The NFL dropped the hammer on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger by suspending him six games. The move comes as a result of an alleged sexual assault that took place in a nightclub.

Amid the report of the suspension is a report that states the Steelers attempted to trade Roethlisberger to St. Louis. The Rams declined, suggesting Sam Bradford will indeed be the top pick in the draft.

But what is perhaps most telling of the Rams decision is the fact a struggling franchise dodged a Pro Bowl quarterback in favor of someone either average, if the team sticks with Mark Bulger or signs a free agent, or unproven, in the case of Bradford or another rookie quarterback.

One potential suitor may be the Raiders, who were rumored to be front in line for Donovan McNabb before he was traded to Washington. The Raiders have few options at quarterback, and JaMarcus Russell is dreadful. Nabbing a player with a history of immaturity wouldn’t be out of character for Al Davis. Furthermore, Roethlisberger represents what Davis loves: a big, physical quarterback who can throw the deep ball.

It’s a perfect match, and it may be Pittsburgh’s only option.

Aside from Buffalo, that is. Unless the Bills want to spin their wheels in mediocrity for another 16 games (or relocate to Canada in the near future), trading for Roethlisberger is a good bet. He brings baggage, but he also wears two Super Bowl rings.

Sources: ESPN (video) and NFL.com

Sources close to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization told Jason La Canfora of NFL.com that “the Rooneys are livid,” and the team has internally discussed the idea of trading quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Though the Steelers may consider trading Roethlisberger, this isn’t a move the team needs to make. Said the source: “”This is not a case of having to get rid of this guy. There would have to be fair value.”

Don’t expect the Steelers to trade Roethlisberger. Though the team may have entertained the notion, a draft and player package meant to buy a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback would necessarily be huge. Do, however, expect the Steelers to suspend Roethlisberger 1-4 games, and that will hurt his fantasy value. He’s inconsistent on a year-to-year basis as it is; a suspension will sink him down preseason draft boards.

Source: NFL.com

The Denver Broncos completed a trade negotiation today that will send wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for two second round picks in 2010 and 2011. Marshall, who is coming off his third consecutive 100-reception season, is noted for behavior issues and conflicts with head coach Josh McDaniels that earned him two suspensions in five months.

How it Affects Miami

Marshall is one of the most prolific wide receivers in the NFL, and his presence in Miami will give the offense a huge boost. His 10 touchdown receptions nearly matches the number of touchdown passes thrown by Chad Henne (12), and Marshall had over 30 percent more production in receptions and yards than Miami’s receiving leader (Davone Bess).

What it Means to Denver

This move seems to nudge Denver towards selecting a wide receiver on day one of the draft. Will it be Dez Bryant? Time will tell. Until the draft, keep Jabar Gaffney in mind: he managed 14 receptions for 213 yards for Denver in lieu of Marshall in the final game of the season.

Oklahoma State Wide Receiver Dez Bryant

According to a Fox31 news report, Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant will visit the Denver Broncos Wednesday. Bryant was suspended after the first three games of 2010 for not disclosing interactions with Deion Sanders. Denver has the 11th overall pick in the draft.

Dez Bryant is a top wide receiver prospect and he’s been tied to the Broncos in numerous mock drafts. His visit is far from unexpected, and the Broncos will likely be in a position to pull the trigger on draft day. He has been criticized, and some contend he may end up another Brandon Marshall: an incredible talent with a bad attitude.


Or the Broncos may wind up with the best wide receiver in the draft. Regardless, this may be a sign Dez Bryant is moving up some draft boards.

Source: Fox31

Santonio Holmes’ reputation took a beating in recent weeks with allegations he threw a glass in a woman’s face in a nightclub. Twitter followers also read all kinds of quotables from the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, including “kill urself” — sent to a follower who didn’t approve of the nightclub situation — and a “wake and bake” announcement.

Tired of it, the Steelers have sent Holmes packing to the New York Jets in exchange for a fifth round draft pick, a staggering reflection of how he has destroyed his value, despite good on-field performances.

Holmes will still be suspended the first four weeks of the season by the league.

The Cleveland Browns missed an opportunity in some minds when they passed on Donvan McNabb, but head coach Mike Holmgren wants to assure you the Eagles price tag was too high.

“The only way I was going to take all those early draft picks in rounds 1, 2 and 3 and use them would be for a young draft choice that I thought could be the quarterback for the next 15 years,” Holmgren said. “Otherwise, we have too many needs that those picks are going to help us with.”

Was he hinting the Browns would be willing to move up and draft Sam Bradford number one overall by offering a first, second, and third round draft package? Perhaps. Certainly Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat would contend so.

On the other hand, Michael Lombardi’s sources have told him that Holmgren is warming up to Jimmy Clausen at seven overall:

My sources tell me that Browns president Mike Holmgren talked to Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and told him that he has not ruled him out as the seventh overall pick, despite what he’s told the media. It was Holmgren who said he “wished he liked Jimmy Clausen more,” but after Clausen’s workout Friday, he does.

Given the send-off of Brady Quinn and the current “starter” Seneca Wallace, it is likely the Browns will move to acquire a first round quarterback. The question is, who does Holmgren have his eye on?

Although nothing is imminent (per Adam Schefter), the Minnesota Vikings appear to have genuine interest in LaDainian Tomlinson, 30, as do several other unnamed teams. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune adds, “The fact Tomlinson remains on the market is evidence of the fact his best years are behind him. But he could play a valuable role as the backup to Adrian Peterson. ”

Tomlinson would replace Chester Taylor, now in Chicago, as the running back in Minnesota’s offense who doesn’t fumble. Although Taylor didn’t serve a great role as a ball carrier, he was very important in passing situations. Tomlinson, despite recent injuries and a decline in ability, remains one of the league’s most capable receivers at running back.

He has 530 career receptions for 3,955 yards and 15 touchdowns. Last season was the first in his career in which he had 50 or fewer receptions (he had 20).

The Cleveland Browns have a new starting quarterback in town: Seneca Wallace. Mike Holmgren is very familiar with Wallace, having coached him for years in Seattle, and he believes Wallace is capable of being the Browns starting quarterback from day one.

“He’s accurate, he’s decisive, he’s got a strong arm and drives defenses crazy because he’s very mobile,” a league source told Tony Grossi. He went on to say, “… Seneca is one of the best locker room guys in the league, an unbelievable leader. Very athletic and has a much stronger arm and is more accurate than people think.”

In seven NFL seasons Wallace has passed for 3,547 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. The Browns quarterbacks last season combined for 2,076 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.

The two players standing in Wallace’s way? They likely won’t be there long. According to Grossi, Derek Anderson is likely to be cut within the next two weeks. Brady Quinn has a chance to stay, but he’ll likely be shipped out as well. If he does happen to stay, however, don’t expect him to start. He’ll need to learn a new offensive system, one Wallace is already familiar with.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant has scheduled a visit with the Washington Redskins. This news comes shortly after Bryant paid a visit to the Cincinnati Bengals today.

Bryant, who is entering his ninth NFL season and will be joining his fifth franchise this offseason, is coming off what is statistically his worst season since 2004. Bryant’s best season came just two years ago when he set career highs in receptions (83), yards (1,248), and touchdowns (7).

In addition to Bryant, the Bengals have also been tied to Terrell Owens and Brandon Marshall in recent news. Washington, on the other hand, could make Bryant the team’s featured wide receiver, and the franchise has not been tied to any other substantial rumors.

Chad Pennington wants to pull a Kurt Warner. The 33-year old quarterback plans to play five more seasons, at least the first of which will be spent on the sidelines in Miami.

The plan is to rehab his shoulder and get back to a level of health acceptable for a starting quarterback. In the meantime, Pennington will be most valuable as a veteran presence at a position in Miami that is oozing with inexperience. Warner made similar moves in St. Louis, stepping aside for Marc Bulger; in New York, letting Eli Manning take the reigns midway through the 2004 season; and in Arizona, giving the Cardinals time to develop Matt Leinart.

Miami’s projected starter this season is Chad Henne, and his expected backup is Tyler Thigpen. Henne started 13 games for the Dolphins last season, passing for just shy of 2,900 yards and throwing 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. Thigpen threw only eight passes, four of which were completed; he finished with one touchdown and two interceptions.