NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday he wants to meet with Ben Roethlisberger to discuss the two sexual assault accusations leveled against the Steelers quarterback .

"We take the issue very seriously," Goodell said during his first news conference at the NFL meetings in Orlando. The commissioner, who said he already had spoken with Steelers president Art Rooney II about Roethlisberger, told reporters he was "concerned that Ben continues to put himself in this position."

Roethlisberger is still waiting to hear whether he'll face charges in Milledgeville stemming from an alleged sexual assault of a 20-year-old college sophomore earlier this month. Last year, he was slapped with a civil lawsuit by a Nevada woman who says the quarterback assaulted her in 2008. Roethlisberger has denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told the NFL Network on Saturday that he was "highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally."

It's CYA time for both the Steelers and the NFL. In light of this news conference, I'm inclined to believe that they believe that there's something to these allegations. But as far as I'm concerned, the guy is innocent until proven guilty.

updated 4:45 p.m. CT, Sat., March. 27, 2010

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Authorities say NFL linebacker Joey Porter has been arrested in Bakersfield on suspicion of drunken driving and accused of assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.

The California Highway Patrol says the 33-year-old player was confronted by officers early Saturday in a fast-food parking lot.

Porter refused to provide his driver’s license and began to roll up his window when asked to leave the car. Police say that when an officer reached to unlock the door Porter slapped the officer’s hand.

Urban Meyer is a complete asshole. Earlier this week, he publicly berated a reporter who criticized Tim Tebow's quarterbacking skills, not Tim Tebow the individual. And when you see what was said, it was not really even a criticism of Tebow, but rather the fact that Tebow did not play the QB position in the prototypical way. Then when Meyer received justified criticism for the over-the-top manner in which he criticized the reporter, Meyer privately apologized to the reporter. What a classy guy.

We'll see how successful Meyer is now that he has lost Tim Tebow. I'm guessing that it will not be near the level of the past 5 years. Meyer's "leave of absence" to spend time with his family and focus on being healthy lasted, what, 2 or 3 days?

NFL's Ben Roethlisberger won't face criminal charges after sex assault allegation, Georgia district attorney says.

As Bobby Darin sang about Mack the Knife:

"Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Ben is not charged."

All apologies to be sent c/o Pittsburgh Steelers.

Colorado Rockies' President found dead.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-mlb/20100420/Obit-McGregor/

posted by Robert Snell (The Detroit News)
Steel Curtain falls on Pittsburgh star Mel Blount
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn't the only Pittsburgh Steelers star in trouble. The IRS is trying to seize Hall of Fame Steelers cornerback Mel Blount's retirement benefits to satisfy a $652,000 federal tax debt.

On March 11, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Blount in federal court, claiming he has failed to pay delinquent taxes owed between 1994 and 2006, according to court records.

The government also sued the NFL's retirement plan. That's because the IRS two years ago tried to seize all of Blount's rights to retirement benefits, and sent notices, but the NFL's retirement plan failed to forward any payments to the tax agency, according to the lawsuit.

Blount was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Before retiring in 1983, he founded the Mel Blount Youth Home in Vidalia, Ga., and later opened another home in rural Pennsylvania.

On Nov. 27, the U.S. won a judgment against Blount for $652,207 plus interest for the following tax liabilities:

What's owed:

The IRS filed an $87,355 lien against Blount for unpaid 1994 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $98,584 lien for unpaid 1995 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $205,705 lien for unpaid 1996 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $4,797 lien for unpaid 1998 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $77,079 lien for unpaid 1999 income taxes.
The IRS filed an $18,293 lien for unpaid 2000 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $43,405 lien for unpaid 2001 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $7,290 lien for unpaid 2002 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $7,169 lien for unpaid 2003 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $37,310 lien for unpaid 2004 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $12,076 lien for unpaid 2005 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $32,038 lien for unpaid 2006 income taxes.

His side:

Blount's lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Rick Mahorn is broke.
Bad Boy Bankrupt

He was a goon, just like the rest of that team .

But he was OUR goon and that makes all the difference.

I can't feel sorry for a grown man and whatever decisions he made but I would like to see how some rich people throw money away. With the kind of income he earned, even though it wasn't the REALLY BIG money, then or now, he should own his home free and clear and be comfortable. I don't think he has multiple ex-wives, children's mothers or child support so that eliminates the biggest trap some athletes fall into. I used to work as a personal financial advisor so cases like this intrigue me.

No, that would be Evander Holyfield .

Now how did that guy go broke?

He's a special case. He wasn't robbed by a promoter like so many other fighters (Ali, Tyson, et al.), he made well over 100 million during his career, and yet I hear he's broke. But then, he does have about 10 kids by 10 different women. I guess that'll do it.

A shame, too. I always liked him a lot.

I hope the gmen pick cj spiller.

Did anyone see the shortstop from Fordham University score a run against Iona in this VERY unique way?

There's a Mariners pitcher named Doug Fister

One of the real good guys has left us. Ernie Harwell, the famous Detroit Tigers announcer, loses his battle with the big "c". A true gentleman, class act and one of a kind will be missed by all. God bless you, Ernie.

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/05/04/broadcaster-ernie-harwell-dead-at-92/

Lawrence Taylor arrested for raping 15 year old girl.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/former_giants_star_lawrence_taylor_OdGWbrl8J7BXSeJiGkKIFN

This has been all over the local news, Beth. It's unreal. Where's our friend PB?? He's played golf at that course several times.

Everybody knows that if you are at a Chicago Cubs game @ Wrigley Field and the visting team hits a homerun, you better throw the ball back onto the field - heaven help you if you try to keep it! the bleacher bums will crucify you! Are there any other teams around MLB that has the same "unofficial" fan policy or funny traditions? If so, I would love to hear about it...Go White Sox!

Dallas Braden throws perfect game May 9, 2010 8:16 PM ET
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)
Dallas Braden definitely owns the mound now.

Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in major league history on Sunday, shutting down the majors' hottest team and leading the Oakland Athletics to a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Braden threw his arms in the air after Gabe Kapler grounded out to shortstop for the final out, his simmering feud with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez merely a footnote to the first perfect game for Oakland in 42 years.

Rich Rod, Carr, Morgan Trent.

Somebody is lying here

Updated May 23, 2010 2:46 PM ET
Jose Lima, a right-hand pitcher who was a 20-game winner and an All-Star during a 13-year major league career, died Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers said. He was 37.

Lima, who won 13 games with the Dodgers in 2004, died of an apparent heart attack, according to the Aguilas Cibaenas, a winter ball team that Lima had played for in the Dominican Republic.

Updated May 24, 2010 2:39 PM ET
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)
The Texas Rangers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday in hopes of getting its $575 million sale to a team of investors cleared by midsummer.

The 21-page filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Fort Worth, included a list of unsecured creditors headed by Alex Rodriguez, who's owed $24.9 million in deferred compensation six years since he was traded away from the team.

IRVING, Texas -- Check the antifreeze, grab the mittens, make sure the airport's not buried in snow. New York/New Jersey gets Super Bowl XLVIII

NFL owners voted Tuesday to put the 48th Super Bowl in the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands Stadium that this season will become home to the New York Jets and New York Giants. It's the first time the league has gone to a cold-weather site that doesn't have a dome, and those places couldn't even bid on the big game until now.

Ben Roethlisberger has been cleared to return to the Steelers, and the embattled quarterback will practice with the team starting Tuesday.

The NFL announced today that commissioner Roger Goodell is satisfied with the progress Roethlisberger has made following a review of a behavioral evaluation that Roethlisberger took a little more than three weeks ago.

Teammate: Shockey hospitalized after seizure

By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer 35 minutes ago

METAIRIE, La. (AP)—New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey(notes) was taken by ambulance to a hospital Thursday afternoon after suffering what was later diagnosed as a seizure.

“I am OK. Thanks to everyone who has shown their concern,” Shockey said in a message posted on his Twitter account. “Don’t worry about me. I will be fine.”

Saints safety Darren Sharper(notes), who was seen at the hospital where Shockey was being treated, also was with Shockey in the Saints’ weight room when the seizure took place.

“It was scary,” Sharper said. “We didn’t know what was going on.”

Sharper said trainers quickly attended to the star tight end, who seemed lucid again after about a minute and was able to walk on his own to an ambulance.

“He said he just felt lightheaded,” Sharper recalled.

It was not immediately clear how long Shockey would be hospitalized.

Last summer, before the 2009 training camp began, Shockey had to be hospitalized after passing out from dehydration at a party in Las Vegas.

Shockey had just completed three straight days of offseason training sessions at team headquarters before Thursday’s seizure occurred.

The Saints did not officially comment on Shockey’s condition, leaving unclear his prospects for getting back on the field when the Saints return to their suburban New Orleans headquarters for minicamp June 4-6.

Ump blows call
The Perfect Game

I saw Jim Joyce after last night's game. He was literally crying, and he hugged and apologized to Galaragga. At least he was man enough to admit he made the wrong call. I don't think that's worth very much to Galaragga, but at least it's something.

Griffey Jr. calls it quits.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37478734/ns/sports-baseball/

Sad day in baseball with Junior retiring. I'm glad he wasn't implicated (as far as I know) in the steroid scandal. One of the true great ones.