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No one doubts Mike Wallace's speed on the field. But the key to his season is how quick he is off of it.

Wallace, the team's leading receiver, skipped the team's first practice of the offseason and has yet to sign his $2.7 restricted free-agent tender. He isn't expected to attend any of the offseason workouts and could miss the start of training camp to protest the lack of a long-term deal.

This wouldn't be a problem in most offseasons. This one is different for the Steelers because it's the first with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

According to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, there is a 90 percent change from Bruce Arians' offense to this year's one. That's why it would be good -- although not necessary -- for Wallace to be in Pittsburgh to learn the new playbook.

My guess is it won't hurt Wallace too much. His favorite route is still the one where he runs straight down the field and beats the cornerback in a foot race. And it would be more important for Wallace to be here if the Steelers were changing quarterbacks instead of coordinators. Whenever he returns, whether it's the start of training camp or the middle of it, he will still have the same chemistry with Roethlisberger.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called the current situation a little "short-term misery." Just don't expect it to be a long-term problem that extends to the regular season.

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

Browns general manager Tom Heckert said he's "100 percent" sure that defensive tackle Phil Taylor will play this season. Taylor underwent surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle Wednesday.

"I don't think there's any question about that," Heckert told the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Monday night. "We think he'll probably be [ready by the] end of October, early November, but he'll definitely be back. [It's] six months at the most. That's being very, very cautious. He could be back earlier than that."

This timetable decreases the chances of the Browns adding a veteran defensive lineman. "We're really happy with the guys we have, especially the two guys we drafted [third-rounder John Hughes and sixth-rounder Billy Winn]," Heckert said.

Hensley's slant: Getting Taylor back at any point this season is a major plus for the Browns. Hughes and Winn are likely not ready to handle the challenges of starting a full season as rookies, and there is no veteran free agent who can significantly upgrade the position.

BENGALS: Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden shot down speculation that there are some in the Bengals organization who have their doubts about Andy Dalton’s upside and his arm strength limitations. "If there were reservations about Andy Dalton there would be a lot more quarterbacks here right now," Gruden told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We know and he knows he has to get better and he is chomping at the bit to get going. I have no reservations about his arm strength. I think he can do it all. If you can throw it 62, 63 yards, that is pretty strong. He does have a long way to go to get better. We’re not putting his jersey or shoes in Canton right now, but we have every reason to believe he will continue to improve.” Hensley's slant: Dalton doesn't have great arm strength, which is one of the reasons he fell into the second round last year. But Dalton succeeded last season because Gruden tailored the offense to Dalton's strengths and made him feel comfortable. Every quarterback has limitations, but it's the team's job to accentuate his strengths.

RAVENS: Safety Bernard Pollard is remaining supportive of Ed Reed, who indicated last week that he isn't committed to playing football right now. "This is a business, and Ed and I have had these talks before, but whatever he decides to do, we back him 100 percent," Pollard said, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. "The guy is a heck of a football player, he’s been a heck of a football player his whole career and for me it’s exciting playing with him. I guess I will put this out there: He better not leave me hanging so we’ll be alright.” Hensley's slant: Teammates, especially the defensive backs, have tremendous respect for Reed. But they understand there are some things you have to deal with when it comes to playing with him, whether it's his tendency to gamble during games and his constant wavering in the offseason.

STEELERS: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said his relationship with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley is fine. There was drama this offseason when Roethlisberger and Haley didn't meet for two weeks after the Steelers hired Haley to replace Bruce Arians. “People blew it way out of proportion,” Roethlisberger told KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. “It’s something new, we’re getting to know each other … There’s no trouble between us at all. When you get a comfort level of like eight years of the same thing and then you change it, it’s just something different. So I’m not saying I don’t like the playbook or anything like that. Some of the concepts are awesome. It’s just getting an understanding of something new.” Hensley's slant: Roethlisberger will get a better feeling for Haley's new offense when he takes the field today for the start of OTAs. This offense will still be centered around Roethlisberger, but there will be a transition period after being in Arians' system for five years. That's why it would help if wide receiver Mike Wallace attended these workouts.

One week, Ben Roethlisberger is being given a diploma after graduating from college. The next, he's being handed a new playbook from offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

"I joke and say that my final paper for Miami on Tibet was a lot easier than the Rosetta Stone we're doing now here," Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last week.

The Steelers quarterback might have been showing off with the reference to the the ancient hieroglyphic stone (and not the computer software that helped swimmer Michael Phelps learn some words in Mandarin), but you get the point of the punchline. Based on what he's seen of Haley's complicated offense so far, Roethlisberger estimated it's 90 percent different than the one run by former Steelers coordinator Bruce Arians.

What should never change is the foundation of the Steelers' attack -- and that is Roethlisberger. Haley is the new playcaller, but this is still Roethlisberger's offense. As long as he's able to stand on two feet -- which has been a challenge at times after taking so many hits -- Roethlisberger should be slinging the ball 30 times per game to Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Heath Miller.

If the Steelers want a top-10 offense, they have to throw the ball. The three teams that averaged over 30 points per game last season were pass-first offenses that relied on the arms of Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady.

If the Steelers want to remain an annual playoff contender, their offense has to revolve around Roethlisberger. The top five passing teams in the NFL last season -- New Orleans, New England, Green Bay, Detroit and New York Giants -- all advanced to the postseason and two of them met in the Super Bowl.

There was talk this offseason that Pittsburgh needed to get back to "Steelers football" and run the ball more. But who said that -- Art Rooney II or Ray Lewis? Because taking the ball out of Roethlisberger's hands only helps the defense.

Haley has proven extremely adaptable in his last two NFL stops. As the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, he installed a run-heavy offense with running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. As the offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals, he put together a pass-happy attack with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston.

It doesn't take an ESPN analyst like Trent Dilfer to realize that the Steelers' personnel resembles the Cardinals more than the Chiefs. The Steelers have one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL and a handful of young receivers who can fly all over the field. Pittsburgh is also going to be without its starting running back (Rashard Mendenhall is recovering from knee surgery) and doesn't have a Pro Bowl fullback like Vonta Leach. There really should be no mystery in how the Steelers will attack defenses this year.

"Steelers fans and coach [Mike] Tomlin and the Rooneys apparently thought [Arians] was throwing the ball too much," Roethlisberger said last week. "But yesterday in Coach Haley's office, we were talking about using the no-huddle and throwing the ball and how much we have to use our weapons."

The Steelers have yet to line up as a full team this offseason, but you can imagine what they will look like on offense when they do. It should be three wide receivers split out wide and a single back behind Roethlisberger. The idea is to spread out defenses and keep them on their heels with the no huddle.

Haley won't be afraid to put the offense on the shoulders of Roethlisberger. He did it with Warner in Arizona. In 2008, the Cardinals had the highest called-pass percentage in the league at 66.1 percent, according to ESPN Stats & Information's Allison Loucks.

The Steelers were never that one-dimensional under Arians, although it seemed like it at times. Last season, the Steelers called passes (includes sacks and scrambles) on 58.7 percent of their plays , which was 11th in the NFL but still under the league average of 59.4 percent.

The change from Arians to Haley was more than retooling the scheme. It's about getting into the end zone. There was no excuse for the Steelers ranking 12th in scoring in 2009 and 2010. And there was really no excuse for them to rank 21st this past season. Pittsburgh averaged only 20.3 points per game in 2011 and scored more than 30 points just three times.

Haley has to know the pieces are in place for a top-notch offense. Roethlisberger, who threw for more than 4,000 yards in two of the past three seasons, is proof of that. He can go deep to Wallace, hit Brown over the middle or find Miller down the seam. There are more options with speedy Emmanuel Sanders and veteran Jerricho Cotchery.

Perhaps one tweak is getting Roethlisberger to get rid of the ball quicker. The Steelers already took steps to reduce the hits on the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback by drafting offensive linemen in the first two rounds. The biggest loss on offense, outside of Mendenhall, was the release and eventual retirement of wide receiver Hines Ward. However, that departure should allow Roethlisberger to take on a larger leadership role.

So, Roethlisberger's first challenge is to understand the "Rosetta Stone" playbook. His ultimate one is to take a good offense and make it a great one.

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

Browns fans who attended Ozzie Newsome's speaking engagement in Cleveland on Monday don't consider the current Ravens general manager/former Browns tight end "a traitor," according to those interviewed by the Akron Beacon Journal.

Newsome enjoyed 13 seasons and a Hall of Fame career with the Browns. He didn't play for another team, but he left with owner Art Modell when the Browns relocated to Baltimore in 1996.

Newsome, who became the NFL's first African-American general manager, said he isn’t sure he would have received the same opportunity if he had remained in Cleveland when the Browns returned in 1999.

“I don’t know if that would have happened because a whole new administration came in with Carmen [Policy] and Dwight [Clark], a San Francisco crew,” Newsome told fans, according to the Beacon Journal. “I don’t know if I would have had a chance to be part of that. A lot of you would have wanted that to happen, but when Carmen came in, he had the keys to the car and he wanted to build the front office the way he wanted.”

Hensley's slant: Newsome is right. He probably wouldn't have ascended to the general manager's role as quickly if he chose to stay in Cleveland. But just think of how the fortunes of the two franchises would have changed if Newsome didn't leave with the Ravens and eventually worked his way up to being the Browns' top decision-maker. Baltimore probably wouldn't have won a Super Bowl in 2000, and Cleveland likely wouldn't be a perennial last-place team.

BENGALS: Jacob Bell acknowledged that his contract influenced his retirement, along with the risks of playing the sport. Bell, 31, who was a Bengals guard for a little over a month before announcing his retirement last week, signed with Cincinnati this offseason for $890,000 after being released by the Rams. Sports Illustrated's Peter King asked Bell if he would have retired under his previous $6 million contract with the Rams. "That's a very good question,'' he said. "And therein lies the problem. How can you say when you're being offered so much money, the kind of money that can secure your future, to play football? So of course it played a role." Hensley's slant: A majority of hardcore football fans didn't even know Bell was in the league despite making 100 starts. Now, his name will be remembered as the player who decided to quit the game because of health concerns. But, as Bell acknowledged, you should also remember that it would have been difficult for him to walk away from a $6 million paycheck no matter what the risks.

RAVENS: Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata told the team's official website that he stayed away from the game and workouts for a month after the Ravens' AFC championship loss at New England. “This year was probably the hardest, the worst I’ve felt at the end of the season,” Ngata said. “We went further and I think I played more snaps this year than other years. This past season took a lot out of me. And that loss just kind of sucked, so it took a little bit more.” Hensley's slant: The strange part of the article is that the team's website referred to Ngata undergoing a "procedure" after the season, but there are no details given to what was repaired or whether it will sideline him for offseason workouts. Ngata previously said he played with a thigh injury for the majority of the 2011 season and didn't play in the Pro Bowl because of the injury. He has been one of the most durable defensive tackles in the NFL, missing two games in six seasons.

STEELERS: No new news is still not good news for the Pittsburgh Steelers. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said on Tuesday's "NFL Live" that "it may be awhile" before wide receiver Mike Wallace reports to Steelers headquarters, which essentially was Wallace's stance last month. Wallace has yet to sign his $2.7 million restricted free-agent tender. The Steelers could reduce that tender to $577,000 if he doesn't sign it by June 15. Hensley's slant: It would be a surprise to see Wallace show up for the offseason workouts. It would also be a surprise to see the Steelers reduce his tender. Pittsburgh would like to see its top receiver learning Todd Haley's new offensive scheme, but the Steelers also don't want to create a rift with a player they want to sign long-term. Wallace will probably report to the Steelers for the start of training camp.

Let's break down the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2012 draft:

FIRST-ROUND SPOTLIGHT: The Steelers would've been happy to come away with either linebacker Dont'a Hightower or guard Kevin Zeitler at No. 24. Not only did both players fall to the Steelers but so did Stanford's David DeCastro, the top guard prospect in a decade. Pittsburgh couldn't have drawn up a better board. DeCastro is a physically dominant blocker who will immediately start at left or right guard. The Steelers can thank the Bengals for passing on him at No. 21.

IN HINDSIGHT: The riskiest move of the Steelers' strong draft was taking Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams with the 56th overall pick. He was clearly the best offensive lineman left late in the second round, and he fills another need on the offensive line. But Adams was removed briefly from the Steelers' draft board because of character concerns. Pittsburgh's other option was Oregon running back LaMichael James, who was taken by the 49ers five picks later.

BEST VALUE: NT Alameda Ta'amu, Washington. Memphis' Dontari Poe, the draft's top-rated nose tackle, was taken at No. 11. The Steelers got the second-best one in Ta'amu 98 picks later in the fourth round. That's unbelievable value. The massive Samoan is the heir apparent to Casey Hampton.

TOP LATE-ROUND PICKUP: RB Chris Rainey, Florida. His acceleration and high-cut speeds add a different look to the Steelers offense. New offensive coordinator Todd Haley has to be creative with Rainey because of his size (5 feet 8, 178 pounds), but Rainey can make some big-time plays if used the right way. He also has three career touchdowns as a returner.

SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T LIKE THIS DRAFT: Willie Colon. He might have lost his starting job when the Steelers drafted Adams in the second round, but he won't be losing money. After Colon refused to take a pay cut this offseason, the Steelers agreed to restructure his contract to create salary-cap room. Colon received $3.8 million of his $4.5 million base salary in the form of a bonus. The Steelers might have considered cutting Colon after this draft if not for the restructuring. With all that money the Steelers handed him in February, he's guaranteed to make the team.

The AFC coaches met with the media today at the NFL owners meetings. Here are five issues addressed by Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin (via the team's official website) and my reaction:

On losing veteran leadership after cutting Hines Ward, James Farrior and Aaron Smith: "There is cause for concern there, but there is also some excitement. It’s a changing of the guard. We are at the void of some leaders that we’ve had for an awesome run. Some guys are going to have to step up in that regard, but the more I think about it -- and I’ve had a lot of time to think about it -- it has already kind of evolved. It already has. I think it has to a degree the last several years with guys like Brett Keisel ascending within the group. Guys really respect his body of work and his approach to the business. And so have some others stepped up." Hensley's reaction: I thought it was interesting that the first player mentioned by Tomlin when addressing new leaders was Keisel. It really shouldn't surprise because he is the blue-collar player that has defined the Steelers for many eras.

On whether he's OK if he doesn't get another running back: "I am sure we are going to get another running back, whether it’s in free agency or in the draft. We will address it." Hensley's reaction: It was just a day ago when general manager Kevin Colbert said, "With the young guys we have [at running back], we feel confident someone will emerge who can fill that [starting] role." So, what's it going to be: Are the Steelers going with Isaac Redman or are they bringing someone else in?

On Mike Wallace's dropoff in the second half of the season: “In many instances, teams took him out of the game. When you reel off the kind of seven-to-eight game run that he had there to start the season, that’s some scary video for defensive coaches in preparations for games. They responded accordingly. We saw what Antonio Brown did over the second half of the year. Did one produce the other? I think that’s debatable but the reality is, we got good balance there in those two young guys. Either one of them is capable of hurting you and hurting you pretty bad." Hensley's reaction: It also didn't help Wallace that Ben Roethlisberger fractured his thumb and sprained his ankle in the second half of the season, which hurt his ability to throw deep. A healthy Roethlisberger would have boosted Wallace's numbers.

On how he sees Roethlisberger working with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley: "I’m not going to anticipate tough times. I am a glass half-full guy. I’m excited about the change. I’m excited about the possibilities, and I think everyone has that at this point. We are not naive. We don’t expect smooth sailing. We don’t expect 19-0. It would be great. Maybe we will have a few bumps along the way." Hensley's reaction: Everyone will be watching how Haley and Roethlisberger handle the tough times. Haley is an in-your-face coach, and Roethlisberger has made it clear that he doesn't want to get yelled at.

On the nose tackle position and Ziggy Hood: "Hood is potentially part of that. He is a very talented and strong guy, but I think Steve McLendon proved that he is a capable backup a year ago, and in some instances, a starter. He played a lot of football for us, so we are not in any way discouraged by his progress or what he might continue to evolve into. In terms of the long scenario of Casey Hampton [ACL surgery in January] not being there, I am not of that mentality. We are gearing ourselves for 2012. I am singularly focused in that regard. He is going to be a part of it." Hensley's reaction: Just a hunch, but you might want to memorize this list of nose tackles for draft day: BYU's Loni Fangupo (second round), Washington's Alameda Ta'amu (third round) and Alabama's Josh Chapman (fourth round).

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

The first time Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley called Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback ignored it. Not intentionally, of course.

Roethlisberger didn't recognize the number, but he quickly returned the call after listening to his voice mail. The long-awaited chat "was a good step in the right direction," Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"I think it will be a good working relationship -- and good friendship, who knows," Roethlisberger told the paper.

NFL rules prohibit Roethlisberger and Haley from talking about football until April 16, so they touched on golf, family life and Haley being a ballboy in Pittsburgh.

So why did it take a couple of weeks for them to connect? "I didn't know what the rules were," Roethlisberger said. "Could I call him? Could he call me? I don't know what you're allowed to do or not allowed to do."

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Steelers created $4.5 million in salary cap space by releasing defensive end Aaron Smith and guard Chris Kemoeatu. The Steelers, who were a projected $25 million over the cap, have cleared $37.4 million in cap room by cutting players and restructuring contracts, the Tribune-Review reported.

Hensley's slant: Let me get a show of hands ... who really thinks Roethlisberger and Haley avoided talking about football? Sure, and there's no tampering going on at the NFL combine either. You know quarterbacks and coordinators all around the league have chatted briefly about football this offseason. It's naive to think otherwise.

BENGALS: The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy thinks the Bengals shouldn't re-sign wide receiver Jerome Simpson in free agency. Simpson pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge Thursday. "There are lots of players who have potential in this league, but if you base Simpson’s production on results and not the wow factor, he hasn’t delivered," Reedy wrote. "The off-field matter should only reinforce why it isn’t worth it. It’s time for another team to take over the role of redeemer." Hensley's slant: I agree that this offseason is the time when the Bengals show their fan base that they're not the same Bengals. That means letting another team take Simpson's baggage.

BROWNS: Head coach Pat Shurmur told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the team hasn't yet slammed the door on putting the franchise tag on running back Peyton Hillis, although a source told that paper that it's "very unlikely." Shumur was noncommittal when asked about the chances of the Browns re-signing Hillis in free agency. "When he was in there, he played good football for us," Shurmur said. "Now the business of sport takes over here and we'll have to see what happens." Hensley's slant: Shurmur told the Plain Dealer that Hillis never talked to him about joining the CIA (which was first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter), but we all know that Shurmur is certainly familiar with Hillis going MIA. Hillis' inconsistent behavior on and off the field should caution the Browns and other teams about giving him a multiyear contract.

RAVENS: According to the New York Daily News, the Jets are targeting Ravens outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, who becomes a free agent on March 13. Johnson played six seasons under Jets coach Rex Ryan when he was the Baltimore defensive coordinator. "He's tougher than heck, and he's a lot more talented than people give him credit for," Ryan said of Johnson in September. Another Ravens defensive coordinator, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, is also expected to be interested in Johnson. Hensley's slant: The Ravens can replace Johnson with Paul Kruger on passing downs, but they really don't have anyone who can set the edge against the run like Johnson. That's why the Ravens aren't going to let Johnson go without a fight. “I had a conversation with Jarret at the end of the season and I told him I would maintain communication with him throughout the process,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said last week at the NFL combine. “He plays like a Raven and we’d love to have him back if things can work itself out.”

A quick look at what's happening around the AFC North as the NFL combine continues in Indianapolis. I will provide my take on many of these issues and topics in the days to come, but I wanted to pass along the information.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Coach Marvin Lewis did seem troubled over the latest off-the-field incident involving middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, who has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge at a Cincinnati bar. Maualuga is the fourth Bengals player since July to have a legal issue, joining wide receiver Jerome Simpson, cornerback Adam Jones and running back Cedric Benson. “There’s a concern," Lewis told reporters at the NFL combine, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. "What [Maualuga] does away from football is important. He has to make good choices and decisions.”
• Benson is not expected to be re-signed by the Bengals, and Lewis' comments about the running back didn't change that perception. As the team website points out, it sounded like Lewis was giving Benson a lifetime achievement award instead of a new contract. “I think we want to improve our running game and if it includes Ced, it includes Ced," Lewis said. "We need to have more explosive running plays. Ced has had a fine career. He’s a physical player and been a big part of our success.”
• Lewis provided encouraging news on two players who are coming off season-ending injuries. Cornerback Leon Hall (Achilles) is ahead of schedule, and wide receiver Jordan Shipley (knee) continues to make “significant progress," Lewis said.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Coach Pat Shurmur reiterated the Browns want to re-sign starting middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month. Shurmur said the team hasn't made a decision whether it will place a franchise tag on Jackson, although the Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported last week that the Browns plan to do so. "We're going to be willing to use [the franchise tag]," Shurmur said. "As you go through signing our free agents, then we'll see what's the best place to use that tag."
• In injury updates, Shurmur said left guard Eric Steinbach is progressing from a season-ending back injury but he didn't commit to the left guard as a starter, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Jason Pinkston, who replaced Steinbach at left guard, will not move to tackle and will continue to develop at the guard position, according to Shurmur.
• Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar attended the combine, but not in an official capacity, a team spokesman told the Akron Beacon Journal.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Coach John Harbaugh once again expressed confidence about holding onto Ben Grubbs, saying he's "pretty optimistic" about re-signing the Pro Bowl left guard. “I hope that’s not misplaced," Harbaugh said, via the Baltimore Sun. "We’re in the process of negotiating. We’re committed, [owner Steve Bisciotti’s] committed to offering him a really great number. Hey, the market dictates [it], and Ben has to make those kinds of decisions, and you’re really happy for guys. He’s had a great career. He’s had a great number of years here. He’s earned the right to take a look for his family. One thing we’re not doing, we’re not giving him a low number. We’re doing everything we can to try to keep him in Baltimore.”
• In injury news, wide receiver Torrey Smith had surgery to repair a double sports hernia, and cornerback Cary Williams had hip surgery. Both are expected to be ready for training camp.
• Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said the team isn't looking to add a free-agent running back to replace the retired Ricky Williams. He indicated that Anthony Allen, a seventh-round pick from a year ago, will be given the first shot at the backup running back job. The team would add a free agent during training camp if Allen struggles to secure that spot, Newsome said.
• Newsome is happy the team was able to keep director of player personnel Eric DeCosta, who turned down the chance to interview for the general manager positions with the Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts. "I think it was very important because of the continuity that allows the organization to maintain people and have the process remain the same," Newsome said, via ESPN Chicago. "It was kind of like Scott Pioli remaining in New England for all those years with Bill [Belichick]. All it does is make you stronger. I'm very thankful that Eric decided to stay."

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Major changes are unlikely to occur to the Steelers' offense under new coordinator Todd Haley, according to general manager Kevin Colbert. The biggest reason is it's tough to do so when the team has been successful and is bringing most of the same personnel back. "So, it's hard to come in and drastically change your philosophy because of the group of players that you have," Colbert said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "You can't overhaul a whole roster. Nor are we looking to because this group of players has been very successful."
• The hope is that the high-ankle sprains that have hampered Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey the past two years are in the past. "The reports we got and the last time we saw him, he was progressing just fine," Colbert said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "High-ankle sprains, they're a different injury and then when you re-injure it sometimes you've got to do some procedures to shore that joint up."
• A Cleveland-based reporter asked Colbert if the team had reached a "breaking point" with linebacker James Harrison, who was suspended last season after he knocked out Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. "No. Absolutely not," Colbert said. "James Harrison is a great player. He tries to play within the rules. Sometimes, the penalty is unavoidable, and he ends up getting a suspension out of it. He served his time. We've all moved on. We know James Harrison plays the game very hard. He plays it within the rules the best he can. Sometimes, circumstances happen in the course of a game, and you have to live with the consequences. But in no way are we ever going to be disappointed with that player."

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter addressed the two most talked about issues of the Steelers' offseason so far: the future of wide receiver Mike Wallace and the relationship between quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

In his mailbag, Schefter writes that the Steelers are vulnerable to losing Wallace and it's not by choice. Pittsburgh might be forced to put the first-round tender on Wallace instead of the franchise tag because it's $11 million over the salary cap. He named the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers as teams who might sign Wallace to an offer sheet.

"That team can load up that contract with a big roster bonus that would count against the Steelers' salary cap this season," Schefter writes. "If Wallace signs an offer sheet that contains a $20 million roster bonus, the Steelers are left with two choices: they can match the offer sheet, keep Wallace and then have to cut $20 million worth of players; or they can decline to match, lose Wallace and get that cap space along with a first-round pick."

In terms of the AFC North, I see Cincinnati as being a more likely destination than Baltimore. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome made it sound like the team wouldn't be pursuing restricted free agents.

“There’s going to be some restricted free agents that we would like, but is it going to be worth giving up a significant amount of cash and cap and a draft pick?," Newsome said at the Ravens' season-ending news conference. "When you deal with that double-whammy, even though the rules have been relaxed, you just go, ‘Nah, no, I wouldn’t do it.’ That’s just my philosophy.”

Schefter also made an interesting point on the report that says Roethlisberger and Haley have finally met. In the video, Schefter says no one should put all the blame on Haley for not calling Roethlisberger. "There have been plenty of players over time who have called coaches to welcome them," Schefter says.

Schefter added, "But this is a relationship that would be surprising if it didn't work out."

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Todd Haley have finally met, multiple sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Yes, the most anticipated meeting of the NFL offseason -- I'm calling it the Steel City Summit -- reportedly did occur, although not much is known about it. The Post-Gazette reported that Roethlisberger and Haley met, sat down and talked "recently" and couldn't say definitively whether it was Tuesday or not.

But the details aren't important. The fact that the two most important people involved with the Steelers offense spoke definitely is important. Very important.

You can laugh about the drama and say that this issue has been overblown. What can't be overstated is Roethlisberger and Haley need to establish a working relationship, and the sooner the better for the Steelers. This isn't to say that Haley and Roethlisberger need to be buddies and grab lunch at Primanti Brothers each week. But, in order for the Steelers' offense to click, the quarterback and the offensive coordinator need to be familiar with one another.

This first step is a big one because you know it was big for Roethlisberger. He was close with former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and wasn't happy when the Steelers decided not to renew his contract. He spoke out about his apprehension to getting yelled at, something that Haley is known to do. And he had been described as being "discouraged" by the lack of communication with Haley during his first two weeks as coordinator.

After Roethlisberger worked closely with Arians for five years, you could sense that he was starting to get concerned over all of the unknowns that came with the change.

"I've heard a lot of things [about Haley] and I'm looking forward to meeting him and forming my own opinion," Roethlisberger said last week.

As the Post-Gazette pointed out, coaches and players can't discuss strategy or playbooks until April 16 under the new collective bargaining agreement rules. Even if the rules didn't exist, no one expects Roethlisberger and Haley to break down route combinations or three-step drops in February.

Before they can get to that point about talking about the vision of the offense, Roethlisberger and Haley had to sit down face-to-face first. The drama is over, but the challenge of installing a new offense still lies ahead.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he hasn't spoken with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, and ESPN's Mark Schlereth sees no problem with that.

"You would have liked for them to touch base," Schlereth said. "In the overall scheme of things, once they get together working, it's really not going to matter."

Haley was hired by the Steelers two weeks ago, when he replaced Bruce Arians as coordinator.

To reiterate my thoughts from earlier today, the fact that a quarterback and offensive coordinator didn't speak in February will not affect what happens in the season opener in September.

What is newsworthy about this is Roethlisberger has made it public that he is eager to talk to Haley and the offensive coordinator hasn't responded with a phone call. Haley has never been known as a player-friendly coach, and this drama hasn't done much to change that perception.

The biggest challenge is developing a working relationship between a strong-willed coordinator and an established franchise quarterback.

Haley is an in-your-face type of a coach who is known for yelling at players on the sideline. “We’re not into sensitivity,” Haley said at his introductory news conference.

In his radio interview, Roethlisberger made it clear that he doesn't think coaches should yell at quarterbacks.

"The quarterback position is not one where you want to do a lot of screaming to, because he's kind of your leader and the guy that has to be clear-minded," Roethlisberger said. "So, I've been yelled at. It's not fun to be yelled at. I don't think anyone likes it."

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

It's been two weeks since Todd Haley was named the Steelers offensive coordinator, and he still hasn't spoken with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

"He still hasn't called yet," Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review yesterday. According to the paper, Roethlisberger "had the tone that he has no intention of making the first move."

Roethlisberger acknowledged last week that he's been talking to people around the league about Haley and the response has been "good, bad and indifferent."

"I've heard a lot of things and I'm looking forward to meeting him and forming my own opinion," Roethlisberger said last week.

Hensley's slant: In taking a big-picture approach, the fact that a quarterback and offensive coordinator didn't speak in February will not affect what happens in the season opener in September. What is newsworthy about this is Roethlisberger has made it public that he is eager to talk to Haley and the offensive coordinator hasn't responded with a phone call. Haley has never been known as a player-friendly coach, and this drama hasn't done much to change that perception.

BENGALS: Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden plans to open up the offense because he believes his young players are ready to handle more of the West Coast playbook. Gruden laid out the biggest challenge to quarterback Andy Dalton. "He better get better or he won't be good enough," Gruden told the team's website. "You have to be great at that position and we think he can be great. That's why we drafted him where we did and he had a remarkable rookie season, no doubt about it. Knowing the kind of kid he is and how he works, I know he'll get better. That's why I like our offense. All our guys are like that."

Hensley's slant: The Bengals are the ones who can make it much easier for Dalton to "get better" if they spend some of that $60 million salary-cap surplus. Cincinnati needs to upgrade at running back, wide receiver and both guard positions. If the Bengals want Dalton to improve, they have to improve the supporting cast around him.

BROWNS: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, a potential first-round target of the Cleveland Browns, said he is looking forward to talking to team executives from around the league at this week's NFL combine. "I’m excited to wow them in the interviews with the type of offense that we run, just so they can understand it’s not as simple as some people make our spread out to be. It’s a different kind of spread,” Griffin told The Associated Press. “Although I don’t agree with it, but people say I just burst on the scene this year, so no one knows much about me, whether NFL GMs or analysts, so I get a chance to put my best foot forward.”

Hensley's slant: RG3 should be excited to talk to team officials because this is where he has the advantage over Andrew Luck. While Luck has the statistics and accuracy, RG3 has the edge in charisma. It's that personality that could solidify him as the second most-wanted player in this draft.

RAVENS: Even if Matt Birk decides not to retire, there's no guarantee that the Ravens will bring back the six-time Pro Bowl center, according to the Baltimore Sun. The paper cited general manager Ozzie Newsome's comment at the State of the Ravens address that the team will add another center to the roster for next season, which "reinforces" the idea that team officials would like to get a little younger and more physical on the offensive line.

Hensley's slant: There are plenty of quality free-agent centers available -- San Diego's Nick Hardwick, Houston’s Chris Myers and Green Bay’s Scott Wells. But it will cost to sign one of them, and it is probably more than what the Ravens are willing to spend at that spot right now. I see the Ravens drafting a center and using Andre Gurode as a veteran stopgap.

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

Steelers president Art Rooney II shot down speculation that he hired offensive coordinator Todd Haley, saying it was head coach Mike Tomlin's decision.

"I think the bottom line is, Mike was comfortable that's who he wanted to come in," Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It may be fair to say that when he started the discussions and Todd's name was on his original list, I don't think he expected that Todd was the guy he was going to wind up hiring. But as he had more conversations with him, he became more comfortable that he was the right guy for the job."

According to Rooney, Tomlin had all of the initial talks with the offensive coordinator candidates on the phone before bringing in Haley and Jim Caldwell for interviews. Rooney said he spoke with Haley and Caldwell, describing it more as conversations than actual interviews.

"I wouldn't want my role in it to be overestimated because Mike has to decide who he wants on the staff," Rooney told the paper. "Even though there's always a discussion between me and Mike about who he's hiring and how much we're paying him and those kinds of things, it's normally a discussion of the business side of the arrangement than, 'Are we going to hire a guy who's going to run the ball so many times a game.' It was a fairly normal process as far as I'm concerned in terms of how we've done those kinds of hirings in the past."

Hensley's slant: No one is going to compare Rooney to Jerry Jones anytime soon. But I still have a question on who actually decided to part ways with former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. The Steelers have never disputed a Post-Gazette report that Tomlin told Arians right after the season that he wanted him back and told staff members that Arians would be back. And no one has shot down a report that Rooney forced out Arians against Tomlin's wishes.

BENGALS: The free-agent wide receiver that best fits the Bengals is Buffalo's Steve Johnson, according to CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco. "Jerome Simpson is a free agent and has some legal issues, and they need a weapon opposite A.J. Green," Prisco wrote. "Johnson would be the perfect complement to the taller Green." Hensley's slant: The Bengals need to add a veteran to take over the No. 2 wide receiver role, but I don't think Johnson's personality would mesh in the Cincinnati locker room. Johnson's antics are too reminiscent of Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals waited too long to get rid of one distraction just to add another too soon.

BROWNS: Aston Villa soccer manager Alex McLeish is visiting Browns coach Pat Shumur to pick up coaching tips amid fan protests, according to the Associated Press. Randy Lerner, who owns the Browns and the English professional soccer team, suggested that McLeish should go to Cleveland and spend two days shadowing Shurmur. Hensley's slant: Shurmur has only one year of head coaching experience, but he certainly can share some of the lessons learned from a tumultuous first season. If the Browns end up with another double-digit loss season, Lerner might want Shurmur to make a similar trip and go over to England. But this time, a return flight won't be included.

RAVENS: The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston suggests that the Ravens should replace recently retired Ricky Williams with Le'Ron McClain, who played last season for the Kansas City Chiefs after spending four years in Baltimore. McClain went to the Chiefs last year after the Ravens signed fullback Vonta Leach. "He worked as hard as [Ray] Rice during the offseason in his last two years here, and he always had swagger," Preston wrote. "He intimidated people. He was -- and still deserves to be -- a Raven." Hensley's slant: The Ravens have previously gone with more experienced ball carriers as backups with Williams and Willis McGahee. But adding McClain would be a very sound move. McClain is the right player (he can back up at running back and fullback as well as play special teams) for the right price (he only made $1.5 million with the Chiefs last season). It would be a mistake if the Ravens went with Anthony Allen and Damien Berry as their backups because both young players need another year before stepping into that role.

Ben Roethlisberger has yet to meet new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Steelers quarterback told a Pittsburgh radio station Tuesday.

At the very least, it's odd that the franchise quarterback and the team's new playcaller haven't exchanged pleasantries or a text (here's a suggestion: "We shud plan 2 meet. BB"). It's been over a week since Haley was hired. How Roethlisberger and Haley work together will be among the biggest storylines for the Steelers this season. So, this is a peculiar start.

Roethlisberger and Haley don't have to like each other for the Steelers' offense to click. But they do have to learn how to communicate with each other, which might be an issue considering the personalities involved.

Haley is an in-your-face type of a coach who is known for yelling at players on the sidelines. “We’re not into sensitivity,” Haley said at his introductory news conference.

In his radio interview, Roethlisberger made it clear that he doesn't think coaches should yell at quarterbacks.

"The quarterback position is not one where you want to do a lot of screaming to, because he's kind of your leader and the guy that has to be clear-minded," Roethlisberger said. "So, I've been yelled at. It's not fun to be yelled at. I don't think anyone likes it."

Roethlisberger added, "But you get as much if not more out of me if you just talk to me, whether I screw up or do good. Just talk to me so we can work through my reasoning instead of getting yelled at."

Roethlisberger's message to Haley: Don't raise your voice at a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback. But, knowing Haley's track record, it's going to happen at some point, right?

Roethlisberger did address Haley's vocal coaching style. "If he's as good of a coach as we've all heard, then I think he'll learn how to coach each guy individually and get the best out of each guy," he said.

In the end, this will work out because Roethlisberger and Haley both are experienced professionals. Will Roethlisberger be as close with Haley as he was with Bruce Arians? No. But Roethlisberger and the Steelers' offense will put up better numbers because Haley is the better coordinator.

The first step is sitting down and talking.

With the offseason in full swing, let's take a look at one major question facing each AFC North team as it begins preparations for the 2012 season:

CINCINNATI BENGALS

For the Bengals, this is not just a leading question but a yearly one: Will Cincinnati spend money in free agency?

The Bengals have made several right moves to win back the city's football fans. They're coming off a successful draft and have two first-round picks this year. They didn't raise ticket prices and lowered several of them. Now, Cincinnati has to be aggressive in filling holes on last season's playoff team, which is the most convincing way to show everyone that the organization is committed to winning.

The incentive and opportunity are there for the Bengals to be proactive in free agency. Cincinnati carried more than $15 million of unused cap money from last year and has $60 million to spend. Only three teams (the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) have more cap space. With 20 players headed to free agency, the Bengals can keep the ones they want and upgrade at running back, wide receiver and guard.

If the Bengals do decide to spend, they could come away with several notable free agents, such as Raiders running back Michael Bush (if he isn't given the franchise tag), Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem and Ravens guard Ben Grubbs. Cincinnati also has the cap room to re-sign kicker Mike Nugent (or put the tag on him), safety Reggie Nelson and defensive end Frostee Rucker. All signs point to the Bengals building on last season's surprising success.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Who will be the starting quarterback in 2012?

This is a leading question that's been asked before nearly every season since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999. This represents a big offseason for team president Mike Holmgren to back up his reputation for being an astute evaluator of quarterbacks. The names that would bring the most hope to the struggling franchise are first-round prospect Robert Griffin III and intriguing free agent Matt Flynn. It would be deflating if the Browns' top choice at quarterback ended up being Colt McCoy once again.

The Browns can get RG3 if they want him, but it likely will come at a hefty price. The only way to ensure getting the consensus No. 2 quarterback in the draft is trading up from No. 4 to the St. Louis Rams' spot at No. 2. RG3 is a tantalizing talent because he's smart, fast, strong-armed and highly competitive. Another option is signing Flynn in free agency, although there will be other teams interested in him (namely the Miami Dolphins). Flynn wouldn't have much transition with the Browns, who run a similar system as the Packers. The concern is whether Flynn is this year's version of Kevin Kolb or Scott Mitchell.

Cleveland could wait to address the quarterback position with its second first-round pick (22nd overall) or in the second round, where Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill might be available. The fallback option is McCoy, who failed to win the starting job in his first full season as a starter. He will be given a chance to compete for the starting spot, but he seems pegged for the backup position. Until the Browns find a franchise quarterback, they will always be looking up at the Steelers and Ravens from the bottom of the division.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

What will the linebacker group look like next season?

Linebackers have long been the foundation of the Baltimore defense, from Ray Lewis to Peter Boulware to Adalius Thomas to Bart Scott to Terrell Suggs. Age and free agency will force some important decisions about the future of this group. Only Suggs is assured of being with the Ravens beyond the next couple years.

Two starters -- outside linebacker Jarret Johnson and inside linebacker Jameel McClain -- are unrestricted free agents. The Ravens had hoped Sergio Kindle, their top pick in the 2010 draft, would have been ready to take over Johnson's starting spot by now. But a fractured skull during his rookie season (he fell down two flights of stairs) has made him a nonfactor. Baltimore has to decide whether Paul Kruger can hold up against the run so the team doesn't have to re-sign Johnson, who turns 31 before the start of the season. McClain might be another Scott, a former undrafted rookie who establishes himself as a starter and goes on to land big money elsewhere. It could be a risk to replace McClain with Dannell Ellerbe, a career underachiever.

While Lewis plans on coming back for his 17th NFL season, the Ravens have to start thinking about the eventual replacement for the soon-to-be 37-year-old linebacker. Baltimore has been heavily linked in the first round to Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict, whose intensity reminds many of Lewis, but he comes with character issues. Finding the heir apparent to Lewis is key for what should be a new-look linebackers group.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

How much of an impact will new offensive coordinator Todd Haley make?

The initial impact has been drama, and it goes beyond who actually hired Haley to replace Bruce Arians. Haley said the Steelers are going to start with "a clean slate," and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expressed his concerns about starting over. This is before Haley and Roethlisberger even met. Ultimately, Haley will be judged in two areas: putting up points and protecting Roethlisberger.

The biggest criticism of Arians' offense was the lack of scoring. The Steelers' rankings in terms of points scored the past three seasons were 12th (2009), 12th (2010) and 21st (2011). Where Haley has to elevate the Steelers is inside the red zone. In his two seasons as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator, Arizona's red zone offense ranked third in 2007 and ninth in 2008. Too often, Arians forgot about running the ball and throwing to tight end Heath Miller when Pittsburgh got inside the 20-yard line.

The Steelers' ability to score points is reliant on the health of Roethlisberger. It was evident last season that Pittsburgh's offense was sluggish when injuries slowed down Roethlisberger. Haley won't fix the Steelers' offensive line in one season, but he can tweak the timing of the passing game. His offense in Arizona relied heavily on three-step drops and getting rid of the ball quickly. This will reduce the amount of hits on Roethlisberger, who showed he can work in a quick-hitting passing game when he played New England this past season. The Steelers can't make a Super Bowl run if Roethlisberger is limping again.