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The Pittsburgh Steelers will have competition at running back and outside linebacker this year, although I believe rookies Le'Veon Bell and Jarvis Jones will win those jobs. The most wide-open battle in Pittsburgh is in the return game.

The release of Chris Rainey in January forces the Steelers to find another kickoff returner, and the promotion of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders to the No. 1 and No. 2 wide receiver spots, respectively, likely means Pittsburgh will go with a new punt returner.

As the Steelers get ready to take the field for the first of three voluntary minicamps this week, you could make the case for around 10 players to compete over bringing back kicks and punts. But, when looking closely at the candidates, I see four as serious contenders to become the new returners.

On kickoff returns, running back and free-agent addition LaRod Stephens-Howling has to be considered the favorite. His role as a returner decreased the past two seasons in Arizona, but he averaged 25.7 yards and scored three touchdowns on kickoffs in his first two seasons in the NFL.

The one returner who could unseat him is undrafted rookie Reggie Dunn from Utah. He set the NCAA record for career 100-yard returns (five) and single-game 100-yard kickoff returns (two).

“He is an exciting player. He ran in the 4.3s on his pro day,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said of Dunn at a recent fan forum with season-ticke holders. “We’re excited because the speed (is something) you can’t teach. You have to give that young man the opportunity to prove what he can or can’t do on the field.”

Colbert said he's anxious to see how Dunn can handle punts. According to Colbert, Dunn didn't return many punts in college because Utah had others who were "quite honestly, better during his time there."

The other players who should get the opportunity to return punts are rookie sixth-round pick Justin Brown and David Gilreath. Brown averaged 13.5 yards per punt at Oklahoma and scored a touchdown. Gilreath, who holds the Big Ten for career kickoff returns, also ranked sixth in the Big Ten with an 8.8-yard average on punt returns before going undrafted in 2011. Last season, he returned two punts for a total of eight yards.

There's not as much mystery at returner around the AFC North. The Ravens kept Jacoby Jones and the Bengals re-signed Brandon Tate, but Adam Jones and Onterio McCalebb will push Tate. The Browns are expected to replace Pro Bowl returner Josh Cribbs with Travis Benjamin on punts and Dion Lewis on kickoffs.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden told The Plain Dealer that he wasn't given any advance warning that the team was going to sign Brian Hoyer, and that he hasn't been told of Hoyer's role.

"It's part of this business, and if you start worrying about it, that's too much to worry about," Weeden said. "That's my mentality going forward."

What you won't hear Weeden say -- but you know he has to be thinking -- is that he likes his chances of remaining the Browns' starting quarterback. The Browns didn't trade for Alex Smith, a former No. 1 overall pick who has led a team to the NFC Championship Game. Cleveland didn't draft a quarterback such as Geno Smith in the first round.

Instead, the Browns signed Jason Campbell and Hoyer, who is likely the last offseason addition for Cleveland that involves a quarterback. While Weeden understands why the Browns aren't going to hand over the starting quarterback job to him, he also knows he could have faced stiffer competition for it. Campbell and Hoyer are journeyman who combined to play for seven teams (including their latest stop with the Browns) since 2009.

Campbell is an upgrade at the No. 2 quarterback spot over Colt McCoy, and Hoyer is clearly better than Thad Lewis at No. 3. Still, Weeden has to be considered the favorite to line up under center Sept. 8 against the Miami Dolphins.

Many forget that Weeden threw for 3,385 yards last season, which was more than rookies Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill and Russell Wilson. Now, Weeden's strong arm should be better utilized in a vertical passing attack compared to Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense.

The Browns haven't endorsed Weeden as their starter yet, but they really haven't sent a message with any move that they're ready to replace him this season. Weeden doesn't seemed fazed by having to compete for the job.

"I realize I didn't play as well as I could've last year and I know the work I've put in personally," Weeden said. "I know how hard I've worked to become a better player off the field and training and whatever may be. I'm not worried about the other stuff. I'm confident in my abilities and I have a lot of confidence in the guys around me."

In the first update on the quarterback battle, the Canton Repository reported that Campbell "definitely had better sessions than Weeden" at minicamp. Of course, this is only May and Campbell was working against the second-string defense.

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski told The NFL Network this week that he's really positive about Weeden.

"He's taken a command of the offense," Chudzinski said. "He's shown from an arm strength and from an accuracy standpoint, he's made tremendous strides on footwork and getting the ball out quicker."

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at key players for each AFC North team who are coming back from injuries:

Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback Lardarius Webb. The Ravens need their top cornerback to return to his old form, especially with Cary Williams going to the Eagles in free agency. Webb tore his ACL in October and missed the final 10 games of the regular season. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Webb "should be ready to roll" by training camp. Baltimore could bring him along slowly and limit his playing time in the preseason. But, based on this timeline, all signs point to Webb being ready to play in the season opener. If Webb isn't ready, the Ravens' top three corners would be Corey Graham, Jimmy Smith and Chykie Brown. Webb dealt with a torn ACL in 2009, when he hurt his knee in late December. He was able to return and play 15 games the following season. So, he's been able to recover from this injury quickly in the past.

Cincinnati Bengals: Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. He's the favorite to be the Bengals' No. 2 receiver and start opposite A.J. Green. A third-round pick last year, Sanu had worked himself into the starting lineup before breaking his left foot late in the season and undergoing surgery on Dec. 3. He expects to be running at full speed by next week's minicamp. Coach Marvin Lewis has high hopes for Sanu, saying he's ahead of where Chad Johnson was going into his second NFL season. Sanu was starting to hit his stride before the injury. In his last three games, he caught 11 passes and four touchdowns. Sanu will still have to earn the job. His main competition is Marvin Jones, a fifth-round pick from a year ago.

Cleveland Browns: Running back Trent Richardson. He said last month that he was fully recovered from all of last year's injures, and he wasn't wearing a protective sleeve over his knee anymore. But, in March, Richardson told The Plain Dealer that he might always have to deal with lingering pain from broken ribs after undergoing some tests. Richardson did say at that time that he expected to be 100 percent by training camp. Other than Richardson, the Browns aren't dealing with any critical injuries. Left guard Jason Pinkston returned to practice this week after having a blood clot in his lung that ended his 2012 season. Wide receiver David Nelson is still recovering from a torn ACL and he hopes to get on the field for June's mandatory minicamp. At this point, he's projected to be the No. 4 receiver.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Tight end Heath Miller. He's the biggest question mark in the division. After excelling in the first season of Todd Haley's offense, he tore ligaments in his right knee in the second-to-last game of the season and had surgery on Jan. 2. He's no longer on crutches and was spotted walking without a limp last month. The Steelers have been vague on Miller's timetable. Some believe that Miller will be ready for the start of the season after the Steelers passed on Tyler Eifert in the first round and didn't take a tight end in the draft. But there's still a chance that Miller could miss the start of the season or be placed on PUP. Losing Miller would significantly impact Pittsburgh's passing game. Last season, Miller led the Steelers in catches (71) and tied for the most touchdown catches (eight). Without Miller, the top two tight ends on the roster are Matt Spaeth and David Paulson. Spaeth has averaged eight catches per season, and Paulson had seven catches last season as a rookie.

By now, everyone knows the Cleveland Browns agreed on a two-year contract with quarterback Brian Hoyer. The question that remains is Hoyer's role.

My take on Hoyer is he's a notch below backup quarterback Jason Campbell but probably better than most teams' No. 3. Unless Brandon Weeden struggles mightily in training camp and the preseason, the only spot Hoyer is competing for is the backup one.

Do I know this for certain? No. There's reason to think Hoyer will be given an opportunity to have a significant role, based on an old quote from Browns general manager Mike Lombardi when he was an NFL Network analyst. It was dug up by The Plain Dealer.

"I think Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett are starters," Lombardi said in December 2011. "I've said this many times: If I would have taken the GM job of the 49ers, I would have gone after Brian Hoyer, because I think he has all the traits and characteristics. If I were the Cleveland Browns, I'd rather have Brian Hoyer behind center than Colt McCoy. I think he's got all the traits you need, in terms of leadership, toughness, the arm strength, the ability to move the team."

Before there is a buzz about Hoyer battling for the starting job, you should consider two points: Head coach Rob Chudzinski will decide the starting quarterback for the Browns and this quote is 17 months old. Since Lombardi said this, Hoyer has made one career start and bounced from New England to Pittsburgh to Arizona.

His career numbers are one start, a 59.4 completion rate, 616 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Not exactly starting-quarterback statistics there. Also, if the Browns wanted Hoyer to be the starter, they would've traded a late-round pick for him during the draft (which was the speculation) instead of hoping he would get released.

Right now, the Browns are proceeding with Weeden, who took snaps with the first team for the second minicamp in a row.

"This means a lot to me," Weeden told reporters Thursday. "This is my job. I take it seriously and I want to be the guy."

If Weeden fails to be "the guy," I believe the next quarterback up is Campbell and not Hoyer.

This is a statement issued by linebacker Rolando McClain to explain why he decided to retire Wednesday:

"Clearly, my decision to retire has raised some questions. Quite simply, I love football, but I have decided at this time it is in my best interest to focus on getting my personal life together. Beyond that, I'm not sure what the future holds for me, including football. This was entirely my decision and the Ravens have been very supportive during this process. I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me and wish them the best of luck in the future. God willing, maybe I'll play for them one day."

What can we take from this? This is McClain's first admission something is wrong. As I wrote previously, the hope is for McClain to get life back on track. The best advice is to stay away from his hometown, where he's been arrested three times in 11 months.

The other point is McClain hasn't closed the door on playing football again, so I'm not sure if we can technically consider this a retirement as much as a break from the game. The Ravens hold his rights by placing him on the retired-reserve list. If -- or perhaps when -- McClain decides to play again, he'll have to do it under the one-year, $700,000 contract with the Ravens, unless Baltimore decides to release him.

McClain doesn't turn 24 until July, so he's still young. He can take a year or two away from the game and still have many years left to play. There's no question he has talent. But, during his short NFL career, he has gained the reputation for being uncoachable and a character risk.

So, if McClain decides he wants to play football again, he'll only be able to do it if he convinces the Ravens or another team that he has changed and is committed to playing this time.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam denied he had any knowledge of rebate fraud by his family-run truck-stop business.

"Absolutely not. I will say absolutely not," Haslam said Thursday morning at a trucking company seminar, via The Plain Dealer. "I was not aware of any of this."

This contradicts other accounts. In unsealed search warrant affidavit, there are accusations that Haslam and Pilot Flying J president Mark Hazelwood knew about shortchanging customers because they attended sales meetings where it was discussed.

Federal prosecutors have filed no charges so far and won’t say when -- or if -- any charges might be coming. Haslam went on to apologize for "the actions of our people."

"It's a blip. It may be a substantial blip," Haslam said. "But in no way, shape or form does it affect my ownership of the Browns."

If Haslam is indicted, it could affect his ownership. The NFL is an image-conscious business, and it's hard to believe the other 31 owners would want to be linked to someone who was guilty of knowingly ripping off customers.

Former Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pollard says he's not sour about getting released by the Super Bowl champions. Well, I would hate to see him when he was holding a grudge.

Pollard told 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore that he isn't going to attend the Ravens' ring ceremony and White House visit next month because he's on a family vacation.

"I got to sit this one out, man," said Pollard, who has since signed with the Tennessee Titans. "If I didn’t have a vacation, I wouldn’t come in anyway. That's just the type of player I am.”

Why is Pollard so against coming back to celebrate?

"At the end of the day, I know what happened, I know what took place," Pollard said. "I’m sorry, I just don’t want to be in the room with certain people.”

Pollard said he doesn't have a problem with his teammates. He went out of his way to praise general manager Ozzie Newsome ("Ozzie is amazing," Pollard said). The insinuation is Pollard is upset with John Harbaugh even though he never mentioned the Ravens coach by name.

There's been speculation that the Ravens cut Pollard over an incident in October, when Pollard and other teammates spoke out about Harbaugh's decision to practice in full pads.

"We were just asked our opinion about something," Pollard said. "And we let the coach know our opinion. We were asked, the floor was open. And we responded, and let the coaches know how we felt, and that’s how it has to be as a football team. We can’t walk around on eggshells.”

Ravens officials have privately said the reason they parted ways with Pollard was because they could find a better safety at a cheaper price (first-round draft pick Matt Elam). The Ravens will gain an additional $2 million in cap room in a couple of weeks because Pollard was designated as a June 1 cut.

Pollard acknowledged that he was "stunned a little bit" when he was cut by the Ravens on March 13.

Asked if he was given a reason for his release, Pollard said, "It's one of those things where you don't know. I don't understand. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't really care."

Judging by Pollard's strong feelings toward not showing up for the Ravens' festivities, it sounds like Pollard really does care.

When inside linebacker Rolando McClain was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest 10 days after signing with the Baltimore Ravens, this told me that he wasn't committed to playing in the NFL. A month later, it looks like this was the case.

McClain abruptly announced his retirement at the age of 23, ending a bizarre 33-day career with the Ravens. Getting arrested three times in 11 months raises questions about character. But giving up on a career just three years after being the No. 8 overall pick in the draft raises questions about McClain's current state of mind.

Perhaps McClain realized his days in Baltimore were numbered when the Ravens traded up in the second round to draft Arthur Brown a month ago. Maybe McClain surmised no team was going to give him a third chance. Or it could be a case of McClain not caring any more. No one knows at this point.

McClain can call it retiring, but it's not. It's a retirement when 37-year-old Ray Lewis decides to leave the game. When 23-year-olds walk away, it's quitting. Plain and simple.

The hope is that McClain can somehow get his life in order. Based on his track record, leaving the game isn't the best decision. McClain struggled in a controlled and structured environment in the NFL. Beyond the arrests, he was suspended for two games seven months ago after an argument with his head coach. Now, McClain is on his own. You don't want to see another Titus Young, whose life has spiraled out of control since he was released by the Detroit Lions.

The Ravens will move on. Brown now has a clear path to start with McClain gone. The bigger question is what the future holds for McClain.

In his 9½-minute introductory news conference with Cincinnati Bengals reporters, linebacker James Harrison brushed off a question about his opinion on quarterback Andy Dalton, acknowledged he's motivated by his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and revealed a very expensive training habit.

Harrison estimated that he spends between $400,000 to $600,000 on "body work." There's a chiropractor, an acupuncturist, a homeopathic doctor, a trainer and two to three masseuses. They stay with him during the season. Does Harrison live in a house or a day spa?

Don't get me wrong. Taking care of your body is smart for every football player, especially at 35 years old. Harrison, though, has gone to the extreme. I can't believe anyone else comes close to spending this much on his body. But not everyone tries out 150 massage therapists either.

Let's put this in perspective. If Harrison spends $600,000 on his body this year, that's more than what three Bengals starters will make this season: linebacker Vontaze Burfict, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu and guard Clint Boling. If Harrison spends only $400,000, that's still more than one-quarter of his $1.4 million salary this season. That's before taxes and the annual fines from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

No wonder Harrison objected to taking a pay cut with the Steelers. As we all know, it's hard to find a good homeopathic doctor on the cheap.

"If you want to be able to stay in this business for a while, you're going to have to take care of your body," Harrison said. "You want to do that, you're going to have to spend money. It's not cheap."

The Bengals are hoping Harrison's investment in his body pays off this season. Harrison missed only six games in his first seven NFL seasons. Over the past two seasons, he has been sidelined for seven games because of injuries.

“I probably haven’t felt this good since ... the beginning of 2009," he said.

Here are some other nuggets from Harrison's news conference:

On his view of Andy Dalton as a quarterback: "I don’t have a view. Next question.”

On the motivation of not being able to stay with the Steelers: “I understand it’s a business, so it’s not like I can really take it personally. But to say that it doesn’t motivate me in some sense would be a lie.”

On his definition of AFC North football: “I don’t know now. They’re starting to throw the ball. It used to be smashmouth. I don’t know what it is now; it’s a combination of the two. But it’s a rivalry of four teams that genuinely don’t like each other, but have a mutual respect.”

On whether he ever had to fight for food being the youngest of 14 children: “I got lucky. I’m like eight years removed from the next sibling. Wasn’t nobody eating no more baby food. I had all the jars to myself.’’

On his mental state on the field: "It’s focus. It’s intense. It’s violent. Because it’s a violent game. You can’t go out there with a smile on your face. I’m not out there mad at the world, making up scenarios in my head just so I could go out there and play a little harder. It’s focus and intense 100 miles an hour."

Any time a running back comes into the AFC North standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 200 pounds, the natural comparison will be to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

But, as Bengals coach Marvin Lewis see it, Giovani Bernard is ahead of Rice in terms of stature coming into the NFL.

"What everybody doesn't understand, when you look at Ray Rice when he was a young player, this guy is already a little taller, a little heavier," Lewis said at last weekend's rookie minicamp. "We're looking at comparisons of [Doug] Martin, and the back down in Jacksonville [Maurice Jones-Drew], and those kind of guys with that kind of stature. Everybody sees where they are now, but you also look at physically where they started out, and I think Gio’s got special ability that way."

In terms of projection, I can see Bernard following a path similar to Jones-Drew this year. In 2006, Jones-Drew was a second-round pick who backed up an established back in Fred Taylor. Jones-Drew totaled 212 touches as a rookie, running the ball 166 times and making 46 catches.

Like Jones-Drew, Bernard doesn't have to be the featured back right away because BenJarvus Green-Ellis will remain the starter. Green-Ellis is under contract for two more seasons, which will allow Bernard to develop and eventually become a three-down back.

Right now, Bernard is considered more of a specialty back. After the Bengals used the 37th overall pick on Bernard, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden described him as "a unique back with the skill set that doesn't have to be a 25-carry guy. He can be a 10-15-carry guy, catch eight balls, whatever it is, to help us out and make us more diverse."

The key is getting Bernard out in space as much as possible so he can use his elite athleticism. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals were working on screen passes with Bernard at rookie minicamp last week.

“He’s got great hands and makes people miss on the second level,” Gruden said. “Andy [Dalton] needs some of those short passes that turn into 25-yard gains. It’s a lot easier on a quarterback. Instead of grinding out every first down with the exception of throwing one deep to A.J. [Green] every now and then, we need some guys to get better running after the catch and breaking tackles after contact.”

First-round pick Jarvis Jones is a great fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers and this goes beyond filling a need after the release of James Harrison. Jones is at his best when the defense is blitzing, and there are few defenses more aggressive than the Steelers'.

Last season, the Steelers sent five or more pass-rushers 39.2 percent of the time, which ranked fifth in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Only the Texans, Cardinals, Packers and Colts blitzed more often.

This bodes well for Jones. Of his nation-leading 14.5 sacks last season, nearly half (seven) came when Georgia blitzed. That was the most by any player rated 75 or higher by Scouts Inc.

Jones doesn't expect a big transition period to the Steelers' defense.

"For myself, I played in a 3-4 system in college," Jones said during Pittsburgh's rookie minicamp. "It’s a lot of the same stuff but with different terminology. They do it a little different than we did in college. The concept, I kind of get it. I think our coaches are great teachers in the classroom as well as coaching us on the field and putting us in the right position to make plays."

Jones is expected to replace Harrison, but don't expect the same speed bull rush. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Jones recorded 11 of his sacks on finesse moves (speed, spin or twist). That being said, Jones can't solely rely on his speed. A big responsibility for Steelers outside linebackers is to establish the edge.

Although Jason Worilds has more experience with the Steelers' defense, Jones is still considered the favorite to win the starting job. This would go against recent history for the franchise. Since the Steelers selected Heath Miller eight years ago, only one first-round pick (center Maurkice Pouncey) was an immediate starter for Pittsburgh.

Asked if he expected to start the Sept. 8 season opener against Tennessee, Jones said: "That’s a long way from now. The most important thing is for me to come out here, try to get in the best shape I can, learn this system and do what my coaches ask me to do. They’re going to make that decision. It’s not up to me so I’m just going to come out here and give it everything I’ve got. At the end of the day, they’re going to make the final decision."

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith cautioned everyone not to rush to judgment on Titus Young, the former Detroit Lions wide receiver who has been arrested three times in less than a week.

This is what Smith posted on Twitter on Monday:

"Prayers up for Titus right now...he is going thru something that seems easy outside looking in to handle...we don't know his problems"

Smith entered the league at the same time as Young. He was taken in the second round in 2011, 14 spots after the Lions drafted Young. Over the past two seasons, their numbers have been fairly similar. Smith has caught 99 passes for 205 yards and 15 touchdowns. Young has 81 receptions for 990 yards and 10 touchdowns.

That's where the similarities end. Smith is among the most respected players on the Ravens. He spent the early portion of this offseason working for a local politician. Young's life, however, is spiraling out of control.

The Cleveland Browns only have two picks from the first five rounds of the 2013 NFL draft, and both have heard scrutiny during the team's rookie minicamp this past weekend. Pass-rusher Barkevious Mingo was questioned about being too skinny, and cornerback Leon McFadden has heard the talk about him being too short.

McFadden, a 5-foot-9 third-round pick out of San Diego State, was the 11th cornerback taken in the draft. But he was the first cornerback under 5 feet 10 drafted this year. Most of the top cornerbacks measured around 5-11, and three (Xavier Rhodes, Johnthan Banks and David Amerson) were over 6 feet.

“I don’t think my height is a problem,” McFadden said, via the Morning Journal. “I take that as a chip on my shoulder and turn it into a positive and go out there and compete on every down."

Heading into the draft, everyone knew the Browns would take a cornerback at some point. It was the biggest need on the team. I thought the Browns would be looking for a cornerback with more height and length. New defensive coordinator Ray Horton was a longtime secondary coach for the Steelers, and Pittsburgh is known for the size of its corners with Ike Taylor (6-2), Keenan Lewis (6-0) and Bryant McFadden (6-0).

From the Browns' perspective, McFadden isn't replacing a tall cornerback in Sheldon Brown (5-10) and he isn't competing against one either in Buster Skrine (5-9). For the Browns to improve upon the NFL's 25th-ranked pass defense, it might not be about the size of the cornerbacks. It's about the size of the mistakes.

Cleveland allowed 22 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers last season, tied for second most in the NFL. Brown, who wasn't re-signed, and Skrine combined to give up nine touchdowns last season. Brown and Skrine also ranked in the top five in penalties committed by cornerbacks, getting flagged nine times each.

“Obviously we all want 6-1 corners," general manager Mike Lombardi said. "We all want Willie Brown from the old days, but sometimes it’s harder to find."

McFadden is considered the favorite to start opposite Joe Haden, but veteran Chris Owens is expected to rotate with McFadden.

When I heard about Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Butler passing away Saturday after a lengthy battle with a staph infection, I immediately flashed back to February 2012, when he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was so excited by the moment, and he had every right to be.

Butler had to wait 52 years to be inducted. We've all seen players get emotional about reaching the Hall of Fame, but there was a different level of appreciation with Butler. When he spoke about the achievement, there was a genuine sense of awe, humility and exuberance.

"I never, ever, ever thought I would be here. I just didn't think that would be the reality," Butler said last year. "When I was a kid, I dreamed about being a big, strong, good football player. I dreamed of about going to Canton, Ohio, and being in the Hall of Fame. But I never, ever down deep believed what I was dreaming."

My hope is that everyone understands the caliber of player Butler was, even if they didn't get to see him play. He was named one of the 33 greatest Steelers of all time in 2008. He brought toughness to the Steelers defenses in the 1950s, long before nicknames like "Steel Curtain" were given.

His 52 interceptions were the second-most in the NFL at the time his career ended. With 52 interceptions in 103 games, Butler has the best interception rate (50.5 percent) of any player in the Hall of Fame. And this came during an era where game plans were built around running the ball, not throwing it.

"Jack Butler was one of the all-time great Steelers," team president Art Rooney II said.

After a vicious knee injury ended his playing career, Butler worked closely with the Steelers as a scout for more than 40 years. He helped Pittsburgh draft nine players who all would precede him in the Hall of Fame, including Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene.

"Beyond his great play on the field, he was a legendary personnel man who helped so many of us get established in our scouting careers," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said. "He will be missed, but never forgotten."

Among the greatest compliments given to Butler is one that came shortly after he was voted into the Hall of Fame.

“Jack was one player,” longtime Pittsburgh executive Dan Rooney said, “who could have played with the great Steelers teams of the 1970s.”

I'm glad Butler got into the Hall of Fame after a half-century's wait. I'm also glad he got the chance to savor the moment of getting there.

The Cleveland Browns can only hope top draft pick Barkevious Mingo handles NFL offensive tackles as well as he did the questions following his first practice with the team Friday.

Learning the extent of Cleveland's obsession about his lean frame, Mingo said all the right things, sounding more like a veteran than someone who is attending rookie minicamp. By The Plain Dealer's count, nearly a quarter of the questions Mingo answered touched upon weight and diet. It didn't sound like Mingo bristled at any of them. In fact, Mingo laughed when asked if he was skinny.

“Naw, I think I’m just fine the way I am,” he told Cleveland reporters.

Mingo is listed at 6-feet-4, 240 pounds. No, he isn't Ezekiel Ansah, the 6-5, 271-pound defensive end who was taken one spot earlier in last month's draft. But he's basically the same weight as Dion Jordan, the 6-6, 248-pound pass rusher who was selected No. 3 overall.

The real issue is Mingo's upper-body strength. He's going to need that to hold up against the run and get off blocks. Some believe it'll take a couple of years in the weight room for Mingo to develop that and reach his potential. Mingo is known as a blue-collar player and hard worker, but one of the knocks against him is he doesn't consistently play with strength.

Still, when asked if too much was made of his slender frame, Mingo said: "You hit, you catch, you tackle. It’s football.”

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said the ideal weight for Mingo has yet to be determined. He doesn't think he'll need to add 15 to 20 pounds, which had been suggested by one media member.

"Different guys have different body types and different weights that they play the best at," Chudzinski said. "You look at guys from Jason Taylor (who played at 6-6, 244 pounds) all the way to some of the bigger guys. Really, it’s a matter of getting them in here, spending some time with (strength) coach (Brad) Roll and bringing them up to speed. All those things will work themselves out.”

The numbers that Mingo will ultimately be judged by are sacks, not pounds. And, when determining Mingo's weight, the Browns don't want to compromise his biggest asset -- his speed.

“Whatever they ask me to do I’ll do,” Mingo said. “As far as how much, I think I can hold a pretty good bit and still be effective.”