NFL: Steelers, Tomlin reach 3-year deal

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Steelers have given coach Mike Tomlin a three-year contract extension.

The paper said team president Art Rooney negotiated the deal. The terms were not available. The Steelers had no comment Tuesday.

The team hired Tomlin in 2007. He had one year and an option left on his five-year deal, which was worth about $2.5 million annually.

Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl win in 2008, but then they went 9-7 the next year.

T.O.'s concerns. Free agent receiver Terrell Owens said he's concerned that teams are swayed by the perception that he's a troublemaker, and he said that's why none have signed him.

Owens said in New York that his season in Buffalo proved he won't be a distraction. Owens argues that his statistics from 2009 are deceiving because the Bills dealt with coaching upheaval and offensive-line injuries. The 36-year-old says he can still be an elite NFL receiver.

Owens said that talk that he has unrealistic salary demands is untrue.

He said he is comfortable with waiting until after training camp starts to sign with a team.

For now, he's staying busy promoting his reality show on VH1. The second season premiered Sunday.

Lawrence Taylor in court. The Hall of Fame linebacker pleaded not guilty to an indictment alleging he had sex with a 16-year-old girl in a New York hotel room.

Taylor is accused of paying $300 to the girl, a Bronx runaway, for their encounter in May. Taylor pleaded not guilty through his lawyer to third-degree rape, patronizing a prostitute, sexual abuse, and endangering a child.

He was arrested May 6 after the girl's uncle contacted New York police. He could be imprisoned for up to four years if convicted.

Defense attorney Arthur Aidala said Taylor would challenge the girl's identification of him. Aidala also said the defense would look into whether all statements made in the case were voluntary.

"A plea bargain is possible at any time in any case," he said in response to questions. But in this case, he added, "there is no plea bargain. There is no offer."

Titans draftee charged. David Howard, a Brown University defensive lineman drafted in the spring by Tennessee, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge in Providence, R.I.

He was accused in April 2009 of punching and kicking a customer at a bar where he was working as a bouncer. He entered the plea Monday to a charge of simple assault.