Tomlin Extended

Wow. Really?

This is a big shocker to everyone who follows football, or the Steelers. In Tomlin's five years as the head man in the Burgh, he is 55-28 in the regular season, 5-3 in the postseason with a combined record of 60-28.

Lets not forget about those two AFC titles, in their two attempts, and that illustrious record sixth Super Bowl. The Steelers have also won the AFC North three times and finished second once. Following the 2008 season, where he became the youngest head coach to win a championship, he was named Motorola Coach of the Year.

He is a very intelligent person. Exemplifies the qualities we value in Pittsburgh, integrity, honor, class and a winner. How could you do this Rooneys? Oh, wait.

Congratulations to Tomlin and SteelerNation. Can't wait to see how the next five years go.

Buche Signed

The Steelers announced the signing of free agent offensive lineman, Bridger Buche. Buche, pronounced Bo-key, was one the top lineman in the MAC. In 2009 he was selected as a preseason honorable mention by Phil Steele and was awarded an Iron Eagle Award in 2011 by EMU staff.

Buche has NFL size, standing 6'3 and weighing in at 305lbs. Even though he started his collegiate career at tight end before being moved to offensive tackle in 2008, Buche became a cog starting 25 of the 30 games he played in. He did miss an the entire 2009 season with a hip injury, but returned to start all twelve games in 2010.

Realistically, Mike Adams, Max Starks and Marcus Gilbert will have roster spots. So, with Willie Colon moving to guard, Buche will compete with Chris Scott and Kyle Jolly for the fourth tackle spot. Jolly has the size and experience with the Steelers, as does Scott, but I don't think you can count out this former EMU Eagle. From the little I've seen of him and from the plethora of things I've read, he has a great motor and is a dependable lineman. We can all agree the Steelers need more of that.

Bridger will wear jersey number 72.

Camp Countdown

With camp less than a week away I can't help but start to feel antsy. I always look forward to my yearly camp trip and its not only because I love the Steelers, but because of my distance away from Latrobe, its usually my only one.

I always sit on defensive side, what can I say? I am a true old school fan. I love my defense more than my offense. This year I am going to go to the same spot and watch the same positions. I will however have more of a focus on a few things.

First, I'm really excited to see Sean Spence and the other young linebackers. With Farrior gone and Foote not what he used to be, its very exciting to see these young talented prospects such as Spence, Sylvester and Robinson (rookie from Temple) possibly being the future in the inside.

Secondly, I'm like every Steelers fan when I say that I'm always curious about the secondary. Ike is getting up there in age and was not very reliable in the post season. To combat that, we have no solid starter on the opposite side and our secondary has been extremely erratic and unpredictable. Luckily for us it appears that Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen will be not only a solid part of our team this season but could bring us a shining future.

Finally, I would be simple minded if I didn't say that our defensive line will be on my watch list. McLendon and Ta'amu are going to be playing a ton this season and with Hampton still recovering from injury. And with Hampton most likely on his way out after this season, they are going to be playing even more in the future. They are big, strong and their ceiling is extremely high.

Camp is almost here. That means that those Black and Gold Sundays, are almost here.

Jonathan Scott Cut

Just a day after the Steelers resigned veteran Max Starks, they have released Jonathan Scott. Scott was largely a disappointment since the Steelers signed him prior to the 2010 season, to help "bolster" the line.

Scott made nine starts in 2010 with another five in 2011. Scott was extremely over matched and looked retched in his starts. He was man handled by everyone including much smaller opponents, even though he stands 6'6 and weighs 318lbs. Scott became extremely expendable after the Steelers drafted Mike Adams and re-signed veteran Max Starks, who has started 80 games in his NFL career.

With the release of Scott, the Steelers will save $2.2 million.

Randle El Retires

With their second pick, 62nd overall in the 2002 draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select QB, Indiana, Antwaan Randle El. Well, it went something like that. The Steelers drafted Randle El to help bolster their receiving corp in their attempt to win a championship. Three years later they did just that and now nine years later El is calling it a career.

In nine years, five with Pittsburgh and four with Washington, El recorded 370 catches for 4,467 yards and 63 touchdowns. He rushed 79 times for 438 yards, returned 311 kicks for 2,557 yards and five touchdowns and 79 punts for 1,759 yards and a touchdown. The former quarterback also had a knack for throwing the ball going 22 of 27 for 323 yards and six touchdowns with no picks.

El set an NFL record for passing rating by a player with at least 20 attempts and is the only receiver in NFL history to throw a touchdown in a Super Bowl. El's final regular season play in Pittsburgh was a touchdown pass to his old friend, Hines Ward.

El, thanks for the memories and thanks for all the good times you supplied with Steeler fans like me.