Steelers, Big Ben at 'tipping point' (1 Viewer)

[Steelfan7]

No way the Rams part wiyh their #1 pick, pass on Bradford for this scumbag. Pitt would be lucky to get a mid-1st Rdr for this guy.

Nice trip. You need new bait.

 

[MDSkinner]

I really doubt they would trade him, but if they did I think the Steelers would become my 2nd favorite team.

 

[Buffaloes]

My team could use an upgrae at QB but I'd be very pissed if they traded for Roethlisberger.

 

[fatness]

The most telling nugget from Thursday's press conference by Steelers president Art Rooney came not from anything he said in his prepared remarks, but in response to a question regarding whether there's any truth to the notion that the team is willing to trade quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

"We don't talk about trades in advance," Rooney said. "That's been a consistent policy, and I think that's the way we'll proceed. The only thing I'll add is at this point we have not discussed a trade with any other club."

The Steelers, based on Rooney's remarks, are occupying the position that Pennsylvania's other NFL franchise assumed after the 2010 season. They will not say that their starting quarterback is on the block, they will not say that he isn't, and they will wait for the phone to ring.

It makes sense. Last week's Santonio Holmes fire sale, which arose when the Steelers called around the league in an effort to find an immediate trade partner, occurred when the team initiated the process. This time around, the Steelers will sit back and see whether anyone makes an offer between now and the draft, which launches a week from today.

And an offer could be coming. Earlier today, a non-Steelers team source told me that potentially interested teams already are comparing notes in an effort to determine whether Roethlisberger can be had.

Opinion piece from Mike Florio

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The Steelers appear to me to be trying to get their ducks in order if and when this happens again or if they have to part ways at some point. Let me list a few points here that were brought up by Jeff Tefertiller earlier...

1. If the Steelers suspend him instead of the NFL, because he really was not formerly charged with anything at all, but if Pittsburgh suspends him it will give them leverage in trading Ben. Why you might ask? Because Ben will still not have been suspended by the NFL, he can't be a 1 strike suspended for the year like Holmes is at right now. Therefore it could help in possible trade negotiations if they reach that point.

2. If it wasn't clear before it is now. Pitt is also looking to cover their almost $13 million dollar nut they have in the form of his bonus that they can possibly recoup if it falls into the language in the contract which I'm sure they put in there before they forked over $102 Million.

3. WHat is the state of Big Ben's head at this point? I think most feel he's a scumbag for doing what he did that night, and it's hard to think from his POV, but the Steelers could ahve laid back and let the NFL suspended him and tried to maintain some relationship with him. But now they are front and center waiting to dish out the punishment, how is Ben going to feel about showing up at work each day? He is going to be very embarrassed and I imagine the locker room is not going to enjoy having to endure this all summer long now. The stress of the team is going to be high as well.

Just my thoughts but I think Ben will be traded by Pittsburgh, maybe not today but sometime soon. He is going to want out of ther eand they are going to want to go in a new direction. They squeezed two SB rings out of him, he paid for his pick.

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

No way the Rams part wiyh their #1 pick, pass on Bradford for this scumbag. Pitt would be lucky to get a mid-1st Rdr for this guy.

Nice trip. You need new bait.

Brandon Marshall is a better receiver than Ben is a QB and only netted two seconds. But keep defending your homie, Steelfan7.

 

[Comer]

No way the Rams part wiyh their #1 pick, pass on Bradford for this scumbag. Pitt would be lucky to get a mid-1st Rdr for this guy.

Nice trip. You need new bait.

Brandon Marshall is a better receiver than Ben is a QB and only netted two seconds. But keep defending your homie, Steelfan7.

I hate to defend a Steeler fan but, Cutler commanded 2 first rounders and a starting QB. Even though Cuter is younger he also has a knucklehead factor to him.

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

No way the Rams part wiyh their #1 pick, pass on Bradford for this scumbag. Pitt would be lucky to get a mid-1st Rdr for this guy.

Nice trip. You need new bait.

Brandon Marshall is a better receiver than Ben is a QB and only netted two seconds. But keep defending your homie, Steelfan7.

I hate to defend a Steeler fan but, Cutler commanded 2 first rounders and a starting QB. Even though Cuter is younger he also has a knucklehead factor to him.

Cutler, albeit a prima donna, isn't damaged goods like the other two.

 

[road warrior]

Not sure which of the 20 Big Ben thread to post this... so this one is it.

From The Smoking Gun, here's the relevant portion of the alleged victim's detailed statement, which was given the morning after the alleged incident:

"Ben asked us to go to his 'VIP' area. . . . We all went with him. He said there were shots for us, numerous shots were on the bar, and he told us to take them. His bodyguard came and took my arm and said come with me, he escorted me into a side door/hallway, and sat me on a stool. He left and Ben came back with his p***s out of his pants. I told him it wasn't OK, no, we don't need to do this and I proceeded to get up and try to leave. I went to the first door I saw, which happened to be a bathroom. He followed me into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I still said no, this is not OK, and he then had sex with me. He said it was OK. He then left without saying anything. I went out of the hallway/door to the side where I saw my friends. We left [the club] and went to the first police car we saw."

Take it for what it's worth.

 

[crystal]

"Ben asked us to go to his 'VIP' area. . . . We all went with him. He said there were shots for us, numerous shots were on the bar, and he told us to take them. His bodyguard came and took my arm and said come with me, he escorted me into a side door/hallway, and sat me on a stool. He left and Ben came back with his p***s out of his pants. I told him it wasn't OK, no, we don't need to do this and I proceeded to get up and try to leave. I went to the first door I saw, which happened to be a bathroom. He followed me into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I still said no, this is not OK, and he then had sex with me. He said it was OK. He then left without saying anything. I went out of the hallway/door to the side where I saw my friends. We left [the club] and went to the first police car we saw."

Take it for what it's worth.

Ben doesn't give out compliments lightly.

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

"Ben asked us to go to his 'VIP' area. . . . We all went with him. He said there were shots for us, numerous shots were on the bar, and he told us to take them. His bodyguard came and took my arm and said come with me, he escorted me into a side door/hallway, and sat me on a stool. He left and Ben came back with his p***s out of his pants. I told him it wasn't OK, no, we don't need to do this and I proceeded to get up and try to leave. I went to the first door I saw, which happened to be a bathroom. He followed me into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I still said no, this is not OK, and he then had sex with me. He said it was OK. He then left without saying anything. I went out of the hallway/door to the side where I saw my friends. We left [the club] and went to the first police car we saw."

Take it for what it's worth.

Ben doesn't give out compliments lightly.

Took me a minute, but

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

Not sure which of the 20 Big Ben thread to post this... so this one is it.

From The Smoking Gun, here's the relevant portion of the alleged victim's detailed statement, which was given the morning after the alleged incident:

"Ben asked us to go to his 'VIP' area. . . . We all went with him. He said there were shots for us, numerous shots were on the bar, and he told us to take them. His bodyguard came and took my arm and said come with me, he escorted me into a side door/hallway, and sat me on a stool. He left and Ben came back with his p***s out of his pants. I told him it wasn't OK, no, we don't need to do this and I proceeded to get up and try to leave. I went to the first door I saw, which happened to be a bathroom. He followed me into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I still said no, this is not OK, and he then had sex with me. He said it was OK. He then left without saying anything. I went out of the hallway/door to the side where I saw my friends. We left [the club] and went to the first police car we saw."

Take it for what it's worth.

TMZ said the cops found this on his DVR earlier that day...

 

[road warrior]

Not sure which of the 20 Big Ben thread to post this... so this one is it.

From The Smoking Gun, here's the relevant portion of the alleged victim's detailed statement, which was given the morning after the alleged incident:

"Ben asked us to go to his 'VIP' area. . . . We all went with him. He said there were shots for us, numerous shots were on the bar, and he told us to take them. His bodyguard came and took my arm and said come with me, he escorted me into a side door/hallway, and sat me on a stool. He left and Ben came back with his p***s out of his pants. I told him it wasn't OK, no, we don't need to do this and I proceeded to get up and try to leave. I went to the first door I saw, which happened to be a bathroom. He followed me into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I still said no, this is not OK, and he then had sex with me. He said it was OK. He then left without saying anything. I went out of the hallway/door to the side where I saw my friends. We left [the club] and went to the first police car we saw."

Take it for what it's worth.

TMZ said the cops found this on his DVR earlier that day...

Now that's a classic!

 

[Steelfan7]

No way the Rams part wiyh their #1 pick, pass on Bradford for this scumbag. Pitt would be lucky to get a mid-1st Rdr for this guy.

Nice trip. You need new bait.

Brandon Marshall is a better receiver than Ben is a QB and only netted two seconds. But keep defending your homie, Steelfan7.

I hate to defend a Steeler fan but, Cutler commanded 2 first rounders and a starting QB. Even though Cuter is younger he also has a knucklehead factor to him.

Cutler, albeit a prima donna, isn't damaged goods like the other two.

One qb is a 2-time Superbowl Champ and the other led the league in Int and is soft as tissue who gets his feelings hurt easily. Big difference.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

"Ben asked us to go to his 'VIP' area. . . . We all went with him. He said there were shots for us, numerous shots were on the bar, and he told us to take them. His bodyguard came and took my arm and said come with me, he escorted me into a side door/hallway, and sat me on a stool. He left and Ben came back with his p***s out of his pants. I told him it wasn't OK, no, we don't need to do this and I proceeded to get up and try to leave. I went to the first door I saw, which happened to be a bathroom. He followed me into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I still said no, this is not OK, and he then had sex with me. He said it was OK. He then left without saying anything. I went out of the hallway/door to the side where I saw my friends. We left [the club] and went to the first police car we saw."

Take it for what it's worth.

Ben doesn't give out compliments lightly.

Ben is a scumbag and there's no doubt in my mind he is a rapist. The first girl I was willing to give him a pass. Between this stuff and general reports of him being a jerk in general I'd love the Steelers if they dumped him to another team.

 

[karmarooster]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

 

[Cassius]

There isn't a non-Steeler homer on the planet who thinks that Ben would fetch anything approaching what Cutler did right now.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

I'd love to see you show your work in this Rape-Superbowl-Value Calendar. What if he wins another superbowl? Wins another superbowl but also has 2 more rapes?

 

[karmarooster]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

I'd love to see you show your work in this Rape-Superbowl-Value Calendar. What if he wins another superbowl? Wins another superbowl but also has 2 more rapes?

well i would derive the formula like this. ben won 2 superbowls before all this started and everyone loved him. the first rape case didn't really do that much. so i have to think that 1 superbowl cancels out 1 rape. thus his 2 superbowls < 3 rapes.so another superbowl plus 2 more rapes would be 3 superbowls and 5 rapes. 3 < 5however, on a related note, smoking weed and throwing a drink in a woman's face is > 1 superbowl MVP. rape three women? whatever... but if you wake and bake, you're outta town!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

I'd love to see you show your work in this Rape-Superbowl-Value Calendar. What if he wins another superbowl? Wins another superbowl but also has 2 more rapes?

 

[heidbrink]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

I'd love to see you show your work in this Rape-Superbowl-Value Calendar. What if he wins another superbowl? Wins another superbowl but also has 2 more rapes?

funny stuff right there...

 

[ScottyFargo]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

I'd love to see you show your work in this Rape-Superbowl-Value Calendar. What if he wins another superbowl? Wins another superbowl but also has 2 more rapes?

well i would derive the formula like this. ben won 2 superbowls before all this started and everyone loved him. the first rape case didn't really do that much. so i have to think that 1 superbowl cancels out 1 rape. thus his 2 superbowls < 3 rapes.so another superbowl plus 2 more rapes would be 3 superbowls and 5 rapes. 3 < 5however, on a related note, smoking weed and throwing a drink in a woman's face is > 1 superbowl MVP. rape three women? whatever... but if you wake and bake, you're outta town!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

I'd love to see you show your work in this Rape-Superbowl-Value Calendar. What if he wins another superbowl? Wins another superbowl but also has 2 more rapes?

well i would derive the formula like this. ben won 2 superbowls before all this started and everyone loved him. the first rape case didn't really do that much. so i have to think that 1 superbowl cancels out 1 rape. thus his 2 superbowls < 3 rapes.so another superbowl plus 2 more rapes would be 3 superbowls and 5 rapes. 3 < 5however, on a related note, smoking weed and throwing a drink in a woman's face is > 1 superbowl MVP. rape three women? whatever... but if you wake and bake, you're outta town!

Very nice counter

 

[fatness]

If a team trades for Roethlisberger they (and he) are going to have some serious work to do to repair his image to keep from pissing off a lot of their fans.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

If a team trades for Roethlisberger they (and he) are going to have some serious work to do to repair his image to keep from pissing off a lot of their fans.

This is a good point fatness. The NFL has gone to great lengths to market this product to women. More and more of them in the stands, female reporters everywhere, female anchors, female play by play announcers are only a matter of time if it hasn't happened already. In general I am very critical of the NFL and wish they would stop girlyfying the league but the fact is they have/are. This strikes at the heart of what some of their potential market is and owners are nto going to go get a guy that would put some of their fans at odds with them, alsohusbands are going to have to side with wives here too. Ben really messed up...and the reports just don't sound good. They make it seem like he's guilty but the girl didn't want to face the scrutiny...at the very least he used not poor judgement but maybe no judgement at all. Good point.

 

[Steelfan7]

If a team trades for Roethlisberger they (and he) are going to have some serious work to do to repair his image to keep from pissing off a lot of their fans.

Animal rights advocates and Eagles fans got over Vick coming back and he actually committed and was convicted of a crime.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

If a team trades for Roethlisberger they (and he) are going to have some serious work to do to repair his image to keep from pissing off a lot of their fans.

I think that depends which team he goes to and what Ben says/how he says it.If Oakland managed to trade for him I don't see the same outrage that would occur if he were traded to the Jaguars.If Ben comes out and says something along the lines of "These accusations are false, but the bigger problem is my partying/drinking lifestyle is putting me in situations I should know better. From this point forward, blah blah blah..." some communities would imo be more accepting than others.And some teams would be so desperate for a qb that doesn't blow chunks they (and their fanbase) be more forgiving.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Winning really does cure a lot. If he has a great year for the Steelers and takes them deep into the playoffs, there are going to be a lot of Pittsburgh fans who hate him but wouldn't want him traded. I think a lot of people can root for a player on their team without personally liking said player.

Barry Bonds was hated by most fans...even those in San Francisco...yet Giants fans recognized their team was much better off with the guy. Certainly Big Ben is more divisive than Bonds but the general principle still applies, even if the ratios wouldn't be the same.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

If Oakland managed to trade for him I don't see the same outrage that would occur if he were traded to the Jaguars.

You're right, if he were traded to the Jaguars their two fans would probably be pretty upset.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

If Oakland managed to trade for him I don't see the same outrage that would occur if he were traded to the Jaguars.

You're right, if he were traded to the Jaguars their two fans would probably be pretty upset.

 

[fatness]

If a team trades for Roethlisberger they (and he) are going to have some serious work to do to repair his image to keep from pissing off a lot of their fans.

This is a good point fatness. The NFL has gone to great lengths to market this product to women. More and more of them in the stands, female reporters everywhere, female anchors, female play by play announcers are only a matter of time if it hasn't happened already.

There are quite a few male NFL fans who right now think his behavior was pretty scummy, also. I do think teams will try to trade for him, he's very talented, and he may clean up his act. But there will be plenty of PR work to do if a team does acquire him. And if something like this happens from him again, it'll be absolute wreckage in the public eye.

 

[kaa]

Honestly my first thought is that the Raiders would take him.

 

[phthalatemagic]

If Cutler went for multiple #1's plus other picks, I don't know why Big Ben wouldn't go for even more. Especially because he wouldn't have to be resigned to another contract.

are you really that dense? Cutler doesn't have 3 rape accusations against him.... I'm pretty sure that would negatively affect his trade value. Ben minus the rapes would certainly yield more than Cutler....Cutler's value + 2 superbowls - 3 rapes = 2nd rounder at most, IMO.

I'd love to see you show your work in this Rape-Superbowl-Value Calendar. What if he wins another superbowl? Wins another superbowl but also has 2 more rapes?

well i would derive the formula like this. ben won 2 superbowls before all this started and everyone loved him. the first rape case didn't really do that much. so i have to think that 1 superbowl cancels out 1 rape. thus his 2 superbowls < 3 rapes.so another superbowl plus 2 more rapes would be 3 superbowls and 5 rapes. 3 < 5however, on a related note, smoking weed and throwing a drink in a woman's face is > 1 superbowl MVP. rape three women? whatever... but if you wake and bake, you're outta town!

I suspect rapes' value increases logarithmically. 1 Rape is bad, but is palatable. Multiple ones really hurt the player badly. If you get to 4 or more, you could be screwed. Super bowls are probably shaped like an s curve, where the first values (1-2) increase sharply, middle values (2-4) do not increase much, then would increase again. I bet 1 rape < 1 SB < 1 rapes.

 

[ookook]

I would suspend him internally for the first 2 games to play the up-and-comer, then keep him for hte rest of the season on move him next off-season.

Satisfies everyone without having to take bottom dollar.

 

[Donsmith753]

Let's just be honest...Buffalo fans are desperate enough not to care.

 

[3C's]

No way the Rams part wiyh their #1 pick, pass on Bradford for this scumbag. Pitt would be lucky to get a mid-1st Rdr for this guy.

Nice trip. You need new bait.

Brandon Marshall is a better receiver than Ben is a QB and only netted two seconds. But keep defending your homie, Steelfan7.

Shane Lechler is a better punter than Brandon is a WR, so I guess he's worth more than two seconds.

 

[moondog]

I would suspend him internally for the first 2 games to play the up-and-comer, then keep him for hte rest of the season on move him next off-season.Satisfies everyone without having to take bottom dollar.

He can be traded THIS year without any cap impact. He is signed for 6 more years at approximately 12M a year. Since the contract with the players expires at the end of the 2010 waiting until next year is a big unknown. Eventually the NFL and the players union will sign a new contract and I expect there will be some type of salary cap system again so I expect some of the previous cap restrictions they made it prohibitive to trade players who had large signing bonuses will probably return.

 

[fatness]

It could also explain why Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert, who attends very few pro days was one of the many big names in attendance for Sam Bradford's Pro day earlier this month, considering where he is expected to go, which at the time came as a surprise to many.

A league source at that time said that the team had an interest in Bradford, which indicated the Steelers may have already then tired of the image Roethlisberger is portraying of the proud franchise, and might try to make a deal with the Rams.

Thursday, Mr. Rooney did acknowledge that the organizaion has been very concerned about how our fans viewed the situation. "I think we understand that all of us in the organization have a lot of work to do in order to win the fans’ trust back" he said.

A trade for the first round pick is something like that would be uncanny for an organization known to be smart when it comes to its picks, but on Wednesday prior to Rooney's press conference, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora confirmed this and went even further saying his source says the team is enamored with Bradford and have had internal talks about what it would take to get him.

Link

 

[Godsbrother]

A trade for the first round pick is something like that would be uncanny for an organization known to be smart when it comes to its picks, but on Wednesday prior to Rooney's press conference, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora confirmed this and went even further saying his source says the team is enamored with Bradford and have had internal talks about what it would take to get him.

Link

I really doubt the Rams would give up the #1 overall for BR and would be VERY surprised if the Steelers would shell out that kind of cash to an unproven rookie -- it just has not been their style. That said they've never been put into a position like this either so there is no telling what they'll do.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

A trade for the first round pick is something like that would be uncanny for an organization known to be smart when it comes to its picks, but on Wednesday prior to Rooney's press conference, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora confirmed this and went even further saying his source says the team is enamored with Bradford and have had internal talks about what it would take to get him.

Link

I really doubt the Rams would give up the #1 overall for BR and would be VERY surprised if the Steelers would shell out that kind of cash to an unproven rookie -- it just has not been their style. That said they've never been put into a position like this either so there is no telling what they'll do.

Hey Walt, glad you decided to stop by. I have a question/commet for you. Rooney talked about Ben proving to the Steelers...he has every right to say it and enforce discipline but let's be honest, it makes for a very touch and go relationship betweem Ben and the Steelers. I'm not saying that Rooney s wrong, in fact I think most fans side with Rooney all the way here, very few Steelers fans are trolling these boards and trying to blow this under the rug. How can Ben function in the organization anymore? I just don't see how he can keep putting the Pittsburgh jersey on. The problem IMO is the $102 million Pitt signed on for...it probably has some loop holes they can get out of it. This summer with the press looming, and what's to say another woman doesn't cry foul again on him. Everyone knows he is on his last chance. he brought it on himself no doubt about it.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

A trade for the first round pick is something like that would be uncanny for an organization known to be smart when it comes to its picks, but on Wednesday prior to Rooney's press conference, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora confirmed this and went even further saying his source says the team is enamored with Bradford and have had internal talks about what it would take to get him.

Link

I really doubt the Rams would give up the #1 overall for BR and would be VERY surprised if the Steelers would shell out that kind of cash to an unproven rookie -- it just has not been their style. That said they've never been put into a position like this either so there is no telling what they'll do.

If they traded with StL for the #1 pick, I'd be very upset if it were Bradford and not Suh.

 

[mcintyre1]

I've been a pretty big "Ben Defender" (which means I believe in the legal process), but I have to admit, if the Steelers could somehow swing a trade for the 1.01 and Bradford, I wouldn't be angry. I watched Bradford rip apart the Big 12 for years, and I wouldn't mind seeing him wear Steeler black.

 

[CrossEyed]

The Rooneys wield a lot of influence in the NFL. I can see them having enough power to get the NFL to delay punishment long enough to give them time to swing a draft day deal for Ben. If that happens, the NFL suspends Ben for a game or 2 and everyone moves on. If they can't swing a deal, the Steelers want a message sent to Ben and the league suspends him for 4 games.

Just my

 

[Godsbrother]

How can Ben function in the organization anymore? I just don't see how he can keep putting the Pittsburgh jersey on. The problem IMO is the $102 million Pitt signed on for...it probably has some loop holes they can get out of it. This summer with the press looming, and what's to say another woman doesn't cry foul again on him. Everyone knows he is on his last chance. he brought it on himself no doubt about it.

I keep asking myself this same question. Ben has been absolutely getting ripped by the local media and talk shows. I appreciate Mr. Rooney's plea for the fans to give Ben an oppotunity to win back their trust and support but I really don't think that is possible. He has worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh and the best thing for all concerned is for him to move on.That said the reality is the Steelers are in a tough spot given the fact that he is one of the top QBs in the league and they have no one on the roster to fill his shoes. Couple that with the fact that he is signed through 2016 and they've already paid a good chunk of that upfront with his bonus.Even with all that I still think they would move him if they could get anything close to a reasonable offer. The problem is Roethlisberger's is facing a suspension and his value is at and all time low and dropping day by day as details of the incident slowly leak out. This is really a bizarre situation.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

How can Ben function in the organization anymore? I just don't see how he can keep putting the Pittsburgh jersey on. The problem IMO is the $102 million Pitt signed on for...it probably has some loop holes they can get out of it. This summer with the press looming, and what's to say another woman doesn't cry foul again on him. Everyone knows he is on his last chance. he brought it on himself no doubt about it.

I keep asking myself this same question. Ben has been absolutely getting ripped by the local media and talk shows. I appreciate Mr. Rooney's plea for the fans to give Ben an oppotunity to win back their trust and support but I really don't think that is possible. He has worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh and the best thing for all concerned is for him to move on.That said the reality is the Steelers are in a tough spot given the fact that he is one of the top QBs in the league and they have no one on the roster to fill his shoes. Couple that with the fact that he is signed through 2016 and they've already paid a good chunk of that upfront with his bonus.Even with all that I still think they would move him if they could get anything close to a reasonable offer. The problem is Roethlisberger's is facing a suspension and his value is at and all time low and dropping day by day as details of the incident slowly leak out. This is really a bizarre situation.

Agreed and the details that have been released form the GA police really make Ben look like a scumbag, It's hard to believe they didn't prosecute him. Plax shoots himself in the foot and gets 2 years in prison, Ben uses even poorer judgement(I'm being nice) and virtually nothing happens to him other than perhaps a small slap on the wrist. I wonder if fans are protesting him being in the league. Maybe Goodell has been fielding a lot of rotten phone calls form any number of the women's rights/activists groups, surprised we haven't heard even more form them but perhaps they are being drowned out by all the angry Steelers fans...they aren't confined to PA, they are all over the country. I would argue that after Dallas and perhaps a couple others that Pittsburgh has one of the most extensive fan bases of any in the NFL. Goodell was brutally honest the other day about the integrity of the league and how the "shield" comes first. It is a rather bizarre story. Goodell hates this before the draft too, not the light he wants cast on the NFL. I would have killed to have been a fly on the wall when he sat with Goodell.

 

[Godsbrother]

The Rooneys wield a lot of influence in the NFL. I can see them having enough power to get the NFL to delay punishment long enough to give them time to swing a draft day deal for Ben. If that happens, the NFL suspends Ben for a game or 2 and everyone moves on. If they can't swing a deal, the Steelers want a message sent to Ben and the league suspends him for 4 games.Just my

I think Goodell and the Steelers have a pretty good idea of what teh suspension is going to be. I suspect that any team considering a trade before the draft would be in contact with the commissioner's office and be told what the suspension was going to be before making any deal.

 

[CrossEyed]

It could also explain why Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert, who attends very few pro days was one of the many big names in attendance for Sam Bradford's Pro day earlier this month, considering where he is expected to go, which at the time came as a surprise to many.

A league source at that time said that the team had an interest in Bradford, which indicated the Steelers may have already then tired of the image Roethlisberger is portraying of the proud franchise, and might try to make a deal with the Rams.

Thursday, Mr. Rooney did acknowledge that the organizaion has been very concerned about how our fans viewed the situation. "I think we understand that all of us in the organization have a lot of work to do in order to win the fans’ trust back" he said.

A trade for the first round pick is something like that would be uncanny for an organization known to be smart when it comes to its picks, but on Wednesday prior to Rooney's press conference, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora confirmed this and went even further saying his source says the team is enamored with Bradford and have had internal talks about what it would take to get him.

Link

Maybe that's why Bradford isn't signing a pre-draft deal with the Rams.