McGahee didn't think it was imperative for him to attend the team's OTA sessions

Even though running back Willis McGahee is coming off a torn MCL and a broken leg and even though Denver has three other legit running backs on the roster, McGahee still didn't think it was imperative for him to attend the team's OTA sessions.

Now, he's no longer on the roster, as the Broncos announced Thursday they have released McGahee.

That leaves second-round pick Montee Ball, Knowshon Moreno and Ronnie Hillman to compete for playing time.

As Evan Hilbert wrote last month, McGahee's decision to skip voluntary offseason workouts was typical of his annual schedule, but Hilbert also wondered if “he might be sending the wrong message” and “he might be making it easy on the Broncos who could decide to part with his $2.5 million contract in 2013.”

Though the result ultimately isn't THAT shocking, the timing is a little surprising, because McGahee reported to work earlier this week for mandatory minicamp and practiced.

"I'm always on the bubble," McGahee said after his first practice. "Not too much you can do. It's a business. If something happens, it happens."

On Thursday, something happened.

“It's never easy to part ways with a veteran player who made so many positive contributions to our team and community,” Broncos executive John Elway said in a statement. “I appreciate all of the competitiveness, toughness and leadership Willis brought to the Broncos. He was an integral part of our team's turnaround during the past two seasons, and I wish him the best as he continues his NFL career.”

While Tim Tebow gets much of the credit for leading the Broncos to the 2011 AFC West title, McGahee was probably just as important, rushing for 1,199 yards and four touchdowns while earning the second Pro Bowl bid of his nine-year career.

But the problem with McGahee is his injury history and the fact he'll turn 32 in October. Considering the Broncos seem to like Ball quite a bit, this move probably shouldn't have been surprising after all.

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Under LeBeau, the Steelers have consistently ranked among the best defenses in the league

There are questions every year about whether Dick LeBeau will retire as the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator. And, every year, he returns to direct one of the top defenses in the NFL.

Asked about his future at the Steelers' mandatory minicamp Wednesday, the 75-year-old LeBeau was noncommittal, saying, "I don't think, because of the situation I'm in, it would be very productive to think about it. I go one day at a time really and one year at a time and feel blessed that I'm still in the game and surrounded with young people that are working hard. I don't worry too much about the future. Some of us don't have as much future as some of the others."

The speculation of LeBeau retiring has increased since January 2012, when linebackers coach Keith Butler turned down the opportunity to become the Indianapolis Colts' defensive coordinator. Butler is considered the coordinator-in-waiting because of his experience with the Steelers and knowledge of their 3-4 defense.

Under LeBeau, the Steelers have consistently ranked among the best defenses in the league. Over the past five seasons, the Steelers have finished No. 1 in fewest yards allowed and fewest points allowed three times. Last season, Pittsburgh allowed 275.8 yards per game, which was 15 yards per game fewer than any other defense in the NFL.

Some suggest the Steelers haven't been the most dominating defense. Pittsburgh has struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback as well as turnovers the past two years.

Still, linebacker LaMarr Woodley doesn't think he will see LeBeau retire during his playing days.

"It's like Paterno at Penn State," Woodley said.

What Woodley admires most about LeBeau is his knowledge of the game.

"Not only from his playing experience from all of those years and all of those years from being a coach, he's speaking from both sides," Woodley said. "The thing I like about him is when he makes a play call, he does it off top of his head. He doesn't actually look at his sheet and do it."

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