PITTSBURGH - After sweating through a tough couple of weeks in Latrobe, the Steelers were happy to get the chance to hit people from another team for a change.

They also were ecstatic to hear that holdout wide receiver Hines Ward would be on the sidelines for Monday's preseason opener with Philadelphia.

"It gives us a lot of optimism because our guys know that he's here," said running back Jerome Bettis about the prodigal receiver's return. "All of that other stuff is behind us - it's a shot of adrenaline for him to be on the sideline.

"It was great to see his smiling face," Bettis added. "That's what this team needed. It's good to see him here and know that everything is getting worked out - and (that) he'll be in camp suffering with the rest of us.

Ward said he certainly was excited to be there after being AWOL for 15 days from camp as he held out for a renegotiated contract.

"I'm here. I'm just glad to be back," he said. "I'm very passionate about football and just driving back to the stadium today, seeing all the fans in their black and gold, a lot of chills went through my body."

Ward still has one year left on his present contract and will make $1.66 million this season, but he wants guaranteed money that shoots him into the lofty salary environs of the other premier receivers in the NFL. That money wasn't forthcoming, so Ward stayed home while his teammates headed to St. Vincent College.

The Steelers stuck to their policy of not negotiating with players who won't report to the team, which forced Ward to do just that, he said.

"The team policy is that they don't negotiate with players that aren't in camp," Ward said. "I'm here – that's me showing good faith. I'm here showing that I want to get something resolved and I hope something can come about that both sides can agree on something that is fair."

Ward, however, said that wasn't the only reason he returned to the Steelers' fold.

"I wanted to be here, especially during a game-time situation," Ward said. "I wanted to be here to support the guys. I know they have been very supportive of me."

A talk with head coach Bill Cowher also played a critical part in his return, Ward said.

"I had a long conversation with him (Sunday) night," Ward said. "I need to hear support from my head coach. … I wanted to hear it from the guy who coaches me every day and the guy who has seen me on the field for the past seven years."

"We've been talking the last couple of weeks periodically," Cowher said. "He means a lot to this team. We're hoping we can get this thing rectified in the very, very near future and move on.

"The biggest thing at this point is not to dwell on the unfortunate circumstances that led to him not being here, but let's focus on putting this whole thing behind us and moving on," he added.

The Steelers, who wouldn't comment on Ward's return, didn't promise the receiver anything, and Ward is gambling with his future earnings by not buying an insurance policy to compensate him in case he suffers a serious injury, but Ward said he's not holding anything against the organization.

"This is strictly business," Ward said. "I can't take it personal that my deal hasn't gotten done. This was a business decision and the decision was to hold out.

"For seven years, I think I've laid it all on the line," he added. "I'm here. It's up to the organization now. The ball is in their court."