roethlisberger blossomed as a fantasy performer last season. He threw 32 touchdown passes after not getting to 20 in any of his first three seasons. Roethlisberger should only get better. The question remains the offensive line. Roethlisberger was sacked 46 times in 2006 and 47 times last year. Without his size and escapeability things would have been worse. The third QB is likely to be rookie Dennis Dixon. He actually has the athleticism to get on the field in other roles.

RB: Willie Parker's return from knee surgery is likely to be the biggest story of camp. Reports are that he will be able to fully practice from the start. Parker rushed for 2810 yards in the last 2 seasons. Expect him to remain the primary ballcarrier despite the drafting of Rashard Mendenhall in the first round. Mendenhall was simply too good to pass up with the 23rd pick. He will provide a powerful change of pace to Parker and much needed insurance. Whether Mendenhall will get short yardage carries is something to watch in the preseason. The drafting of Mendenhall made Najeh Davenport expendable. Davenport was released shortly after the draft. Mewelde Moore was signed to return kicks and provide a weapon in third down situations. Gary Russell will have to fight to make the roster as a fourth back. The coaching staff reportedly believes he has ability so there is a chance a spot will be found for him. Carey Davis is a versatile fullback that can run or catch the ball. He fits better in the offense of second year coordinator Bruce Arians than departed one-dimensional lead blocker Dan Krieder. That doesn't mean Krieder won't be missed. He had some memorable blocks, especially against hated divisional opponent Ray Lewis. Tomlin spoke with Kevin Jones for an hour about possibly joining the team even though the running back corps is deep and talented. The theory apparently being that a team can never have enough good players. Jones felt the Chicago Bears presented a better opportunity because their backs are unproven. Who can blame him?

WR: Expect a changing of the guard ar receiver as Santonio Holmes continues to develop and Hines Ward gets older. Holmes is primed for a breakout in his third season after scoring 8 touchdowns and averaging over 18 yards per catch on his 52 receptions. Ward remains a solid possession receiver, tough blocker and consumate professional. Cedrick Wilson was decent enough as a third or fourth receiver, but will not be especially missed. Nate Washington will get competition from rookie Limas Sweed as the third receiver. Willie Reed has been unable to stay healthy. He has been a disapointment as both a receiver and return man. Jeremy Bloom could win a roster spot if he shows the ability to return punts. Last year's seventh rounder Dallas Baker is still around.

TE: Heath Miller is a solid second tier fantasy tight end. A nice choice if you prefer to wait to fill this position. He has averaged 6 touchdowns and 500 yards receiving in his first 3 years. Expect more of the same. Matt Spaeth will be needed more as a blocker than a receiver with the departure of Jerame Tuman. Whether he is up to the task is an open question. Spaeth and third tight end Cody Boyd do provide incredible size in the short passing game. Spaeth is a legitimate 6'7" and Boyd is 6'8".

OL: By far the biggest question surrounding the 2008 Steelers is the offensive line. A definite change from the Bill Cowher era. The loss of seven time Pro Bowler Alan Faneca is likely to be less of a problem than most think. Faneca's play had noticeably deteriorated in the last two years. He is unlikely to be worth the money paid to him by the Jets. That doesn't mean the situation is good. Maybe just not as dire as some predict. Oft injured center Justin Hartwig was signed to compete with Sean Mahan. The Steelers really need Hartwig to stay healthy. Neither Hartwig nor Mahan is likely to make long time fans of the black and gold forget Mike Webster, Dermonti Dawson or even Jeff Hartings. Darnell Stapleton could be the future at center, but he is probably not ready. Chris Kemoeatu will replace Faneca. He is unlikely to be much of a downgrade. The other guard spot could actually be more of a problem. Kendall Simmons has been unable to regain the form he displayed before being diagnosed with type I diabetes. He doesn't really have any competition unless Willie Colon moves inside. Colon will probably start over Max Starks at right tackle. Starks and Trai Essex provide depth for the oft injured Marvel Smith at left tackle. Although Smith was never a great player, he was a solid contributor. Back injuries have sapped some of his ability. Jason Capizzi and fourth round rookie Tony Hills are developmental projects. Either providing immediate help would be a surprise.

DL: The defensive line lacks depth. Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel are solid starters. An injury like the one suffered by Smith last season would be devastating. It is hard to believe the defensive line was not addressed at all in the off season. Chris Hoke, Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason are journeyman backups. Hoke is the best of the bunch which isn't saying much. Maybe 2007 fourth rounder Ryan McBean can develop.

LB: The linebacker corps is in a state of transition. James Farrior and James Harrison are the only sure things. And Farrior isn't getting any younger. Harrison was a revelation in place of Joey Porter last season. Larry Foote will compete inside with last year's first rounder Lawrence Timmons. Last year's second rounder LaMarr Woodley is likely to replace Clark Haggans on the outside. Rookie third rounder Bruce Davis is a high motor player that consistently got to the quarterback at UCLA. He will probably need time to get used to playing linebacker instead of defensive end. Free agent Keyaron Fox and sixth round rookie Mike Humpal are competing for the last roster spot inside. Veteran backups Andre Frazier and Arnold Harrison for the last spot outside.

DB: Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend and Bryant McFadden are a solid if somewhat unspectacular top three at corner. William Gay showed enough as a fifth round rookie to get another look behind them. Troy Polamalu needs to stay healthy and return to form at strong safety after an off year. Maybe more important is Ryan Clark returning at free safety after having his spleen removed. Backups Tyrone Carter and Anthony Smith have performed better in the past in place of Polamalu than Clark. Both backups are better in the box than in coverage. Sixth rounder Ryan Mundy has the coverage skills to help at free safety.

ST: Incumbents Jeff Reed and Daniel Sepulveda are not in danger of losing their jobs. Improving the return game is an imperative. Moore was signed in part to return kicks. He should definitely be an upgrade. Bloom proving he can be a weapon returning punts would be a welcome surprise.