Cowher, Steelers stop contract negotiation
Bill Cowher is no longer negotiating a contract extension with the Steelers, making this the first time since he was hired in 1992 that he’ll start the season with only two years left on his deal to coach Pittsburgh.
The team wants to renew talks with Cowher at season’s end, but announced Tuesday it wants Cowher to focus on coaching the returning Super Bowl champions. Pittsburgh has a long-standing policy of not negotiating contracts during the season.
Cowher, whose current deal runs through 2007, has been talking with the Steelers about an extension since shortly after the Steelers won the Super Bowl in February.
“I remain optimistic and hopeful that we will be able to conclude a contract extension which will keep Bill coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for many more years,” team president Art Rooney II said. “However, we have all agreed that at this time we will continue those conversations after this season so that Bill’s focus, and the focus of the entire organization can be on the excitement and challenge of defending the Super Bowl championship.”
Failed exam voids Suggs trade
Running back Lee Suggs failed his physical with New York Jets, voiding his trade from Cleveland.
Suggs, who has had a myriad of injuries throughout his four-year career, was brought in to help bolster the group of backs struggling without the injured Curtis Martin. Now, he is headed back to the Browns. Cornerback Derrick Strait, who was sent to Cleveland in the deal made Monday, returns to New York.
Vikings top pick out for season
Rookie linebacker Chad Greenway, Minnesota’s first-round draft pick, is out for the season, the result of a knee injury he sustained in Minnesota’s first exhibition game.
Greenway was hurt covering a kickoff in Monday night’s 16-13 loss to Oakland. An MRI test in the morning confirmed the injury.
While he has been the backup weak-side linebacker to E.J. Henderson, Greenway was destined for a significant role in the defense, especially on passing downs.
Around the league
San Diego Chargers kick returner Darren Sproles will miss the season with a broken left leg. Sproles was placed on injured reserve, a day after having surgery on his fractured fibula. … Carolina All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith looked sharp in his return to practice after missing more than two weeks with a strained hamstring. … Kicker Adam Vinatieri, the Indianapolis Colts’ biggest off-season acquisition, missed morning practice with a sprained left ankle. … Washington cornerback Shawn Springs underwent surgery to repair to a muscle tear in his lower abdomen and is expected to be sidelined three to six weeks. … Cincinnati waived defensive tackle Matthias Askew, one of five Bengals accused of breaking the law in the past three months.