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Sunday, March 28, 2010

Back in the saddle

Geez, you go away for a week during the offseason and all kinds of things happen.

Let's recap:

The Steelers picked up a pair of fifth-round picks and one seventh in compensatory draft choices. That's pretty much what everyone assumed they'd get for losing Nate Washington, Bryant McFadden and Byron Leftwich.

It gives Pittsburgh 10 picks in this year's draft and I'll be shocked if they make all 10. With the two extra fifth-round selections, they could likely move a fourth and a fifth to pick up an extra third, or a third and a fifth to move up in the third round. You get the idea.

The Steelers now have additional options.

© In another unsurprising move, Charlie Batch is back with the Steelers, signed to a two-year deal.

The Steelers like Batch because he's comfortable in his role, knows the offense and is very active in the community. But, regardless of the Batch re-signing, Dennis Dixon is now the No. 2 quarterback.

That's important because of the charges that still hang over Ben Roethlisberger's head.

© Things are still crawling along slowly with the Roethlisberger situation. The fact that there have not been any charges filed remains a positive sign for Roethlisberger.

The Steelers are obviously not happy with their quarterback and neither is commissioner Roger Goodell.

Goodell said he'll meet with Roethlisberger at some point to discuss the situation.

Some are calling it a double standard - with racial preferences coming into play - but that's silly.

Again, Roethlisberger's first sexual assault accusation has the look and feel of a money grab, pure and simple. And there is still no real proof that any assault occurred in the Georgia case.

Doesn't mean Roethlisberger won't still draw a suspension or fine of some sort from the league. But to do so at this point would be premature, to say the least.

© There are rumors that the Steelers could be interested in acquiring Byron Leftwich via a trade with Tampa Bay. The only way that happens is if all hell breaks loose with Roethlisberger and he's charged and suspended.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Where are the Leftwich rumors coming from? The Examiner?

Anonymous said...

teams can't trade comp picks, but get your point. glad to see your back in the saddle.

Anonymous said...

They wouldn't trade the comp picks.

They could trade their original fifth in any of those scenarios he mentioned and still have the two comps.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Dale!

Patrick said...

they'll be trading up somewhere. My guess would be the 2nd Rd, but I don't see many teams willing to trade back this year with the talent that will be there during those picks.

So with that said, I think they'll do something like last year and try to move a lot in the 3rd and acquire a few picks there. I think you'll see a RB in the 3rd and probably an OLB.

Never take a vacation again Dale, I was worried sick.

keevin said...

what the hell does Charlie Batch have on the owners? This old bum can't play anymore. You could make a fair argument that Batch costs us the playoffs last year by not being ready to play.

ridiculous signing

Anonymous said...

The Steelers needs a CB badly!

Anonymous said...

A lawsuit claims Steelers wide receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes injured a woman at a Florida nightclub after throwing a glass filled with alcohol into her face.

OMG! This team is going to Hell in a hand basket.

Zeke

Anonymous said...

Maybe the Cards will pick up Parker. Seems they can't look past the good ol black n gold players. Now Porter is headed west.

Patrick said...

The Steelers must have known about Holmes' suit when they signed EL.

Told you something was up with the WR's. Holmes could easily be suspended for a few games.

Anonymous said...

only being sued, but no criminal charges?

Patrick said...

either way, Holmes is in the spotlight for something negative again. He could definitely be suspended by the league.

Anonymous said...

i don't disagree.

but why not bring criminal charges? what is with these people?

Patrick said...

criminal charges don't pay and for this incident the charge wouldn't be extremely serious. Going to trial is not fun, etc etc.

But yeh I agree for the most part, strengthens a civil case too.

Anonymous said...

Rumor, He is going to pay his way out of this one. He was telling the women and people around the accident that "he's an NFL player and he didn't want to get in any trouble" His fault.. she now knows he has $$$$$.... He will pay and everything will get dropped.
Sounds like ego's are running wild. This may be a long season....
Zeke

Dale Lolley said...

The Holmes incident wasn't pursued by the police, which leads me to believe it's rather weak. If he'd have actually done what she's accused him of, assault charges would have been filed.

I know they can't trade comp picks. As was pointed out, they could deal their original picks, though, to make a move and still have the two fifths to fall back on.

And what the hell is the Examiner? The San Francisco Examiner?

I just spent a week just outside Tampa. That was the radio rumor down there. As I said, it was a rumor, nothing more, nothing less.

other_patrick said...

I don't think charges were filed in the Holmes case because the alleged victim was incoherently intoxicated. and apparently expressed a desire to not file an official complaint.

The news story on this said that the police failed to file a report. To me this says that they showed up and there was a trashed lady who was bleeding and confused and had just been kicked out of the bar. If she's not going to file a complaint, then there's nothing substantial to report unless there are some sober witnesses. I'm guessing either there weren't, or there were but they don't want to implicate Tone or the lady's story is wrong in some way.

Pistol said...

Dale,

What is your opinion on the state of the Steelers?? It almost feels like the inmates are running the asylum. Do you forsee Tomlin and Colbert running a tighter ship?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Dale Lolley said...

I guess somebody's 12-year-old got a new computer.

Dale Lolley said...

As for my thoughts on the state of the Steelers, that will be my next post.