Football Blog

Sidney Crosby turned down an opportunity to appear on The Late Show With David Letterman shortly after the Olympics, and predictably, criticism followed. The New York Post ran an article about it on Sunday under the headline, “Crosby blows NHL’s golden chance.” As usual, a lot of people were participating in the international pastime of bashing Sid.

But today, his General Manager had heard enough. At the NHL’s GM meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, Ray Shero had this to say about the criticism of #87:

“At some point, there’s a responsibility — that he takes very seriously — about being a hockey player and preparing. To me, any criticism for Sidney isn’t warranted. He does so much for the game, so much for the league. He’s trying to do it all, and it’s unfortunate he can’t do it all. But he does a lot.”

Amen, Ray. Amen. There is not a single player in the league who brings the amount of publicity and eyeballs to the NHL that Crosby does, and I’m including Alexander Ovechkin in that discussion. While I agree that an appearance on Letterman would not have hurt, there are a few issues at play here.

Number one is the fact that the Penguins had four games in six days last week. It’s as simple as scheduling. Look at the other Olympians…Ryan Miller got the night off against the Pens; Marc-Andre Fleury got the night off against Buffalo, and he didn’t even play in the Olympics…and Crosby didn’t take a minute off.

Number two is the fact that it is not Crosby’s responsibility to spend every waking moment promoting the NHL when he’s not playing. There are other players in the league, yet all publicity issues seems to fall on Crosby’s shoulders. As Shero said, Crosby does try to do it all. Considering his level of stardom, Sidney is very media-friendly. But no other player in the league bears this burden. Not Ovechkin. Not Malkin. No one.

Crosby’s won a Stanley Cup Game Seven and an Olympic Gold Medal in the past year. He’s constantly on television pitching Reebok gear. He has not and will not get into any unfortunate off-the-ice situations. He is the mature face-of-the-league that any pro sports association could only dream of, the rare instance of the product actually being better than the hype. And to top it all off, he’s only 22. If the reading of a Top 10 list on David Letterman for a few seconds trumps all of that, then criticize away. But it’s my opinion that the NHL will never find another ambassador better than Sidney Crosby, so just enjoy him for what he is – which is pretty spectacular.

Unfair to criticize Crosby: Penguins GM [TSN.ca]

Roethlisberger’s Attorney, Ed Garland spoke exclusively to KDKA’s Paul Martino outside his office in Atlanta today, predicting that the Steelers quarterback will emerge from recent sexual assault allegations with both his freedom and his future intact.

“We intend to finish this case in a way that neither his liberty nor his future is damaged,” Garland said. [KDKA]

Attorneys Lee Parks and David Walbert are representing the accuser, urging the media not to identify her and to respect her privacy while the investigation runs its course.

TMZ confirmed earlier in the day that they know the accuser’s identity and will not release a photo they possess of her with Roethlisberger. [PG, TMZ]

Ben Roethlisberger has been asked to give a DNA sample as part of the investigation, and the Milledgeville PD believes he will comply. [TMZ]

Gary Myers of the NY Daily News piles on the troubled QB with an article entitled, “Ben Roethlisberger’s stupid behavior justifies New York Giants’ choice in 2004 draft.”

That’s right, Eli Manning’s never exhibited stupid behavior. Nope. Never.

Ty Ballou of PLB Sports, manufacturer of Big Ben Beef Jerky, had this to say about Roethlisberger:

“You want the offseason to be quiet. You have to put yourself in good positions. And Ben unfortunately hasn’t. You even go back to the motorcycle accident. Whatever happened down there (in Georgia), I hope this will truly be the last time something like this happens. Ben’s a good person. He does a lot for charity. But for his career, his fans and his family, you have to make good decisions.” [USA Today]

LB Larry Foote is supposedly seeking a deal in excess of the $8 million guaranteed that Scott Fujita recently scored from Cleveland. In addition to the Steelers, Pittsburgh West and Washington are also in the hunt.

The Cardinals recent lost Karlos Dansby at the position, and the Steelers have virtually no depth at the position. He might actually parlay this opportunity into a real payday. [NFL.com]

RB Willie Parker is no longer desired by the Kansas City Chiefs, as they just added veteran Thomas Jones today. Parker remains unemployed as of this minute, with zero buzz of a return to Pittsburgh. Leading contenders for his services include Houston, Washington, and Tampa Bay. [PFT]

WR Antwaan Randle-El spoke to ESPN 1250’s “The Drive” this afternoon, and it certainly sounds like he plans on claiming the third receiver role. I’m curious what Mike Wallace thinks of that. [ESPN 1250]

WR Limas Sweed is allegedly suffering from depression, according to sources close to WXDX’s Mark Madden. If this is true (and I have no reason to believe that it isn’t), I wish him luck with this very difficult illness.

Sweed officially ended the 2009 season on injured reserve, finishing with just one catch for five yards. It appears that he has played his last game as a Steeler, with word trickling out that he and his agent are seeking a trade. According to PFT, he’s definitely not going to Atlanta, which was one of his rumored destinations.

Dominican Sports Minister Felipe Payano, received in his office on Friday, world champion featherweight (126 pounds) Elio Rojas, with whom he talked at length about various topics.

Payano used the occasion to congratulate the Dominican champion for his recent triumph in Mexico, where he defeated by unanimous decision over mexican boxer Guty Espadas.

“On behalf of President of the Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernández and myself received our warmest congratulations on his latest triumph that brought pride to all Dominicans,” Rojas told Payano.

Rojas appreciated the gesture of inviting him to his office, while reiterating his friendship.

Regarding the possibility that Rojas defend his crown in the Dominican Republic, Payano said that only awaits the company that represents submit the budget for the event.

He clarified that they are broad possibilities for the dominican champion defends his crown in the country, because it is the great desire of the President, Leonel Fernández.

Alex Rodriguez

I must admit, I didn’t see this one coming. Many outlets are reporting that Ryan Clark will be back with the Steelers on a four-year deal, despite his presence in Miami today.

This is a good move for both sides; Clark was a good fit in the Steeler defense, and his presence allows the Steelers more flexibility in the draft. It also allows the team to use Will Allen in more of a depth role (which he’s better-suited for) as opposed to making him a starter.

In the same vein that the Randle-El and Battle signings were bad news for Limas Sweed, this probably means the end of the road for Tyrone Carter as a Steeler. We’ll always have Tank…and Tyrone’s kill-shot on Greg Olsen last year:

After today’s action, the remaining Steeler UFAs are as follows: QB Charlie Batch, LB Rocky Boiman, DE Nick Eason, DE Travis Kirschke, RB Willie Parker, CB Deshea Townsend, WR Joey Galloway, and Carter.

Randle-El, a 2002 Steelers draft pick who fled for a Washington Redskins megabucks deal in 2006, helped Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl in 2005 and threw a 43-yard touchdown to Hines Ward in the game that would seal the deal.

With this and the signing of Arnaz Battle, I would not want to be in Limas Sweed’s shoes right now.

Real Madrid was proclaimed on Saturday new leader of the Spanish league back from two goals down to beat Sevilla 3-2 with a goal in stoppage of Dutchman Rafael Van Der Vaart.

The departure of midfielder Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez allowed Madrid to go around the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos were the authors of the other two goals.

After the meeting, the whole team celebrated the victory and the leadership in the midfield.

Barcelona twice came back with goals from Lionel Messi, but could only draw 2-2 at Almeria.

Messi salvaged a point for Barca to a draw for the second time they played a man down for the expulsion from Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but not enough to keep the head of the Spanish championship.

Real Madrid is ranked at the top of the standings to reach the same 62 points of Barcelona, but has the goal differential in their favor.

At the Bernabeu, Sevilla came out with more determination and managed to get ahead in the ninth minute with an own goal while Xabi Alonso as he tried to clear a shot from Diego Capel.

Merengue team could pressure him to know that leader might be dropped and left behind the middle on the scoreboard.

Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop was the hero of the first half prevented the Madrid tie the game.

Since the resumption, Ivica Dragutinovic increased the lead to 52 with a foul shot that could not stop the goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who reacted late.

With the release of “Guti” Real won in assists on goal and rallied the party.

At 60, Cristiano Ronaldo pulled one to take advantage of a decline in the area after a play by Argentine Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain, observed by his national coach Diego Maradona from the box at the Bernabeu, was fortunate not his shooting hand and all ended up crashing into the bow.

The Steeler safety and unrestricted free agent is in Miami, Florida as we speak, presumably negotiating a deal with Bill Parcells’ Dolphins, according to the Miami Herald:

Now, it’s up to the Miami Dolphins to make sure he doesn’t take another flight out anytime soon. Clark said he would like to make this his one and only stop.

“Without a question,” Clark told the Miami Herald. “That’s the reason we waited so long to take any (free agent) trips. We had interested teams that I didn’t really want to go to, and I didn’t want to try to make myself look busy by going to a bunch of different places.

“There were a lot of good offers, and a lot of good fits. But this seems like a good spot. So I’m praying to goes well.”

The Fins have taken an aggressive approach in free agency so far, inking LB Karlos Dansby to a five-year contract this weekend worth $43 million, with $22 million guaranteed. They have been looking at other available free agents at the safety position, but Colts RFA Antoine Bethea would’ve cost the Dolphins their first-round pick, the 12th overall. So that’s not happening. Clark would fill a need for Miami, and there appears to be mutual interest. So we Steeler fans should probably familiarize ourselves with incoming crop of college safeties.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ safety Ryan Clark visits Miami Dolphins [Miami Herald]