Steelers lock up Tomlin until 2012

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed coach Mike Tomlin to a two-year contract extension through the 2012 season, with an option year in 2013.

The extension was expected because the Steelers’ policy has been to sign a coach before he begins the final season of a contract. Tomlin is only the Steelers’ third coach since 1969, following Chuck Noll (1969-91) and Bill Cowher (1992-2006).

Tomlin is 31-17 in three seasons. During the 2008 season, he became the youngest coach — he was 36 — to win the Super Bowl when the Steelers beat Arizona 27-23.

The Steelers were 9-7 and missed the playoffs last season. They open training camp July 30 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.

Cowboys

SAN ANTONIO

Jerry Jones knows this is going to be a special season for the Cowboys as they mark 50 years as an organization. He hopes it will be super.

The Cowboys owner has big expectations for his team, which has now gone an unprecedented 14 seasons without winning a Super Bowl championship. And the next Super Bowl will be played in their own stadium in February.

On the day before training camp opens, Jones said Friday that “things look pretty good” right now but acknowledged it may not be any semblance of what happens after the “long journey” of the season.

helmet study

NEW YORK

The results of an independent study commissioned by the NFL and the players’ union show modern helmets perform better than those from a decade ago, though it stressed that no helmet can prevent concussions. The results were forwarded to teams along with a memo from commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday. The NFL wants teams to provide the information to players.