2010 NFL Off Season Thread

[Sylvanfan]

I was going to say...Al Davis and the Raiders probably like Ben more given his off field antics.

Ben has serious issues off the field. But on the field he's a talented football player who will be very tough to replace. Although I guess for the Rooney family, nothing can replace the image they want their franchise to have.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I was going to say...Al Davis and the Raiders probably like Ben more given his off field antics.

Ben has serious issues off the field. But on the field he's a talented football player who will be very tough to replace. Although I guess for the Rooney family, nothing can replace the image they want their franchise to have.

No kidding. I was talking to a die hard Steelers fan from my home town at Easter. He said he was going to have to switch teams because he was so embarrassed. I guess the Rooney family will do the right thing.

[transplant99]

Although I guess for the Rooney family, nothing can replace the image they want their franchise to have.

Yup.

Dan Rooney is the US Ambassador to Ireland and was in town last week for a function that he was given some sort of recognition for his service. Then with the whole Icelandic volcano thing going on, he could not return and spent those extra days in the Steelers offices and was apprised of all the investigation and their results. He was livid according to some that are around there alot. I can see him telling Hamlin to make sure that ben has gotten the message and if he isn't sure...get rid of him and do it now.

As for the suspension, they were just talking about it on ESPN radio and I thought a very good point was raised...the length of his is longer than most thought, but for a good reason. If this was no name DL from the Texans(eg) that had been acccused, the story simply wouldnt have the same legs than that of a 2 time SB winning QB. Therefore the "shield" of the NFL (as Goodell calls it) is taking a bigger hit because of the player involved...therefore the punishment must be more because of his mandate of having to be a role model whether you like it or not.

[burn_baby_burn]

What does this all mean for Big Ben from a legal standpoint? What kind of jail time will he be facing if he is found guilty in a court of law? Does the accusation out of Nevada from last year have some legs now?

[burn_baby_burn]

Jason LaCanfora is tweeting that the Steelers are activily shopping Big Ben. They offered Ben to the Rams for the first overall pick last week. Rams had no interest. He feels that trading Big Ben now is almost impossible.

If that is true, what are the Steelers to do? Release him?

[Bobblehead]

And how does this change the Steeler's draft board?

[transplant99]

What does this all mean for Big Ben from a legal standpoint? What kind of jail time will he be facing if he is found guilty in a court of law?

He will not be charged in the GA incident as the DA decided he couldnt prove the case.

Does the accusation out of Nevada from last year have some legs now?

It's in civil court and will not see criminal court. She is suing him and he is counter-suing her.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

What does this all mean for Big Ben from a legal standpoint? What kind of jail time will he be facing if he is found guilty in a court of law? Does the accusation out of Nevada from last year have some legs now?

The DA in Georgia already announced that they won't be proceeding any further with criminal charges in that case.

As for the Tahoe incident, I believe at this point it's a Civil Court case where no jail time would occur, only financial damages can be awarded.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by transplant99

He will not be charged in the GA incident as the DA decided he couldnt prove the case.



It's in civil court and will not see criminal court. She is suing him and he is counter-suing her.

First the Masters...and now this...

[transplant99]

If that is true, what are the Steelers to do? Release him?

No way. He has value still and will bring in something if thats what they want to do.

And how does this change the Steeler's draft board?

If he is dealt they may have to look at a QB, but they do have Leftwich back and stuill have Batch and Dixon under contract, so I dont think it changes a whole lot. They have other holes to fill.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

First the Masters...and now this...

Literally LOL!

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by transplant99

If he is dealt they may have to look at a QB, but they do have Leftwich back and stuill have Batch and Dixon under contract, so I dont think it changes a whole lot. They have other holes to fill.

True, but they already had Leftwich once and let him go, but that was when they still had an established #1. Batch isn't getting any younger. I would think Dixon would get a shot.

And it is amazing how quickly these holes all showed up. The Steelers used to be like the Pats in that they seemed to be able to have players ready to fill in as guys left, but in the last year the holes have are appearing pretty darn quickly.

[transplant99]

Wanna talk about a guy with some serious character?

Ndamakong Suh is the real deal......wow.

Suh announced he will donate $2 million to the Nebraska athletic department and another $600,000 to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering to endow a scholarship. It is the largest single gift ever from a former football player.

http://www.huskerextra.com/articles/...648.txt?orss=1

[Sylvanfan]

The Steelers got by for a few years with Kordell Stewart as their QB, and Dennis Dixon has a lot of similar traits that Stewart does. He did alright going into Baltimore and getting the Steelers to OT in that game last year. So if they did move on from Roethlisberger they do have guys with NFL experience who have played in the league.

Any NFL team who would lose a QB of that calibre is in tough.

[Pagal4321]

Big Ben and the Raiders are such a perfect match!!

I don't think they will release him, but them actively shopping him doesn't surprise me. But will any team give up a top-10 pick for the guy? Highly doubtful.

[rubecube]

I know McNabb is older and doesn't have the two Super Bowl wins that Big Ben does, but the Eagles only got a second and a third for him. I'd be very surprised if someone gave up a top-10 pick for Roethlisberger.

[The Ditch]

What's Ben's contract status?

[Bobblehead]

WTF is Pete Carroll doing? Has anyone verified that it is his twitter account?
(read from bottom (oldest) to top)

next song in our @seahawksdraftclues: smooth criminal by mj http://shwks.com/kudd
9 minutes ago via web
next song for #seahawksdraftclues: jump around by house of pain http://shwks.com/jzmd
about 1 hour ago via web
next song for #seahawksdraftclues: back door man by the doors http://shwks.com/n5fv
about 1 hour ago via web
next song: let the beat build by lil wayne http://shwks.com/lv6h #seahawksdraftclues
about 2 hours ago via web
1st song: soul sacrifice by santana http://shwks.com/3th3 #seahawksdraftclues
about 2 hours ago via web

we're gonna tweet songs thru out the day to give u hints about our draft picks... try 2 figure it out! #seahawksdraftclues

http://twitter.com/PeteCarroll

[transplant99]

Excerpts from Goodells letter to Roethlisberger...

As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing (or facilitating the purchase of) alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk. The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that 'undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.' By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard."

• "Your conduct raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare."

• "I believe it is essential that you take full advantage of the resources available to you. My ultimate disposition in this matter will be influenced by the extent to which you do so, what you learn as a result, and a demonstrated commitment to making positive change in your life."

• "In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5121614

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I know McNabb is older and doesn't have the two Super Bowl wins that Big Ben does, but the Eagles only got a second and a third for him. I'd be very surprised if someone gave up a top-10 pick for Roethlisberger.

I wouldn't.

If you can convince yourself (or let Ben convince you) that these kinds of things are never going to occur again and you have a chance to get a YOUNG and EXPERIENCED franchise QB that knows how to win in big games it is a no brainer.

That's a tough sell though.