Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the latest Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault allegation story is the reaction to the story in Pittsburgh. For the most part, fan reaction has not been favorable toward Roethlisberger. While I understand and even agree with the opinion that it was stupid of Ben to put himself in that situation, that does not excuse the seeming inability of some members of the Pittsburgh media and Steelers fans themselves to keep from crucifying Ben as if he's already been... Read More >>

Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams, working out the Sooners' pro day, could be available for the Niners at 13th overall. With another month left for pro scouts to further dissect prospects before the NFL draft in April, making an accurate mock draft now will work about as well as USC’s recruitment of Reggie Bush would have without the tricked-out Escalade. A lot will change over the next few weeks with injury updates and team pro days, and to be honest, any mock you read before the ides of... Read More >>

Jamaal Jackson's knee injury will most likely not allow him to start the season. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me to see Jackson on the PUP when 2010 kicks off, so the Eagles are going to need a center to fill in for at least six weeks. Currently, Nick Cole, Mike McGlynn, and A.Q. Shipley are the only guys who can play center on the roster. Cole and McGlynn are guards first who can play center in a squeeze, while Shipley is the only true center. Shipley, however, is extremely young and... Read More >>

The Bills have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with veteran OT Cornell Green, hoping to give their offensive line some much-needed depth. Green is a 10-year NFL veteran, playing both left and right tackle throughout his career. He has played with Oakland, Denver, Tampa Bay, and the New York Jets. Since the sudden retirement of right tackle Brad Butler, the Bills are desperate for help on their offensive line. This may not be their biggest upgrade, but it at least gives them... Read More >>

Breaking away from the high-octane offseasons of the past, the Washington Redskins have largely remained under the radar this year. After Mike Shanahan came to Washington in January, the team has given the impression that changes were being made in philosophy and personnel moves. Redskins Park had a reportedly different feel. However, all of that was talk. Positive vibes and big news come out of Redskins Park every offseason. It's a frenzy of rumors and excitement that usually lead to... Read More >>

The Falcons wasted no time dipping their toes into the free agent market, signing free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson to a six-year, $57 million contract on Saturday. Robinson, an Athens, Ga., native, made an immediate splash telling AJC beatwriter D. Orlando Ledbetter that he was “the best cornerback in the National Football League.” What a way to make a first impression, Mr. Robinson. The 28-year-old former South Carolina Gamecock had 13 interceptions, four sacks and... Read More >>

I have not been avoiding the topic of Terrell Owens possibly becoming a Cincinnati Bengal. I simply have not had time to offer my thoughts on whether or not he could be a productive addition to the offense. For or against the acquisition, media members and bloggers have formed very strong opinions on the subject. Owens' track record of being a horrible teammate is well documented. His stops in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas were all filled with drama. He has always come off as a... Read More >>

The Bears coaching staff and front office are desperate. The players know it, the fans know it and more importantly free agents and their agents know it. If the Bears don’t make the playoffs in 2010, ownership will likely clean house. Adding Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna on the first night of free agency may make a difference, but there is no guarantee. Either way, with no first- or second-round draft picks it was a necessary risk. Peppers was the big fish... Read More >>

As divisions go, the teams in the AFC South were fairly quiet during the first weekend of free agency. Here are some of the important moves. Tennessee Titans The Titans lost defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch on the first night to the Lions. Since then, they’ve been quiet but don’t expect this to last. The Titans have holes throughout their roster and can’t count on the draft to fix these. I wouldn’t be surprised for Tennessee to be the dark horse in the race for Terrell Owens. The... Read More >>

As divisions go, the teams in the AFC South were fairly quiet during the first weekend of free agency. Here are some of the important moves. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars have been one of the leagues more active teams early, with two solid free agent signing: Special-teams ace Kassim Osgood and defensive end Aaron Kampman. Osgood is a Pro Bowl player who should upgrade a weak Jacksonville unit immensely. Kampman is a bit of a risk because he’s coming off knee surgery, but before... Read More >>

As divisions go, the teams in the AFC South were fairly quiet during the first weekend of free agency. Here are some of the important moves. Houston Texans The Texans have done virtually nothing so far this offseason. Their one key move was to lock up free agent wide receiver Kevin Walter. Look for Houston to try to build on their young, talented nucleus through the draft. Indianapolis Colts Like the Texans, the Colts made one important re-signing. Unlike Houston, this... Read More >>

No surprises have come out of Houston as the first weekend of NFL free agency passed. As expected, Dunta Robinson was not re-signed as the Texans were fine not having to pay an underachieving cornerback $10 million-plus. The only other moves made by Houston thus far are reaching contract agreements with wide receiver Kevin Walter and punter Matt Turk. The Texans have begun bringing in free agents who they intend on making an offer. According to the Houston Chronicle, former Kansas... Read More >>

Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun "Boldin is a Derrick Mason-type receiver, but younger, bigger, stronger and faster. He is proven and will help the Ravens. The best thing about this deal is that the Ravens can still get the vertical threat they need in the draft, and/or a tight end. Like last season, they still might be able to find a cornerback in the later rounds. If Boldin can stay healthy, and with the addition of Donte' Stallworth, if he can return to form, the Ravens have become serious... Read More >>

Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News "There was a lot of talk yesterday that the signing of Rolle meant that the Giants must know something bad about the health of Kenny Phillips. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: There are no guarantees about Phillips’ recovery and there never have been. The Giants know that and they had to plan accordingly. But that doesn’t mean that Rolle and Phillips won’t be starting side by side on opening day." Full story. Dan Graziano,... Read More >>

The Lions made a fairly big splash within the first few hours of NFL free agency, signing veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch and Nate Burleson to multi-year contracts. Detroit signed Burleson in the wee hours of Friday morning, inking him to a five-year deal worth $25 million. The 28-year old receiver has spent the past four years with the Seahawks after playing his first three with Minnesota. Later in the day, the Lions signed former Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch to a... Read More >>

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune "The irony of Cromartie’s destination is that it was a few plays against the New York Jets in the Chargers’ Jan. 17 playoff loss that summed up Cromartie’s lack of physicality and brought widespread wrath from fans. In reality, that game — including his non-attempt to tackle Shonn Greene on a Jets touchdown — had nothing to do with Cromartie’s departure. Cromartie, 25, had essentially been on the trading block for a year. The Chargers first made it... Read More >>