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Roethlisberger hits the big time

First South Park, now Eminem.

According to the Associated Press, "Eminem mentions Ben Roethlisberger in his latest song: “Despicable.”
The million-selling rapper refers to the Steelers’ troubled quarterback in explicit lyrics and with the lines, “I’d rather turn this club into a bar room brawl. Get as rowdy as Roethlisberger in a bathroom stall.”
While Eminem is releasing a new album called “Recovery,” the song referencing Roethlisberger will not be included. The song was posted at a website co-founded by Eminem’s manager."

It appears that Roethlisberger's scrape with the law has made him more of a public figure than winning two Super Bowls.

Cardinals sign Faneca

From the AP in a move that should surprise, well, no one:

The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to terms with free-agent left guard Alan Faneca on a one-year contract, three days after he was cut by the New York Jets.
The team did not release financial terms Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Faneca played the last two seasons for the Jets and has 128 consecutive starts over the past eight years.
Faneca spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in the first round out of Louisiana State in 1998.
Faneca rejoins Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm, both former Steelers assistants. Grimm was Faneca’s position coach from 2001-06 and he earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2001.

Roethlisberger's statement

Here is the full transcript of Ben Roethlisberger's statement regarding his suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

“The Commissioner’s decision to suspend me speaks clearly that more is expected of me. I am accountable for the consequences of my actions. Though I have committed no crime, I regret that I have fallen short of the values instilled in me by my family. I will not appeal the suspension and will comply with what is asked of me ─ and more.

Missing games will be devastating for me. I am sorry to let down my teammates and the entire Steelers fan base. I am disappointed that I have reached this point and will not put myself in this situation again.

I appreciate the opportunities that I have been given in my life and will make the necessary improvements.”

The "official" URFA list

As happens every year, the list of undrafted rookie free agents is in flux until the teams actually get their names on a contract, signed, sealed and delivered.

This year was no different for the Steelers.

Here is this year's official list:

Fullback Detemetrius Taylor (6-0, 273) of Virginia Tech, guard Dorrian Brooks (6-2, 306) of James Madison, safeties Justin Thornton (6-1, 213) of Kansas and Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith (6-2, 210) of UTEP, offensive tackle Kyle Jolly (6-6, 300) of North Carolina, defensive tackle Cordarrow Thompson (6-2, 301) of Virginia Tech and center/guard A.J. Trump (6-3, 300) of Miami.

Steelers add some interesting rookie free agents

The Steelers have added seven undrafted rookie free agents at this point and there are some very interesting names among them.

Leading the group is Connecticut running back Andre Dixon, a powerful runner who replaced Donald Brown in 2009 and had just over 1,000 yard with 14 touchdowns.

Connecticut defensive end Lindsey Witten (6-4, 275), G-T Ciron Black (6-4, 327) and guard Dorian Brooks (6-2, 306) of James Madison also had draftable grades from most scouting services.

The Steelers also signed Miami (Fla.) center A.J. Trump (6-3, 310), Virginia Tech nose tackle Cordarrow Jackson (6-1, 305) and UTEP strong safety Da'mon Cromartie-Smith.

Steelers claim no interest in Faneca

In the moments following their final draft selection Saturday, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert was asked - since the team seems to be intent on collecting former players - if they would have any interest in Alan Faneca/

Faneca is going to be released any day now by the New York Jets.

Colbert said that, for now, the team is finished signing veterans.

Steelers acquire McFadden

The Steelers dealt the fifth-round selection they received for Santonio Holmes from the Jets to Arizona for the Cardinals sixth-round pick and cornerback Bryant McFadden.

This should make Steelers nation very, very happy.

Day 2 thoughts

After passing on selecting a defensive back on day two of the draft, we can only assume the Steelers are happy to let things ride with their current group.

The Steelers apparently feel that second-year players Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett are ready to make a big impact in 2010.

I did find out that there was a great deal of discussion in the second round prior to the team selecting Jason Worilds. Some in the room wanted Penn State's Sean Lee, who was still available.

But it was decided the depth at inside linebacker - where Larry Foote and Keyaron Fox back up Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior - was good enough. They needed an OLB behind James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.

And head coach Mike Tomlin loved Worilds. Lee went three picks later to Dallas.

In round three, the Steelers were looking hard at safety Major Wright, but he went seven picks ahead of them to Chicago.

So they decided to instead go for a receiver they see as the heir apparent to Hines Ward, SMU's Emmanuel Sanders.

Jason Worilds

The Jason Worilds pick in the second round was a bit of a surprise, but only because he was a guy who flew under the radar when it came to the team.

Nobody had been talking about this guy.

But Worilds is a solid pass rusher who will play outside linebacker for the Steelers providing depth right away - and perhaps more importantly, solid special teams play.

Perhaps the Steelers had bigger needs, but when you consider that the top backup at outside linebacker is Lawrence Timmons, it kind of makes sense.

It also shows just how badly they blew the Bruce Davis pick a couple of years ago. Had Davis turned out to be a player, they would not have needed to select Worilds.

Second-day thoughts

Now that the dust has settled from a pretty fast and furious first round of action from the NFL draft, it's time to sort through what's left for day two and try to figure out what direction the Steelers will go.

Pittsburgh got the offensive lineman it coveted in the first round, grabbing guard/center Maurkice Pouncey.

Now, the Steelers will look to fill some other trouble spots.

There was a big run on cornerbacks late in the first round that sucked away some solid talent, but there are still a couple of DBs out there that they like, Brandon Ghee first and foremost among them.

If the Wake Forest corner is available when the Steelers pick at 52, look for another big smile on Kevin Colbert's face.

Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate would also interest the Steelers a great deal as the heir apparent to Hines Ward.

If both of those players are gone, it could get interesting. In that case, you could be looking at wide receiver Arrelious Benn from Illinois, linebacker Koa Misi from Utah or Akwasi Owusu-Ansah from IUP.

Owusu-Ansah would be interesting not just from the standpoint of having played just up the road from Pittsburgh, but because a few years ago the Steelers took a chance on a D-II cornerback in the second round following a run on corners and ended up with Ricardo Colclough. Penn State's Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee are also possibilities.

I don't know if that will scare them away from Owusu-Ansah, but it may.