From "Mr. Right Now" to "Mr. Has Ben"
by M. Stewart
Well, the big day for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers has come. The comish has spoken: a six-game suspension, behavioral evaluation, treatment. Ben has been ordered to go through a public and private humiliation--literally. He's been given time to think about his life and career, and that's exactly what he needs to do.
It's important to remember that this mess isn't only about Ben; it's about the Steelers too. The team has been punished severely: the Steelers have to play a significant portion of the season without their star quarterback.
What happens to Ben after the suspension and treatment is subject to countless variables, not the least of which is how the team plays with Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon at the helm. And who knows how Ben will respond to the whole humiliating experience? He's been brought from very high to very low, which qualifies him as the protagonist in a classical Greek tragedy. Will he fold under the pressure? Will he go on "Oprah" and seek forgiveness? Will it be granted? Maybe he'll become one those "head-case" guys who suddenly can't hit the side of a barn. And what about the still-pending Nevada civil suit? He might even be traded.
Like I said -- too many variables.
The good side of today's announcement is that it gives Mike Tomlin a clearer view of what he needs to do to prepare for the 2010 season. Byron Leftwich was brought in because Tomlin knows he's a talented veteran who already knows how to play winning football. Besides, the Steelers are loaded at wide receiver and tight end, which makes any quarterback's job easier. The preseason will be about Leftwich competing with Dennis Dixon, who is getting an opportunity to step up as well. I look for Charlier Batch to be more of a quarterback coach this season.
Point is, it's not a complete crisis situation for the Steelers. Whoever the quarterback is in September, if he plays well and wins, the fate of Ben Roethlisberger becomes less of a concern. Then again, Ben might sweep back in and save the season. Who knows?
One thing is for sure, everyone will be watching the Steelers this year for good or ill, and it's definitely going to be an interesting season. No matter what happens to Ben, Steelers fans expect the team get its shit together and win another Super Bowl. I can guarantee you that Mike Tomlin is completely focused on that goal.
posted by M. | 5:18 PM
10 Comments:
i heard where the steelers tried to trade ben to the rams but they wouldnt take him......amazing!!!
My understanding is that the St. Louis Rams flat out turned down the trade, but the Oakland Raiders have left the door the door open for negotiation. I also read some speculation that the trade rumors may be designed to put Ben on still further notice that he needs to be serious about his rehab.
Damn, I wish the Rams would have taken him; I would have been much closer to seeing him play (not to mention Rams tickets are dirt cheap as opposed to Steelers tickets). Whatever. Like I said, this whole thing is about the Rooney Image and not about an individual. I hate saying this but I hope that Dixon fellow falls flat. Batch is a wimp, gets hurt drawing in air. Byron is someone I could live with, however. I also have issues with Tomlin. Last season he showed no leadership, and any success the team has had since he assumed the head coach position was because of Cowher and the remnants he's left behind. This season will be Tomlin's chance to prove who he is.
Matt,
as I am sure you are aware, the young lady in the video is an EL native.
According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, the following teams have confirmed that they are not interested in trading a top ten pick for Ben:
Rams, Lion, Buccanears, Raiders, Jaguars.
Also, when are they going to charge the 20-year old girl for underage consumption and use of a fake ID?
She admitted to it and there's plenty of evidence to prove it. Just because you are a "victim" doesn't mean you are immune to the law.
Both these bitches --- Nevada and Georgia --- will be living high on the hog in about a year. That's what this whole thing, what most if not all things are about in life --- money.
That Georgia Ho won't get cited for it, nor will the bar. Maybe the owner can hire an NFL player to hang around and check IDs; after all, that's one of their moral codes, according to GoodmanDell, right?
Groom,
In cases like these, women aren't victims so much as they are vehicles with which to smash head-on into a male.
Jeff M, you seem to be remarkably sure that no wrong was done except by the female. It was also reported that Roethlisberger bought several shots for the young lady who was already intoxicated. He too could be charged with contributing. Since you must have been present at said time and place maybe you can fill us in on all the details and set the record straight. To make such bold statments you must have been present during the "events."
what's wrong with buying a girl some drinks --- especially if you think she's of age, as she pretended to be and the bar, by her admittance, presented her to be. Hey, it's just my take on the whole matter; take a dump on it if you want. I go by intuition, and intuition tells me this girl is not as innocent as people perceive her to be. Few are.
Jeff--
How can you have an intuition about a woman you've never met, seen, or heard?
Hello--
I'm not much of a Poverty Hillbilly fan, so I don't know much about the band or the video. Maybe Ben should buy a house in East Liverpool.
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