I don't think this is a situation that the Steelers are dumb if they trade him. I just don't think the owners want him to be the face of their organization. I agree that they may very well just let this try and die down. If no one else surfaces with more claims, maybe they can get Ben on the right track. But a few more allegations surface, then what? From what I have heard a lot of the town has already turned on him. Is he going to be boo'd at home everytime he snaps the ball? What happens if the team wins with Dixon under center while Ben is suspended? Based on tons of people seeing Ben always partying, is it reasonable to expect him to be on his best behavior going forward? The team already showed they will get rid of bad character guys by shipping Holmes for a loaf of bread. I think the big question right now is what teams would even consider trading for Ben for even a second rounder. I think if they did they would do some serious background investigating based on what has surfaced lately. And even if they don't actually find the sexual misconduct, but see a pattern of this guy getting drunk nearly every night during the offseason, is that who you want leading your team? This guy had better grow up fast or he won't be long for this league regardless of his talent level.
Wow, Dodds, I have to say I'm actually pretty disappointed. I don't really see much of an attempt on your part to try to be objective.
Points I wish you did cover or at least tried to, for the sake of objectivity
1) The reality that talented players are often given multiple opportunities in the NFL with multiple franchises when they have off the field issues that are problematic. Big Ben has had exactly one team. At minimum, at the very least, he will be given a chance by at least one more franchise in his NFL career if the Steelers don't want him.
2) The contrast and parallels that might be in play considering how the Steelers handled the James Harrison and Cedric Wilson issues. ( Harrison got to stay and Wilson was cut)
3) Professional sports scandals, all of them, tend to die down with time. ( i.e. the Kobe Bryant situation)
4) Multiple franchises in the NFL have lost their franchise starter at some point and have struggled to find a replacement ( Denver after Elway, Miami after Marino, Buffalo after Jim Kelly, etc) While VROP is essentially a baseball concept, the reality is what is Big Ben's contributions above the average? What is the likelihood that the Steelers can replace him and how does that factor in their decision?
5) With Holmes, you fail to differentiate the opportunity/likelihood/odds of replacing a WR versus a franchise QB. You are comparing players at two different positions that hold different values within the NFL.
6) That the Jay Cutler/Bears/Broncos trade should/could be the starting point for any hypothetical trade. The NFL is like any other business, there is a clearly defined market for a players value and that's generally relative to his peers and their production and compensation. You aren't even giving any reasons besides hearsay as to why the Cutler trade won't be the benchmark to start.
7) The fact that the Steelers haven't let Big Ben go, as of yet, IS an indicator of his value. ( While his trade value might be lower than what it would normally be, the reality is, even tarnished, he may hold more value to the Steelers than anyone else)
8) The reality that it only takes two teams ( or even just one team with the perception of another team's heavy interest i.e. the Redskins Effect ) to drive up the trade price of a player.
9) The reality that even if a team isn't interested, it may behoove them to feign interest to drive up the price for any team in their division who might trade for Big Ben ( i.e. the Yankees/Red Sox Effect)
10) The reality that Big Ben has not, as of yet, been convicted of any crime and how that impacts what the NFL can and can't do to him in that regard. Also the impact of the CBA ( do teams want to trade for a guy with a contract that size before a lockout?) and whether Big Ben and any discipline would end up as a sticking point for DeMaurice Smith ( looking to make his bones) and Roger Goodell ( established a separation from the Tags era with an emphasis on discipline) in a much larger matter.
Big Ben's actual trade value is a complex matter. It doesn't just tank on hearsay and the possibility that you just might not like the guy on a personal level.
Sorry, Dodds, I just expect more. I hope you do too next time.
