Ben Roethlisberger suspension

Ben, Roethlisberger suspension: NFL commissioner reduces ban of Pittsburgh Steelers QB to four games

Terry Bradshaw's prayers weren't answered. The NFL has reduced Ben Roethlisberger's suspension.

Two days after Bradshaw ripped into Roethlisberger for his actions toward women, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with the current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Friday and reduced his suspension from six games to four. He also praised the 28-year-old for the effort he has shown in trying to improve his behavior.

"You have told me and the Steelers that you committed to making better decisions," Goodell told Roethlisberger, according to a statement released by the league. "Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise, and you must continue to honor that commitment."

The reduction, according to the league, is "contingent on (Roethlisberger) continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisers and avoiding any further violations of the Personal Conduct Policy." While suspended, he must stay away from the Steelers completely and have no contact with the coaches or front office.

Roethlisberger reportedly delivered a tearful apology to his teammates after their final exhibition game on Thursday night. He is eligible to return for the Steelers' Oct. 17 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Roethlisberger was suspended by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy in early March when he was accused of sexually assaulting a college student in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar. He wasn't charged in the incident, but the mountain of evidence against him did not reflect well on him or the league, and obviously convinced Goodell that Roethlisberger did not behave appropriately.

Clearly Bradshaw, a Hall of Famer and former Steelers quarterback, is convinced of that. He's never been a fan of Roethlisberger and he hammered him again on Wednesday during a pointed speech at a luncheon in Shreveport, La.

"Going to bars, treating women like that. . . . Oh my God," Bradshaw said. "I pray they don't cut (his suspension) to four games. I hope they leave it at six."

Read more: www.nydailynews.com

Bill Musgrave offensive coordinator Browns interview

Cleveland Browns interview Falcons QB coach Bill Musgrave for offensive coordinator

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns interviewed Atlanta Falcons assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave for their offensive coordinator vacancy on Tuesday, a league source confirmed.

Eagles secondary coach and senior assistant Dick Jauron also arrive in town Tuesday and will interview Wednesday for the defensive coordinator position, a source told The Plain Dealer. Fellow former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt will interview Thursday for the defensive coordinator job.

Musgrave was scheduled to arrive in Minnesota Tuesday night to interview for the Vikings' coordinator position, according to reports by ESPN and NFL Network.

Musgrave, 43, brings 14 years experience as an NFL assistant, including coordinator stints with the Eagles (1998), Panthers (2000) and Jaguars (2003-2004). An advocate of the West Coast offense, he learned the scheme from playing quarterback for the 49ers from 1991-94 under head coach George Seifert and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan.

The Falcons quarterbacks coach since 2006, Musgrave is credited with guiding Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan in his first three NFL seasons. Ryan, who committed three turnovers in a 48-21 divisional round loss to the Packers on Sunday, has guided the Falcons to a 33-13 mark, including 13-3 in 2010.

A first-round pick out of Boston College in 2008, Ryan threw 28 touchdowns and only nine interceptions this season, earning a 91.0 rating -- ninth-best in the NFL.

After last season, Falcons coach Mike Smith added the title of "assistant head coach" to Musgrave's duties. He hoped to keep his staff together this season, but "reluctantly" granted the Browns and Vikings permission to interview him, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported. Musgrave is viewed as potential successor to Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, who interviewed for the Browns' head coach job.

Musgrave would replace Brian Daboll, who has moved on to the Dolphins. In Cleveland, Musgrave would most likely not call plays, at least in the early going. New coach Pat Shurmur has said he'll handle that chore.

Musgrave also drew interest from the Rams, who hired Josh McDaniels to replace Shurmur. Two offensive assistants with ties to the Browns staff, Ravens' quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and Rams receivers coach Nolan Cromwell, are not coordinator candidates at this time.

In other coaching news, Browns quarterbacks coach Carl Smith might be up for an assistant position in Seattle.

News From: www.cleveland.com

Al Davis makes it clear Campbell is his QB

Owner Al Davis reiterated at Tuesday's press conference that Jason Campbell reminds him of two-time Super Bowl winner Jim Plunkett.

Davis considers Plunkett on of the most under-appreciated players in NFL history. He patted himself on the back for the Campbell trade last offseason and compared Campbell's Auburn track record favorably to that of Cam Newton's. In short, Davis made it clear that he considers Campbell the unquestioned starter of the Raiders heading into 2011. Cross quarterback off Oakland's offseason shopping list.

 

Al Davis on cutting JaMarcus Russell: Can't solve players' problems

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis said he cut former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell last spring because he felt the club could no longer fight personal problems for its players.

The Raiders paid Russell more than $30 million for three seasons in which he started 25 games and threw more INTs (23) than TD passes (18).

Davis, in his first public comments since cutting Russell, said he couldn't invest more time in what became one of the biggest busts in NFL draft history.

"Basically he's a good person but he's got personal problems," Davis said. "And I decided it was time that we weren't going to fight it anymore."

Russell admitted to using codeine at times when he was with the Raiders, and has since admitted to mistakes in his life.

The Raiders had traded for QB Jason Campbell two weeks prior to moving on from Russell.

"It hurt is a great deal," Davis said of the Russell era. "But you've got to go on."

Russell has since had at least two workouts with other NFL teams, but has remained unsigned.



News From: content.usatoday.com

Tate Forcier News Reports

Michigan AD says QB Tate Forcier not with program

 University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon, right, watches as new head football coach Brady Hoke addresses the media during a news conference in Ann Arbor, Mich., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011. Hoke becomes the 19th coach in the 131-year history of Michigan football and arrives in Ann Arbor after spending the past eight seasons as a head coach at Ball State and San Diego State. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon says quarterback Tate Forcier is no longer with the program.

Brandon made the announcement during a news conference Wednesday after introducing Brady Hoke as the new coach for college football’s winningest team.

Forcier was academically ineligible to play for the Wolverines in the Gator Bowl. Brandon says he can’t talk about any student’s academic status with the school.

Messages seeking comment were left with Forcier and his father.

Forcier backed up Denard Robinson last season after starting ahead of him when they were both freshmen during the 2009 season. Forcier threw for 2,647 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 20 games.