Seems that Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has been on a tear as of late when it comes to the Steelers treatment of the old “double-standard” of treating their stars like stars, and when a player isn’t a huge part of the team and they get in trouble, they will let them go.
Just take a look at the following from an article on his site today:
They embrace it when the player is expendable. They ignore it when he isn’t. The mere fact that the Steelers aren’t blindly touting phrases like “presumption of innocence” and pushing to the media talking points that trumpet Ben’s virtues at a time when the fans are writing him off tells us that the Steelers don’t currently regard Roethsliberger as a player who is absolutely necessary to the short- and long-term interests of the team.
Basically from the sounds of it, Florio seems to feel the Steelers are ready to jump the ship on Big Ben, and he even goes as far as to say the team isn’t going to have him as the starting QB all that much longer:
Innocent or guilty, charged or uncharged, it tells us that Roethlisberger likely will be the former quarterback of the Steelers far sooner than anyone ever would have imagined.
Now it’s no secret that the Steelers should be very concerned that it’s two offseasons in a row their 100 million dollar QB is in the news due to a claim of force against a woman. From where I see it, the team has already said they are going to wait till the investigation is over to make a decision on their QB, which is the right thing to do.
He has not been criminally charged, and let’s be real, if the Steelers said “we’ve had enough” and dump the QB, it would take about 5 minutes for about 27-30 teams to be on the phone with him.
Talk of Roethlisberger being let go is WAY premature, and while I am not sure of Florio’s agenda in all of this, my guess is he’s grasping at straws trying to fill space while the facts of the case have still not clearly come out as of yet.
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George H
March 23, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Sounds like this guy is just trying to stir up some ratings. There is absolutely no way the Steelers dump Big Ben, even if he is convicted. Yes, the Steelers are stern with their players, but they would rather attempt to rehabilitate the player instead of tossing him to the trash. Its articles like this that get me angry. I have been saying it on this site as long as Crawley has been hating on the Steelers… Teams with great QBs win Superbowls. There is absolutely no way the Steelers get rid of Ben. I dont care if they hold him to a double standard, people tend to do that when they have 100 mil invested in a franchise QB anyway. With Ben the Steelers are heavy Superbowl contenders; without Ben, The Steelers are going to struggle vastly to even make the playoffs. End of Story!
Tom
April 15, 2010 at 8:14 am
What’s it gonna take him to assault a
minor? Do you have any daughters? They have a skit on youtube. There is a ladies room with a Ben at work sign posted on it with a guy wit a be jersey walking in after they show it. I would rather rebuild than win with that piece of garbage.
jay
March 23, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I agree with George. Like I said earlier, IF Ben has sexually assaulted someone, then fine, I won’t oppose getting rid of him but to make presumptions that he will be gone before a verdict is even in is well, asinine. The Steelers (i.e., Tomlin) voicing public concern is their way of letting everyone (INCLUDING BEN) know that they’re serious about this. But, to think that they would cast him aside if he is exonerated makes about as much sense as Mike Florio being a journalist.
Justin
March 24, 2010 at 12:54 pm
For obvious reason I have been hesitant to post a comment about this- 1) I believe Roethlisberger will be under center for the Steelers this season. 2) Any true Steeler fan who knows anything about football should be happy with this 3) For these ridiculous people who think we should let a two time super bowl champ go & play Dixon? Did you idiots miss the Kordell Stewart era or do you just really want to go 2-14. As a die hard Steeler fan it amazes me how fickle some of the quote ‘fans’ in this city act. Does he need to act more responsible of course- Is he in the top 3-5 Qb currently playing in the NFL of course enough said.
James
March 25, 2010 at 7:24 pm
I`ve been a lifetime fan but I do think the Steelers should suspend Ben for a few games even if the league doesn`t. Maybe he will grow up and act like a responsible adult. Just Grow Up. It was his 28th Birthday not his 18th.
Fritz
March 26, 2010 at 7:32 am
I am a lifetime Steelers fan living in Jacksonville, Fla.(I know I’ve been transplanted) Ben needs to get comfortable with the fact that not only is 1 of the top 5 QB’s in the league, but more importantly he is the QB of one of the most respected teams in all of football not to mention the respectability of the Rooney’s. This young man needs to grow up,even if he is innocent he should not be putting himself in these positions.There are too many young women out there looking for a quick payoff & Ben is a prime target. Stay out of the bars or at least make it a private party, Lord knows he has the money to do so. Signed: Frustrated in J-ville
Mary
April 18, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I think it is time for the NFL to get rid of Ben all together. He’s already made more money than most of us will make in a lifetime. He is not a good person and giving him time to grow up will not change anything. It’s time the NFL starts to show these individuals that have no morals or values off the field are not needed on the field. Winning on the field is not everything, but emulating good morals and values to society, especially our youth, is a big win. I’ve been a Steeler fan my whole life and will not change, but I will not cheer for Ben, he’s not worth it.
Chris
July 14, 2010 at 8:04 am
I am a Lifelong Fan…having grown up in the Pittsburgh area and now living in Las Vegas, the Steelers are part of my blood….
I for one will NOT be watching the Steelers this year as Long as DUMB BEN is still with the team. Pro sports needs to get all of these criminals out of the leagues, just because they can play a game does not give them license to commit crimes and get away with it……..clean up Pro Sports starting with Ben