Big Ben Not Expected At Team Workouts Today

Steelers: Big Ben not expected today

By The Associated Press

Monday, March 29, 2010

Ben Roethlisberger's return to the Steelers apparently won't occur this week.

The two-time Super Bowl quarterback isn't expected to join his teammates this week for voluntary offseason workouts that begin today, team spokesman Dave Lockett said Sunday night.

Roethlisberger has been accused of assault by a 20-year-old Georgia college student, but he hasn't been charged in the case. An investigation is ongoing, and it's possible the Steelers advised Roethlisberger not to show up to avoid creating a distraction.

Roethlisberger also is being sued in Nevada by a woman who's accusing him of assaulting her in a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2008. He has strongly denied the accusation and has filed a counter suit in the case.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said last week at the NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla., that players who took 1,000 or more snaps last season were due to report today, including Roethlisberger. However, some additional Steelers veteran players, in addition to Roethlisberger, also aren't expected to show up this week, but Lockett didn't identify them.

The conditioning work involves no on-field practicing, but instead emphasizes weightlifting and getting into football shape.

Such workouts aren't open to reporters, but a large number were expected at the Steelers headquarters today because Roethlisberger hasn't commented on the Georgia incident since it occurred earlier this month.

Now, the question is when Roethlisberger will try to get back to work.

The Steelers aren't scheduled to begin on-field practicing until April 19, when they begin OTAs -- NFL shorthand for organized team activities. Such practices resemble those held during the season, and starting quarterbacks usually take part in most sessions unless they are injured.

Despite the strong start to Roethlisberger's career -- he has taken the Steelers to two NFL titles and three AFC Championship Games in six seasons -- and the estimated $66 million left on his $102 million contract, the Steelers clearly are upset with the quarterback's off-field problems.

Team president Art Rooney II has met with Roethlisberger, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also plans to meet with the quarterback at an unspecified time. Tomlin also has been in constant contact with Roethlisberger.

"We take this issue very seriously," Goodell said March 22. "I am concerned that Ben continues to put himself in this position.

Rooney said the Steelers are "in a situation (where) we're going to let this investigation play out and then go from there."

The NFL hasn't said if Roethlisberger might be suspended if he is charged in the Georgia case.

Despite Roethlisberger's problems, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said the team doesn't anticipate drafting a quarterback in the early rounds next month.



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I voted don't care here's why. even if he is put through the justice system for trial and the proof is there he did it, he'll get off with probation and ZERO jail time. Gilbert Arenas got off and he brought guns into the nation's capitol, which is a big no-no, apparently. Kobe got off too, and i'm sorry gang, buying your wife a 4 million dollar ring SCREAMS guilty.