Young QBs Fall Through Cracks

(NEWSER) - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger today denied allegations he raped a woman at a Nevada resort last year, the Post-Gazette reports. The suit was filed last week, but today marked Roethlisberger’s first public statements. He called the allegations “an attack on my family” and vowed to “remain focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers.” More»

Peyton Manning was only sure-thing No. 1, coaches say

(NEWSER) - In less than two weeks, the Miami Dolphins will make the first overall pick of the 2008 NFL draft—and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is the likely candidate, the Houston Chronicle reports. Seven of the past nine No. 1s have been QBs, but for every Carson Palmer there's a David Carr, and for every Eli Manning there's a Tim Couch. More»

Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien will still finish playoffs with Pats

(NEWSER) - Penn State has at last found its replacement for Joe Paterno: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will take the job, sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN , with another league source saying O'Brien will finish out the playoffs with the Pats before starting his new gig. Penn State coaches contacted by the AP , however, said they'd received no word yet that a hire had been made. More»

Sports analysts agog after Denver Broncos' latest victory

(NEWSER) - After a stunning performance in yesterday's last-minute 13-10 victory against the Chicago Bears, sports commentators are wondering if Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow really is capable of miracles.

• Declaring Tebow his "personal quarterback and savior," Jeff Neuman at RealClearSports catalogs five miracles made in last night's game. "Zero points on his team's first 11 possessions—and then three scores on their last three, aided by a coach's weird strategy, thin air, a fumble, and a total brain cramp by a veteran running back. Truly, Tim Tebow works in mysterious ways."
• Writing for the Montreal Gazette , Ed Willes also drops the M-word, wondering if "we've ever seen a run like this in the last 50 years of sports: an athlete who's at once both divisive and irresistibly charismatic; an athlete who's in the miracle business every week; an athlete who transcends everything around him."

5-year, $90-million deal give Colts salary-cap flexibility

(NEWSER) - "OFFICIAL ----WE HAVE A DEAL!!!!!!!!!" tweeted Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay in caps last night, as the Colts signed Peyton Manning to a $90 million, five-year contract, reports the Indianapolis Star . The deal likely ensures the 35-year-old quarterback will stay a Colt for the rest of his career. Although the contract ties New England's Tom Brady for the biggest in the NFL, the Colts had actually been offering Manning $100 million—but Manning offered to take less if it would help the team sign some veteran talent. "It's a credit 2 Peyton; he put Colt fans, teammates, Ind. n winning ahead of all else," tweeted Irsay later. More»