Remember all those rumored misgivings between Ben Roethlisberger and his offensive coordinator? Sure seems like a long time ago. After leading the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense to its greatest statistical season in franchise history, Todd Haley has been given a two-year extension, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Steelers sign OC Todd Haley to extension, Kurt Warner would have considered comeback
A record-breaking year by the Pittsburgh offense earned Haley an extension, while Warner told Dan Patrick that he would have listened if the Cardinals came calling.
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The Steelers finished second in the league with 411 yards per game and seventh in scoring at 27.3 points per game. Roethlisberger, who so often butted heads with Haley in their first two years together, put up career highs in completions and completion percentage. Antonio Brown led the league in receptions and receiving yards. Le'Veon Bell led the AFC in rushing yards.
Pittsburgh's offense did falter against a tough Baltimore Ravens defense in a 30-17 wild card loss, but overall it was a highly successful season for Haley. And just think, it was less than five months ago that he was getting cussed out by Snoop Dogg.
Warner was serious about coming back to the Cardinals
Kurt Warner -- yes, 43-year-old, retired-in-2010 Kurt Warner -- seriously considered an NFL comeback last month. Warner said on The Dan Patrick Show that had Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians approached him about stepping in after injuries to Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton, he would have given it significant thought.
“There was a scenario where I would have considered it,” Warner said. “I don’t know what I would have done.”
Instead, the Cardinals stuck with third-stringer Ryan Lindley, who threw for just 82 yards and two picks in an ugly first-round playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Even if Arians had wanted to sign Warner, he would have had to clear waivers. Since the Panthers were ahead of the Cardinals in the waiver order, they could have scooped up Warner just to block him from Arizona. But it would have made for one hell of a story line if he’d suited up again.
Washington won't keep defensive assistant from interviewing with Giants
In a somewhat unusual turn of events, Washington is allowing defensive backs coach Raheem Morris the go-ahead to interview for the defensive coordinator opening with the NFC East rival New York Giants, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post.
Washington has already fired its own defensive coordinator, Jim Haslett, so there’s no guarantee that Morris will be retained on the staff anyway. But coaching moves within NFL divisions are typically blocked, which makes Morris’ green light with the Giants interesting.
Morris has never served as coordinator before but his Tampa-2 system could be a good fit for the Giants, who fired Perry Fewell earlier this week.
Clary announces retirement
After nine years with the San Diego Chargers, Jeromey Clary announced his retirement on Thursday. The 31-year-old offensive lineman did not play at all last year after undergoing two hip surgeries.
Prior to that, however, Clary had been an iron man. He started 93 of 103 career games, playing in 2,413 consecutive offensive snaps between 2009 and 2012. A sixth-round pick in 2006, he alternated between right tackle and right guard for most of his career.
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