PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers tried finding out last weekend if they can improve by subtraction, rather than addition.

The Steelers underwent numerous changes following their unexpectedly bad 6-10 season in 2003, but most of the revamping was the result of players leaving rather than players arriving.

The secondary has a new look following the release of free safety Brent Alexander and the demotion of strong safety Mike Logan to a backup role, but new starters Chris Hope and Troy Polamalu were already on the team.

"He's ready," coach Bill Cowher said of Hope, who lined up with the starters during the first day of minicamp Friday. "It's his time, just like it is for Clark (Haggans, an outside linebacker). There are guys out there that need to step up and, hopefully, seize the opportunity."

Haggans, is taking over for former All-Pro linebacker Jason Gildon, who will not be brought back. The Steelers are waiting until June 1 to release Gildon so they can save money under the salary cap.

The Steelers' only major offseason pickup was running back Duce Staley, who will share time with Jerome Bettis in a two-back role that didn't work very well last season with Bettis and Amos Zereoue, who is now with Oakland.

Cowher and his assistant coaches are getting their first look this weekend at one of the Steelers' largest rookie draft classes in recent years, but it may be one that doesn't yield a single starter this season.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the No. 11 overall pick, and second-round cornerback Richard Colclough of Division II Tusculum will be brought along slowly and aren't being counted upon to start immediately.

Even though Roethlisberger's addition has created considerable doubts about Tommy Maddox's longterm future with the club, Maddox will open training camp July 30 as the starter - and a more highly paid one, too. The Steelers and agent Vann McElroy have started preliminary negotiations on an upgraded contract for Maddox, who is due to make $750,000 under a contract he signed while still a backup in 2002.

Third-round pick Max Starks may get a shot to start at right tackle, but he played left tackle at Florida and probably needs time to adjust not only to a new position, but to the NFL.

The Steelers have many other questions that weren't answered during the three-day minicamp that wrapped up Sunday, but must be addressed before their Sept. 12 opener against the Raiders:

Who will start, Staley or Bettis?

Bettis has a strong December after spending about half the 2003 season on the bench, but it didn't prevent the Steelers from finishing 31st in rushing just two years after they led the league.

The Steelers presumably didn't sign Staley to a $14 million contract to be a role player off the bench, but the former Philadelphia Eagles star said there are enough carries in Pittsburgh's offense to satisfy both runners.

"We definitely run the ball," Staley said. "It's not something I'm used to, and I'm looking forward to getting used to it. Running the ball is definitely good. The last three years we were in the NFC championship game, but we didn't run the ball so we didn't win."

Staley had 1,000-yard seasons with Philadelphia in 1998, 1999 and 2002, but he ran for only 457 yards last season while getting 172 fewer carries than in 2002. He gained 79 yards in Philadelphia's 14-3 upset loss to Carolina in the NFC championship game, but on only 13 carries.

Can they find a reliable right tackle? For now, Oliver Ross, Todd Fordham, Barrett Brooks and Starks will compete, but the Steelers might try to pick up an inexpensive tackle after June 1.

Do they have enough depth at tight end? Jay Riemersma was injured much of last season and caught only 12 passes, yet is expected to start. Jerame Tuman is an adequate blocker, but isn't as skilled as the recently released Mark Bruener.

Is outside linebacker a weakened position? The position is critical in the Steelers' 3-4 defense, but moving Haggans to starter leaves them with little depth. Alonzo Jackson, last year's second-round draft pick, did nothing as a rookie.