STEELERS FREE AGENCY UPDATE

Catching up on this morning's moving and shaking...

--Chris Kemoeatu is re-signed: 5 years, $20 million. Apparently they matched an offer by the Jets, a team that loves to sign Steeler linemen. [PG]

--Looks like Nate Washington might go from the Super Bowl Champions to the 0-16 Detroit Lions. Why? Because Daunte Culpepper is clearly an upgrade over Big Ben, that's why. [MLive]

--The Lions are also taking a look at Bryant McFadden. Maybe they'll sign Mitch Berger, Mike Humpal, and Fernando Bryant too. [MLive]

--The freshly-cut Kendall Simmons is visiting with the Buffalo Bills. We'll miss the sacks of Ben while Simmons watches helplessly. [Blog & Gold, One for the Other Thumb]


--Gang Green is also close with Ravens LB Bart Scott, who once allegedly threatened to kill Hines Ward after a game. [ESPN]

--Kellen "the Soldier" Winslow is now a Tampa Bay Buc. Have fun with this, Raheem Morris: [ESPN]



--Former Steeler nemesis Fred Taylor joins New England, immediately hurting his wrist as he signed his contract. OK, I made that up. Or did I? [ESPN]

--And finally, Gisele officially took Tom Brady off the open market. [Deadspin]

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BREAKING NEWS: CASEY HAMPTON OUT OF SHAPE

We're just one day into Camp Tomlin 2008 and already have our first shocking revelation: Casey Hampton is out of shape. The washboard abs present in his previous seven seasons have all but disappeared. And his trademark endurance on the annual run test? Gone.

Yes, Hampton is in Coach Tomlin's doghouse, also known as the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) List, where he will reside for the near future.

Rather than take responsibility for his physical condition, Hampton has taken a different route: blaming the current coach, and comparing his rules (unfavorably) to Bill Cowher. From the PG:

"I don't think I struggle with weight, I just think my weight was never an issue, and they make a big point of weight with him," Hampton said. "But before, it's never been a thing, you know what I'm saying? I never struggled with it, it's never been a problem.

"Everybody knows I don't like the run test anyway, so it doesn't matter."

That sounds like a healthy point of view for team morale.

On WDVE this morning, Gerry Dulac reported that Tomlin told Hampton a month ago to lose some weight, but in Dulac's words, "That's like asking the grass not to grow."

Hampton himself joked that he hopes it takes "the whole month" to return from the PUP list. I somehow doubt that Tomlin was laughing.

More camp news from the PG and Trib:

--Hampton was joined on the PUP list by Troy Polamalu (hamstring) and Chris Kemoeatu (tricep).

--Willie Colon hinted that there were some philosophical problems last year between Alan Faneca and line coach Larry Zierlein.

--Nate Washington showed up with a mohawk and said he's not bothered by the presence of rookie WR Limas Sweed.

--Hines Ward was videotaping reporters on behalf of the NFL Network.

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Morning Headlines

DOWN GOES HOSSA: The Penguins dropped a less-than-inspiring 5-1 decision at Boston, but the worst news is that of Marian Hossa, who sprained his MCL in his Pittsburgh debut. The injury was neatly summed up by Bruin Glen Murray:

"I don't know what happened," he said. "I turned, and we collided. We hit at the hips or the knee or something, then all I heard was, 'Oh [expletive], oh [expletive], oh [expletive].' I figured it had to be him."

DOWN GOES GORZO: Tom Gorzelanny missed his first start of the preseason against the Philadelphia Phillies because of left shoulder discomfort. Wow...Tom Verducci was right on the money on this prediction. And so soon in the season!

NATE WASHINGTON IS GOING TO GET PAID: The Steelers issued a $1.4 million tender for the greatest thing to ever come out of Tiffin. They also issued tenders for offensive tackle Trai Essex, guard Chris Kemoeatu, and long-snapper Greg Warren. As for linebacker Andre Frazier, "Don't let the door hit ya".

FRANTIC START TO FREE AGENCY: Not in Pittsburgh, of course. But there have been several deals done already, such as the Dolphins giving a five-year, $25 million deal to 49ers guard Justin Smiley that included a $9 million guarantee. The 49ers responded by signing former Vikings LB Dontarrious Thomas, Lions QB J.T. O'Sullivan, Panthers RB DeShaun Foster and former Steeler KR Allen Rossum. Alan Faneca is reportedly close to a deal with the Jets, who are also close to a trade for Carolina's Kris Jenkins.

1 IN EVERY 100 IN US IN JAIL: And leading the charge is Pennsylvania, who had the largest prison population growth in the Northeast last year.

GOVERNATOR GIVING KIDS TANK RIDES: Arnold Schwarzenegger owns an Austrian army tank which he's having shipped to Cali so that he can offer rides to school children. Are you listening, Ed Rendell?