PITTSBURGH - While he still has two more years remaining on the contract he signed with the Steelers as a rookie, Ben Roethlisberger was keeping an eye on quarterback Tony Romo's situation with the Dallas Cowboys.
Romo, who would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, signed a six-year contract extension earlier this week worth $67 million. The deal includes $30 million in guaranteed money.
Roethlisberger's reaction to Romo's new contract?
"Impressive," Roethlisberger deadpanned.
But was it at all interesting to Roethlisberger, considering the Steelers will likely try to sign him to a new deal after this season?
"Impressive," Roethlisberger reiterated.
Considering that Roethlisberger, who is in his fourth NFL season, has already won a Super Bowl - something Romo has not done - and currently has the fourth-best passer rating (102.2) in the NFL compared to Romo's 95.6, the $67 million deal could be a starting point for negotiations with the Steelers.
Celebration game
As part of their 75th anniversary, the Steelers will hold a gala celebration Sunday night, then wear their throwback uniforms and introduce the 33 members of their all-time team during Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Could having all the added hoopla be a help or hindrance when playing the Ravens?
"There will be a lot of distractions," Roethlisberger said. "But we need to stay focused. I think if we can do that, we can be a pretty good football team."
Singled up
The one-two receiving punch of Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes had a field day last weekend in a 24-13 win over Cincinnati, with Ward catching eight passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns and Holmes six for 87 as the Bengals left their cornerbacks in single coverage throughout the game.
"They didn't seem to care about how well we threw the football," Holmes said of the Bengals. "They just seemed to want to stop the run."
Holmes was surprised by that tactic.
"Very much so, because they didn't stop the run at all and they kept staying in single coverage," Holmes said.
The Steelers passed for 230 yards and ran for 160.
Odds and end zones
Cornerback Anthony Madison, who was signed Tuesday when Ricardo Colclough was released, will wear No. 37, the same number he wore for the Steelers last season and in training camp this year. ... Sitting out practice Wednesday were Ward (knee) and Holmes (thigh), defensive end Aaron Smith (knee), safety Ryan Clark (spleen), fullback Dan Kreider (ankle) and tight end Jerame Tuman (back).