New deal for Lindell
Buffalo Bills kicker Rian Lindell agreed to a five-year contract extension, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The deal, worth close to $10 million, was reached this week, Lindell’s agent Paul Sheehy said Wednesday. Lindell is a seven-year veteran in his fourth season with Buffalo.
“The No. 1 thing was to get the deal done and stay in Buffalo,” Sheehy said, noting that Lindell, who played at Washington State University, is happy with being part of one of the NFL’s dominant special teams units.
Lindell has hit 23 of 25 field-goal attempts, a 92 percent success rate that’s a single-season best. He’s been particularly effective kicking in the blustery conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium, while also going 10 of 12 from 40 yards or longer, including two from longer than 50.
Steelers plan as usual
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are determined to win one for Bill Cowher, they’re certainly not acting like it.
With the Steelers (7-8) out of playoff contention, the focus for their season-ending game Sunday at Cincinnati has shifted to the possible resignation of Bill Cowher less than 11 months after he coached them to a Super Bowl victory.
Except, it seems, in their locker room.
“No, that’s not the motivation,” linebacker Joey Porter said. “I don’t think nobody is using that, because he’s never said anything like that to us. That’s not a motivational speech you can use until somebody says it.”
Cowher plans to announce his future plans next week – a sign that the NFL coach with the longest current tenure with a single team may be ready to retire or temporarily step out of the NFL after 15 seasons in Pittsburgh. He has one season left on a contract he signed in 2004, but has made no move to sign an extension.
Lemon gets first start
It’s a week of breakthroughs for quarterback Cleo Lemon, who threw his first career touchdown pass and looks forward to his first NFL start.
The third-year pro will replace Joey Harrington in the Miami Dolphins’ lineup Sunday against Indianapolis, coach Nick Saban said.
“It’s important for us to see where this guy is,” Saban said. “I think he deserves the opportunity.”
Taylor speaks out
Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor said the candidacy of his likely chief rival for NFL defensive player of the year, Shawne Merriman, was tainted by a four-game steroid suspension in November.
“You really shouldn’t be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with,” Taylor said. “To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you’re walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.”
Merriman, who plays outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, has denied he’s a steroid cheat and blamed his positive test on a tainted supplement.
“A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is,” Taylor said. “You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it’s not right, it’s against the rules and ultimately I think it’s sending the wrong message to the youth in America.”
When told of Taylor’s comments, Merriman said he tries to be a good role model, adding he has taken his punishment for the positive drug test. “If I wasn’t having the kind of season I’m having, this wouldn’t even be a conversation.”
Around the league
Two months after raising the possibility of retirement, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said he would return in 2007. … Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot will miss the last game of the season because of a jaw broken in five places in a recent car accident. … Rather than test free agency at the end of the season, injured Tampa Bay QB Chris Simms is remaining with the Buccaneers after signing a two-year contract extension. … The Washington Redskins placed cornerback Shawn Springs on injured reserve and released cornerback Mike Rumph. … Cincinnati Bengals center Rich Braham, 36, will retire after the final regular-season game, ending a 13-year career. … Baltimore Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden did not practice and will almost certainly sit out the Sunday’s game against Buffalo with a hyperextended left big toe. … Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme practiced for the first time in more than three weeks and could play Sunday against New Orleans.