Steelers Extend Flowers' Deal

After losing star defensive back Carnell Lake and receiver Charles Johnson to free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers Tuesday re-signed starting strong safety Lethon Flowers to a multiyear contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but reports say that Flowers signed a four-year deal worth $10 million.

Flowers, 26, is the second unrestricted free agent to re-sign with the Steelers, joining tight end Mark Bruener.

But the Steelers suffered two major hits with the departure of Lake and Johnson. Lake, a four-time Pro Bowl player, signed a four-year, $18 million contract with division rival Jacksonville last Friday and Johnson reached agreement on a five-year deal with Philadelphia earlier Tuesday.

Completing his first year as a starter in 1998, Flowers finished as the Steelers' second-leading tackler with 117 total stops, including 94 solo tackles. He also forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and was credited with a sack, 6 1/2 tackles for losses and five passes defensed.

The 6-foot, 211-pound safety spent his first three seasons as one of the team's top special teams players. He was the special teams captain in 1997, but missed six weeks due to a sprained knee. Flowers led the team with 30 special teams tackles in 1996.

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