Steelers/NFL
League, Steelers will move quickly
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger met this afternoon with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. As of 4:00 p.m., the meeting had still be going on for over two hours.
Joining Roethlisberger in New York was agent Ryan Tollner and lawyer David Cornwell.
A day after District Attorney Fred Bright announced that no charges would be filed against Roethlisberger, there continues to be growing momentum that Roethlisberger will be suspended to open up the 2010 season.
League sources indicate the Steelers and the league intend to move quickly on a decision and an announcement will be made before the end of the month.
There is a growing sense that the Steelers and Roger Goodell will mutually agree to at least a two-game suspension for Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger would be allowed to participate in off-season activities including training camp and pre-season games.
However, there is talk going around from league executives that Goodell will suspend Roethlisberger for a period of 2-4 games, with Roethlisberger being eligible to return after the 2nd game if he meets his off-field requirements and such. Similar to the suspension brought against Michael Vick last year.
The Steelers are embarrassed and furious over the situation. To make matters worse, a Boston lawyer by the name Harry Manion is claiming to have been retained by a client of his and a close friend to investigate allegations Roethlisberger in a Las Vegas nightclub six months ago that according to Manion, were absolutely identical to this Georgia girl’s story
While this is just hearsay from Mr. Manion, it doesn’t help Ben’s situation.
Courtesy of WEEI in Boston
“Six months ago I was retained by a client of mine and a close friend to investigate allegations against Ben Roethlisberger in a Las Vegas nightclub that were absolutely identical to this Georgia girl’s story,” attorney Harry Manion, a partner at the firm of Cooley Manion Jones, LLP, said on radio station WEEI in Boston. “The outcome was that the young woman did not want to proceed, and we did not take any action. There is a history here and I can’t say any further because we never proceeded with it but there is a history here that is just super troubling.”
Reed signs Franchise Tender
Steelers’ kicker Jeff Reed has signed his one-year franchise tender offer, it was announced today.
Reed will enter his ninth year with the Steelers after originally being signed as a free agent on Nov. 20, 2002. He ranks first on the team’s all-time list for career field goal percentage (.833), having connected on 189-of-227 field goal attempts. Reed ranks second on the team’s all-time scoring list with 855 career points and his 189 field goals are second in team history.
Reed made 27-of-31 field goals and 41-of-41 PATs in 2009, finishing the season with a team-high 122 points. It marked the seventh consecutive year that Reed has posted at least 100 points in a season.
