John Heller, Post-Gazette Alan Faneca loosens up before the afternoon minicamp practice at the Steelers' facility on the South Side yesterday after being absent from the morning session.

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As with Alan Faneca himself, the Alan Faneca story just won't go away for the Steelers this weekend, and it is putting their new, young head coach to an early test.

Less than 24 hours after declaring he would reluctantly participate throughout a mandatory minicamp, Faneca skipped the morning practice yesterday after someone -- apparently from the organization -- said something that upset him.

	John Heller, Post-Gazette Casey Hampton chats with Travis Kirschke, right, during a break in the afternoon session yesterday. Click photo for larger image. Related articles Steelers Notebook: Roethlisberger says no romance with Sopranos actress Collier: Minicamp shouldn't be confused as an OTA

Then someone else, coach Mike Tomlin, convinced the six-time Pro Bowl guard to rejoin his teammates for the afternoon practice.

"Some things were said, and I just had to cool off, a little cool-off time," Faneca said after the second practice.

He said the mystery remark was unrelated to anything he said Friday when he passionately declared this would be his final season with the Steelers because they were not treating him fairly in talks to extend his contract past its one-season expiration date.

Faneca's status on the field and off as the most-decorated guard in the Steelers' history and a three-year co-captain makes his stance a potential tinderbox for Tomlin. If so, the 35-year-old coach seems to be handling this early trial well.

Not only did his lunchtime talk with Faneca convince him to return to the practice field, Tomlin has managed to put his team through what appeared to be four strong practices the past two days. He could use this as a means to get some early messages through to his players.

"Sure, it's an issue," Tomlin said, "but I think more than anything else it's got to be a lesson for us as a football team in that the season is not without its ups and downs. Adversity is part of it, distractions are part of it.

	LISTEN IN: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Alan Faneca and Kendall Simmons talk with the media after the second day of minicamp. Mike Tomlin wraps up the second day of Steelers minicamp. Alan Faneca explains why he skipped this mornings practice and then decided to practice this afternoon. Kendall Simmons talks about Alan Faneca's absence at practice this morning and his own situation.

"Take this as an opportunity to grow in that area and deal with some things and go out and play football. ... The standard of expectation is not going to change on our football team regardless of what's going on, whether somebody has personal issues, whether someone's playing or not because of injury. ... If nothing else, we're getting some positive out of this from that standpoint as a football team. But, again, it's a very personal issue for Alan. I respect that element of it, and we'll move forward."

Tomlin downplayed whether the circumstance was a test for him.

"Well, you know, all of this is a test. Every time I get out of my car in the parking lot, it's a test. And it's one that I readily accept as part of the job, and I'm excited about meeting the challenge."

Faneca's issue certainly was a topic among his teammates; whether it becomes a distraction might not be known for months or until the season opens.

"I don't consider that a problem, to be honest with you," said starting right guard Kendall Simmons, one of Faneca's closest friends on the team. "We as a team are going to take care of our part and we're going to support him because we know what's going on and know the situation.

"That's up to them to deal with that. I don't think there's going to be a distraction. We had a good practice today, and it ain't going to change from here on out. Love to have him out there. It makes us 10 times better when he's out there."

	John Heller, Post-Gazette Head coach Mike Tomlin: "Adversity is part of it, distractions are part of it." Click photo for larger image.

Chris Kemoeatu, entering his third season, took Faneca's place at left guard for the morning practice.

Tomlin could fine Faneca for skipping the morning practice, but would not say if he did so.

"Again, we'll deal with that, but we'll deal with that internally."

The Steelers paid Faneca a $1 million roster bonus in March, and he's due additional salary of $3,375,000 in his final season, plus any incentives he may reach. Several other guards have received contracts in free agency the past two years that average $7 million and pay them up to $18 million in guaranteed money.

Faneca said he has asked the Steelers repeatedly to trade him since February. They still could comply, although it is less likely after the draft. If they did so, they would have to juggle an offensive line already hit by the retirement of two-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings.

The team's only frontline signing in free agency was guard-center Sean Mahan from Tampa Bay. He practiced at guard in the first minicamp and at center in this one.

Mahan said yesterday that, "I was brought in primarily to play center, but [there's] also the fact I can play both guards and center, so I am a versatile player. Wherever the team needs me, that's where I'll be."

Should Faneca somehow not be here this season, the Steelers have options. They could play Mahan at left guard in his place and longtime backup center Chukky Okobi could start. Or, Kemoeatu could start at left guard with Okobi and Mahan competing at center.

As Simmons said, the line is better with Faneca but "you know what? We've had the same guys up there since the first [mini]camp and we're all doing really good. ... As of right now, we're fine as a group."