NFL Capsules: Steelers QB accused of sexual assault in Georgia
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — A jovial night of bar-hopping in a central Georgia college town ended in a new allegation against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after a 20-year-old college student told police he sexually assaulted her in a nightclub.
The two-time Super Bowl winner already faces a lawsuit from a woman who claims he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel and casino, an allegation he strongly denies.
The latest accusation came early Friday in downtown Milledgeville, about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta and about 30 miles south of the lake home the player owns.
Roethlisberger, who turned 28 on Tuesday, and two or three friends went to Buffington's bar earlier Thursday night to watch the University of Pittsburgh men's college basketball game, said Paul Kurcikevicus, a 24-year-old college student.
He said the group was friendly, at first joking that Roethlisberger was not the NFL player. Kurcikevicus said Roethlisberger bought shots for him and some other people in the bar: "O-Bombs," a mixture of energy drink and flavored rum.
The student said Roethlisberger got excited at the end of the game, when a Pitt player hit a 3-point shot at the buzzer to win 73-71 and avoid an upset by Providence.
The group later went to The Brick restaurant nearby, owner Frank Pendergrast said.
"He was very polite with everybody," Pendergrast said. "He was down here from about 11:30 until about 1:30 having a good time, talking to a lot of people. Looked like he was signing autographs and letting people take pictures. Other than that, it was really uneventful."
Roethlisberger was later seen at Capital City, a popular nightclub for students at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. The club was bustling Friday night, with a country band playing and a $20 cover charge.
One patron, 21-year-old college student Brandon Harris, said he saw Roethlisberger come in the night before with two or three big men, who were keeping other club goers away from the player. Harris said the group went into a curtained VIP area in the back of the club, and some women were let inside.
What happened next is under investigation.
Deputy Police Chief Richard Malone said Roethlisberger had been with three other people who were mingling with another group that included the alleged victim. Malone said the woman and her party contacted a nearby police officer following the alleged assault.
"He's been identified as being at the scene and there are allegations naming him as the perpetrator," Malone said.
Several areas of the nightclub were considered a crime scene, Malone said, but he would not elaborate. The nature of the assault was not described, but Malone did say it was being termed a sexual assault, not a rape.
Roethlisberger and the alleged victim were interviewed and the woman was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released, Malone said.
The woman was not identified by police and The Associated Press does not generally identify possible victims of sexual abuse.
Police said Roethlisberger and his attorney were cooperating with investigators. He was not in custody and has not been charged with a crime.
The player's agent, Ryan Tollner, said in a statement they are skeptical of the motive of the alleged victim in Milledgeville because of the previous Lake Tahoe allegations.
"Last night, Ben and his friends met a group of women and everyone mingled together throughout the evening," the agent's statement said. "We have spoken to law enforcement. Based on information currently available, an allegation was made against Ben, which appeared to be dismissed after a preliminary investigation last night. Obviously, given the prior accusation against Ben, we are skeptical of motive, but we will continue to cooperate with everyone involved."
Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said the team was gathering information and had no more comment.
As Pittsburgh's first-round draft pick out of Miami of Ohio in 2004, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to Super Bowl victories in 2006 and 2009. But he has had his share of problems off the field.
His previous accuser was working as a VIP hostess at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in July 2008 when she alleges Roethlisberger lured her to his room under false pretenses and forced himself on her. He was in town playing in a celebrity golf tournament.
Roethlisberger maintains the woman acted voluntarily at all times while in his room. His lawyers have said the fact that she never filed a formal criminal complaint with police is proof she made up the story to try to secure a big payout from the NFL star.
Her lawsuit seeks at least $440,000 from Roethlisberger and at least $50,000 from Harrah's claiming they conspired to cover up the incident.
Roethlisberger broke his jaw and several other facial bones in 2006 when he got into a motorcycle crash while driving without a valid license.
Trades
Ravens get WR Boldin in trade with Cardinals
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a talented pass catcher to their roster: three-time Pro Bowl standout Anquan Boldin.
Baltimore obtained Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals on Friday for a third- and fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft. Baltimore also got a fifth-round pick from Arizona.
The 29-year-old Boldin has amassed at least 1,000 yards receiving in five of his seven seasons, including 1,024 yards on 84 catches last season.
Boldin received a new four-year, $28 million deal with Baltimore in which $10 million is guaranteed. He was to set to earn $3 million next season, the last of the four-year, $22.5 million deal he signed with Arizona after the 2005 season.
"The Ravens just got better," coach John Harbaugh said. "Anquan is a significant addition for us. He fits the personality of our team with the hard-nosed, physical way he plays. We love the way he competes. Our fans will enjoy watching him compete and his teammates will be excited to have him with us."
Baltimore's top priority this offseason was to bolster a wide receiving corps that last season featured Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Kelley Washington and Demetrius Williams. Mason was the lone receiver with 1,000 yards, and running back Ray Rice led the team with 78 receptions.
Mason and Washington are unrestricted free agents, but with the addition of Boldin and free agent Donte' Stallworth, who was signed last month, Baltimore appears to have improved its wideout situation regardless of whether Mason and Washington return.
The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Boldin was the Cardinals' No. 2 receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald. Boldin is a physical player capable of making a crushing block or a difficult catch, but his one shortcoming has been injuries. He has had one injury-free season since 2003 and last season missed both of Arizona's playoff games with ankle and knee injuries.
But the Ravens couldn't be happier to have him.
"Anquan is a player who makes the tough catches and he is outstanding getting yards after catches," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He will also help the running game with his blocking skills. He's a very tough competitor and, with the way he plays with passion, he will fit right in with the foundation we have for our team."
Boldin was delighted with the news.
"I'm definitely excited. For me, I've been hoping for this for a year since I first heard that the Ravens might be interested in me," he said. "The Ravens play a certain way. They play as hard and as physical as any team in the league, and I want to add to that. I think I play the way they play."
The trade of Boldin has grown ever more likely since the opening of Arizona's training camp in 2008, when he accused the Cardinals' management of lying to him by promising a new contract during that offseason.
He went on to demand a trade, but the Cardinals didn't find anything to their liking a year ago.
The Ravens were always the front-runner, Arizona general manager Rod Graves said.
"We did have several teams approach us over the weekend and express interest during the combine," Graves said, "but Baltimore certainly was much further ahead from a contractual standpoint with Anquan and his agent and the compensation we felt was fair for us. We felt the timing of it was good."
Arizona wasn't prepared to offer Boldin the kind of contract he wanted because of his age and injury concerns. He switched agents and kept quiet about a trade demand last season but said his opinion about the situation had not changed.
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said it was critical Boldin get a new contract as part of any trade.
"Mutually for both parties it was a good deal," Whisenhunt said. "I am sad to see Anquan go just because of the great respect I have for the way he played the game, certainly for the contributions that he's made to our ball club since I've been here. But I am also pleased that Anquan gets something that he's excited about, something that he's worked hard to get."
Boldin never let his contract situation affect his effort. He remained a team leader in the Arizona locker room was one of the Cardinals' toughest and hardest-working players.
The presence of Steve Breaston and emergence of Early Doucet, who has a Boldin-like playing style, made the trade even more likely.
Boldin hold the Cardinals franchise record for receptions at 586. His 7,520 yards receiving rank third and his 44 touchdowns rank fifth in team history.
When Boldin went on his training camp tirade against the management in training camp two seasons ago, he said he would never re-sign with Arizona. He did, however, seem to soften that stance somewhat after replacing agent Drew Rosenhaus with Tom Condon.
-- David Ginsburg
Cromartie eager for fresh start with Jets
NEW YORK — Antonio Cromartie hung up the phone and got excited.
After speaking to Rex Ryan and some of his new Jets teammates, the cornerback was leaving San Diego, putting all his issues behind him and getting a fresh start.
"I think this is going to work out for me and the Jets organization," Cromartie said Friday. "I'm not going to let them down in any way."
That's what the Jets are banking on after acquiring the talented but troubled Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night. The deal reportedly was for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2011 that could become a second-rounder based on his production.
"We felt like the risk was reasonable, given the price we had to pay," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said, "and we really think he has some great years ahead of him."
Cromartie said he was already welcomed to the team by quarterback Mark Sanchez, among others. He'll team with Darrelle Revis to give New York possibly the NFL's best cornerback tandem.
"I'm looking forward to that," Cromartie said. "I'm going to be on the other side of the No. 1 corner in the NFL. Just being next to him and working out with him during the offseason and getting ready going into the season is going to help out tremendously."
That means the defense that was ranked No. 1 in the league is going to get a lot tougher.
"He'll fit perfectly into our system," Ryan said. "Now, we don't necessarily have to always put Revis on the toughest guy. We can switch it up."
Cromartie was considered one of the rising talents in the league in 2007, when he was an All-Pro in his second season after getting an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, but has struggled since — both on and off the field.
"None of us are perfect," Tannenbaum said. "We understand that there are some things that need to get resolved here. We just felt like the problems are fixable."
Cromartie's tackling has been an issue, as well as his attitude, but Cromartie vows to improve. He also is dealing with paternity issues: Cromartie has fathered seven children by women in five states.
"I made some wrong decisions in my first two years in the NFL and now I have to take on that responsibility of being a father to my kids," he said. "That's what I have to do."
The 25-year-old Cromartie also had a bar patron claim that he hit him in the head with a champagne bottle hours after the team's victory at Denver last November. San Diego police later said there was not enough evidence to prove the claim.
"I don't even know where that came from," Cromartie said. "I was just in the wrong place at the right time."
He was also disciplined last season by Chargers coach Norv Turner for breaking team rules regarding tweeting from the team premises.
"I'm going to have a clear head this season and just go out and play football the way I know I'm capable of playing," Cromartie said. "The issues that everyone says are an issue are actually already being taken care of as we speak."
Cromartie has 15 interceptions in four seasons since being the 19th overall pick out of Florida State in 2006, but the Chargers were dissatisfied with the cornerback's performance late last season and in the playoffs. General manager A.J. Smith made it clear after the season he would try to trade him.
One of Cromartie's low moments actually came against his new team in the playoffs in January. Cromartie froze as Jets running back Shonn Greene hit the hole at the start of a 53-yard touchdown run that gave New York a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of a 17-14 win in the AFC divisional round. Cromartie eventually caught up to Greene and shoved him well after he'd crossed the goal line — but had already drawn the ire of fans and apparently the Chargers.
"It's something where I should've made the play on, honest," Cromartie said. "I was there to make a tackle for a 4-yard gain, and it didn't happen."
Cromartie acknowledged he's "not the best tackler out there," but insisted he's working on that.
Despite the issues both on and off the field, Cromartie gives Ryan an athletic player with loads of potential. He prefers to play man-to-man coverage, something he'll have a chance to do in Ryan's defense.
Tannenbaum also said that being able to acquire Cromartie will give the Jets more flexibility in the draft next month. New York doesn't necessarily have to focus on a cornerback now with the 29th pick, but Tannenbaum added that Ryan likes having lots of depth at the position.
"We feel like we've improved the position, but by no means are we satisfied there," Tannenbaum said. "The more corners we have, as far as Rex can see, that's good."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Browns send DE Corey Williams to Lions
CLEVELAND — Corey Williams never quite fit into Cleveland's defensive scheme or into the Browns' plans.
He's no longer part of them.
The Browns traded Williams and a seventh-round draft pick to the Detroit Lions on Friday for a fifth-round pick in April's draft. The move clears out some salary space for Cleveland and rids the club of a player who never completely bought into coach Eric Mangini's program.
Two years ago, then-Cleveland general manager Phil Savage gave up a second-round pick to acquire Williams from the Green Bay Packers. A former sixth-round pick, Williams played primarily inside in Green Bay's 4-3 defense but struggled in his switch to the Browns' 3-4 system.
He made just two starts in 16 games for Cleveland and recorded 4.5 sacks.
The 29-year-old was a financial burden on the Browns, who paid him more than $16 million, including a $6 million roster bonus last March, for his services. He was owed a $1.7 million bonus later this month.
Williams wasn't happy with Mangini's system or discipline. When Mangini was on the hot seat and rumors began surfacing that the Browns were close to hiring Mike Holmgren as team president, Williams chanted in the locker room, "We want Holmgren!"
Williams was excited to be joining the Lions, who also agreed to a four-year deal with defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch on the first day of free agency.
"I'm happy to be playing in the NFC North, because this is where I started," Williams said. "The best part is that I'll be playing defensive tackle in a 4-3 again. That's the system where I can best show my ability."
The Browns still have 11 picks this year, nine in the first five rounds.
-- Tom Withers
Elsewhere
'Blindsided' Delhomme emotional over release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jake Delhomme walked into the interview room with red eyes and sunglasses in his hand, joking that his allergies were bad.
He started crying before he could get a word out.
Acknowledging he was "blindsided" by his release, Delhomme on Friday vowed his career wasn't over in an emotional day that marked the end of an era and left his former bosses in tears, too.
"Six of my seven years playing here have been outstanding. It's been a great run," Delhomme said in between sniffles. "I'm leaving with no animosity whatsoever."
A few hours earlier, general manager Marty Hurney choked up while calling it the toughest decision he's ever made. Coach John Fox welled up with tears while pleading with fans to remember the good moments.
It was something hardly anyone could've anticipated a year earlier, when the Panthers gave the only quarterback to lead the franchise to the Super Bowl a lucrative contract extension. But after one miserable season, the 35-year-old Delhomme was sent packing despite still being owed more than $12.5 million in guaranteed money.
The reason to go with upstart Matt Moore as the starter came down to this: a career-high 18 interceptions in 2009, and 23 in Delhomme's final 12 games.
"I was blindsided, I will say that," Delhomme said. "I think the main reason was I think everybody knows the contract and monetarily those things that went along with it.
"When I got a call yesterday that I needed to call Foxy I thought it was more so that, 'We're going with Matt and you're going to be the backup.' ... But they wanted to go in another direction. It's probably for the best."
And just like that the Louisiana native who toiled as a backup in NFL Europe before bursting onto the scene in Carolina was out of work. After a 58-40 record as a starter over seven seasons, a stunning one-year decline ended his time in Charlotte.
But Delhomme said he's "not ready to go home and play with the horses just yet," and said his agent had already started talking to teams.
"He's done some great things for this team. Two (NFC) championship games, a Super Bowl, all those comeback victories," Fox said. "I'm not sure I've had any more respect for an NFL football player than Jake Delhomme."
The Panthers also released defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu, and linebackers Na'il Diggs and Landon Johnson in the start of a youth movement.
None of those moves, however, resonated around these parts like releasing Delhomme.
"I wear my heart on my sleeve and this is me," Delhomme said, tears flowing. "And the reason it's emotional and you walk in here and all the faces and the relationships you have with guys through the good and the bad. That's what you're going to miss. ... We did some good things here."
Delhomme led Carolina to the 2003 Super Bowl, the 2005 NFC championship, made the Pro Bowl, recovered from reconstructive elbow surgery in 2007 and holds nearly every franchise passing record.
But Delhomme began a quick demise in the 2008 playoffs. After helping Carolina to a 12-4 record and the NFC South title, Delhomme threw five interceptions and lost a fumble in an ugly 38-13 home loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoffs.
Undeterred, the Panthers gave Delhomme a contract extension last spring and brought in no legitimate competition in training camp. Then Delhomme threw four more interceptions and lost a fumble in Carolina's Week 1 loss to Philadelphia.
It was then that his confidence waned.
"When I play I try to sling it around. I wasn't doing that last year," he said. "I was trying not to make the mistake. I don't play that way."
It only got worse, and Carolina was 4-7 when Delhomme broke a finger on his throwing hand. Moore relieved him and threw eight touchdown passes and two interceptions as the Panthers won four of their last five games to finish 8-8.
The Panthers on Wednesday gave the 25-year-old Moore the highest restricted free-agent tender of $3.043 million for one season. The next day, Delhomme was let go instead of having him return as a backup.
"I was taught a long time ago that you have to make the right decision at that time for your football team," Hurney said. "And we just came to the decision that it was time. I think when you come to that decision, that's when you make it."
Fox wouldn't say if they'll pursue another veteran quarterback to add depth. The Panthers will also likely have an entirely new defensive line after releasing Lewis and Kemoeatu, who was recovering from a torn Achilles' tendon.
Hurney said Dan Connor and James Anderson would likely compete for Diggs' old starting job.
"Sometimes you have to force yourself to give those guys that opportunity and that experience," Hurney said. "We wouldn't do these things without those players there."
Delhomme said he couldn't make eye contact with several longtime employees while sitting on the podium Friday because he would break down. The horse owner also vowed his heart will always be with the first franchise that gave him a chance to start.
"My horse racing silks have a Panther blue and black football. I'm not changing my silks," Delhomme said. "I'm always going to be a Carolina Cajun."
-- Mike Cranston
Witness will testify in Broncos player's death
DENVER — A witness too afraid to testify against the man accused of killing Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams has changed his mind after a night in jail.
The surprising twist came Friday, after defense attorneys spent a day calling witnesses to build an alibi for the defendant, 26-year-old Willie Clark. His attorneys are hoping to switch the focus away from him to an alternative suspect.
Denver prosecutors said the man who refused to testify on their behalf Thursday is important because he is expected to say Clark admitted to killing Williams in a drive-by shooting on New Year's Day 2007.
The witness, who has said in court that he fears for his life if his name became public, is scheduled to testify when prosecutors present their rebuttal to the defense's case sometime next week.
Two other witnesses have also been jailed for refusing to testify in the trial, which has featured tight security and a ban on cell-phones and other electronic devices inside the courtroom.
Clark, a suspected gang member, is also expected to decide next week whether he'll take the stand in his own defense.
"I have to confess," Denver district Judge Christina Habas told Clark on Friday. "I've given you a lot of time to think about this."
Clark responded that he's undecided, adding that he wants to wait until all of the witnesses testify in his defense.
Clark faces first-degree murder and other charges. Clark maintains he is innocent.
Williams was in a Hummer limousine with other football players when he was shot. They had just left a Denver nightclub where prosecutors say Williams' group had gotten into an altercation with a group that included Clark.
The defense on Friday called on security guards to testify about what they saw as people were leaving the nightclub where Williams had been.
One security guard said she remembers seeing a short, light-skinned man she described as looking like he was an Arab. She said she used pepper foam on him and that the man got into a green SUV, the same vehicle another security staffer later told police he vaguely remembers as being associated with someone having a gun.
Prosecutors say the vehicle used in the drive-by shooting was a white SUV.
The light-skinned man, Daniel "Ponytail" Harris, testified this week that he was a passenger in the white Chevy Tahoe that Clark was allegedly driving, and he identified Clark as the shooter.
Harris is under federal protection and Clark's attorneys have questioned his motives, saying he has gotten multiple plea deals for his testimony.
A woman who said she's a cousin of Williams, Jazelle Hudson, also testified Friday that she saw Clark almost immediately after the shooting at another nightclub and that he was driving a black Range Rover.
-- Ivan Moreno
Jets release RB Jones, don't rule out a return
NEW YORK — The New York Jets released running back Thomas Jones, as expected, but didn't rule out a return of the leader of the NFL's top rushing offense.
The Jets announced earlier in the week they would let Jones go Friday when the league's free agency period opened, despite his setting career highs by rushing for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns and helping New York to the AFC championship game.
Jones was due a $3 million roster bonus and a $2.8 million base salary.
General manager Mike Tannenbaum said many things factored into the decision, but also said the team would consider bringing Jones back — even if the opportunity seems remote. Shonn Greene, who got the bulk of carries down the stretch, is slated as the starter this season.
"Well, yeah, we certainly would evaluate that," Tannenbaum said. "Right now, he's looking at other opportunities, which we anticipated, and we're doing the same. In our business, I would never rule anything out."
Tannenbaum said he spoke to Jones and agent Drew Rosenhaus late in the season and offseason, and thought the separation was amicable. He added that it was a difficult decision to let go of Jones, saying he was a great leader in the three years he played in New York since being acquired by Chicago.
"Sometimes in this business, you have to make the hard decision," he said, "and the hard decision isn't always easy. We just felt like it was the best decision for us."
The Jets also released defensive back Donald Strickland, who spent one injury-plagued season with the Jets in which he played nine games and had two sacks.
He dealt with a lingering quadriceps injury, a concussion and a broken pinkie during the season, and suffered a groin injury in the AFC championship game.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Jets expect S Kerry Rhodes back this season
NEW YORK — Jets safety Kerry Rhodes, whose future with the team was uncertain, will receive his $2 million roster bonus next week and remain in New York.
General manager Mike Tannenbaum said Friday he expects Rhodes to participate in the offseason program in a few weeks, and play in New York this year and beyond "unless something changes."
When asked if he anticipated something changing, Tannenbaum laughed and said he didn't.
Rhodes has four years left on his contract, and there was speculation he could be traded or cut if he refused to restructure his contract. He was demoted earlier in the season after not seeing eye-to-eye with coach Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, but responded with solid play during the team's playoff run.
Rhodes, feeling disrespected, had been noncommittal about whether he would want to return to the team but met with his coaches and had a different outlook in the offseason.
"To be honest, I really do want to be here," Rhodes said in an interview with television station SportsNet New York in January. "This is New York. This is the team that gave me my first shot. They gave me the big contract. ... I'm letting the fans know I do want to be here to end my career as a Jet, but sometimes circumstances happen."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
