Here we go again. Ben Roethlisberger once again has been accused of sexually assaulting a female, making this twice in the span of a year that he has been accused of such actions.
These actions are tarnishing the image of both the Steelers and Roethlisberger, and many in the front office will not take these added accusations lightly.
This latest report can have a serious negative impact about how the Steelers go about their business.
Roethlisberger’s skirt chasing ways have been well documented. Roethlisberger has been a popular target of the internet while being photographed drunk with various woman. Before you know it, this may finally catch up with him. It could have a negative impact on the team and lead to more distractions that the team does not need as they try to bounce back from a playoff-less season.
The new report claims that in the early morning hours of Friday, March 5, Roethlisberger sexually assaulted a woman at a Milledgeville, Georgia nightclub. Roethlisberger has a residence nearby and was there with a few friends of his, reportedly including Willie Colon.
Police accounts say that Roethlisberger has been questioned in the case, although no formal charges have been made. Both Roethlisberger and the unidentified victim were both interviewed and were at the same establishment. The victim also went to a local hospital and was later released.
Of course compounding the matter is Roethlisberger’s ongoing civil suit with a woman, Andrea McNulty, from Reno, Nevada who says Roethlisberger allegedly raped her at hotel she worked for. Roethlisberger has steadfastly denied such accusations.
One accusation you can possibly justify as an extortion plot. And I am in no way saying that to be the case or claiming Roethlisberger is innocent in all of this. However, with two accusations now being thrown out there the old saying of ‘where there is smoke, there is fire’ can easily be applied here.
In his six-year career Roethlisberger has been through the ringer, from his lawsuits to his infamous motorcycle crash, and has usually come out of it with aplomb and perseverance.
But how much longer can Roethlisberger walk this tightrope before it bites him in the behind?
Steeler fans and managements can only hope that this is a case of Roethlisberger being an easy target. That is being a high-profile sports celebrity mixing up with the locals and possibly consuming too much alcohol, one with a checkered past.
I don’t think Roethlisberger has a drinking problem though. Then again, maybe he does. But if he does or not, is not the crux of the situation. Perhaps the best course of action is to go into counseling and try to save face with the public. Roethlisberger simply has to alter his public image and stay below the radar for the good of all parties.
At this point Roethlisberger, guilty or innocent, has to repair his image much the same way Tiger Woods is trying to accomplish. The good thing is that Roethlisberger will not have cameras and paparazzi follow him along tirelessly, which should subdue some of the distractions it may cause the Steeler franchise.
These cases will no doubt linger and we’ll surely know the full ramifications of them when training camp opens. That is when the media firestorm will be ignited. Camera’s will be turned on and microphones will pointed in Roethlisberger’s direction. How will Roethlisberger and the team handle that?
If I were the Steelers, I might broach the idea of possibly upgrading the back-up quarterback position by possibly looking at some available quarterbacks(Jake Delhomme, Michael Vick, David Carr?) just in case these issues go and become a Kobe Bryant-like circus.
Imagine Vick replacing Roethlisberger due to character issues? Well, Vick is no ‘Dog Whisperer’ and Roethlisberger is certainly no ‘Girl Whisperer’!

MillNotes:

* The Steelers do have a need to upgrade the safety position, especially with Polamalu’s health an issue, and on Friday they let one of the best in the open market sign with another team. On Friday, the New York Giants snagged Arizona’s Antrel Rolle and signed him to a five-year, $37 million contract. Steeler’s management said they would not overspend and only make minor tweaks. Well that was more than apparent as they let the Giants lock up Rolle. Perhaps the Steelers get a gem in the draft. They surely might have to as it appears Ryan Clark’s days with the Steelers  are done. Also making matters worse is that divisional rival Baltimore traded for Anquan Boldin on Friday as well. This makes the Baltimore passing offense more versatile and dangerous.

*Another possible free agent they whiffed on was Minnesota’s Chester Taylor, as he singed with the Chicago Bears today. Either through free agency or the draft, the Steelers must find a sidekick to Rashard Mendenhall. It’s not going to be Willie Parker. Mendenhall did miss the bulk of the 2008 season, so there is injury issues there, and the Steelers must get another runner to compliment him. The consensus opinion is that Mewelde Moore is just a third down receiving back, nothing much more than that. Like I said in a previous post maybe that person is LaDainian Tomlinson.

*One possible low-level depth producing wide receiver the Steelers have interest in is San Francisco’s Arnaz Battle. Battle has shown glimpses of talent over the years and they could get him cheap. After all, the Steelers have Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace so it’s not a major priority. And don’t forget Limas Sweed. Is this the year he redeems himself? We’ll see. I assume the Steelers will fill out their roster with some nice players. It’s still early.

Free agency and the ongoing combine are starting to flare up major interest in NFL fans who are craving NFL news. Teams around the league are trying to tie up loose ends and cut bait with big contracts in an effort to maximize on the free agent bonanza that will officially start this Friday. Among the notables that have been reportedly released is a who’s who of aging running backs like LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, and Thomas Jones.
Where does that leave the Steelers?
Well, just like the rest of the league, Pittsburgh is faced with some difficult decisions in which direction they should go. Making matters more intriguing is the fact that we are looking at an uncapped season.
In my humble opinion, the Steelers only have to make minor tweaks, because if they are healthy, this team should be in contention for at least a playoff bid next year.
That’s not to say that I don’t want to see the Steelers be aggressive in the free agent market, far from it. But they must be wise and decisive in their off-season moves.
In a move I am sure every Steeler fan appreciates, Pittsburgh has negotiated a deal to lock up veteran DT Casey Hampton. Hampton did not want the franchise tag and he was thus awarded with a new three-year, $21 million contract. $11 million of that is reportedly guaranteed. With Hampton in the fold, the Steelers can almost now definitely go in another direction in regards to free-agency and the draft. If Hampton bolted, then the Steelers would have been left scrambling for a replacement, making it a high priority. Now they won’t have to deal with that issue in the off-season. I think they can look to upgrade the depth along the defensive line later in the draft.
The Steelers then placed the franchise tag on kicker Jeff Reed, all but assuring Reed will be kicking for the Steelers next year and the foreseeable future, with his salary for the year being around $2.4 million. If someone was daring enough to try and claim Reed, they would have to compensate the Steelers with two first round picks. Not gonna happen. Eventually Reed will get a nice long-term deal. I think him staying in Pittsburgh is vital to the continuity of the Steelers success. Kicking in Heinz Field is no easy task and Reed has shown the moxie to kick in the tough conditions.
Another free agent the Steelers want to lock up is safety Ryan Clark. However, the talks have been stalling and if the Steelers don’t get a deal done by Friday, Clark could receive many offers in the open market.
Along with Troy Polamalu’s health, the secondary has to be addressed. Clark has been a consistent mainstay. Steeler fans would be disheartened if they lost the popular Clark.
But the latest reports are he may just hit the open market come Friday.
Depending on what Clark does the Steelers might be tempted to pursue Antrel Rolle, who was recently released by the Cardinals. The demand for Rolle will be high and the Steelers have to careful to not overpay for him.
The latest on OT Willie Colon, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was that the Steelers offered a one-year tender worth approximately 2.5 million. The depth for the Steelers on the offensive line is weak, so this deal makes a whole lot of sense. Since he was a restricted free agent as well, a team would have to forfeit a first round draft pick for his services. Colon has been a regular on the line ever since he was drafted in 2006. Ben Roethlisberger will be happy to hear this news.
The offensive line must still be upgraded though. In fact, in the latest mock draft I participated here on Fanball I selected Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa, knowing the Steelers must address the line either in the draft or free agency.
Also getting a one-year tender deal this week was punter Daniel Sepulveda. Sepulveda, though, was given a low tender of $1.176 million. If someone matches the deal, Sepulveda can walk without the Steelers getting compensated.
It seems to be the end of the line for Deshea Townsend and Willie Parker, as both appear to be set to walk. Both players have had a positive impact in their careers in Pittsburgh. However, this is a business and both are getting up in age. Parker in particular is tough to say goodbye to. Parker was very instrumental in the most recent Super Bowl wins, but Rashard Mendenhall is proving to be a very serviceable running back in this league. And don’t look now, but the aforementioned Tomlinson may be given a long hard look by the Rooney family. That is if his price tag is not too high. He can be a perfect compliment to Mendenhall. You know LT wants to go out on top and perhaps he is intrigued with the chances of Pittsburgh getting back to the Super Bowl and sending him off a winner like the Steelers did with Jerome Bettis.
A lot will happen between now and Friday and I will update the moves and offer in future posts what free agents the Steelers should pursue.

Bryan Bulaga, OT, from Iowa

Considering how well the Rooney family and General Manager Kevin Colbert have drafted in the last decade, I have the unenviable task of trying to imitate them in this mock draft process. The Pittsburgh franchise has done an outstanding job of evaluating talent and needs and have hit some serious home runs through the draft, specifically the first round. See Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, Casey Hampton etc.
Well, I weighed the needs of the Steelers plus the possibility of going with the best available player and I thought Bryan Bulaga, OT, from Iowa was the best fit here.
Besides, in this mock draft four offensive lineman have already been picked and I wanted to go with the run and not have to seek out second-tier offensive linemen later in the draft.
In my opinion,going into the draft, the Steelers needed to upgrade both the offensive line and the secondary. In a recent post, I thought the Steelers would wait until later rounds to address the offensive line. However, I reconsidered that idea and realized that the Steelers have not properly addressed the line ever since Alan Faneca left.
Bulaga just seems like a natural fit. At 6-6 and 313 pounds, he is a mountain of a man. Roethlisberger has taken a beating over the years and you have to protect the franchise quarterback when you have that much invested in him. Combine both Bulaga’s size and athleticism and you got the makings of a future pro-bowler. Heck, even his college colors will remain the same. When I see Bulaga in photos, it seems I’m already seeing him in the Steeler black and gold. He also possesses a nasty streak that will endear him to the Terrible Towel faithful.
The Steelers have not been the same since they lost Alan Faneca, at least in the trenches. Throw in the fact that Willie Colon is a free agent, and his future with the team cloudy at best, and this pick makes the most sense.
Bulaga had a great career at Iowa. In 2009 he was named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the year and first team all-American by Sporting News Magazine. After a fine showing in the Orange Bowl while limiting Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan (also a projected first round draft pick) to three tackles, Bulaga declared early for the NFL draft. Bulaga’s stock is at its peak and there was nothing left to be done at Iowa.
The Steelers must reestablish the running game and Bulaga’s game is well suited for the run game. Rashard Mendenhall will love running being Bulaga’s big frame. His big long arms and excellent footwork is something you cannot teach. So you can say Bulaga is a natural.
Under the guidance of Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, Bulaga has learned under one the best teachers though. Iowa’s program has been a hotbed for talented offensive lineman Bulaga has a great work ethic and has shown great determination on the field. And under the watchful eyes of new Steeler Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler, Bulaga will be receptive and should be ready to make an immediate impact.
The only possible downside to drafting Bulaga is that he relies too much on his size and athleticism and not too much on technique. Bulaga also has shown to being susceptible to physical pass-rushers.
Also, while at Iowa he suffered from a thyroid condition that had him miss three games last year. But that was early in the season and he seems healthy and ready to contribute to the black and gold of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hey, even draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.believes the Steelers should go with Bulaga. We all know you can’t disagree with ‘Draft Guru’ Mel Kiper!

Steelers to kick-off season at Superdome?

As part of a recurring theme the NFL has in having the defending Super Bowl champions’ kick-off the season in a Thursday night made-for-TV spectacle, the NFL might select the New Orleans Saints to officially defend pursuit of their title by having them host the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 9th in the annual NFL Kickoff game . The NFL and NBC usually want a marquee event and the Saints-Steelers makes perfect sense. Another team being floated around as a possibility are the Minnesota Vikings. While the Vikings and Saints played a memorable NFC title game, the Steelers would likely be a bigger draw. But then again, who knows the drama possibly involved in “As the Favre Turns.”
Last year, the Steelers, as defending champs, hosted the event and won in dramatic fashion when they beat the Titans 13-10 in overtime. Steeler fans will never forget how they almost gave that game away as a Hines Ward reception in the red zone was about to lead them to victory in regulation until Ward fumbled the ball, allowing the Titans to stay in the game.
This game, if it comes to fruition, could be an intriguing match up of the last two Super Bowl winners. The Superdome would be loud and raucous like no other time. After all, the team will be unfurling their championship banner in front of their home fans. New Orleans and Bourbon Street would be electric to say the least. Many of the Steelr nation would travel for this game.
Selfishly, I can’t think of a better way to start the season!
What an opportunity for the Steelers to reassert themselves amongst the best in the NFL than by traveling down to the Bayou and mixing it up with the defending Super Bowl champs.
Many, including myself, think the Steelers have what it takes to get back to the Super Bowl. What better way to see what you got then going down to the home of the defending champs and testing your mettle?
We can get to see how healthy Troy Polamalu is when he would be on high alert in facing the potent New Orleans passing game. Will the Steelers have upgraded their weakened secondary when this game rolls along next season?
That and so many other questions have to be addressed between then and now though. But Steeler fans nationwide would relish this opportunity.

Roger Goodell, please make this happen!

Feeling A Draft?

Let's Get Back!

Many football fans must feel like Alan from the “Hangover.” Dazed. Confused. Lost. With Sunday’s fine Super Bowl now over, football will now be on hiatus for the next few weeks. Where will the collective football junkie nationwide turn to? Days after “Lombardi Gras” started for the Super Bowl Champs New Orleans Saints, many in the nation will be suffering from the Super Bowl ‘hangover’.
Where will football fans get their fix?
Well, free agency loomswith possibly Carolina’s Julius Peppers being the biggest target. Also, where will Brandon Marshall and Terrell Owens end up? Free agent signings and the upcoming NFL Draft combine will certainly whet the whistles of football junkies.
In my previous post, I mentioned that the Steelers must feel very envious the position that the New Orleans Saints find themselves in at this time. It was just one short year ago they were on top of the world. No one feels pity for the Steelers and they like the rest of the 31 NFL teams have to start getting ready for the 2010 NFL season. You can only celebrate and bask in the glow so long. Compounding matters is the fact that this season maybe uncapped as we head toward the season without a collective bargaining agreement that will threaten the 2011 season. Can you imagine that catastrophe? No football? All I can think of when I think of no football is total chaos in the streets with the world being turned upside down. Or more eloquently, here is a classic clip from the movie “Airplane! 2” that sums up the world without the NFL. The lies’ Julie Hagerty, as Elaine, spew sounds like the same a Roger Goodell or NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith would say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ilGGP9BDZs&feature=related
I for one, would not like to even consider the impending NFL labor strife and would solely like to focus on next season. The Steelers with a few good moves could see themselves in Dallas next year, site of the next Super Bowl.
Here are a few ideas the Steelers should take to make certain they are in position to get there.

1) Get back to basics on defense- This is all contingent on Troy Polamalu staying healthy. If Polamalu stays healthy, this sets everything in motion. What they do with Ryan Clark and Deshea Townsend in the secondary will have ramifications with what they do with their first round pick, 18th overall, in the NFL draft. Expect the Steelers to get depth and solidify the secondary and hammer out a known Steeler staple. One prospect that has been linked to the Steelers in mock drafts has been Taylor Mays of USC. Mays is an experienced safety whom a lot of teams may covet. In fact, don’t be surprised if old college coach Pete Carroll takes Mays with one of his two first round draft picks.

2) Special Attention to Special Teams- Besides some untimely injuries and defense at times falling apart, the special teams units for the Steelers was atrocious and by in large a major hole in the Steelers game. As such, the team went in a new direction and hired Al Everest from the 49ers. This must be addressed in the OTA’s and be ready to be fine-tuned come training camp.

3) Offensive line upgrades?- It’s not a bad unit, but this line is getting older by the day. But for the most part, they do the job. I don’t expect the Steelers to use a high pick on an offensive lineman, but do expect them to use perhaps a 4th or a 5th, perhaps reaching in the 3rd round to bolster the depth they sorely lack. Also of importance is what route they go if they re-sign Willie Colon. If they don’t, perhaps the Steelers will go early for an offensive lineman. Regardless, I don’t expect the Steelers to use a first or a second on an O-lineman.

Like a hangover in real life, the same will apply in off-season football: it will be long, painful and slow to recover from. I just don’t know for sure if you’ll wake up to a tiger in your bathroom or if you’ll be missing a tooth. It will be startling though.

Mill Notes:

* In minor off-season news, the Steelers have signed punter Adam Graessle. Graessle is back with the Steelers after punting for the team from 2003-2006. Graessle was recently a part of the California roster of the United Football League. Also signed this week was wide receiver Brandon London. London was part of the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 season.

*Even though they missed the playoffs and to further illustrate what I have been saying the last couple of weeks, the odds-makers in Vegas like the chances of the Steelers next year. They are currently 5th on the list of Super Bowl favorites while getting 10-1 odds to reclaim the Lombardi Trophy. The losers of the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis Colts, are the favorites at 6-1. Meanwhile, the champs themselves are 3rd on the list with 8-1 odds to repeat. The Chargers are second while the Patriots are 4th. If I was in Vegas, I would put a few dollars down on the Steelers.

Wait til next year

For all their heroics, which are justifiable, Manning and the Colts are beatable, and the 2006 AFC Divisional game can attest to that.  I’m not sure the Saints are the team to do it though. Not taking anything away from the Colts, they were all that and then some this year. But knowing that they beat the Colts in a crucial game four years ago on route to the title and coming off defending the Vince Lombardi trophy this year, this year’s Super Bowl ceremonies have to evoke a lot of “what ifs” for the Steeler players.
This post isn’t to elicit any delusions of grandeur or am I, or, any other member of Steeler nation crying over spilt milk. No, this post is to say that the Steelers were there and they are capable of getting back there in the very near future. They have all the ingredients: a top flight quarterback, a strong running game, sturdy consistent receivers, steady offensive line and a good defense.
It’s the defense that let down the Steelers this year. Well, that and the untimely posterior cruciate ligament injury to Polamalu. There’s no telling how the Steelers would have fared with a healthy Polamalu. But if he is healthy for the entire 2010 campaign, we can successfully gauge how his absence had on the team last season.
For now Pittsburgh fans nationwide will have to wallow in all the goodness Manning and Drew Brees are. And good they are. I predict the Super Bowl will be an entertaining high-flying scoring affair. With Dwight Freeney possibly out or seriously limited, I expect defense to be a non-factor in this year’s game.
My prediction: Colts 38 Saints 31.

Mill Notes:

* Speaking of Polamalu, he was recently named to the All-Decade team by the NFL. He was only Steeler to make the 53-man team.
By the way, have you seen his Puxsutawney Polamalu ad? Hilarious. Link provided below

Puxsutawney Polamalu
* So who will the Steelers tag with the “Franchise” label in an uncapped season? The smart money may be on Ryan Clark, although Casey Hampton is an intriguing possibility. Hampton has let it be known that he is staunchly opposed to that tag, and Pittsburgh may be willing to accommodate him.

* The Super Bowl pre-game show is a drawn out malaise of garbage, but something that can peak Steeler fans interest is the interview Bill Cowher will have with Plaxico Burress.

Mill Notes:
* It’s good to see Heath Miller and LaMarr Woodley get added to the NFL Pro Bowl for the Colt’s Dallas Clark and Houston’s Brian Cushing respectively. However, between injuries and the fact that neither Super Bowl team has any representatives, the Pro Bowl is becoming a watered-down joke. Without Peyton Manning and Roethlisberger, the AFC is now pumping out David Garrard! Geez, who’s next, Dennis Dixon?
* Since special teams has been a major problem for Pittsburgh, the Steelers decided that longtime special teams coach Al Everest could be the answer. Everest, most recently of the San Francisco 49ers, will replace Bob Ligashesky as special teams coach. Ligashesky did not inspire this group as evidenced by the special teams allowing four kickoff return touchdowns this past season. Ligashesky is now inexplicably Denver’s problem.
* Polamalu has reportedly avoided surgery in the off-season and most likely only needs rest. That’s good news. His dealings with his knee injury is without a doubt the reason the Steelers missed the playoffs. Calling Captain Obvious!

1. St. Louis (1-15)
2. Detroit (2-14)
3. Tampa Bay (3-13)
4. Kansas City (4-12)
5. Washington (4-12)
6. Cleveland (5-11)
7. Seattle (5-11)
8. Oakland (5-11)
9. Buffalo (6-10)
10. Chicago (7-9) (Traded to DEN)
11. Jacksonville (7-9)
12. Miami (7-9)
13. San Francisco (8-8)
14. Tennessee (8-8)
15. Carolina (8-8) (Traded to SF)
16. Denver (8-8)(Traded to SEA)
17. New York Giants (8-8)
18. Pittsburgh (9-7)
19. Atlanta (9-7)

“Troy [Polamalu] ran yesterday in a straight line, is doing the same thing right now as we speak,” Tomlin said. “Maybe he’ll practice in a limited capacity but really we’re taking it day-by-day in terms of how he responds to the workouts. Yesterday I think was a positive step, I’ll find about it today I guess when I’m done here and then we’ll move on from there. The doors not closed on him participating.”

Tomlin addressed Is the safety being able to cut on the knee going to decide whether he plays or not in Miami. “Yes, no question,” he said. “The unanticipated movement that comes with playing football, change of direction, dropping your weight and so forth is going to be critical to him gaining clearance to play. Absolutely.”