The Steelers have pulled off a pair of fascinating trades in the past week. They were able to reacquire quarterback Byron Leftwich and cornerback Bryant McFadden for virtually nothing. Leftwich cost them a seventh-round choice, but the Steelers received a seventh-round compensatory choice after he left in free agency in 2009. Three things made the McFadden deal even better. First, the Steelers received a fifth-round compensatory pick after he left for Arizona in 2009. Second, they were able to get him to sign a new contract worth $2.5 million a year, $1 million a year less than what they were willing to pay him in 2009. Third, Pittsburgh's defense missed McFadden because William Gay wasn't ready to replace him.Strong trade winds: The high number of trades is getting interesting. The Bears' trade of linebacker Jamar Williams to Carolina for safety Chris Harris was the 56th trade of the year. Including that trade, 38 players have gone to teams in trades compared to 45 going to teams as unrestricted free agents. Faneca update: Things might not move too quickly on the Alan Faneca front even though he's clearly one of the hottest names added to the free-agent list. The Bears and Steelers may be a no, but the Texans are among a handful of teams that made contact. Faneca is still stinging from his release from the Jets, so he wants to make sure he goes to the right place.Surface tension: One of the problems facing halfback Brian Westbrook is that he might have to sign with a team that plays on artificial turf to continue his career. Turf is an issue that he's thinking about in his conversations with the St. Louis Rams. Westbrook has had leg troubles for years. He could have been a good fit in Minnesota until the Vikings traded up to get Toby Gerhart in the draft.