The Pittsburgh Steelers are making significant progress on a multi-year deal with NT Casey Hampton, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Steelers are planning to use their franchise tag on NT Casey Hampton and their transition tag on K Jeff Reed, barring a late breakthrough in contract negotiations, according to a league source.

Packers NT Ryan Pickett expects to receive the franchise tag soon, according to a league source.

The Steelers are prepared to use the franchise tag on NT Casey Hampton if the two sides can’t agree to a long-term contract before Thursday’s deadline, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday.

Steve Smith says the Panthers could use some help in the form of a speedy receiver to compliment his game.

No fans in the stadium as yet but there seem to be squadrons of planes pulling advertising banners overhead. From a distance, the stadium looks like a hornets’ nest with swarms of the darn things – everything from pizza commercials and ESPN promos to car-wreck insurance. I wonder if that’s an omen.

The Bills offered their assistant general manager position to Doug Whaley, according to a league source.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made retaining DT Casey Hampton and S Ryan Clark an offseason priority and neither player is expected to hit the open market, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is here at the Senior Bowl keeping close watch of all the defensive standouts.

Steelers receivers coach Randy Fichtner is strongly considering a move to the team’s vacant QB coach position, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Steelers agreed to terms with Sean Kugler to become their offensive line coach, according to a league source.

Omar Khan, a well-respected front-office executive with the Steelers, will interview for the Seahawks’ general manager vacancy early this week, according to a league source, joining Marc Ross (Giants) and John Schneider (Packers) as finalists.

The Steelers have fired offensive line coach Larry Zierlein, according to NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi. Zierlein was in his third season in Pittsburgh after being hired by coach Mike Tomlin in 2007.

Several scenarios still exist in the AFC playoff picture, even though the Ravens and Jets control their own playoff destiny.

Dolphins rookie backup QB Pat White, playing in place of injured starter Chad Henne, was seriously injured late during the third quarter against the Steelers and carted off the field.