Adams in. What about Penn?
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The Pittsburgh Steelers worked out 35 year old OT Flozell Adams this afternoon. The veteran tackle was released by the Dallas Cowboys earlier this year. With Willie Colon out for the year, the Steelers are scrambling to find help on the offensive line.
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Another name which hasn’t been mentioned is LT Donald Penn. Penn has refused to sign his tender offer with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is threatening to holdout. While Adams is a free agent, the Steelers acquiring Penn would involve a trade but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility. Bucs head coach Raheem Morris and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin are good friends from their time in Tampa. Tampa Bay has serious money issues currently and appear unwilling to pay Penn. I wouldn’t count out such a move.
Colon likely to IR
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Pittsburgh Steeler RT Willie Colon has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon injury. Colon suffered the injury while working out. Reports have confirmed that Colon will undergo surgery and will most likely be placed on IR.
This is just another blow to the Steelers team as Colon has been the right tackle starter for the Steelers for three consecutive years and Pittsburgh doesn’t have much depth at this position.
Steelers and State Police. A Disturbing Link?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have dealt with more than their fair share controversies this off season and it looks as if there might be another distraction looming on the horizon, the association of Steeler players and the Pennsylvania State Police.
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Amid all the allegations surrounding the possible Ben Roethlisberger sex charges this past March, was the involvement of an off duty State Police officer. Pittsburghlive.com published a story which outlined Edward Joyner’s involvement with Ben Roethlisberger. The article states that Joyner, “While moonlighting as Roethlisbergers travel agent, contractor, dry cleaning deliveryman, personal shopper, car detailer and valet, Joyner racked up 602 hours and about $30,000 in 2009.” The article clearly states that Joyner’s work with Roethlisberger was not allowed by police regulations but it was an open secret which was “treated kind of like a joke.”
The relationship between Joyner and Roethlisberger are troubling at the least but as of this morning, a new controversy involving the Steelers and the State Police have come to light. Carl Prine writing for the Pittsburgh Tribune Review outlines a shooting party in 2006 which was held at state police range. The newspaper acquired photos of Steelers players holding state issued firearms while having pictures taken with State Police personnel.
The Tribune-Review claims that the Harrisburg State Police headquarters never investigated but did allow the person who authorized the incident to conduct his own investigation. Isn’t that a cozy relationship? Retired Maj. Frank Monaco is at the center of questioning surrounding the incident and seems rather flippant in his responses. Monaco told the newspaper that this is “much ado about nothing.” Monaco further tells the Tribune Review that players at the range “They shot with personally owned weapons with the troopers. Not state weapons. Not state ammunition.” The article clearly quotes Steelers players refuting Monaco’s claims.
So what exactly is going on here with the Steelers players relationship with State Police troopers? It’s clear that police officials turned a blind eye to Joyner’s involvement with Ben Roethlisberger. What sort of quid pro quo is happening? Whatever the outcome of these latest allegations, head coach Mike Tomlin must be frustrated with yet more off field distractions.
Roethlisberger Videos to be Released Today
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Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will be unveiled in a DVD release today, but you won’t be able to rent this one at Netflix. According to the Post-Gazette, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations will be releasing 50 DVD’s today that detail the interviews conducted after the allegations of rape by a 20 year old college student swirled around Roethlisberger in March.
The videos should be available sometime today at the post-gazette website.
Leftwich feeling froggy
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be facing a quarterback situation, and not just the Ben Roethlisberger suspension, Byron Leftwich is feeling froggy.
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While appearing on The Sirius Blitz yesterday, Leftwich was asked by the hosts (Adam Schein and Rich Gannon) about whether or not Ben Roethlisberger is automatically given the starting job when he returns from suspension.
The hosts asked “You’re the quarterback for the Steelers. Pittsburgh goes 3-1 or 4-0. Does Ben automatically get the job back?” Leftwich responded , “I don’t know.”
Okay, first of all, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t named a starter yet. Maybe Tomlin has told Leftwich he has the inside track, maybe Byron is assuming that he’ll win the job. But for Byron “The Human Windmill” Leftwich to consider himself as the same caliber of NFL quarterback as Ben Roethlisberger is hilarious.
If the Human Windmill gets the starts while Ben is suspended, expect to see a heavy dose of running the football, as soon as Goodell clears Roethlisberger to return, sit down Byron and don’t touch the ball again for the rest of the year.
