Has anyone else wondered if there was not an NFL lockout this summer, would Western Pennsylvania fans be talking about the upcominHas anyone else wondered if there was not an NFL lockout this summer, would Western Pennsylvania fans be talking about the upcoming training camp — or the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Steelers have not been a topic of conversation at all this summer.

If it wasn’t for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s camp at Seneca Valley last month, you wouldn’t have given him a second thought.

Hines Ward?

Thank goodness for his turn on Dancing With The Stars and winning the Mirrored Ball trophy.

He’s stayed in the public eye because of that and had a public gathering recently to celebrate with the city that helped put Ward and dance partner Kym Johnson over the top.

Other Steelers?

If it wasn’t for print and television spots, you might not even see them.

Isn’t Steelers Nation developing itself into a froth right about now, gearing up for the 2011 season and trying to get themselves back to the Super Bowl.

Remember, 31-25? The Steelers down 21-3 in the Super Bowl? Everyone should be chomping at the bit to will the Steelers back into the championship game, right?

I would think with no lockout, it would be crazy around here — exhibition games are still slated in a month — but the Pirates’ success so far has turned attention away to what may have been a dismal summer.

With no football so far, the Bucs have filled in admirably and made summer baseball around here fun again.

But, getting back to football, what about the NFL?

It seemed a week ago that most of the rhetoric and grandstanding would be over, that both sides were closing in on a deal and that the Fourth of July seemed the ideal day that peace and harmony would reign down between the owners and the players.

That date has come and gone and football fans — although there still is high school football on the horizon for Friday nights and college football on Saturdays — are left wondering what’s going to happen to the NFL.

The first exhibition game is slated for Aug. 7 with the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Rams in the Hall of Fame game.

It would seem sad to have the Hall of Fame weekend festivities without a game. That would only begin the slow realization that the season is in trouble.

The teams could play an abbreviated season, but other than playing divisional games, how would you keep it fair?

At this point, it’s the owners who will miss out on the windfall from exhibition games. They certainly don’t want to miss out on that.

To keep the schedule on track, things need to be hammered out within the next two weeks.

At that point, football fans can panic.

But at least Pittsburgh has the Pirates. What perfect timing to have your best season in 19 years.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.