--The Steelers placed the franchise tag on OT Max Starks, a move that will keep him from entering free agency unless another team is willing to give up two first-round draft picks to sign him. He is guaranteed $8,451,000 in salary for the 2009 season. Starks was named a transition player by the Steelers last season and guaranteed $6.9 million, but he did not become a starter until Marvel Smith left the fifth game with back problems. Starks started every game after that.
--LB coach Keith Butler spoke by phone with Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt about becoming the Cardinals' defensive coordinator, but it did not work out. Butler had recent hip surgery and that likely limited his availability.
--Mike Tomlin's coaching staff will return for a third straight season without a change. There have been no additions or subtractions since Tomlin put together his first staff in 2007.
--Tomlin is due for a contract extension. He signed a four-year, $10 million contract in 2007 and the Steelers traditionally negotiate an extension with their head coaches when they still have two years left.
--Charities are making money all over the place for Santonio Holmes' Super Bowl-winning TD catch. The NFL fined him $10,000 for celebrating that catch, money that goes to charity. And an auction of the Reebok black and gold gloves he wore while making the reception brought in $70,200 to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "If you have one of the better guards in the league, you try to keep him." -- Ken Vierra, Chris Kemoeatu's agent, on expected negotiations with the Steelers before he can become a UFA Feb. 27.
