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PITTSBURGH -- Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown and head coach Marvin Lewis visited with the Rooney family, allegedly to discuss moving troubled Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and undisclosed draft picks to the Bengals in exchange for Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer.
Roethlisberger, 28, already has two Super Bowl victories to his credit, but is fighting allegations of sexual assault in Tennessee and rape in Las Vegas. The Steelers organization has declined to make a pledge of public support for Roethlisberger, but sources close to the organization say that the Rooney family is incensed with his continual reckless behavior and hope to part ways with him before the 2010 NFL season commences.
Bengals owner Mike Brown has a reputation for giving troubled - but talented - players second chances. In 2006, the Bengals became the face of criminality in the NFL after multiple Bengals players had run-ins with the law.
"The Bengals still like Carson," said a source familiar with the situation, "but they believe that Ben still has a ring or two left in him, and they believe that getting additional draft picks is important for them when the draft class is this deep."
Palmer led the Bengals to an AFC North championship in 2009, but was injured for most of 2008 and was forced to hand the ball off with his throwing hand after injuring his thumb.
"Mike Brown breaking bread with the Rooneys is quite a sight," said the source. "I'd be surprised if he leaves Pittsburgh without some kind of deal in place."
Roethlisberger, 28, already has two Super Bowl victories to his credit, but is fighting allegations of sexual assault in Tennessee and rape in Las Vegas. The Steelers organization has declined to make a pledge of public support for Roethlisberger, but sources close to the organization say that the Rooney family is incensed with his continual reckless behavior and hope to part ways with him before the 2010 NFL season commences.
Bengals owner Mike Brown has a reputation for giving troubled - but talented - players second chances. In 2006, the Bengals became the face of criminality in the NFL after multiple Bengals players had run-ins with the law.
"The Bengals still like Carson," said a source familiar with the situation, "but they believe that Ben still has a ring or two left in him, and they believe that getting additional draft picks is important for them when the draft class is this deep."
Palmer led the Bengals to an AFC North championship in 2009, but was injured for most of 2008 and was forced to hand the ball off with his throwing hand after injuring his thumb.
"Mike Brown breaking bread with the Rooneys is quite a sight," said the source. "I'd be surprised if he leaves Pittsburgh without some kind of deal in place."
FA Targets: DT Jason Jones, DT Pat Simms, S Reggie Smith, LB Dan Connor 
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