The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of a season Ravens fans would say was a success and their fans would deem it a failure. Their 9-7 2009 season would appear to be a success compared to the rough offseason that the organization is coping with.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has dealt with some legal issues and will likely face discipline from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. This is Roethlisberger’s second legal accusation in eight months and his judgment is in question.
Another Steeler that was in trouble is now ex-Steeler wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Holmes has been accused of assaulting a woman and has also now been suspended by the NFL for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Holmes killed the Ravens in every game the two rivals played.
On the positive side, Pittsburgh brought in six free agents, including two of their own that left in free agency. Pittsburgh’s obvious priority this offseason was improving their special teams. The Steelers’ special teams weren’t very good at all last season and by signing Antwaan Randle-El, Arnaz Battle and Will Allen that unit should be shored up.
Pittsburgh also re-signed Larry Foote who had left for Detroit in free agency to help their already solid linebacker corps. The defense should once again be solid and drive offensive lines crazy.
The Steelers should have a very good draft, as well. Pittsburgh has 11 picks which is the most in the AFC North. There’s no way Pittsburgh will draft 11 players, so expect them to move up and down the draft board when it’s their turn to draft.
Overall, Pittsburgh is still talented, but has a lot of issues, especially if Roethlisberger is suspended for any amount of time. It will be another interesting season with Pittsburgh.
Only a very fine line separated Pittsburgh's 9-7 and failure to reach the playoffs and Baltimore's 9-7 record fattened up with wins over the NFL JV Cleveland (2), Oakland, Detroit, and Chicago to round out their schedule. Pittsburgh will not be held down two years in a row, unless Commissioner Godell levies unexpected tough sentence on Ben "No means No" Roethlisberger. Face it, this is a QB driven league and the NFL needs Pittsburgh to be competitive. I could see a scenario where Big Ben gets "probation" from the Comish and him not missing any game action. They will be a formidable foe this season, despite their disarray this offseason.
Art Rooney is having a press conference today at 2:30.
All reports say Ben will be suspended.
Also, a St. Louis paper is reporting that the Rams have offered this year's 1st overall pick and their first round pick next year for Ben.
Not to keep a bad theme going, but…
To quote Cousin Eddie “Are you serious, Clark?” did the Rams really make that trade offer?
It's a rumor.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if they did.
Look what Denver got for Cutler. Ben R is much more valuable on the field than Cutler is.
As a Ravens fan, I'd LOVE to see Ben get dealt.
As a Father of daughters IF I were the coach of a football team, the first play against BIG Ben, I rush 11 guys and pound his sorry rear into the ground. Sending a message that the court of public opinion just found him guilty of all crimes. On the first offensive play, I'd line my QB up just so and have him fire a 90 mile an hour right at his Johnny, reminding him that we don't like rapist. Sorry son of gun should be traded for a bag of soiled underwear and have to work for a living. Darn shame when a guy 6 foot 5 has goons to line up his tail for him. You reading me Pittsburgh fans- this is BIGGER than football, it's personal- the guy is an animal and needs to be dealt with- the legal system can't/ won't, so we are taking matters in our own hands.