STEELERS BLACK -N- GOLD POST A Pittsburgh Steelers Blog from the heart of Steelers Nation.

by Ramona Dye

On Thursday May 27th, Roger Goodell announced Ben Roethlisberger would be reinstated and allowed to return to our Steelers next week.

Goodell informed media that based on the information he received from evaluations, that he has cleared Roethlisberger to return to team facilities to take part in both team meetings and practice.

"We look forward to having Ben re-join his teammates on the pratice field."

Steelers president Art Rooney II

In April, the NFL suspended Roethlisberger without pay for 6 games for violating the league's presonal conduct policy.

Roethlisberger was required to undergo a behavioral evaluation as part of that suspension, which could possibly be reduced to only a 4 game suspension after Goodell reviews Bens progress.

What everyone must or should keep in mind is that Ben Roethlisberger has not been criminally charged in the March 5th ordeal and although he is facing a civil suit against a woman in Nevada, criminal charges have not been filed in that case either.

Let's hope that this mess is behind our Steelers and we can continue moving forward into the 2010 season and make another run for the Lombardi.

As Always, Here We Go!!!

by Ramona Dye

PITTSBURGH ─ The Steelers added depth to roster by signing punter Adam Graessle and wide receiver Brandon London.

Graessle (6-4, 225) was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted rookie free agent

from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009, but was released prior to training camp. He was then signed to the California Redwoods of the United Football League (UFL) for the 2009 season.

London (6-4, 215) was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Massachusetts in 2007. He spent the 2007 season on the Giants’ practice squad and was released prior to the 2008 season. London was then claimed by the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 31, 2008, He appeared in 14 games (one start) with three catches for 30 yards. He was released by the Dolphins prior to the 2009 season.

Welcome to Pittsburgh guys!

As Always, Here We Go!!!

by Ramona Dye

Our Steelers are faced with a quarterback situation as to who will start and play at least the first four games of the season.

One of the biggest issues is, how will Arians find the time to afford Big Ben first team snaps to get him ready for the season and for which back-up quarterback who will have the short term starting job while Roethlisberger serves his suspension.

Bruce Arians will have to find snaps to get Big Ben ready for the season while also evaluating who will be the backup to start the season. 

Roethlisberger,Batch and Leftwich will all need time with the first team offense, with Batch and Leftwich competing for the starting job.

Batch has proven he can be an adequate back-up when Ben has been out injured. Leftwich also has experience with the teams offense.

Let's not forget Dennis Dixon as well, who did a fine job filling in for Ben last season against the Ravens. Although the game was lost in OT, the rookie Dixon showed a natural ability to slide into that position and hit his targets plus the ability to scramble.

It will be a hard decision and of course you all know how I feel about Bruce "Airhead" Arians. Let's hope that his decisions and game planning gets our Steelers past this suspension as we move on through the 2010 season.

As Always, HERE WE GO!!!

by Ramona Dye

On Monday, Ben Roethlisberger made his first appearance in public since his suspension in April, with some teammates for a charity golf tournament.

Although Roethlisberger made no statements he was seen by the local TV stations golfing and interacting with his golfing partners.

Wide Receiver Hines Ward told KDKA TV "Life isn't over for Ben", "He has to go on and deal with the consequences. But coming out today is just the first step of many." "I'm proud that he came out and showed his support."

Ben was suspended for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, with the possibility of that suspension being lessened to four games if he does all that is required of him by the NFL.

He was ordered to behavioral counseling and prohibited from participating in offseason team activities while the couseling continues.

The team has OTA's set for Tuesday, yet the NFL has yet to clear Roethlisberger to work out with his teammates.

I do not agree with this part of the suspension because the NFL is basically going to put on their own shoulders the possibility of Ben getting hurt due to the fact he cannot work out with the team.

If this were to happen due to him not being allowed to work out with his teammates, the responsibility of Ben getting hurt will fall onto the NFL not allowing Ben to maintain and get in football-ready shape.

I will look forward to the day that the NFL allows Ben to put this tumultous offseason behind him and focus on his future.

As Always, Here We Go!!!

by Ramona Dye

Our beloved Steelers have traded Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft pick. One can only guess why this move was made by our Steeler management.

Maybe to make a statement that bad conduct off the field would not be tolerated or could be the four-game suspension under the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy.

It appears Holmes tested positive for a banned substance, or missed a drug test. Let's not forget back in 2008, he was arrested for possession, prompting a one-game suspension levied by the Steelers.

All I can hope for is that the organization knows what they are doing and hopefully it does not backfire on our faces.

As always, Here We Go!!

Bad Boys In Pittsburgh?

by Ramona Dye

Our Pittsburgh Steelers have had a tumultuous off-season with legal problems for two of our own, Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger.

The NFL has suspended Santonio Holmes to a four game suspension. It has yet to be made clear why Holmes will carry this suspension.

Holmes was accused of attacking a woman, Anshonae Mills inside a nightclub in Orlando, Florida back in March. Mills claims that Holmes threw a glass at her, cutting her above the eye.

An investigator tracked down a witness, who gave a sworn statement saying he not Holmes,  threw the glass because the woman was attacking Holmes.

Holmes attorney, Adam Swickle states his client, Holmes will be exonerated.

Bad Boy II

Last July, a Harrah's Casino employee, Andrea McNulty filed a civil lawsuit against Ben Roethlisberger for sexual assault, claiming he raped her in his hotel room one year prior to the filing. This suit is on-going.

About four weeks ago, a 20 year old college student in Georgia, claimed Ben Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her in a nightclub.

Roethlisberger's attorney, Ed Garland made a statement after finding out there would be no charges filed against his client.

"There has been no criminal charge that has been brought against Ben Roethlisberger," Garland told the Pittsburgh Tribune. "There has been no warrant, no accusation, no indictment, and there should be none in this matter."

Garland went on to say....

"Ben Roethlisberger has never been accused by law enforcement of committing any criminal offense throughout his entire life,"  "To my knowledge, I don't believe he's even received a speeding ticket. ... As I have always maintained, it is our belief that a just determination in this matter will be that no crime of any sort was committed by Ben Roethlisberger."

We will await an official announcement on Monday at 2PM when district attorney, Fred Bright is expected to announce his decision on this case.

ESPN's John Clayton has announced that a source close to the investigation has stated there will be no charges filed against Roethlisberger.

As Always here we Go!!

by Ramona Dye

ESPN's John Clayton is reporting that there will be no charges against Ben Roethlisberger on the alleged sexual assault of a 20 year old college student in Georgia.

A source has confirmed to ESPN's Kelly Naqi that no criminal charges will be filed.

On Monday the Judicial Circuit District Attorney, Fred Bright will announce his decision as to whether charges will or will not be be filed.