INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a deal with nose tackle Casey Hampton and placed the franchise tag on kicker Jeff Reed.

GETS NEW DEAL—This Sept. 10, 2009 photo shows Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Casey Hampton on the sideline during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field.

ESPN first reported the agreement with Hampton, and Kevin Colbert, the team’s director of football operations, confirmed it Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. ESPN reported the deal was for three-years and $21 million, including $11 million guaranteed. Colbert declined to offer specifics.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill has received the Paul “Tank” Younger Award for diversity in his hiring practices.

BIDWELL HONORED—Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwell answers questions during media day for the NFL’s Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida, Jan. 27, 2009.

The award is presented by the Fritz Pollard Alliance, formed in 2003 to promote diversity and equality of job opportunity in coaching, front office and scouting staffs in the NFL. The award recognizes individuals for their “extraordinary contributions toward diversity in the NFL.”

by Michael Marot

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Safety Myron Rolle figured out the proper balance between football and academics long ago.

His priority: Becoming a neurosurgeon after football ends in 10 to 12 years.

So could his passion for football wind up ruining the precious hands of a future surgeon?

‘ROLLE’ MODEL —Florida State safety and Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle waits for for NFL draft.

“That’s not something I really worry about,” Rolle said Sunday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine. “When I’m on the football field, I’m a football player. I’m tough, I’m physical, I’m aggressive and I like contact. I want to do some violent things on the field. That’s the total opposite of how you need to be as a neurosurgeon.”

As far as the state of the 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers is concerned, I will attempt to clarify and validate my position by comparing some elements of the 2009 squad to an old liars’ club story. A member asked one of his cronies what was the worst house he had ever seen. He answered, “I once saw a house that was in such disrepair I thought I was having an illusion. This place had to be blown up before it was fit to be remodeled.”

Well the nucleus of the 2010 Steelers isn’t quite that bad but there are facets of the team that need a bit of retooling starting with the “Dee…..fense.”