The San Diego Chargers made a verbal commitment to quarterback Philip Rivers when they let Drew Brees escape to New Orleans three years ago. Today they made a financial commitment, giving Philip a six-year contract extension good for $92 million ($38.5 million is guaranteed). Clearly, this is the quarterback of the future for the San Diego Chargers.
The deal makes sense. Philip is one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL and his 36-18 record (including the playoffs) proves it. So the Bolts were determined not to let him get away. And they put him in a happy place for …read more

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger held a roughly one minute press conference today to offer his word on the allegations of sexual assault brought against him in a civil case by Las Vegas resident Andrea McNulty.
Source: SportsNetworkChannel

I’m finally breaking my silence on Ben Roethlisberger’s alleged (and I emphasize the word alleged) sexual assault case because I feel like it’s my job to say something. To recap the story, a woman has filed a civil lawsuit in Reno, Nevada, accusing Ben of sexually assaulting her last summer—yes, last summer—in his penthouse room at a Harrah’s casino in Lake Tahoe during a celebrity golf tournament. One year after the alleged incident, she’s suing for sexual assault and battery, false imprisonment and infliction of emotional distress.
From what I’ve gathered from a number of sources, there doesn’t seem to be …read more

It wasn’t that long ago that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was an undrafted and pretty much confused football player. He was cut four times and his NFL career was on the verge of ending before it even got started. But two years ago, he got a second chance with the Steelers and broke into their starting lineup. Yesterday, he broke the bank. The Steelers signed the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player-of-the-Year to a six-year, $51.7 million contract ($20 million guaranteed).
Aside from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ($102 million for eight years, $36 million guaranteed), this was the largest contract ever given to …read more

The Tampa Bay Bucs agreed to a one-year deal with quarterback Byron Leftwich today. Terms of the deal were not immediately released but I can tell you Byron will have the opportunity to compete with current Bucs QBs Luke McCown, Josh Johnson and Brian Griese for the starting job. One of those four quarterbacks will most likely be released before training camp begins later this summer. And I’m guessing that odd man out will be Brian Griese.

Byron should be the favorite to win the starting role in Tampa. Otherwise, why would be have bolted from Pittsburgh? He knows he …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Just one day after winning Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was on Late Show with David Letterman. Ben actually thought his game winning pass was going to be an interception.

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes may be the Super Bowl XLIII MVP (deservingly so), but the award should be shared with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In the face of incessant Arizona Cardinals defensive pressure, Ben played the role of escape artist all evening. And he was at his best when the Steelers needed him the most. With 2:37 on the clock and down by three points, Ben worked his two-minute magic to perfection, driving the Steelers from their own 12-yard-line in 2:02 for the go-ahead score. On the game winning drive, Ben was 5-of-7 passing for …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
On the surface, Super Bowl XLIII has been touted as the Cardinals offense vs. the Steelers defense. The Cards had the NFL’s 4th best offense (in total yards) and the Steelers had the NFL’s top defense (fewest yards allowed). But there are so many other storylines and, of course, sports writers and fans have spent the past two weeks dissecting all the possibilities.
Certainly, I believe strength against strength is the most intriguing of tonight’s matchups. But, a few others quickly come to mind. I think the Cardinals are a completely different football team when …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their final major practice before Super Bowl XLIII today. The team implemented their gameplan for the Super Bowl last week at their Pittsburgh practice facility. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday practices this week were mirror workouts of what the team did last week. And head coach Mike Tomlin thinks his team is ready:
“I feel great about our preparation. Of course, you evaluate your preparation by your performance in the game, but I think the guys understand everything they have to do entering the game.”
They’re certainly healthy enough to understand it. All …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Pittsburgh Steelers practiced for an hour and 55 minutes this afternoon, mostly in the rain. Receiver Hines Ward, the only Steeler on yesterday’s injury report, practiced for the first time since he was hurt in the AFC Championship game. He ran at perhaps three-quarters speed, but he worked with the regular offense and blocked and caught the ball like he was in mid-season form. At times, the team was working out in a downpour, but it certainly didn’t dampen their spirits. Head coach Mike Tomlin was happy with the effort:
“Much like a lot of …read more