As far as “cheerleaders” go, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been a pretty good one. Tomlin is 111-63 as a head coach, a two-time AFC Champion and one-time Super Bowl Champion. He was the Coach of the Year in 2008 and, Friday, he was rewarded for his success with a contract extension that will keep him leading the cheering section on the Steelers’ sideline through the 2020 season.
Statement from Coach Tomlin following his contract extension: pic.twitter.com/42bzdRmDAC
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 4, 2017
Tomlin’s win total had already triggered a vesting option in his previous contract that kept him through 2019. The new deal likely tosses some money on top of that with the extra year added in.
“I am pleased to announce we have extended Mike Tomlin’s contract through the 2020 season,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Mike continues to prove he is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League. We appreciate the leadership that Mike has provided over the last 10 seasons, and we are confident and excited to have him continue to lead our team as we focus on winning another championship.”
We have extended Coach Mike Tomlin’s contract through the 2020 season.
MORE: https://t.co/th8Cp3vYQf pic.twitter.com/V0yKzupwlJ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 4, 2017
Tomlin has proven that in spite of criticisms from former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Last year, as Tomlin was guiding the Steelers to the AFC Championship, Bradshaw told FS1 that, “I don’t think he (Tomlin) is a great coach at all. He’s a nice coach. He’s really a great cheerleader guy. I don’t know what he does, but I don’t think he’s a great coach at all. His name never even pops in my mind when we think about great coaches in the NFL.”
Bradshaw took some heat for that and walked it back some, saying he chose a poor word in “cheerleader,” instead saying that “motivator” would be a better choice. After the Steelers shit the bed thoroughly in the AFC Title game, mainly by being completely outcoached, Bradshaw took significantly less heat.
congrats on the well deserved contract extension @CoachTomlin
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) August 4, 2017
Tomlinson has led the Steelers since the 2007 season, replacing a retiring Bill Cowher. Under Tomlin, the Steelers have never posted a losing record and are 8-6 in the playoffs with two Super Bowl appearances.
“I truly appreciate this contract extension, and I want to thank Art Rooney II for his support as well as everyone within the organization,” Tomlin said. “My first 10 years in Pittsburgh have been an amazing experience for me and my family. I’m proud to call Pittsburgh home. My focus is on the upcoming season, and our goals remain the same as they always are — to bring a seventh Super Bowl championship back to our city.”
Tomlin is much more than a cheerleader, obviously. He just needs to do better against the New England Patriots. If not for himself, for all of civilization.
Ravens bring in Austin Howard
The Baltimore Ravens have already been hit hard by the injury bug this preseason so they didn’t let a quality player twist in the wind in free agency long. Friday, the Ravens signed former Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Austin Howard to a three-year contract worth $16 million with $5.5 million the first season.
In a related move, the Ravens cut tight end Crockett Gilmore, who was injured last week.
FA OT Austin Howard is signing a 3-year deal with the #Ravens, source said. Just chose them over the #Texans, who he visited.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2017
Howard was being wooed by the Houston Texans as well, but decided to toss his lot in with Baltimore. Howard has been banged up some the last two seasons, but has started every game he was healthy since his second year in the league with the New York Jets. Howard was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Iowa in 2010.
Tom Brady dodges concussion question
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady couldn’t avoid a little controversy this off-season, but this time it wasn’t from deflated footballs or spy cameras. Instead, it was his wife, Gisele Bundchen, who revealed she thought Brady suffered an undiagnosed concussion last season. Brady has never officially denied it, even tough the Patriots and NFL said he passed all the protocols.
Friday, Brady was pressed on the issue by reporters.
“You know, I don’t want to get into things that happened in my past, certainly medical history and so forth,” Brady said. “I don’t really think that’s anybody’s business. So, you know, what happened last year, I’m just focused on this year and improving and working on things I need to get better at. So that’s how I approach everything. I mean I’m not sitting here worried about last year or five years ago. There’s other people that do worry about that: my wife or my parents or my sisters or people that love me and care about me. But I do the best I can do to come out and be prepared to play and mentally and physically and I’ll give the game everything I can.”
Brady turned 40 years old Thursday.
Other NFL News
The Los Angeles Chargers cut defensive back Darrell Stuckey after he failed his physical Friday. Stuckey has made a Pro Bowl on special teams and recorded 66 tackles and six fumble recoveries in his career as a gunner. If Stuckey can get healthy, he’ll likely find a job pretty easily.
Wide receiver Bruce Ellington wasn’t unemployed long. Of all teams, the New York Jets picked up the former San Francisco 49er off waivers Friday. They also signed former Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Devon Still. Ellington missed all last season with an injury. He served as the 49ers’ primary kick and punt returner from 2014-2015. Still spent time last season with the Houston Texans where he appeared in three games and recorded three tackles. His first three seasons were spent with the Bengals. In his career, he has 43 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three passes defended.
Green Bay Packers rookie cornerback Kevin King missed Tuesday’s practice dealing with a shoulder injury, but returned Thursday and was tossed right into the starting line up according to ESPN.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis is considered week to week with a hamstring injury. The Titans drafted Davis at No. 5 in the first round in April’s NFL Draft. Last season with Western Michigan, Davis caught 97 passes for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The Los Angeles Rams will officially be the most well-traveled team in the NFL for the second year in a row. The Rams will travel a total of 32,600 miles in their road schedule, thanks to a game in London, England. The Oakland Raiders are second with 30,899 miles and the Arizona Cardinals third with 30,035 miles. The team with the shortest distance to travel? The Pittsburgh Steelers who will log a piddling 6,694 miles this season.
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