All Things AFC North, 2016

[whodeyjc]

It sure sounded like they aren't expecting him back when talking about it at the combine.

They were also sniffing around Terrelle Pryor in FA.

Justin Hunter is probably just a camp body or 6th WR though, so not sure that really tells us anything.

I saw the same thing. Hunter probably just a replacement for Wheaton, but since they were different kinds of guys, was just trying to connect the dots. I really don't want to see the Steelers with Bell/Bryant/Brown. At least not until Ben hangs it up.

[texbengal]

Good news - Ravens signed Brandon Carr - likely as a starting CB. He's not good, but he is durable. Glad they didn't get Mo Claiborne who was starting to figure it out... when he wasn't hurt, that is. Although I think Tony Jefferson at S was a nice get for them... very good run defender and has really improved as a pass defender.

[HOF]

Ben Roethlisberger's retirement talk, free agency bargains, more


















By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The NFL Editor
Published: March 21, 2017 at 12:08 p.m.
Updated: March 21, 2017 at 05:52 p.m.


One of the NFL's great players hasn't committed to playing in 2017, and no one particularly cares.

As April approaches, Ben Roethlisberger's refusal to definitively say he's playing football again remains odd, but the collective dismissal of his waffling is downright funny.

Way back on Jan. 24, Roethlisberger told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that he needed to "take some time away to evaluate next season, if there's going to be a next season."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke later that same day and didn't sound particularly troubled.

"He said it, so you do take it seriously," Tomlin said, sounding like a parent who wants to validate his child's feelings without believing a word of it.

Just a day later, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette quoted a veteran teammate who said he's "heard that before" from Ben. The piece also said that no one in the organization was taking Roethlisberger's words seriously. In the weeks to follow, Steelers president Art Rooney II and general manager Kevin Colbert both said they expect Roethlisberger to play, despite his comments.

This refusal to take a leader's public statements at face value echoes in our daily news, and it makes me wonder what Roethlisberger is thinking. At what point does he go mad or get slightly depressed that no one believes him?

He has kept the story alive into free agency, despite the Steelers failing to address the quarterback position with any urgency in March. Speaking at a conference at Liberty University over the weekend, Roethlisberger allowed that he's "leaning towards" playing again without fully committing.

The story is reminiscent of the annual offseason indecision from Brett Favre, the original quarterback who cried wolf. But at least Favre had to flip-flop a few times before people stopped taking him seriously. People just don't believe Roethlisberger right off the bat.

Perhaps it's Roethlisberger's penchant for in-season drama, his self-documented history of recovery from injuries. Perhaps it's more insidious, a background of distrust built from multiple sexual-assault allegations, a lack of trust in Roethlisberger that lingers in his hometown to this day.

At some point before April 18, when Steelers players report to the team facility for "Phase One" of organized team activities, the greatest Steelers player of this century should announce he's playing football again. The story likely will be treated with indifference, raised eyebrows and a few wisecracks, because no one took Ben Roethlisberger seriously in the first place.

[alleycat]

Browns starting to talk about Josh Gordon in ways that make you think he might be available to trade. If the unthinkable happens, and McCarron gets traded there, I wonder if sending Gordon here as part of the package might grease the deal a little. He's a huge risk, to be sure, but he fits a direct need and I could see Brown being more willing to trade away a player if he gets one in return. Both teams risking helping the other...

[mongo]

Browns starting to talk about Josh Gordon in ways that make you think he might be available to trade. If the unthinkable happens, and McCarron gets traded there, I wonder if sending Gordon here as part of the package might grease the deal a little. He's a huge risk, to be sure, but he fits a direct need and I could see Brown being more willing to trade away a player if he gets one in return. Both teams risking helping the other...

I'd much rather spend a high draft pick on a receiver than pay anything for Gordon. He's a hair's breadth away from a lifetime ban. If you want to pick a guy like that off the street I season, so be it. I wouldn't trade a ticket stub for that guy.

[tubbs1518]

I'd much rather spend a high draft pick on a receiver than pay anything for Gordon. He's a hair's breadth away from a lifetime ban. If you want to pick a guy like that off the street I season, so be it. I wouldn't trade a ticket stub for that guy.

I would. Gordon is a top 5 WR when playing. Yes he is a moron and yes he is almost gone, but Mikey Boy and the Bengals usually do pretty good work with players who can't get out of their own way.

[Bengals1181]

I'd be tempted to sign Gordon, but I'm definitely not trading for him

[mongo]

I'd be tempted to sign Gordon, but I'm definitely not trading for him

You just can't (trade for him). The guy is a single choice away from crashing on Odell Thurman's coach forever. Aside from that, he hasn't played any football since those five games in 2014 (and three of them were pretty bad showings).

[Squirrlnutz]

Gordon hasn't had any NFL level training/coaching in 3 years...and of all the attributes that depreciate over time, speed is the first to go.

If he ends up playing in the NFL again it won't be because someone traded for him and I'd be willing to bet he is extremely underwhelming at that.