Troy Polamalu keeps a lid on contract talks

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu says he feels as good as ever, he’s just not saying much about his future with the defending AFC champions.

Polamalu said Wednesday contract talks with the Steelers are between his agent, Marvin Demoff, and the team. The 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is in the final season of a five-year deal that will pay him about $6.4 million this season.

The perennial Pro Bowler has said his preference is to remain with the Steelers, but limited salary cap space could be an obstacle to getting a deal done before the season.

The Steelers have already signed linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley to lengthy extensions while several veterans restructured their deals to get Pittsburgh under the estimated $120.4 million cap.

Bengals

CINCINNATI

Cedric Benson spent five days in a Texas prison mopping floors and thinking about what he needs to change.

The running back was released on Saturday after completing his sentence for misdemeanor assault. He’s back with the Bengals, getting ready for their season opener Sunday in Cleveland.

Benson says he thought about a lot of things while in jail and how he needs to change his life to stay away from trouble.

Although he missed a week for his trial and his jail sentence, he thinks there’s enough time to catch up with the game plan and get ready for the opener in Cleveland.

49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

This weekend, safety Donte Whitner draws the daunting task of trying to shut down Seattle’s Pro Bowler, Zach Miller.

It could emerge as one of the more important matchups Sunday in San Francisco’s season opener against the defending NFC West champion Seahawks — and help determine the outcome of coach Jim Harbaugh’s NFL debut. The 49ers need a reliable cover man after the departure of Manny Lawson, and Whitner is determined to become that guy.

Miller and Whitner aren’t strangers, either. They share an agent and went through the free agency process together this summer after the lockout only to wind up in the same division.

Packers-Saints

GREEN BAY, Wis.

Look past the towering rock concert stage that engulfs part of the Lambeau Field parking lot and there’s a pair of massive banners depicting Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees hanging off the arena across the street.

Hotels will be full. Schools will close early. Coolers will be stocked and grills will be sizzling as a presidential speech goes largely ignored. As Kid Rock warms up for a pregame concert, there will be no doubt that a bigger-than-big game is hitting the NFL’s smallest market.

Rodgers and Brees are the last two Super Bowl MVPs, leading the last two Super Bowl winners into tonight’s opener. For the league, it’s a chance to finally put away any lingering resentment from an offseason filled labor negotiations.

Greg Jennings said it feels kind of like a “mini Super Bowl,” but Rodgers wasn’t quite willing to go that far.

“It’s a similar feel to a big game, a playoff game,” Rodgers said. “I don’t want to say the Super Bowl. There’s a big atmosphere outside the stadium. But the only thing that matters is taking care of business on the field.”

Brees knows no big-picture objectives will be won or lost in the first week of the season.

“I’m sure we’re going to get questions about future playoff implications and all that stuff about this game,” Brees said. “We see ourselves as a great team and as a contender. They see themselves as a great team and as a contender. The fact of the matter is it’s one game.”

Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Rookie quarterback Cam Newton says when he picked up the phone, he was surprised to hear Michael Vick on the other end.

He says the Philadelphia quarterback gave him advice last week on what he thought Newton needs to do.

Newton, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, says “whatever he says right now is golden.”

GIANTS

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

The streak for the most consecutive starts among active quarterbacks is going to stay in possession of the Manning family.

With Peyton Manning’s streak of 227 consecutive starts — including the postseason — coming to an end because of a neck injury, the new leader in the category is little brother Eli. He has started 110 consecutive games.