Tomlin’s Purr-fect response

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t mind Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw criticizing his performance. It comes with the job.

Bradshaw likening Tomlin to a “cheerleader,” however? Well that’s another matter entirely. Tomlin said Bradshaw’s comments last week describing Tomlin as no more than a rah-rah guy “fall more into the area of disrespect and unprofessional.”

Tomlin is one of eight coaches in league history to win at least 100 games in his first 10 seasons. The Steelers (105) wrapped up the fifth AFC North title of Tomlin’s decade-long tenure with a last-second win over Baltimore on Sunday.

Bradshaw won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh in the 1970s. He said he didn’t view Tomlin as a “great” coach.

Tomlin said he’s fine with that assertion. It’s the “cheerleader” comment that made him raise his eyebrows. Tomlin added, “What do I know? I grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan. Hollywood Henderson in particular.”

Henderson, a former linebacker who faced Bradshaw in a pair of Super Bowls, once said Bradshaw couldn’t spell the word cat “if you spotted him the C and the A.”

The Steelers finish the season on Sunday against Cleveland.

CARR HAS SURGERY

While Derek Carr had surgery to repair his broken right leg, the Oakland Raiders began preparing for a playoff run without their star quarterback.

Carr, expected to be out 6-to-8 weeks, would be sidelined until just after the Super Bowl, meaning Oakland (12-3) will rely on backup Matt McGloin for the postseason run.

The Raiders can clinch the AFC West title and a first-round bye with either a win at Denver on Sunday or a Kansas City loss in San Diego.

If Oakland loses and the Chiefs win, the Raiders will open the playoffs at AFC South champion Houston on wild-card weekend. “We’re up for the challenge,” running back Latavius Murray said. “I know Matt is. We’re not going to change anything. We’re going to go out and execute and do what we do.” — AP