Roundup: Steelers executive says team is set at QB
Published: March 22nd, 2010 | Tags: Alundis Brice, Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Chicago Bears, Deion Sanders, Dennis Dixon, Jarron Gilbert, Julius Peppers, Justin Smiley, Miami Dolphins, Mike Tomlin, Pat Kirwan, Philip Rivers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Richie Incognito, Sam Bradford, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams
The Steelers have concerns about the sexual-assault allegations against QB Ben Roethlisberger, but not enough to alter their draft board.
Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said Sunday that the team will not take a quarterback in the early rounds of the NFL draft (via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).
“That position appears to be set,” Colbert said while attending the NFL Annual Meeting.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told NFL Network’s Jennifer Allen on Saturday that he was “highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally.”
The Steelers selected QB Dennis Dixon in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Dixon made one start for the Steelers in a Week 12 loss to the Ravens, when Roethlisberger was suffering from a concussion.
The Steelers also are attempting to re-sign backup Charlie Batch.
Other news making its way around the Web on Monday:
- Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford will visit the Rams on April 12, general manager Billy Devaney confirmed Sunday. NFL.com senior analyst Pat Kirwan is “more convinced than ever” that St. Louis will select Bradford with the first overall pick. And, more likely, will not entertain offers for the pick.
- New Bears DE Julius Peppers plans on rewarding teammate Jarron Gilbert for giving up his No. 90 jersey. Peppers said he planned to offer money to Gilbert for his number, but that the switch was rather amicable. Still, Peppers told the Chicago Tribune that “(Gilbert) told me not to even worry about it, but I’m going to hook him up anyway.” CB Deion Sanders once bought a car for Alundis Brice for his No. 21 when he first joined the Cowboys.
- The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins are looking to trade starting guard Justin Smiley. The Dolphins signed Smiley to a five-year, $25 million deal in 2008, but he has been told not to report to the team’s offseason workout program because it’s trying to trade him. The Dolphins recently signed free-agent OL Richie Incognito.
- Some believe the Chargers are moving away from being a power-running team and becoming a finesse, pass-friendly team. QB Philip Rivers doesn’t believe that’s the case. Rivers said the Chargers will ‘try like crazy’ to improve their running game in 2010 (via Sports Radio Interviews).