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Nearly a full month into free agency, the Steelers finally signed their first player Tuesday. It was -- yawn -- Leonard Pope.

Not excited about adding a backup tight end? Well, this is essentially a repeat of last year, when the Steelers' big free-agent signing was wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Let's face it, Steelers free agency contains as much action as a Sarah Jessica Parker flick. Everyone knows this, and that's why no one is wringing their Terrible Towel over the inactivity.

The Steelers find players in April, not March. They hit on first-round picks every year -- at least in recent memory -- and develop undrafted prospects into starters. No one has built their team through the draft quite like the Steelers this decade. If the season started today, only one of the projected starters (safety Ryan Clark) joined the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent.

The Steelers need this remarkable track record in the draft to come through for them again. In some ways, this is the most important draft of the Mike Tomlin era. I'm not saying this is a crucial draft in terms of finding immediate starters. But the pressure is on the Steelers to find "potential" starters for the 2012 season.

The organization lost a piece of its history when it parted ways with wide receiver Hines Ward, linebacker James Farrior, defensive end Aaron Smith, nose tackle Chris Hoke and guard Chris Kemoeatu this offseason. Some have downplayed these departures because none were major contributors last season. Farrior was a part-time player, Ward was being phased out, Kemoeatu was benched and Smith and Hoke were both injured. The Steelers, though, could have used their experience as backups this season.

The loss of these veteran safety nets makes injuries a major concern. Two starters -- running back Rashard Mendenhall and nose tackle Casey Hampton -- are candidates to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list (and miss at least the first six games) after ACL surgeries this offseason. Tomlin has expressed concern about whether right tackle Willie Colon and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders can shake their injury histories. And the Steelers have to be worried about Maurkice Pouncey's ankle, LaMarr Woodley's hamstrings and Doug Legursky's shoulder.

If Hampton is placed on the PUP, the starting nose tackle would likely be an out-of-position Ziggy Hood. If Legursky is hurt, the current top backup at guard is John Malecki. If Colon goes down, the Steelers have to turn to the often-struggling Jonathan Scott. If Sanders can't play, the third receiver would be ... well, no one right now. These are all painful scenarios for the Steelers.

This is where the draft comes into play for Pittsburgh. Taking the right college player has always kept the Steelers in the mode of reloading, not rebuilding. No one knows whom the Steelers will select with the 24th overall pick. It could be Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, Georgia offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, Stanford tight end Coby Fleener or someone not even linked to Pittsburgh. Based on the Steelers' history, the only certainty is that the pick will become an impact player.

Since 2000, the Steelers' first-round selections have been wide receiver Plaxico Burress, Hampton, guard Kendall Simmons, safety Troy Polamalu, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, tight end Heath Miller, wide receiver Santonio Holmes, linebacker Lawrence Timmons, Mendenhall, Hood, Pouncey and defensive end Cameron Heyward. The only one who didn't quite live up to expectations is Mendenhall, and he is hardly a major disappointment, having led the team in rushing for the past three seasons. This great run is more amazing when you consider that only two (Burress and Roethlisberger) were selected in the top half of the first round. Even the Ravens, who are known for excelling in the draft, have had two busts during this span with quarterback Kyle Boller and wide receiver Travis Taylor.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, one of the underrated decision-makers in the NFL, can't explain this string of success.

"We've been fortunate," he told reporters at the NFL owners meetings. "We are capable as anybody of making a mistake. We never keep score. There's only one score that matters and that's the last game of the year."

If the Steelers had been keeping score, they would realize their success goes beyond the first round. They have come away with current starters in the second round (linebacker Woodley), third round (wide receiver Mike Wallace), fourth round (cornerback Ike Taylor), sixth round (wide receiver Antonio Brown) and seventh round (defensive end Brett Keisel). And don't forget about the undrafted finds like Legursky, right guard Ramon Foster and running back Isaac Redman.

This is why the Steelers don't have to write a $100 million check to free agents. This is why the Steelers can sign one player in the first 28 days of free agency and not sweat about it. Pittsburgh's way of business is about patience and faith. The Steelers believe in their front office to select the right college players and they believe in their coaching staff to develop them. It's a proven system that has led to five AFC North titles in 10 seasons and three trips to the Super Bowl during that span.

As players come and go, the Steelers' goals never change. Like Tomlin always preaches: "The standard is the standard."

"If you have a desire to be in this league for a length of time, you are going to roll with the punches and the ebb and flow, the evolution of the game," Tomlin said at the NFL owners meetings. "Thankfully, I've been in the game long enough to see a little bit of that. Those who are able to sustain success are pliable and flexible."

And the organizations that are able to sustain success are often quiet in free agency and make the most noise in the draft.

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill is one of the 30 players who will visit with the Browns before the draft, a league source told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Tannehill is "one of about five players" the Browns are considering with their No. 4 overall pick, the Plain Dealer reported. He is coming off foot surgery and didn't work out or run at the NFL combine last month.

The Browns will be represented at Tannehill's pro day on Thursday, but coach Pat Shurmur is uncertain whether he will attend it. Tannehill only made 19 starts at Texas A&M, which ran a West Coast offense similar to the Browns.

"Wherever he goes, he's going to have to come in and learn their system, and prove to the coaches that he's worthy of being the starter," Shurmur said Tuesday. "I think that's the case with [any] quarterback."

Hensley's slant: Shurmur said Tuesday that the Browns were "moving forward" with Colt McCoy as their quarterback, but he didn't rule out drafting a quarterback to compete with him. Still, I don't see the Browns using the No. 4 pick on Tannehill. He's more of a candidate if the Browns decide to trade down.

BENGALS: Free-agent outside linebacker Manny Lawson told teammates Tuesday night that he had agreed to terms to rejoin the Bengals, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Lawson, who is entering his seventh season, signed with the Bengals less than a week into training camp last year and started 15 games at outside linebacker. He finished fifth on the team in tackles with 78 along with 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed and seven tackles for loss. Hensley's slant: The Bengals tried to upgrade when they pursued Kamerion Wimbley, but keeping Lawson isn't a bad fallback option. Lawson had drawn interest recently on the free-agent market and had been talking to the Packers. He surprisingly played better against the run last season than the pass.

RAVENS: Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said the team has to upgrade the offensive line. The Ravens bring back four of their starters and have penciled in Jah Reid as their left guard. But none of their backups (players like Ramon Harewood, Justin Boren) have any NFL experience. Harbaugh promised that team officials will be "turning over every stone" to try to bolster the unit, but the Ravens don't have a lot of salary-cap space to make moves. "We still have a little bit of room," Harbaugh said, via the Baltimore Sun. "Off the top of my head, my math says we've got a few dollars left so we can do something. If we need to do some things, we can be creative." Hensley's slant: If the Ravens don't take Wisconsin center-guard Peter Konz in the first round, look for the Ravens to pick up some lineman or two in the middle of the draft. They've done well with finding interior linemen like Edwin Mulitalo, Casey Rabach and Marshal Yanda in the third and fourth rounds.

STEELERS: Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and right tackle Willie Colon are on track to recover from last year's injuries but he is worried whether both players can remain healthy for long periods of time. Colon has missed all but one game each of the past two seasons with Achilles and arm injuries. Sanders has had several surgeries on his feet and a knee, including a postseason foot operation this year. "You can't anticipate it's going to stop," Tomlin said of Sanders, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The same could be said for Willie Colon." Hensley's slant: The Steelers are counting on Sanders and Colon to play important roles on the offense, and they don't have veteran safety nets for them at this point like last year. Sanders is expected to be the No. 3 wide receiver, and there's no Hines Ward or Jerricho Cotchery (who could re-sign) to step in if he gets hurt. And Colon is slated to start at right tackle, and there's no Max Starks (who is still recovering from ACL surgery) to bring back if Colon goes down early in the season.

The Steelers announced they plan on releasing wide receiver Hines Ward, a situation that was never going to end happily.

Ward was going to either get cut or disappear on the Steelers' bench. The only way there is a perfect ending is when the player decides to retire, and that rarely happens.

"This isn't how I wanted this chapter of my career to end," Ward said in a statement released by his manager. "I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago."

This is the painful side of sports. Jerry Rice went to the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. Tim Brown finished with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Art Monk bounced from the New York Jets to the Philadelphia Eagles. And now, Ward likely will complete his career in a uniform that doesn't have the colors black and gold.

It will go down as one of the toughest decisions the Steelers have ever had to make. But it's the right call.

Don't blame the Steelers for making a logical business move. The Steelers can't pay a fourth-string wide receiver $4 million even if they had the salary-cap room.

The brutal reality is the Steelers no longer needed Ward, who turns 36 in nine days. The Steelers' top three wide receivers -- Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders -- each averaged more than 13 yards per catch. Ward, who ranked fourth on the team with 46 receptions, averaged 8.3.

In his statement, Ward thanked team officials and his fans. "I gave my heart and soul for you every down and I will always bleed black and gold," he said.

But Ward doesn't appear ready to retire as a Steeler.

"I do feel that I still have more football left in me and I am looking forward to playing in the NFL, again, this upcoming season," he said.

There is no guarantee Ward will play in 2012. The only chance Ward has to continue playing is if a team values his leadership and wants a veteran to be its No. 3 receiver.

The Steelers will now turn their attention toward re-signing Jerricho Cotchery (15 catches and two touchdowns in the final eight games) or another free-agent wide receiver.

There are conflicting reports on Hines Ward's future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The NFL Network reported Saturday that sources indicated that the Steelers have decided not to keep the longtime wide receiver. A day later, team sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that no decision has been made on Ward, although the paper didn't rule out his eventual release.

Ward issued a statement on Facebook to address the report on NFL Network:

"I don't normally like to respond to rumors, but as I've said all along, I want to finish my career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And as I've already told the organization, I am willing to work with them to restructure my contract to make sure this happens."

Ward, who turns 36 next month, has two years remaining on his contract and is scheduled to make $4 million in 2012 and 2013. He said that he's spoken with Steelers president Art Rooney II and coach Mike Tomlin since the season ended.

My take on the situation is it doesn't make sense for the Steelers to keep Ward if they are set on Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders as their top-three wide receivers. Pittsburgh relied more on Jerricho Cotchery, who could be re-signed in free agency, than Ward in the second half of the season.

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

There's a good possibility that the Cincinnati Bengals will lose their defensive coordinator this week.

After being spurned by Jeff Fisher, the Dolphins could be lining up a second visit with Mike Zimmer after a "strong" interview, according to NFL Network. Zimmer, who has been in charge of the Bengals' defense since 2008, has a link to Miami's general manager, Jeff Ireland, from their days with the Dallas Cowboys.

But Zimmer could have another option as well. According to NFL Network, Zimmer will interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today for the head-coach opening.

Hensley's slant: Losing Zimmer would be a big blow to the Bengals, who have finished in the top half of the NFL in defense in all four of his seasons as coordinator. But Zimmer has certainly earned the shot. The Bengals would replace him with longtime defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle or former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio, who is reportedly owed $5 million from the Jaguars next season.

BROWNS: In an analysis of the team's pending free agents, The Cleveland Plain Dealer predicts running back Peyton Hillis and kicker Phil Dawson will go elsewhere and middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson will stay. According to the paper, before talks ended between Hillis and the Browns, the running back was looking for $10 million in guaranteed money while Cleveland was offering $4 million. Hensley's slant: It would be surprising to see the Browns invest a contract in Hillis after all of the dramatics during the season. If the Browns don't re-sign him, it will be interesting to see what teams want him. The Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins could be potential suitors.

STEELERS: The players expect to put in some hard work to get the passing game to progress next season. "Talking to Ben [Roethlisberger] on the plane, we're going to get together this offseason, and we're going to continue to grow as an offense," wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "The goal is always to be the No. 1 offense, so we're headed in that direction." Hensley's slant: Chemistry wasn't the problem with the Steelers' passing game. It was the health of Roethlisberger. Once his foot, thumb and ankle all heal, Pittsburgh will just be fine throwing the ball all over the field.

RAVENS: For the AFC North blog's coverage of the Ravens' playoff win on Sunday, here's my column, update on the health of safety Ed Reed and Quick Take on the AFC Championship Game.

Steelers wide receiver-punt returner Antonio Brown was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring his first touchdown off a punt return.

This is the first time that Brown has received this award and it's the first time that a Steeler has earned it since last season, when Emmanuel Sanders won it.

Brown finished off a 28-point second quarter for the Steelers against the Bengals with a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. It marked the first punt return for a touchdown by Pittsburgh since 2006.

Brown, who has emerged as a top target on offense, is second in the AFC with a 12.2-yard punt return average and second in the NFL with 1,665 all-purpose yards.

If you have a question about the AFC North, send it to my mailbag. This is the second part of our mailbag today, so let's continue to open up some mail ...

Devin from Ontario, Canada, writes: With the success of A.J. Green (in the end zone, with a touchdown), does this cause a re-think in the axiom that you don't use a top 10 pick on a wide receiver? Is this guy just that special or is this a function of the new NFL rules punishing defenses?

Hensley responds: Green is really special. You just have to look at how his rookie numbers stack up against the best wide receivers of this past decade (here's the link). If you can get an elite receiver, you have to get them in the top 10. I'm really not in favor of grabbing a wide receiver later in the first round. For the most part (and I know there are exceptions), it seems like teams reach for wide receivers when they take them in the bottom third of the first round. In this division, where defenses don't allow too many double-digit play drives, you need a playmaker who can stretch the field. It's essential.

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David from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., writes: As of right now who do you honestly think is a front runner to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl?

Hensley responds: I know this makes me sound like an AFC North homer, but the two best teams I've seen in person this year are the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. Wait, make that the Ravens when they're playing at home or playing the Steelers. I know the Patriots are looking good right now, but at this point in the season, the Steelers or the Ravens look like the teams who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. I would be shocked if it didn't work out that way.

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Jeff S. from Toledo, Ohio, writes: It looks like Michael Oher will be going to the Pro Bowl. Do you believe that he is the best tackle in the division? If not, who do you think is the best tackle in the AFC North?

Hensley responds: Oher is leading the voting because of the popularity of the movie "The Blind Side." It's kind of funny that he doesn't even protect the blind side anymore. But don't expect Oher to make the Pro Bowl. The voting from the players and coaches will get Cleveland's Joe Thomas in there. He is the best left tackle in the AFC. Cincinnati's Andrew Whitworth gets overshadowed by Thomas because they play in the same division, but he's better than Oher as well.

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Jonnyplesko from Pittsburgh writes: As you may have noticed on the blog following the first Steelers-Bengals matchup, a lot of Cincy fans seemed to think injuries cost them the game against Pittsburgh. In response, a lot of Pittsburgh fans reminded them that Pittsburgh came into the game without LaMarr Woodley and Emmanuel Sanders (both pretty important players for Pittsburgh). So, my question is, who has a bigger impact on this game, A.J. Green, or LaMarr Woodley? My money is on Woodley. I think [Andy] Dalton played admirably in the first game, but with James Harrison and Woodley coming off the edges, he will have even less time and be forced into some mistakes. Your thoughts?

Hensley responds: I agree with you on this and this isn't a knock on Green. I expect the Steelers to do everything in their power to shut down Green. Pittsburgh doesn't fear Jerome Simpson or Andre Caldwell. Both those receivers didn't make an impact when Green left the previous Pittsburgh game with a hyperextended knee. Woodley, though, could show some rust having missed three games. He'll also have the challenge of going against Andre Smith. But if Woodley plays Sunday like he did before the injury, he is unstoppable at times.

A look at the key injuries around the division:

BENGALS: WR A.J. Green (knee) returned to practice after missing last Sunday's game. But QB Andy Dalton (right shoulder) was unexpectedly limited, although it's likely not serious. OT Andrew Whitworth (thigh) was also limited. DE Carlos Dunlap (hamstring) and DT Domata Peko (foot) both didn't practice.

BROWNS: RB Montario Hardesty (calf) returned to practice with limited participation, which is a sign that he's progressing. RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring) and SS T.J. Ward (foot) have already been declared out by coach Pat Shurmur.

RAVENS: LB Ray Lewis (toe) is questionable, although he is expected to play Thanksgiving night against San Francisco. His backup, Dannell Ellerbe (thigh), is also questionable.

STEELERS: LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) returned to practice, which is good news for the Steelers. WR Emmanuel Sanders (knee) had full participation for the first time in weeks, which is even better news for Pittsburgh. QB Ben Roethlisberger (right thumb) was limited in practice but he'll start Sunday night.

Revisiting the Pittsburgh Steelers' 24-17 win at the Cincinnati Bengals:

It looks like the Steelers are making the transition away from Hines Ward. On Sunday, it was Jerricho Cotchery -- and not Ward -- who joined Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh's three-receiver sets.

This is the right move because the Steelers' younger, faster and more explosive receivers are stepping up. Ward could drop further on the depth chart when Emmanuel Sanders returns from knee surgery.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Ward's health wasn't a factor in the decrease in snaps. Ward suffered concussion-like symptoms after taking a hit to the head from Ray Lewis the week before.

"I think he was ready to go, but we were just looking at some personnel groups and looking at ways we wanted to attack these people," Tomlin said. "We’ll do that from week to week."

Ward was a non-factor in Cincinnati with one catch for 10 yards. Cotchery had two receptions for 29 yards and one touchdown. He also had another touchdown called back because of Heath Miller's penalty.

Tomlin, though, wouldn't say whether this is permanent.

"It may not be any indication of his participation moving forward," Tomlin said, "it’s just an indication of his participation today.”

STAT THAT STICKS: 4 -- Number of franchises that the Steelers joined who have at least four head coaches with 50 regular-season wins. The win over the Bengals marked the 50th for Mike Tomlin. Other Steeler head coaches who have reached that accomplishment are: Chuck Noll (193), Bill Cowher (149) and Raymond "Buddy" Parker (51).

OVERHEARD: "We're doing enough things offensively and defensively to win, but I still don't think we're playing to our full potential. As long as we're still winning games, that's all that matters because hopefully when we do hit it full stride and are playing really well, who knows where it will go?" Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after Pittsburgh became the second AFC team to reach seven wins this season (along with Houston).

WHAT'S NEXT: The Steelers (7-3) are on their bye week. The winner of Sunday's Bengals-Ravens game will match Pittsburgh's record. If the Ravens win, they take back first place in the AFC North because they've swept the Steelers. If the Bengals win, Pittsburgh remains in first place because it won at Cincinnati on Sunday.

There's news involving the Steelers wide receivers: Emmanuel Sanders is expected to miss "a couple of weeks" after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery (according to the team) but Hines Ward (concussion-like symptoms) is expected to return and not be limited this week in practice (according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).

The move that the Steelers need to make now is putting Antonio Brown in the starting lineup alongside Mike Wallace. Ward, who started Sunday before taking the helmet-to-helmet hit from Ray Lewis, is clearly not a top option anymore for Ben Roethlisberger. Brown and Sanders are more dangerous threats at this point.

Brown, a 2010 sixth-round pick, is fast and elusive. He showed great hands in making difficult catches Sunday against the Ravens.

When Ward went down with a sprained ankle three games ago, Brown caught seven passes for 102 yards. When Ward went out Sunday with a stinger, Brown produced 109 yards on five receptions. He has proved that he can replace Ward and has earned the right to do so on a full-time basis.

The biggest difference between Brown and Ward is big-play ability. This season, Brown has seven catches of over 20 yards while Ward has one.

Ward is on pace for 52 catches and 516 yards, his lowest totals since 2000. It'll be interesting to see how the Steelers view Ward in the future with two young receivers pressing for playing time. Ward, 35, has two years left on his contract after this season (earning $4 million in 2012 and 2013).

Days after he announced on Twitter that he wouldn't play against the Ravens, Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison might be ready to line up against the AFC North rival.

Harrison was cleared after missing the past four games with an eye injury and has practiced the past two days. If Harrison suits up, Lawrence Timmons would move back to his usual starting spot on the inside.

The return of Harrison would boost the Steelers' pass rush and lessen the loss of LaMarr Woodley. A source familiar with the situation told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Woodley (hamstring) isn't expected to play.

In replacing Harrison, Timmons has been steady, but not spectacular. In four games on the outside, Timmons had no sacks and two quarterback pressures.

The revolving door at linebacker continues for the Steelers this week. With Woodley likely out, Pittsburgh is expected to replace him with Jason Worilds, who has been sidelined the past four game with a quad injury.

Inside linebacker James Farrior (calf) has been limited all week in practice, too.

In other injury news for the Steelers, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders remains in Texas, where his mother recently died, and is unlikely to play, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Sanders, who started in place of the injured Hines Ward, would probably be replaced by Ward or Antonio Brown.

As far as the Ravens, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (thigh) and wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle) didn't practice for the second straight day. Left guard Ben Grubbs is considered a game-time decision by offensive coordinator Cam Cameron after being limited Thursday.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The first question asked to Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb was about defending Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace.


You know, the Mike Wallace who is fourth in the NFL in receiving yards (800) and has caught a pass covering at least 40 yards in six of his past seven games. Wallace is considered one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL, but Webb is more worried about someone else.

"Every time somebody asks me [a question], they're always talking about Mike Wallace. But they have a guy No. 84 in Antonio Brown who is better than 17 [Wallace] in all aspects of the game," Webb said. "He's a great returner, a great wide receiver."

Of course, Webb might be a little biased. Brown beat Webb for a 58-yard pass last year, the critical late play in the Ravens' divisional playoff loss at Pittsburgh.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Wallace lines up against Webb on Sunday night, when the Ravens play at Heinz Field. In the season opener, Wallace had eight catches for 107 yards against the Ravens.

"He's played beyond expectations," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Wallace. "He's fast. He's a route-runner. He's got good hands. He's a game-breaker type of guy."

Webb didn't limit his shots to Wallace. He gave a nice jab to Hines Ward, too, when he expressed his admiration for Emmanuel Sanders, who is filling in for the injured Ward.

"They're actually a better team with 88 [Sanders] than with Hines Ward," Webb said. "They're very dangerous without Hines."

"I guess Hines slows them down," Webb said before laughing. "I'm just playing."

Here are some notes around the AFC North:

BROWNS: The team signed running back Thomas Clayton, who had two stints with the Browns last season, after a tryout and waived wide receiver Brian Robiskie, 2009 second-round pick. Robiskie had touchdown catches in the final three games of last season but was buried on the depth chart this year. Clayton will add depth at running back, where there have been injuries to Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty.

RAVENS: The team placed linebacker and special teams player Prescott Burgess on injured reserve but didn't announce any addition to the roster. Burgess, who led the Ravens in special teams tackles the past two seasons, had been cut twice and brought back both times.

STEELERS: After a team source told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that LaMarr Woodley is out for the Steelers' game against the Ravens, the linebacker said on a social media outlet, "Don't count me out yet. Big game on Sunday." Woodley, the AFC sack leader, injured his hamstring last Sunday. ... Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed linebacker James Harrison (eye) has been cleared to practice. “We’ll reevaluate him a little later in the week,” Tomlin said. Harrison posted on Twitter that he would not play against the Ravens. ... Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who replaced injured Hines Ward (ankle), will have his left knee evaluated. Ward is expected to return to practice this week.

PITTSBURGH -- After the Steelers' 25-17 victory Sunday, Ben Roethlisberger told Tom Brady that he thinks the Patriots' quarterback is the best.

Well, not today. Not for 60 minutes at Heinz Field. For the first time in his career, Roethlisberger outshined Brady in a head-to-head matchup. He did so by pulling a Brady on Brady.

Spreading out the New England defense, Roethlisberger lined up in the shotgun and zipped short passes all over the field. It was a masterful performance. It was a signature one.

The Steelers are the best team in the AFC not just because they've got the best record. It's because they have the hottest quarterback in the AFC.

With Brady getting an up-close look, Roethlisberger completed 36 of 50 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns. Roethlisberger wouldn't say whether this performance was more special because it came against an offense -- and quarterback -- that has set the standard for throwing the ball. His teammates know otherwise.

"Ben is one of the most competitive people I’ve ever been around," Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel said. "Tom Brady is quote-unquote the best quarterback in the NFL. Any time you get a chance to go against the best, it’s a great opportunity for you. You relish those opportunities. He certainly did today and played great."

Everyone talked all week about Brady's dominance over the Steelers and his 6-1 record against the reigning AFC champions. So, what's the best way to stop Brady? With a better offense and quarterback.

Brady managed only 198 yards passing, and Roethlisberger deserved some credit in containing the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. Roethlisberger wasn't just the best offensive player at Heinz Field. He might have been the best defense.

Roethlisberger's efficient effort allowed the Steelers to convert eight of their first 10 third downs. That kept Brady on the sideline as Pittsburgh dominated time of possession (39:22 to 20:38). In fact, Roethlisberger threw as many passes (50) as the Patriots had plays.

The Steelers kept the ball by converting third downs of 11, 15 and 12 yards. Roethlisberger's only mistake was an underthrown pass over the middle on third-and-17 that led to an easy Patriots touchdown. He responded by leading a 10-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown.

In total, Pittsburgh's five scoring drives went for 11, 16, 10, 14 and 11 plays.

"It's been all Tom Brady versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and looking back on the past, how he's owned the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I think everybody forgot about our offense a little bit and the things they've been doing out there," Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. "I think they took that a little personal."

The Steelers are facing an important stretch with back-to-back games against New England and Baltimore. In the big picture, the Steelers need a win over the Ravens more than a win over the Patriots because of division implications. But beating New England is of greater value to Roethlisberger.

When it comes to the quarterback debate this season, it's Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Some might even put Philip Rivers at No. 4. Roethlisberger will get pushed to the side even though he's got two rings because he often wins ugly.

If anything, Roethlisberger's performance against New England was the best way for him to state his case. The Steelers put the game in Roethlisberger's hands. Pittsburgh called for pass plays 73 percent of the time (57 of 78). When the Patriots put the game in Brady's hands, it led to Keisel stripping the ball and a safety with 8 seconds left in the game.

"Does he put up the numbers that everyone wants to see that’s attractive and sexy? No," Steelers left tackle Max Starks said. "But when you look at it in the wins and loss columns, that’s the ultimate barometer that a quarterback is judged by. For us, we appreciate the heck out of him. It doesn’t really matter if other people don’t think he’s great or gets them enough fantasy points."

The win was Roethlisberger's 75th in 106 starts. He is the fourth-fastest quarterback to reach 75 victories in the Super Bowl era, following Roger Staubach (99 games), Brady (99) and Ken Stabler (105).

Roethlisberger won because he was able to adjust. He didn't have long-time target Hines Ward, who was out with an ankle injury. So, Roethlisberger leaned on Brown (nine catches for 67 yards) and Emmanuel Sanders (five catches for 70 yards).

The Patriots also took away the deep pass from the Steelers, probably because Roethlisberger had hit Mike Wallace for a pass of more than 40 yards in six consecutive games. He changed up his game by going over the middle to tight end Heath Miller (seven catches for 85 yards) and underneath to Wallace (seven catches for 70 yards).

How the Steelers attacked shouldn't have come as a surprise. Roethlisberger basically showed his hand during the week when he said you always want to "emulate" the No. 1 offense in the league.

The Steelers consistently spread out the Patriots' defense by emptying the backfield. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Roethlisberger threw both of his touchdowns out of empty-set formations and recorded nine plays that went for first downs, surpassing his previous mark of six.

"We came in with the game plan of throwing the ball," Roethlisberger said. "I felt like we did a good job of that."

Roethlisberger added, "We can be as good as we want to be. When we don't kill ourselves and stop ourselves, we can be pretty dangerous."

Roethlisberger has been extremely dangerous recently. In his past four games, he has thrown 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He has produced back-to-back 300-yard passing games (361 and 365 yards) for the second time in his career.

You don't want to face the Steelers these days, and you definitely don't want to see Roethlisberger.

"Ben’s a bad dude," Wallace said. "People overlook him because how great our defense is. This guy is a baller. Sometimes the throws might not be there because that’s not our game all the time. But if we have to, we can throw the ball with the best of them."

The Steelers announced that wide receiver Hines Ward and inside linebacker James Farrior are out today against New England. Both had been listed as questionable.

But not having Ward could be a positive for Pittsburgh. This allows the Steelers to play younger and faster receivers like Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown against a Patriots defense that has allowed the most big plays in the NFL this season.

Ward is a possession receiver who is averaging 9.9 yards per catch. Sanders, who is expected to start in place of Ward, and Brown are both averaging more than 13 yards per reception.

When Ward left last Sunday's game, Brown finished with a 100-yard receiving game and Sanders scored a critical second-half touchdown.