Six of the most recently active articles on SCST. http://www.scsportstalk.com The Steelers came to contract terms today with their top two draft picks and will have all their picks signed to contracts when they open training camp Sunday in Latrobe.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall, the team's first-round draft choice, came to terms on a five-year deal. Wide receiver Limas Sweed, their second-round choice, agreed to a four-year contract.

Mendenhall will sign for five years at $12.55 million. He will receive bonuses as part of that contract worth $6.83 million. Contract terms for Sweed were not immediately available. http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000279 Officially, the Pirates have a trade in place to send Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to some team for some players.

"We have a deal in place, pending medical reviews of all the players," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said last night. "But, until there's clearance, it's a little bit vague."

Officially, it is vague.

Unofficially, it seems clear that the Pirates have traded Nady and Marte to the New York Yankees for four minor leaguers -- including three pitchers. http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000277 MLB.com is reporting the Pittsburgh Pirates will trade outfielder Jason Bay to the Tampa Rays for a pair of highly touted minor league prospects.

Bay will go to the first-place Rays, who will ship shortstop Reid Brignac and right-hander Jeff Niemann.

The Rays have not confirmed the deal.

Source: MLB.com http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000281 The Penguins and coach Michel Therrien have agreed on a three-year contract that would keep him with the team through the 2010-11 season.

"Michel has done a tremendous job with our team over the past two-and-a-half seasons, developing our young players while leading us to division and conference championships and the Stanley Cup finals," General Manager Ray Shero said. "He had one year remaining on his previous contract, and we could have simply talked about an extension. But we thought that, based on the success we've had together, it was time to negotiate a new deal, starting with an increase in compensation for the 2008-09 season." http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000273 Brett Favre finally is speaking for himself: He wants to play but doesn't feel welcome in Green Bay, so he's asking to be released. The quarterback's first substantial comments on his latest retirement decision reversal come in an interview with Fox News on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren."

"I am guilty of retiring early and there is a reason for that," Favre said, according to an excerpt provided to The Associated Press before last night's broadcast. "And the major issue is 'Why did he retire?,' and 'He asked for a release because he doesn't want to play in Green Bay.' That's not true. And I hope people are hearing this and saying 'OK, that clears it up.'" http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000271 As camps around the league open this week, the stars will deservedly get the bulk of the attention.

However, the NFL is a war of attrition and medical issues can quickly mount. Roster depth is a critical factor to most teams' success. Granted if your favorite team has a few superstars and they avoid injury, then depth isn't as big of an issue. Although for most squads, depth is a major component for winning and losing.

Each year I examine every depth chart right before training camp commences, looking for the teams with the best depth. A year ago, I declared the Washington Redskins as the team with the most quality depth heading into training camp. Injuries to the offensive line immediately challenged their depth and the club responded with a playoff performance. http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000274