Ben Roethlisberger versus Carson Palmer

It must be depressing to be a Baltimore Ravens or Cleveland Browns fan right about now. Sure, either or those teams could rise up and win the AFC North, but both would seem to be at a severe disadvantage at the QB position. After all, two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL now ply their trade in the same division. Of course, I'm referring to Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer, starting QB's for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. New England's Tom Brady and Indianapolis's Peyton Manning still must be considered the two best QB's in the NFL, but both Roethlisberger and Palmer are nipping at their heels.

No doubt, Palmer is the better pure passer, a more polished product. And thus far, Palmer has had the luxury of playing with a more talented group of linemen and skill players. It's no coincidence that Pittsburgh spent almost all its 2006 draft choices on offense; the organization is trying to provide Roethlisberger with the talent to keep up with Palmer and the Bengals' high-powered offense.

While Roethlisberger isn't as 'pretty' as Palmer, it's hard to argue with the results he has achieved. Roethlisberger has a 27-4 career record (including 5-1 in the post-season), and a Super Bowl title. Remarkably, he has lost just one road game in his career, and has yet to lose a game to any NFC team.

My question for both Steelers and Bengals fans is: How do you compare Roethlisberger and Palmer at this point in their careers?

Santonio Holmes arrested(!)

...and Holmes hasn't even signed his contract yet. See the story from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Should Joey Porter refrain from doing "The Boot"?

Linebacker Joey Porter is expected to have arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday, less than a year after having loose cartilage removed from his left knee. It will be Porter's second knee surgery in less than a year. In 2005 Porter missed most of training camp and four exhibition games after injuring his left knee while celebrating his performance in a training camp blocking drill. Man of Steel urges Porter to limit the use of his signature celebration ("The Boot") to regular and post-season games. Woman of Steel suggests that Porter utilize a less violent kicking motion, and re-name his celebration "The Slipper." J-Peezy, what do you think?

Steelers sign a draft choice

Continuing a recent practice of signing draft choices early, the Steelers have already closed a deal with fourth-round pick Willie Colon (Hofstra). That makes the Steelers the first team to sign a player selected in last month's draft (other than #1 overall pick, Mario Williams, who was signed by the Houston Texans before the draft commenced).

Colon agreed to a three-year, $1.33 million contract, which includes a signing bonus of $283,500. Colon will be paid $275,000 next season, $350,000 in '07, and $425,000 in the final year of the deal.

12 Rookie free agents

After the draft the Steelers' signed 12 rookie free agents. Here's the list:

1. Zach Baker, S, East Carolina
2. Mark Brubaker, K, East Stroudsburg State
3. Jonathan Dekker, TE, Princeton
4. Nick Hagemann, OT, South Dakota State
5. Mike Kudla, LB, Ohio State
6. Jamar Landrom, S, Tennessee State
7. Mike Lorello, S, West Virginia
8. Grayling Love, OG, Arizona State
9. Anthony Madison, CB, Alabama
10. Scott Paxson, DT, Penn State
11. Isaac Smolko, TE, Penn State
12. Lee Vickers, DE, North Alabama