Wide receiver Hines Ward is going into his 13th NFL season, but he hasn't slowed down any and he is still serving as a mentor for the team's younger receivers.
"I feel good," said Ward. "Every year it's 'How much longer can you go?' I enjoy being here. I like the camaraderie between the guys, I love to come out here and compete. Guys are coming in, younger, faster and my job is to hand down what I've learned. That's my way of giving back but at the same time I'm still working on the fundamentals of my game to stay on top of my game."
Ward isn't talking retirement yet, but asked if he would consider it if the Steelers won another Super Bowl this year, he gave it a little thought.
"That would be ideal," said Ward. "That would be a great way to end. I don't know. It would be a nice way to go out."
Safety Troy Polamalu continues to progress during the offseason, with the knee that sidelined him for a good portion of the 2009 season healing well.
"It feels better with time," said Polamalu. "It feels better than it did the previous week."
Polamalu is not rushing things, though. While he is taking part in mini-camp practices, he is also being patient to make sure he is 100 percent when the season rolls around.
"It's a process," said Polamalu. "Right now, it's exciting to get out here for minicamp. When the fall camp and the games come along, there will come a time but right now I'm just enjoying the moment."
Like many rookies, Emmanuel Sanders is living out his dream, being drafted by an NFL team and having an opportunity to play at the highest level of the game.
"Ever since I was six years old that's what I wanted to do," said Sanders. "I told my mom I wanted to be an NFL player and it's finally come true.
"When we were young I wanted to be the quarterback because we didn't have strong enough arms to get rid of the ball so I wanted to have the ball in my hands at all times. We used to have a big pasture in the back yard and that's where we played. I go back home and say it all started there. We used to have backyard football games, just tackling each other and having fun."
Sanders hope is to continue having fun playing for the Steelers.
"I think I am a dynamic playmaker," said Sanders. "I am very fast, very elusive just love to make big plays.
"We already have a receiver in Mike Wallace who has speed. I feel with my speed, two dynamic receivers like that with that kind of speed we can stretch the field, stretch the defense and they will be in a world of trouble."
For rookie linebacker Jason Worilds, winning really is everything.
"To be a part of this program, this organization where we are always winning games, always in the playoffs, it's special," said Worilds. "I hope I can help take us to the next level, whatever that is."
It's not just about winning games, though. He wants to win on every snap he is on the field.
"I just want to win. I will do anything to win on the field," said Worilds. "When I am out there that is my main focus. I want to win every assignment on every play. A lot of people want to win the game, but don't take that attitude to every individual play. That is what I do."
