Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a "very productive" meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
NEW YORK — The NFL is weighing possible disciplinary action against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who met with league commissioner Roger Goodell one day after learning he won't be charged in the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student.
Roethlisberger described yesterday's afternoon meeting in Manhattan as "very productive," but gave no hint whether he expects to be suspended or fined for several off-field incidents that damaged his reputation and angered the franchise he's led to two Super Bowl championships.
"It's a very serious matter, one we take serious," Roethlisberger told ESPN as he and his representatives left the meeting with Goodell.
While Roethlisberger faces no criminal charges after being accused of assaulting the 20-year-old student in a nightclub bathroom, in a separate case he also is being sued in civil court by a former Nevada hotel employee for an alleged sexual assault in 2008. No criminal charges were filed in that case.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the league will review the facts and will follow up with Roethlisberger and the Steelers. He gave no timeline.
Possible options include a suspension, fine or having the $102 million quarterback undergo counseling or rehabilitation.
"Commissioner Goodell met today with Ben Roethlisberger and his representatives to discuss the recent incident involving his personal conduct," the league said in a statement. "In accordance with the league's personal conduct policy, our office will review all the facts and follow up at the appropriate time with the Steelers and Ben."
The team had no comment yesterday as it awaits the NFL's findings, and it isn't expected to discuss the issue until the league makes its ruling.
Brandon Marshall signed his $2.521 million tender from the Denver Broncos yesterday, a move that could help facilitate a trade for the mercurial wide receiver.
The Broncos slapped a first-round tender on Marshall, but teams were unwilling to part with a first-round draft pick as compensation to lure the restricted free agent out of Denver.
Marshall posted his third consecutive 100-catch season and made his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl despite several run-ins with coach Josh McDaniels.
Marshall caught 101 passes last season, including an NFL-record 21 in a loss at Indianapolis. His 10 touchdowns were a career best.
The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of cornerback Samari Rolle, who missed the entire 2009 season with a neck injury.
Rolle, 33, broke into the NFL with the Tennessee Titans in 1998 and went to the Pro Bowl in 2000. He joined the Ravens in March 2005 and started all 16 games during his first two seasons in Baltimore.
In 2007, Rolle was diagnosed with epilepsy. That, and a shoulder injury, limited him to six games.
He missed six starts in 2008 because of neck problems and had surgery during the offseason. He was released before the 2009 season at his own request, then re-signed a four-year, $10 million contract.
Last August, however, Rolle was placed on the physically unable to perform list, where he remained for the entire season.
49ers: Offensive lineman David Baas has signed the one-year contract he had previously been tendered by San Francisco.
Baas, a left guard who became a restricted free agent following the 2009 season, started all 16 of San Francisco's games last season for the first time in his five-year NFL career.
Saints: Jermon Bushrod is returning to New Orleans, where the man known as "Big Neck" by Saints teammates could find stiff competition to retain his starting left tackle spot.
Bushrod (offered $1.7 million) joined fellow restricted free agents David Thomas ($1.18 million) and Remi Ayodele ($1.1 million) in deciding yesterday to sign tender offers from the Saints. Bushrod and Ayodele were starters and Thomas a regular contributor as New Orleans won its first championship last season.
Steelers: Kicker Jeff Reed, the most accurate kicker in Steelers history for converting 83.3 percent of his career attempts (189 of 227), has signed his $2,814,000 tender offer.
Reed signed one day after a Pittsburgh judge dismissed disorderly conduct and public drunkenness charges against him. Reed was charged in October following a post-game incident with police outside of a bar near Heinz Field.