March 2010 - Pittsburgh Steelers Wiretap
Ward Believes Roethlisberger's Suspension 'Justified'
Hines Ward says quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's six-game suspension is disappointing but justified, and threatens to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers in a precarious position when the season begins.
Ward, a Steelers offensive co-captain along with Roethlisberger, doesn't think the quarterback will have any trouble regaining his teammates' confidence and respect once he returns in October. Roethlisberger was suspended last week for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Steelers Extend McFadden's Contract
The Steelers have extended the contract of cornerback Bryant McFadden, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Pittsburgh traded for McFadden this weekend. He spent the first four years with the Steelers before spending a season in Arizona.
The extension is through the 2012 season and the cornerback will earn $7.5 million, according to the source.
Roethlisberger Won't Appeal Suspension
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won't appeal his four-to-six suspension.
Roethlisberger announced the decision in a written statement on Monday. He was punished for violating the NFL's conduct policy.
"The Commissioner's decision to suspend me speaks clearly that more is expected of me. I am accountable for the consequences of my actions," Roethlisberger said in a three paragraph statement released through the Steelers.
"Though I have committed no crime, I regret that I have fallen short of the values instilled in me by my family. I will comply with what is asked of me ─ and more."
Steelers Reacquire McFadden From Cardinals
The Steelers have reacquired cornerback Bryant McFadden from the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh got McFadden and a sixth-round pick on Saturday for one of their fifth-round selections.
Goodell Can Lengthen Roethlisberger's Suspension
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has the flexibility to change the six-game suspension for Ben Roethlisberger if new evidence of misbehavior emerges.
Goodell said Friday the league's player conduct policy allows him to revisit the ban he gave the Pittsburgh quarterback earlier this week.
Goodell Wants To Help Roethlisberger Change
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to help Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger change his ways.
"I think Ben has a tremendous amount of remorse here," Goodell said. "I think he recognizes he made some bad decisions and things have to change. I think he wants to do that and needs some help to do that. We would like to support him so he can make better decisions going forward."
Goodell suspended Roethlisberger four-to-six games earlier this week. He said the league did "a lot of work" before suspending Roethlisberger for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Roethlisberger Unlikely To Be Dealt
It is extremely unlikely a trade involving Ben Roethlisberger will occur, sources told ESPN.com on Thursday.
Multiple sources indicated the Steelers have not shopped Roethlisberger and have done nothing more than field phone calls.
Steelers Discuss Roethlisberger Deal With Raiders, Rams
The Steelers have stepped up their efforts to trade quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Pittsburgh was rebuffed by St. Louis over the weekend, but a league source said Wednesday that Oakland is more open to a deal.
The Raiders need a veteran quarterback and they tried to land Donovan McNabb before Philadelphia sent him to Washington.
Oakland owes the eighth overall pick and could use it to land Roethlisberger.
Leftwich Could Start In Week One
With Ben Roethlisberger suspended for at least four games, the Steelers could turn to Byron Leftwich as their starting quarterback.
Pittsburgh also hasn't ruled out the possibility of trading Roethlisberger, according to the Post-Gazette.
The Steelers traded a seventh-round pick to the Buccaneers for Leftwich on Tuesday.
Roethlisberger Suspended Six Games
Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended for the first six games of the 2010 season.
also was ordered to undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation. Commissioner Roger Goodell will evaluate Roethlisberger's progress before the season and might consider reducing the suspension to four games.
However, a failure to comply with the NFL's ruling might lead to a longer suspension.
Roethlisberger is barred from attending any Steelers offseason activity after Wednesday until he completes the evaluation. He can participate in training camp and preseason games this summer as long as he is cleared by the evaluators and Goodell.
"The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that I may impose discipline 'even where the conduct does not result in conviction of a crime' as, for example, where the conduct 'imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person'," Goodell stated in his letter to Roethlisberger.
"As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing (or facilitating the purchase of) alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk. The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that 'undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.' By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard."
Steelers Talking To Teams In Top-10 About Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh is apparently motivated to trade Ben Roethlisberger.
Pittsburgh Makes Trade For Leftwich
The Steelers reacquired quarterback Byron Leftwich by dealing a seventh-round draft pick to Tampa Bay.
Steelers Expect Roethlisberger Ruling Wednesday
Ben Roethlisberger is awaiting word from the league.
Goodell Believes Roethlisberger Violated Conduct Policy
Roger Goodell is not happy with Ben Roethlisberger's decisions.
Roethlisberger Suspension Coming By Tuesday
No player has ever been suspended without being charged with a crime.
Steelers Face Fine For Players' Bad Behavior
The Steelers may have to pay for the poor behavior of Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes.
Steelers Will Want More For Big Ben Than Eagles Got For McNabb
The Steelers will probably look for something inbetween what the Bears paid for Jay Cutler and what the Redskins gave up for Donovan McNabb.
Cop In Roethlisberger Case Resigns
A policeman resigned the day before documents were made public on Thursday.
Accuser: Roethlisberger Exposed Himself
Details of Ben Roethlisberger's alleged assault case are surfacing.
Steelers Internally Discussing Dealing Roethlisberger
The Steelers are open to trading Ben Roethlisberger, but want fair value in return.
Terry Bradshaw Rips Roethlisberger
Terry Bradshaw admitted that he doesn't have a good relationship with Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger Has 'Productive Meeting' With Goodell
Roger Goodell spent an hour with Ben Roethlisberger on Tuesday.
Roethlisberger's Accuser Didn't Want Trial
The woman felt a trial would be too intrusive because of all the media attention.
Roethlisberger Apologizes To NFL, Family
Ben Roethlisberger won't face charges, but will have to meet with Roger Goodell.
Jets Get Santonio Holmes For Pick
The Jets acquired wide receiver Santonio Holmes from the Steelers on Sunday night for a fifth-round draft pick later this month.
Holmes Could Face Four-Game Suspension
Santonio Holmes offseason woes continue.
Sources: Roethlisberger Won't Be Charged
It will be announced on Monday that Ben Roethlisberger won't be charged with assault.
Police Reopen Assault Case Against Holmes
Santonio Holmes isn't out of trouble yet.
Report: Big Ben Won't Talk To Police
Ben Roethlisberger wouldn't speak to police again about his alleged assault incident.