Goodell is painting himself into a corner. What next, scofflaws?

I'm not a fan of Big Ben's (reported) off-field behavior/antics. And I believe that something had to be done to wake him up to the damage he has done (both actual and public perception-wise). However, I don't think it's time for a trade. The Steelers are one of the few NFL franchises that can possibly help Ben before he gets to a third strike (like Holmes did).

gross gross a million times gross

Did Tone leave some "special" weed in his locker and the front office decided to try it??? STEP AWAY FROM THE CRACK PIPE!!

Sickening. Absolutely stupid. If you cheer for your team sucking, root for the Browns. I hope the Commish gets suspended the season for breaking the code of not being a dumbass clause.

If Goodell doesn't think there's any hope for Ben's career at this point, that's certainly saying a lot. He thought there was hope for Pacman and Vick... in their two hour meeting, Ben must've shown something to him that he didn't think could be fixed.

In related news, I will be shopping for a new fathead

Show me where Goodell said he doesn't think there's any hope for Ben's career?

Roger Goodell wrote letter to Roethlisberger informing of suspension. In it he said "Your conduct raises sufficient concerns I believe... ...effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare." Goodell also said "there is nothing about your.. ...conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible or consistent with either the values of the league or.. ...the expectations of our fans.” Also: “I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track"

Yes, I've read the statement.

So where exactly in there does he say he has no hope for Ben's career?

My biggest problem with all this is how it's tearing apart Steelers' Nation.

A solid argument can be made by either side. Neither is absolutely right or wrong as no one truly knows exactly what went on down south. If he did it, he's getting off easy. If not, then this suspension is extremely harsh.

Steelers Nation is the true victim here. Normally there's year-round excitement for our beloved team. Where is it? For the schedule? For the draft? This has all of us depressed and it's really a shame.

I really hope, with some time, we can all get over this and get excited for what could be a great 2010 season. But we must be excited together.

/waves towel

I have a dream!

Amen, brother.

I hope we repair this rift sooner than later.

And the casualties are still growing...

this is the only thing I agree upon. Ben has caused a major rift in Steelers Nation. Its sad. But I will stick to my guns in that Ben was wrong no matter what really happened that night or in Lake Tahoe. The pattern of being accused multiple times, added to the fact of how he talks to women and treats people that are supposed to be his fans(and many people have shared their bad experiences with him in the past). If I saw him in person I would not even bother approaching him unless he were with another player that I really like such as Troy Polamalu or Hines Ward. The fact that the NFL PCP says a person does not need to be charged to receive the suspension says that Goodell had a legal right to suspend him. This rule apparently was not in affect until 2007? can someone get me proof of that? And I too hope that from now on Goodell will do the same for all players in similar hot water....

Another words you mean me right?

Freedom of speech is in our constitutional rights, is it not? And I believe he got what he deserved, and I also believe he is not the only one responsible for our wins in the past.

All I have to say is "we will see how next season plays out" and then if we lose more than we win in the first 4-6 games, you can gloat all you want, until then, its all speculation that we will suck without this guy as our starter. Even then, there is no telling how well we would start out WITH Ben starting. I mean, really any team could show up or not show up on any given sunday regardless of who is starting at the QB position.

Matt Cassel, while he did not lead the Patriots to the playoffs, was at least 10-6 when Brady was hurt, and Brady is a bigger name than Roethlisberger. He had a losing season for the Chiefs, (oh yeah except for in the PITTSBURGH GAME, when Ben was playing... we can attribute that to the Defense playing below par though) But the entire Chiefs team is horrible. We have decent players besides BEN.

Just think about that. Thats all I have to say.

Actually, no, Lea. Plenty of OFTOT readers would jump in here to celebrate this. That's why I made the disclaimer.

So Goodell is suspending BR for 6 games because he bought drinks for girls carrying IDs that said they were legal to drink?

Ben's problems happen during the off-season, not during the season. It would seem to be the worse thing to do, to give him 6 weeks more away from the football field. If you want to punish/educate BR, force him to do stuff during the off-season, so he doesn't have time to visit bars!

I'm just sick cotter. No two ways about it. we lose ben its will be a long time before this team is competitive. I really don't believe Ben deserves to be suspended at all. I literally want to throw up, can you punch me in my jejunum?

Well, that should certainly get his attention. It will be interesting to see how Ben, and the team, respond. I was not surprised at the suspension. The duration was longer than I ever thought Goddell would dish out.

and got away scot-free.

Ben was simply accused, without evidence, of sexual assualt and is never even charged yet gets suspended for being "sleazy"?


Fuck the NFL. Go Ben. I'm, personally, disgusted at a lot of "Steelers fans". I'll root for Ben, but I'm done with "SteelerNation". Some "fan" base.

Double-standards. Witch-hunt over: scapegoat hung!

Bullshit.

Way to ruin an NFL franchise, Milledgeville sorority!!!!

Did the NFL get all it's info from TMZ or did it actually investigate the true events of this systemic fuck-up?

I never thought I'd see the day the NFL gave in to political-correctness and ignored it's own guidelines.

Sue 'em, Ben. Sue 'em all.

I can't fucking believe what is going on with BB??????????? How can u suspend him when there's not even enough fucking evidence to arrest!!!!!!!!!!!!!! let alone charge, indict or convict... so he's boorish and acts like a high schooler, does that mean he's a fucking rapist??? hell no.... the steelers are fucking up by not standing by him and i'm very dissapointed in their actions as a front office... i'm disgusted with them more than i'm ever gonna be in BB....

I can understand the suspension, but Goodell better stay consistent with suspending players who are accused of ANYTHING from now on or he is promoting a double standard.

I'm just happy Ben still wears the black and gold, for now. If they trade him I'm going to be pissed off. I will continue to support him no matter where he goes (unless its a trade within the division...then I'll throw up on myself)

If the Steelers get draft picks for him I'm going to closely scrutinize the players chosen in this trade and expect multiple super bowls from them, just like Ben delivered. And if the Steelers have another 20+ year drought without a Super Bowl after they trade Ben I'm going to point my finger and rub it into the face of the "Steelers Bandwagon" fans that wanted Ben gone at this point in time. I am also committed to writing a letter on a yearly basis to the Steelers' brass to remind them of their epic fuck up.

@Lea - You obviously didn't watch the Steelers before Ben. Have fun with Kordell Stewart/Tommy Maddox 2.0, at least the Steelers will be able to say they are a "classy" franchise while they miss the playoffs or fail in them for the next 25 years.

Oh I watched, and we had made playoffs in the past before Ben. Ben is not a God and should not be treated as such.

I am a Steelers fan not a Ben fan. I will be a Steelers fan when Ben leaves rather its this season or in 10 seasons from now. I will not cheer for him as an individual, but I will cheer for the Steelers when they win games rather it was him in the QB position or not.

Lea, to the best of my knowledge, you still haven't answered my question from a few days ago. Did you root for the Steelers and Jerome Bettis' run to the Lombardi in 05/06?

Also, if you want Ben gone, would you like to see Charlie Batch play?

@ Lea - making the playoffs is great, but winning Super Bowls is why they play the game. And, Ben and Terry have been the only ones to do so on multiple occasions each.

There is a cockload of misinformation in these comments. I'm not going to give my opinions for fear of censorship.

And no, I'm not celebrating the move. I can just kind of get where they are coming from on a 2-4 game deal. 6? Plus comprehensive behavior counseling? That's getting carried away, even if it will go down to 4 games in all likelihood.

by man-haters.

In all honesty, I agree. I can understand 2-4. I wouldn't be thrilled, but I get it. 6 was just excessive.