The Facts: With fellow receiver Mike Wallace about to enter free agency, Brown knows that he could be called upon to carry more of the load going into the 2013 season. He feels ready for whatever comes his way, and knows every extra bit of work he puts in this offseason will help to ensure that. “I am always ready,” said Brown.

Diehards Line:Apparently so. ... According to Steelers.com's Teresa Varley, Brown has been working at the team's facility this month. With no required workouts until OTAs begin in the spring, Brown didn’t have to be there. He could have easily stayed home. But instead he stayed on course, as he has done since the season ended, working out one his own either at the team’s facility or elsewhere. “The battle is ongoing. It’s never ending,” said Brown. “If you want to be your best, you have to outwork your opponent. My opponent is not just someone I am competing against, but I am my biggest opponent. I know if I compete against myself every day I am working to be my best. ...” The Steelers lost several veteran leaders before the 2012 season, and with three years now under his belt Brown knows he needs to take on that kind of role. He might also need to take more of a lead in production too. The 2011 team MVP became more unreliable last season but remains dangerous after the catch. But asking him to serve as the team's No. 1 receiver might be a reach. It will be interesting to see what the team does to fill Wallace's shoes (assuming the speedster moves on as expected).