No Ben, no problem: Steelers run over Rams

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will need Ben Roethlisberger healthy in January to make another run to the Super Bowl. But they didn’t need him today to roll over the St. Louis Rams.

With Charlie Batch starting at quarterback, the Steelers beat the Rams with a ground-based attack and a stiff defense that forced quarterback Kellen Clemens into a miserable day, as the Steelers dominated, winning 27-0.

John Clay, Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman all scored rushing touchdowns for the Steelers. Rams running back Steven Jackson ran hard all day and went over 100 yards, but it was a lost cause: The rest of the Rams’ offense was awful.

For the Rams, the loss means they remain alive for the first overall pick in the draft: If they lose next week and the Colts win, St. Louis will pick first, which opens up all kinds of fascinating possibilities regarding what they would do, just two years after drafting Sam Bradford first overall. Trading the first pick to a team that covets Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck could get the Rams a bounty of draft picks.

For the Steelers, the win means they remain alive for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, although they’re going to need to win next week and get some help. And whether they get that win and that help or not, they’re going to need Roethlisberger’s ankle to heal — in the playoffs, they’ll be playing teams a whole lot better than the Rams.

AP

The clock is ticking in Tampa, where the Buccaneers reportedly will cut cornerback Darrelle Revis absent a trade concluded by 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, no resolution is expected on Tuesday night.

A resolution must come on Wednesday, and the options are simple.  The Bucs will trade him, or they’ll cut him.

With each passing hour, it becomes harder to trade him.  And it becomes more likely that the only teams that would acquire Revis and his $16 million annual contract are those teams that stand no chance of luring him on the open market, where he’s likely to land with a contending team sporting a franchise quarterback.

The Browns are the only team believed to be interested in a trade.  The team’s level of interest isn’t known.

In turn, the player’s level of interest in playing for the Browns isn’t known.  Presumably, the Browns want him only if he wants to be there.  If that’s the only way Revis gets $16 million for 2014, there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t want to be there.

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Eric Wright will spend another season in San Francisco.

Wright, a cornerback who signed a one-year deal with the 49ers last year, revealed on Instagram that he is signing another contract with the 49ers this year.

When Wright is 100 percent physically and mentally, he has shown flashes of being a very good player. Unfortunately, Wright hasn’t always been 100 percent physically and mentally. Wright has had run-ins with the law, and he lasted just 10 games in Tampa Bay after signing a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Bucs in 2012.

When the 49ers signed Wright in 2013 they initially put him on the non-football injury list, saying he was “tending to a personal matter.” But Wright was able to get on the field for the 49ers late in the regular season and in the playoffs, and they like his potential. He’s still just 28 years old and should have some good football ahead of him. That football will be played in San Francisco.

AP

Defensive end DeMarcus Ware wasn’t the only longtime member of the Cowboys to part ways with the franchise on Tuesday.

Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports that wide receiver Miles Austin will also be dropped from the roster. The move will save the Cowboys $5.5 million under the salary cap, but those savings will not come into effect until after June 1 because Austin has been designated as a post-June 1 cut.

Austin’s departure has been expected for some time as he has found it difficult to remain healthy enough to stay on the field because of hamstring injuries. His production hit a new low in 2013 with just 24 catches and 244 yards in 11 games despite the presence of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten to keep defenses from keying on Austin.

Terrence Williams filled some of the void left by Austin with 44 catches for 736 yards in his rookie season. He’s likely to move up to the No. 2 receiver spot unless the Cowboys make an unexpected addition to the top end of the receiving corps.

Austin turns 30 in three months and he’s probably going to have to take something at or near the veteran’s minimum for the 2014 season to show that he’s still capable of both being productive and staying on the field.

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After it was reported elsewhere that the Saints would cut running back Darren Sproles, we added a caveat:  The Saints would first try to trade him.

And now they apparently will trade him.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Saints will trade Sproles, thanks to a high demand for his services.

Sproles joined the Saints in 2011, after six seasons with the Chargers.  He turns 31 in June, and the Saints apparently believe his best days are behind him.  Fortunately for New Orleans, other teams disagree.

Thus, of all the veterans destined to be cut whose teams are trying to trade them, Sproles is the one, and perhaps only, that actually will be traded.

AP

Julius Peppers wasn’t a free agent at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.  He now is.

The Bears have terminated Peppers’ contract, a six-year, $84 million contract signed by the former Panthers defensive end in 2010.

“We appreciate Julius’ contributions to the Bears over the last four years,” G.M. Phil Emery said.  “He was a leader on our defense starting every game since coming to Chicago.  His accomplishments over his NFL career place him among the best defensive ends over the past 20 years.  The Chicagoland community has benefited greatly from his quiet generosity.  We wish him the best.”

Peppers made $53.5 million in four seasons.  The move avoids $14 million in total compensation for 2014, along with $16.5 million for 2015.

The second overall pick in the 2002 draft instantly becomes a free agent.  It’s unlikely that he’ll be offered anything close to $14 million for 2014.

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Who’s up for a little in-state restricted free agency intrigue?

Albert Breer of NFL Network reports the Browns are tendering Bengals RFA WR Andrew Hawkins an offer sheet and that Hawkins will sign the offer.

According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, the offer sheet is for four years.

The Bengals will have seven days to match the offer. The Bengals tendered the 28-year-old Hawkins at the right-of-first-refusal level in restricted free agency, meaning they will not receive any draft pick compensation if the receiver departs.

The 5-foot-7, 180-pound Hawkins has hauled in 86 passes for 995 yards and four TDs in three seasons with Cincinnati. His quickness makes him a challenging player to deal with in space, and the Browns would likely use him as their primary slot receiver.

A University of Toledo product, Hawkins played for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes and appeared on the reality show “Fourth And Long” before joining the Bengals.

Now, he appears in line for a nice pay bump, whether it’s in Cleveland or Cincinnati.

AP

Free-agent quarterback Mike Vick can sign with any team at any time.  Chance are he won’t be signing with any team any time soon.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Vick plans to be patient in his search for a new job.  He realizes that this is likely his last chance to find a starting job, so he’s looking for the right fit.

In this regard, a very real concern becomes the possibility that his new team would acquire a quarterback in the first round of the draft after signing Vick.  Vick could, in theory, go from being penciled in as the starter until May, at which time a hot-shot rookie acquires the inside track to the job.

For that reason, it’s possible Vick will wait until after the draft to make a decision.  If a team in need of a quarterback doesn’t get the guy it wants, Vick becomes an instant fallback option.

At a time when teams like the Vikings and Jaguars possibly have signed their fallback options pre-emptively, Vick’s best move could be to wait and see where the top quarterbacks get drafted before committing to a team for 2014.

Vick also could decide to wait and see whether a starter gets injured, during offseason workouts or, if he chooses to let it play out into the late summer, training camp and the preseason.

Either way, a quick decision isn’t expected — unless Vick gets firm assurances that he can trust regarding what his role will be for the coming season.

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Now that the Cowboys have cut defensive end DeMarcus Ware, he’ll have plenty of options.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Ware intends to be very selective about his next destination, but also to move quickly. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that six playoff teams already have called.

Ware spent the first eight years of his career in a 3-4 defense, playing outside linebacker. Last year, he moved to defensive end in a 4-3.

The 31-year-old pass rusher was due to earn $12.75 million in 2014. He’ll have to decide whether he wants to max out his earnings, or whether he hopes to position himself for the possibility of getting to the playoffs and maybe winning a game or two — something that hasn’t happened much during his time in Texas.

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The Raiders are bringing back Darren McFadden for 2014.

The club and McFadden have reached a one-year, $4 million contract, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday.

According to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com and National Football Post, $2.25 million of McFadden’s compensation is in “unlikely to be earned incentives.”

If Rashad Jennings departs in free agency, McFadden would likely be the clear-cut starting back entering 2014. Latavius Murray, Kory Sheets and Jeremy Stewart are the other backs on the Raiders’ roster. It’s also possible Oakland could add a back, what with McFadden signed through 2015.

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The Buccaneers made a big early splash in free agency by landing defensive end Michael Johnson and now they have their eyes on one of Johnson’s teammates in Cincinnati.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that tackle Anthony Collins will visit with the team. Collins has been linked to the Bucs for several days and is the top left tackle left on the market after the other big names landed new homes or re-signed with their teams as free agency opened.

If Collins does land in Tampa, it could spell the end of Donald Penn’s time with the team. Penn struggled as a pass blocker last season and his release would clear more than $7 million in cap space for the Buccaneers to devote elsewhere. Penn’s departure would also guarantee a very different offensive line next season with guard Davin Joseph already given his walking papers.

Collins, who came in at No. 50 on PFT‘s Hot 100 list of free agents, has played both tackle spots in Cincinnati, but did some of his best work on the left side of the line late last season. He’s started 25 games over the course of his six years with the Bengals and his departure would likely mean that Andrew Whitworth will move back to tackle after ending last season at guard.

AP

San Francisco will swap departed safety Donte Whitner for a slightly less expensive alternative.

Shortly after Whitner signed with the Browns for $7 million a year, the 49ers have signed safety Antoine Bethea to a four-year contract that’s worth between $5 million and $6 million a year, according to several reports.

“Indy it’s been real,” Bethea wrote on Twitter. “Fans and city showed me nothing but love my eight years there and greeted me w/ open arms Appreciate all the support! Glad to be a Niner!! Going to the Bay!”

The 29-year-old Bethea has spent his entire eight-year NFL career in Indianapolis and has started all 16 games for six consecutive seasons. Bethea is the No. 39 player in our Free Agent Hot 100.

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In February, there was a report that the Falcons were prepared to release safety Thomas DeCoud prior to his salary for the 2014 season becoming guaranteed on March 15.

They didn’t let things get down to the wire. The team announced Tuesday that DeCoud has been released after six seasons with the team.

DeCoud has started all but two games for the Falcons over the last five seasons and made the Pro Bowl after the 2012 season. Like most other players on the Atlanta defense, though, DeCoud’s play slipped during the 2013 season and his $4.2 million base salary made him an easy target for the axe. The move will save the Falcons $3 million under the cap.

DeCoud’s release continues a busy day for the Falcons. They have signed guard Jon Asamoah, defensive end Tyson Jackson and defensive tackle Paul Soliai while re-signing center Joe Hawley and releasing the retired Tony Gonzalez.

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For some players, taking a one-year contract is a stepping stone to something bigger.

Few played that card better last year than safety Mike Mitchell.

He turned a successful one-year stint with the Panthers into a new deal with the Steelers, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribiune.

Mitchell was considered a draft bust in Oakland, but had four interceptions and brought a physical presence to the Panthers secondary this offseason.

If he pairs with Troy Polamalu, it gives the Steelers a stout pair on run downs, with problems otherwise.

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So why did the Falcons feel compelled to cut retired tight end Tony Gonzalez on Tuesday?

Per a league source, Gonzalez was due to receive a substantial bonus if on the roster as of Thursday. The Falcons had assumed that Gonzalez would file retirement papers, which would eliminate the bonus.

The only problem? Gonzalez hasn’t filed his retirement papers.

And possibly all that that implies.

It forced the team’s hand. And it now gives Gonzalez maximum flexibility for 2014, in the event he decides to pull a Brett Favre and return. He won’t have to clear waivers, he won’t have to force a trade.

Even if he doesn’t intend to come back, it makes sense that he has put himself in position where he has the widest possible range of options for the coming season.

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The Bears, whose safety play was lacking a season ago, have dipped into free agency in an attempt to strengthen the position.

According to ChicagoBears.com, the club has reached a two-year deal with Giants safety Ryan Mundy.

Mundy, 29, notched 77 tackles in 16 games (nine starts) for the Giants in 2013. He started the first seven games at free safety for New York but was replaced later in the season by Will Hill. Mundy joined the Giants in 2013 after four seasons with Pittsburgh.

Mundy looks likely to compete for a regular role in the Chicago secondary. Chris Conte is the incumbent at free safety, while strong safety Major Wright is an unrestricted free agent.