The Steelers are tearing out the grass at Heinz Field, but not because they have decided to install an artificial surface.

Less than a month after their season ended at home with a playoff defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Steelers are removing the sod that was laid over their primary DDGrassMaster surface in November in an attempt to make the field more playable and presentable.

It does not mean they have made any final decision to replace their grass field, which includes small synthetic fibers, with some type of artificial surface. The discussion to switch to another surface has been on-going and a decision will be made shortly.

"That was something we had to do anyway," said Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett. "No decision has been made in regard to what we will do with the field."

The Steelers installed the sod, at a cost of $150,000, in an attempt to improve the field. But because the sod covered the drainage system that was installed with the original surface, Heinz Field was turned into a soggy, muddy mess for a Nov. 26 game against the Miami Dolphins after a severe thunderstorm.

Many of the Steelers players and coach Mike Tomlin are in favor of retaining a grass surface at Heinz Field, primarily because it reduces the amount of stress on joints.

An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Eagles on a grievance that was filed by the NFL players' union on Dallas receiver Terrell Owens' behalf in 2005. The union disputed the Eagles' effort to recover $1,725.000 of the $2.3 million signing bonus the team paid the wide receiver when it signed him to a seven-year, $48.97 million deal in 2004. Owens was suspended four games without pay and the team withheld his final five paychecks, totaling $955,880. That means Owens still owes the Eagles $769,120.

• Former Cowboys coach Dave Campo rejoined the staff yesterday as the secondary coach.

• Linebacker Greg Ellis became the Cowboy's 13th Pro Bowl addition when he was selected to replace Chicago's Lance Briggs.

Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel received a two-year contract extension after leading the Browns to a 10-6 record this season. The extension, believed to be worth about $4 million per season, will keep Crennel under contract through 2011.

Tight end Teyo Johnson signed with the Buffalo Bills, attempting a comeback after missing all of last season with a calf injury. ... Left tackle Marcus McNeill became the San Diego Chargers' ninth Pro Bowler this season, filling in for Baltimore's Jonathan Ogden.