If you blinked, you might have missed Steelers defensive lineman Nick Eason's fleeting career with the Broncos.

Eason, a 2003 fourth-round pick, tore his Achilles' tendon as a rookie, spent time on the practice squad the next season and was waived in September 2004.

But he did make headlines - many, in fact - early in his brief Denver tenure.

He left his first training camp unannounced after four days. He didn't return until three days later, saying he had been "stressed out with a lot of different things."

Eason can laugh about that time now, particularly with a chance at winning a Super Bowl ring Sunday. But he said his early actions probably set a bad tone for his Broncos career.

"It was a bad rookie mistake on my end, leaving," he said. "For me, though, not knowing how the media was going to react, it was a learning experience for me, like, 'Holy (cow).' I was a fourth-round pick. You would think no one would care. But I know now that regardless of who you are, you're under the eagle eye."

Eason said he bolted Broncos camp was because of a "family circumstance" that happened in the middle of the night.

"I got up and left. And I was on a plane and when I finally landed and the media was like, 'Ohhh!' I didn't know what to do," he said. "By that time, (the emergency) was already over. I was gone three days, but I was already back before I came back to practice. (The Broncos) knew that, too. But they didn't disclose that to the media."

Eason's time in Denver began a six-year NFL journey through Cleveland and, finally, Pittsburgh. He played in 15 games this season and in both postseason contests for the Steelers as a reserve defensive end.

Eason described his Broncos days as "just one thing after another" but also a springboard for his current success.

"It obviously wasn't the place for me since I'm not there. But they got my foot in the door," he said.

"So I'm not mad or despise them or felt they should have kept me. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here. It's hard to say that. But they drafted me and put me in a good spot financially for me and my family. It just didn't work out."

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is 71 years old and notified the team this week he wants to return next season.

But he admitted he's not surprised by the hiring of young coaches such as Josh McDaniels in Denver and Raheem Morris in Tampa Bay, especially having worked alongside Mike Tomlin.

"I think all coaching is a young man's job, really," LeBeau said. "I don't think there's any question about that. I've been blessed. But is it a young man's job? I think invariably most coaches are going to say yes. There is something to be said in all walks of employment for experience. The older you are, hopefully, you are more experienced, but sometimes you wonder. But you should get better every year. Hopefully, that's the case."

OH, BABY

Cardinals wideout Steve Breaston shouldn't be here.

We're not talking about Super Bowl XLIII; he shouldn't be with us.

One of Arizona's three 1,000-yard receivers, Breaston was born three years after his mother, Charlene, underwent surgery to have her tubes tied after the birth of three other sons.

"Every day's a blessing and I don't take nothing for granted," Breaston said. "With all the experiences I've had in my life, I'm glad my mother believed in me and faced up to the challenge."

Breaston's mother didn't want to terminate the pregnancy. She didn't believe in abortion. And here he is, 25 years later.

So, he won't be the only Little Steven on the NFL's biggest stage Sunday.

"When you're not expecting kids and it happens, it's kind of crazy," Breaston said. "The biggest thing is, you know how a lot of kids have sibling rivalries? I can honestly say I never had that with my brothers. All of them take care of me."

Even if at times they have had fun with the fact Breaston initially wasn't meant to be.

"They tell me they found me on the front doorstep," he said. "But they always support me."

RAISING HIS VOICE

He was quietly one of the NFL's best defensive players, emphasis on the quiet.

But this season, the Cardinals asked safety Adrian Wilson to speak up - and lead.

The eight-year pro had to leave his reserved personality behind and become a mentor, at coach Ken Whisenhunt's behest, to young players such as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Antrel Rolle.

"Just being able to grow into that leadership role has really been a difficult transition for me," Wilson said. "I really don't talk much to the guys, and I like for my play to speak for itself and really show guys the way to do it."

INJURY REPORT

* Arizona running back J.J. Arrington was held out of the special-teams session at the end of practice because Whisenhunt wanted to avoid Arrington tweaking his knee in rainy, slippery conditions.

* The Steelers denied an Internet report quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent X-rays on his back this week after a hard shot to the upper torso in the AFC Championship Game.

* Hines Ward (sprained knee) took part in the Steelers' one-hour, 55-minute practice at the University of South Florida.

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