Ben Roethlisberger
It’s official. The Pittsburgh Steelers will open the season without its starting signal-caller. Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended without pay for the first six games of the regular season for conduct detrimental to the NFL in violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Roethlisberger must undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation by medical professionals and must adhere to any counseling or treatment that is recommended to him by professional evaluators.
Roethlisberger received a call from Steelers President Art Rooney and Commissioner Roger Goodell Wednesday morning informing him of this two part suspension. After today, Roethlisberger may not be a part of or attend any team offseason activities and in order to participate in training camps and preseason games later this summer, Roethlisberger must be complete the behavioral evaluation and the assigned evaluating professionals must confirm to Commissioner Goodell that Roethlisberger may resume any football activities.
The commissioner has indicated that he will review Roethlisberger’s case prior to the start of the regular season and at that point, the commissioner will consider reducing the suspension. However Goodell also added, that if Roethlisberger has failed to cooperate and follow the plan, the suspension could increase.
At this point, if the six game suspension holds up, Roethlisberger would miss home games against Atlanta, Baltimore and Cleveland and road games against Tennessee, Tampa Bay and Miami.
If the Steelers can trade him I think they have to…
Considering the off pitch problems there have been in recent years, and especially this off season with Holmes as well they just can’t stand for it. Steelers are kind of moving towards a mini rebuilding phase anyway considering they’re poor showing last season, though a lot of it was missing a certain All-Star player that would affect any team.
Problem is they’re demands are probably going to be too high…..
I’ve heard they want a top 10 (plus maybe something else) which is going to be very hard to get from such a weak bargaining position. I’ve heard Oakland are interested, but I think Buffalo or mayb Cleveland are better fits, especially Buffalo and the cold wind and weather up there. Though Jim Kelly seems pretty sold on Tebow and he knows better than any of the coaches there and has a big influence when it comes to Bills qb selections.
Personally I think the best move would be to pick up a pick or two, get some project players and pick up Colt McCoy with a view to the future (he’s probably going to be the best QB to come out of the draft provided he gets some time and good coaching and isn’t presured into being a big deal from day one)
Big Ben just brings a bad name to such a great organization (even though he wasn’t found guilty I know!) I’d rather have somebody who respects what the Pittsburgh Steelers mean
I feel my Raiders will make a move, Al loves athletic QB’s and has before signed players who have been renegades for other franchises but who for the Raiders were great players. I wouldn’t feel particularly happy having him on my team given what he’s done, but saying that it would be hypocritical not to welcome him and give him another chance seeing what antics and high jinks the likes of Stabler used to get up to. Signing him would make me feel slightly repulsed, but I think you have to welcome him and give him another shot at being a good and decent man. He was found innocent by the court, and should have learned not to bar-hop in college towns nor to get off with girls when he shouldn’t. If he does, his career and reputation wil be in shreds.
6 Games suspension should hold up, as he should be made a example that evan “elite” players are not above the law!
as further punishment he should go to the Raiders where football goes to die :p
Well it’s not the worst thing the Black and Silver would ever do with a first rounder…..
It wouldn’t be such a bad fit. Raiders obviously have a massive need at QB. Russel wouldn’t even be on the team, it’s only because they have invested so much on him, Gradkowski is a good back up but he can’t carry a team. I don’t really see them doing it though to be honest at this stage after all of their draft scouting and preperaton they would have to be pretty unsure on the players who are likely to fall to pull the trigger.
It would be nice to see what the Raiders could do with somebody behind centre to play with the other offensive weapons but lets face it they’re still probably finish bottom of the NFC West.
I also think the Raiders could maybe get a better deal, though he is clearly worth the pick long term. Possibly there could be a call for some player trading, given it’s pretty likely the Raiders will loose Seymour at the end of the season as he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to stay.
I thought JP Losman would have been a good fit for the Raiders giving him a second chance after his bust in Buffalo, but I don’t think you resigned his contract and he isn’t going to get good overnight
….maybe we’ll be so impatient we have to trade another elite player for a 5th round pick!
Given what has gone on this is probably right. Hopefully it gets Roethlisberger to clean his act up and learn how to not put himself in these types of position. We of course can’t comment n him being guilty as nothing was proven in court but he is guilty of being a very stupid man.
Date & Opponent for the first 6 games he will/could miss – Sep. 12 Falcons Sep. 19 at Titans Sep. 26 at Buccaneers Oct. 3 Ravens Oct. 10 BYE Oct.24 at Dolphins.
With Leftwich or Dixon in they will be 1-5 or 2-4 at best. With the Ravens, improved at WR and the Bengals hardly losing any key defensiv positions this is going to be very tough fr the Steelers to make the playoffs.
Anyone this isn’t the biggest story of day. Didn’t you hear, Tebow isn’t attending the draft…..
Bye Bye Ben (Freaking Idiot!)
They’ve hit his pocket – good idea! The punishment wouldn’t have gotten through otherwise.
Man, how bad is it when the Rams don’t want a 2 time Superbowl winning “Elite” QB. I bet the Steelers deal him to the Raiders. Either way this is good news for the Raven Nation. I feel bad for the girl. Karma might get you little Ben.