Ben Raided?

Photo by AP/Ben Margot

Before the smoke has cleared on the Ben Roethlisberger suspension and his league mandated check up from the neck up, the trade rumors surrounding the Steelers' quarterback are picking up steam. Extending the contract of recently acquired quarterback Byron Leftwich is only adding fuel to the fire.


Thanks to Mr. Adam Schefter, we have a "perfect ten" teams at the top of the draft to speculate on as possible future homes of Roethilisberger. Let's go through the possibilities, shall we.


1. St. Louis Rams - The Rams have said they don't want him. Why get a quarterback with a huge suspension hanging over his head and a ton of baggage when you can get a squeaky clean kid like Sam Bradford with the first pick.


2. Detroit Lions - Matt Stafford = $42 million dollars


3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Needs everything but a QB.


4. Washington Redskins- They could be thinking "what if" about the McNabb trade now that Roethlisberger is on the market, but they got a good quarterback and still have their first round pick.


5. Kansas City Chiefs - They have a ton of money invested in Matt Cassell for 2010 and are in dire need of other positions.


6. Seattle Seahawks - With the trade for Charlie Whitehurst and already having Hasselbeck, it seems highly unlikely.


7. Cleveland Browns - This would probably be the best location for Big Ben. He would go back home to Ohio. They have a decent offensive line and plenty of picks to move up and add talent. The problem is the Steelers would never trade Roethlisberger to a division opponent.


8. Oakland Raiders - Ding, Ding, Ding: we have a winner! Jamarcus Russell is terrible, every other team's cast-off  becomes Al Davis' treasure (see Javon Walker), and Roethlisberger can go to a team that doesn't seem to care about anything other than physical talent.  Roethlisberger's ability to extend plays is perfect for the deep passing game Oakland wants to run.


9. Buffalo Bills - Breaking News!- The Bills don't want Roethlisberger's services either. Guess they didn't have enough bell boys to carry the baggage.


10. Jacksonville Jaguars- Here's the sleeper team. They need a pass rusher badly, but Garrard's play at quarterback has been inconsistent. They have the type of talent where Ben could be a difference maker and possibly make them a Super Bowl contender. I've changed my mind. Jacksonville would be the best landing spot for Roethlisberger.


UPDATE: Jason LaCanfora has confirmed Ben Roethlisberger's biggest fears. The Raiders and Steelers are "talking" trade.





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