Steelers football blog

Tomlin speaks about Big Ben

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn't hiding his anxiety about the sexual-assault allegation against quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

"I'm highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally," Tomlin told the NFL Network after arriving in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday for the NFL meetings, which start Monday.

The police in Milledgeville, Ga., are still investigating a 20-year-old female college student's accusation against Roethlisberger.

"My concerns are many," Tomlin said, "but I think at this time it's kind of appropriate to watch these things and let these things run their course. I think it would be inappropriate for me to have strong feelings one way or another with the investigation being ongoing and so forth. Like everyone else, you watch these things unfold." Continue

LB Foote signs 3yr deal

The signing of linebacker Larry Foote to a three-year, $9.3 million contract Monday could be the last significant free-agent signing for the Steelers — at least for a while.

"We haven't closed the door on anything, but I would just say we're refocusing on the draft," director of football operations Kevin Colbert said yesterday after agreeing to talk only on the condition that questions pertain to free agency.

The shifting of the Steelers' focus comes after they were unusually aggressive during the first part of free agency.

Pittsburgh, which is normally quiet at this time of year, have signed five free agents — including former Steelers Foote and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. Continue

Big Ben's night out gets a little clearer

 Shortly after 9 p.m. on March 4, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger turned to Heath Burton and told the restaurant owner that he was going to do something he'd never done before: Drive to tiny Milledgeville.

"He told me he'd never been down there," said Burton, owner of the posh Eenoco Japanese Steak & Sushi restaurant a few miles from Roethlisberger's mansion in the Reynolds Plantation resort.

After a 45-minute drive to the home of Georgia College & State University, Roethlisberger indulged in a few hours of bar hopping -- complete with Big Ben holding court in the VIP room of the popular Capital City nightclub. The fun ended soon after a 20-year-old woman told a Milledgeville patrolman at 2:30 a.m. March 5 that Roethlisberger, 28, had sexually assaulted her there.

The ongoing criminal investigation into Roethlisberger's conduct that night and a flood of national media washing over the seat of Baldwin County are revealing in greater detail the cloistered world of a National Football League icon known not only for his two Super Bowl rings, but also two allegations of sexual assault. Continue

Big Ben in photos with Milledgeville police officers prior to assault claim

 The Milledgeville police officer who took the March 5 statement from a woman who accused Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her mugged for photographs with the star hours earlier.

Patrolman Jerry Blash was joined in the photo, taken during Roethlisberger's downtown bar-hopping, by Milledgeville Detective Everett January, Lt. Willie Goddard and Officer Paul Cressman.

Milledgeville authorities insist none of the officers spent time with Roethlisberger at the Capital City nightclub or the dance bar's VIP room, which is adjacent to a restroom where Roethlisberger is accused of assaulting the 20-year-old Georgia College & State University student. Continue

Clark signs 4 yr deal with Steelers

For a team that historically has tiptoed into free agency, the Steelers dived headfirst and unleashed a flurry of activity that began with the quick signing of two unrestricted free agents and ended Monday with a new four-year, $14 million contract for free safety Ryan Clark and a three-year agreement to bring receiver Antwaan Randle El back to his former team.

Randle El, one of their Super Bowl XL heroes who played for the Steelers from 2002-05, is expected to visit the Steelers today to sign his contract. He was released four days ago by the Washington Redskins despite being their second-leading receiver in '09.

But that's not all.

After signing Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Will Allen and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle to three-year contracts Monday, the Steelers will sign another unrestricted free agent today with whom they already have reached contract agreement -- former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Jonathan Scott. Continue

Big Ben in hot water again with 20yo woman

A 20-year-old college student has accused Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her early today at a dance club in Georgia, police said.

"It is alleged he is the perpetrator," Richard Malone, the deputy police chief in Milledgeville, Ga., said at a news conference this evening.

Malone said investigators briefly spoke with Roethlisberger and that no charges have been filed. "We have been in touch with his attorneys and they are going to make available all the personnel to talk to us who were here last night."

Roethlisberger's agent, Ryan Tollner, acknowledged police have talked with Roethlisberger.

"Last night, Ben and his friends met a group of women and everyone mingled together throughout the evening," Tollner said in a statement. "We have spoken to law enforcement. Based on information currently available, an allegation was made against Ben, which appeared to be dismissed after a preliminary investigation last night." Continue

Smith endures

Aaron Smith did not have an easy go of it the past three seasons. Two of the three were ruined by severe arm and shoulder injuries, he caught the swine flu and his son was diagnosed with leukemia.

About to turn 34 years old, a time when many defensive ends have retired, Smith will enter his 12th season with the Steelers undaunted by the recent trouble he has shouldered and with the optimism of a 22-year-old.

He looks at it this way: His latest injury has long healed, he feels strong and still at the top of his game, his son has done well since the diagnosis 1 1/2 years ago, and his favorite coach will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. Continue

Hampton signs 3 year deal

The Steelers and nose tackle Casey Hampton have come to a a three-year contract agreement worth more than $21 million this morning.

The deal comes ahead of today's 4 p.m. deadline in which the Steelers planned to make Hampton their franchise player.

The team then placed the franchise tag on kicker Jeff Reed, meaning he will earn $2,814,000 in 2010 -- the average of the top five kickers in the NFL.

Hampton, who will be 33 years old next season, will remain with the Steelers through the 2012 season under the new deal. Hampton would have been paid a $7 million salary if he had been franchised. Continue

Hampton still seeks long term deal

The agent for Casey Hampton said Tuesday that the veteran nose tackle wants to sign a long-term contract with the Steelers even if the team places a franchise tag on him.

The two sides have been working toward a new deal, but the Steelers only have until 4 p.m. Thursday to use a tag that would prevent Hampton, an unrestricted free agent, from hitting the open market March 5.

A franchise tag, which Hampton has said would be a point of contention with him, could significantly extend the negotiating period for the Steelers and Brian Overstreet, Hampton's agent.

"All you can do is take people at their word, and the Steelers committed to us that they want to get a deal done long term," Overstreet said. "All we can hope is that they're serious about it. Both sides are working real hard to get it done, and hopefully, it happens." Continue

Steelers add help on D

The Steelers have signed cornerback David Pittman and linebacker Renauld Williams.

Pittman, a third-round draft choice by the Ravens in 2006, has played parts of three seasons in the NFL. The 5-11, 185-pounder spent time on the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans' active roster in 2008.

Williams, who played in seven NFL games from 2004-06, spent the previous three seasons with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. During that time, the 6-foot 228-pound Williams recorded 97 tackles and had 29 special-teams tackles. (Pitt Tribune)