The Sports Monitor

I wanted to see commissioner Roger Goodell step up to the podium Thursday night and announce that the Pittsburgh Steelers traded quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. I didn't care where; I wanted him out of Pittsburgh. Deep down, however, I didn't think it would happen. Despite all his problems, Roethlisberger still means something to the Steelers -- money. If Dan Rooney weren't cashing in his endorsement of Barack Obama with his ambassadorship to Ireland, maybe things would be different. He's more of a no-nonsense kind of guy. But with Art Rooney II calling the shots, I believe character still counts, but Rooney is more of a businessman. And in the NFL these days, it's a business. I don't think it was a coincidence that Roethlisberger's six-game suspension can be reduced to four games. I don't think it was a coincidence that the end of Roethlisberger's suspension would end when the Steelers have their bye week. And I don't think it ...

So long, Santonio Holmes. Thanks for winning the Pittsburgh Steelers a Super Bowl. I'm not even sure he got that kinds of sendoff after the Steelers traded their Super Bowl MVP to the New York Jets late Sunday night for a fifth-round draft pick. Yeah, a fifth-round pick. It seems like a low price to pay to acquire a gifted athlete, but a checkered past can do things like that. Holmes is facing a lawsuit from a woman who claims he threw a glass at her. Holmes denies it and a witness has claimed responsibility. In 2008, Holmes was arrested for possession of marijuana, and he was involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006; the misdemeanor charges were dismissed. That can be overlooked by some teams -- but not the Pittsburgh Steelers. Especially when your franchise QB has problems of his own. Who's easier to replace: the QB or the WR? That answer's easy. The receiver can be replaced. Holmes is expendable. Could the Steelers have gotten better than a fift...

Random thoughts from Super Bowl XLIV: Give Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams some credit. He was masterful with his adjustments. After giving up 10 first-quarter points, the Saints outscored the Colts 31-7. Drew Brees is a logical choice for MVP. I couldn't argue with Tracy Porter being picked, too, after his game-clinching interception. Heck, coach Sean Payton deserved consideration if a coach could get the award. What about Thomas Morstead? He's the kicker who had the best onside kick ever. It doesn't get much better than that. My memory's fuzzy, but I recall Santonio Holmes having a touchdown overturned in last year's AFC Championship Game against the Ravens. He fumbled after diving into the end zone after getting two feet down to make the catch. I'm still not sure how that was ruled incomplete and the Saints' Lance Moore got credited for a catch on the 2-point conversion. That said, Payton made a great call to challenge the catch.  Porter ...