Quarterback Neil O'Donnell had one piece of advice for a young Justin Hartwig when he became the starting center for the Tennessee Titans in 2003.

He told him to look closely at how his old center with the Steelers did things.

"He kept telling me, 'Justin, turn on the tapes of Dermontti Dawson; watch Dermontti Dawson and you'll know everything you need to know.' "

"I'm well aware of the history of centers here," Hartwig said yesterday as he became the latest to join the ranks of that storied position.

Hartwig, 29, hopes to uphold the reputation the Steelers have had at center for the past four decades. He came to a contract agreement last week that he signed Tuesday in order to compete with Sean Mahan for the starting job.

The Steelers had to create salary cap room to officially sign him. They did so last Thursday by releasing wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, creating $2 million in room. After signing Hartwig, they have $1.3 million in salary cap room.

The long, unbroken string of magnificent center play for the Steelers started with Ray Mansfield in the 1960s and passed through Hall of Famer Mike Webster, Dawson and two-time Pro Bowler Jeff Hartings.

Hartings retired after the 2006 season, and the Steelers signed Mahan, an unrestricted free agent from Tampa Bay, to replace him. Mahan, whose weight dipped under 300 as last season progressed, struggled with some of the bigger nose tackles. Hartwig, who plays between 305 and 310 pounds, has more starting experience at the position.

A right tackle at Kansas, Hartwig converted to center and became the Titans' starter in 2003, his second season. After three years as a starter, he signed a five-year, $17 million contract as an unrestricted free agent with Carolina in 2006.

Hartwig's first season with the Panthers ended after one game because of a torn tendon in his groin. In April 2007, Carolina drafted center Ryan Kalil of Southern California in the second round.

"The Panthers were questioning if I could come back from my injury," Hartwig said. "Subsequently, I did and I started 15 games last year but I think [they released me] for cap reasons -- and they decided they wanted him to be the guy at center."

Now it appears he will be the guy at center for the Steelers, at least that's their thinking as they allow him and Mahan to compete this summer. He's bigger, more experienced and he brings a leadership to an offensive line that could use some after the loss of seven-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca.

"I'm well aware of what kind of line the Steelers have had in the past and what kind of tradition they have," Hartwig said. "They always have one of the best lines in the league. It's a good opportunity and a chance to be part of something special."