Steelers training camp will take on the look of a job fair this summer.

Training camp has been rarely like this, at least not recently, because the Steelers report to Saint Vincent College Monday with more starting jobs open than they've had in years.

There are three openings on the offensive line and two in the secondary. That does not count others that may crop up as surprises, as new coach Mike Tomlin said the other day.

Could, for instance, a linebacker such as Arnold Harrison or rookie Lawrence Timmons challenge James Harrison's assumed progression into Joey Porter's job on the right outside? Often, anything goes under a new coach.

"I try not to paint a picture of what I think is going to happen," Tomlin said. "I like to stack the team along with everyone else and make it as strong as possible and go through the process of building it."

The openings occurred not so much because Tomlin is a new head coach. The retirement of center Jeff Hartings and the release of Porter meant there would be at least two new starters on a team that failed to make the playoffs after winning Super Bowl XL.

Other competition for starting jobs was created by young players pushing veterans: Willie Colon vs. Max Starks at right tackle, Chris Kemoeatu vs. Kendall Simmons at right guard, Bryant McFadden vs. Deseha Townsend at right cornerback, and Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Clark at free safety. Two veterans will compete at center, newcomer Sean Mahan and longtime heir apparent Chukky Okobi.

The Mahan-Okobi competition takes on a sidebar because both will be paid like starters. Mahan got a $17 million, five-year contract with a $4 million signing bonus to sign as a free agent. Okobi has a $2 million salary this season.

"I am one who believes that it will all become obvious," Tomlin said of the outcome of the competition. "Sometimes, I think if you are patient and don't rush to judge, decisions become obvious."

That would include some key backup jobs as well. There is the situation behind Willie Parker at running back, where a top backup and a third-down back must surface. The same player could hold down both. Veteran Kevan Barlow joins a mix that includes Verron Haynes and his reconstructed knee and Najeh Davenport.

"We have a good group of veteran guys back there behind Willie," Tomlin said. "It is known what they are capable of in this league. It is going to be very good competition.''

NOTES -- TE Matt Spaeth, the team's third-round draft choice from Minnesota, signed a three-year contract. He received a signing bonus of $564,000. Two rookies remain unsigned: LB and No. 1 pick Lawrence Timmons and CB William Gay, their second fifth-round draft choice. ... LaMarr Woodley's four-year contract included a signing bonus of $1,865,000. ... The Steelers hired Bob Tyler as controller. He replaces Jim Ellenberger, who left the team this summer after a long tenure. ... Luke Palko, the brother of former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko, will serve as the team's new scouting intern. Luke Palko played wide receiver at St. Francis (Pa.).