Big Gay Ben Suspended for 4-6 Games.

[choco]

@mr.-t said:

This compares to Jamal Lewis suspension when the bye week was counted as one of his weeks being suspended.

But really I want to see us beat the steelers with Big Gay in there so nobody will have an excuse.

we already did....with brady quinn nonetheless.

i dont care either way...a W is a W.

[kamac19]

National Football Post

breaking news on NFL.com also, looks like we will play the Squeelers without Big Gay Ben then

NFL.com link

[kamac19]

Roethlisberger suspended six games, must undergo evaluation

NFL.com

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roetholisberger Wednesday that he 1) must undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation by medical professionals and 2) will be 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.

After consultation with Commissioner Goodell, Steelers President Art Rooney and the commissioner informed Roethlisberger by telephone today of the two-step approach that is designed to hold Roethlisberger accountable for his conduct and provide him an opportunity to change his behavior and establish himself as a responsible individual.

In a letter to Roethlisberger, Commissioner Goodell said that Roethlisberger must adhere to any counseling or treatment that is recommended by the professional evaluators to help him make better decisions and avoid situations that can cause legal or other problems. A professional behavioral evaluation is mandatory for anyone that has violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Roethlisberger may not attend any team off-season activity after today until he has completed the evaluation and the evaluating professionals confirm with the commissioner that Roethlisberger may resume football activities. If so cleared, Roethlisberger will be able to participate in training camp and preseason games this summer.

The commissioner said he would review Roethlisberger’s progress under the plan prior to the start of the regular season and consider whether to reduce the suspension to four games. Failure to cooperate and follow the plan could result in a longer suspension, the commissioner added.

“The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that I may impose discipline ‘even where the conduct does not result in conviction of a crime’ as, for example, where the conduct ‘imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person’,” Commissioner Goodell stated in his letter to Roethlisberger. “As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing (or facilitating the purchase of) alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk. The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that ‘undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.’ By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard.”

Commissioner Goodell said his review of the matter included the extensive volume of material released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Milledgeville Police Department; public comments by and a private conversation with Georgia District Attorney Fred Bright; comments and recommendations of Roethlisberger’s representatives; a personal interview with Roethlisberger on April 13; dialogue with current players, former players, the NFL Players Association, and others; and information learned by the NFL office in the course of examining the Milledgeville matter.

Other excerpts from Commissioner Goodell’s letter:

“I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you. My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law, or on a conclusion that differs from that of the local prosecutor. That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and 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.”

“Your conduct raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare.”

“I believe it is essential that you take full advantage of the resources available to you. My ultimate disposition in this matter will be influenced by the extent to which you do so, what you learn as a result, and a demonstrated commitment to making positive change in your life.”

“In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track.”

In addition to the discipline imposed on Roethlisberger, league policy requires that NFL teams remit to the league a portion of a suspended player’s salary starting with the second suspension in a year for violations of the personal conduct or drug policies. The second such suspension in a year results in the club being assessed 25 percent of the suspended player’s forfeited salary to a maximum of $200,000. Prior to the Steelers trading him to the New York Jets, wide receiver Santonio Holmes was suspended for four games for violating the substance abuse program.

[BeernBrowns]

Wow, I can see them going below .500 this year.

[thepixburghkid]

Below .500??? Are you serious??? We still have DD and Leftwich who are 2 good QB's....just keep hoping u xxxxs would actually finish above us in the division

[The Gipper]

So. There it is. Can we forget about this Beavis/Butthead now?

[cribbs is the man]

I bet the suspension gets reduced and he plays in the game against us..

[TheClevelandSound]

Adam_Schefter

Now official. RT @gregaiello: Commish notified Ben he must undergo comprehensive behavorial evaluation and is suspended for six games.

[KYBrown]

@thepixburghkid said:

Below .500??? Are you serious??? We still have DD and Leftwich who are 2 good QB's....just keep hoping u xxxxs would actually finish above us in the division

And Charlie Batch. He could probably push for a few snaps.

Maybe Randle el is the answer?

Yeah you guys are set at QB for those six games.

lol

[dawgpound3]

@thepixburghkid said:

Below .500??? Are you serious??? We still have DD and Leftwich who are 2 good QB's....just keep hoping u xxxxs would actually finish above us in the division

Dixon and Leftwich are good QBs? I want what to know what you're smoking seriously...

Leftwich's statistics in Tampa:

Completion Percentage: 54%

Passer Rating: 71.2

Dixon's statistics:

Completion Percentage: 46%

Passer Rating: 60.8

[dawgpound3]

@cribbs-is-the-man said:

I bet the suspension gets reduced and he plays in the game against us..

I bet his ass gets traded.

[daddybull1]

Seems Big Gay Ben has an alcohol problem....

Being a former bar owner here in pennsylvania, I can't understand how no one is being held responsible for buying and serving alcohol to an under aged person... Also if it's true that Big Gay Ben exposed himself, wouldn't that be a contributing or a diorderly conduct offense...

As I said previously, I hope the prosecutor is enjoying his new SUV....

Peace

T.Dawg

[Speedyd900rr]

I cant wait for the Browns to make them look like a high school team again.

[BrownIndian]

@thepixburghkid said:

Below .500??? Are you serious??? We still have DD and Leftwich who are 2 good QB's....just keep hoping u xxxxs would actually finish above us in the division

I hope u guys start these 2 QB's for the rest of ur life.

[The Gipper]

@thepixburghkid said:

Below .500??? Are you serious??? We still have DD and Leftwich who are 2 good QB's....just keep hoping u xxxxs would actually finish above us in the division

I agree with this much: Until about mid-2008 very little of the success or failure of the Steelers had to do with BR's performance. In the last year and a half however the Steelers became a QB dependent team. And the two guys you mention are not QBs to really be relied on for a QB dependent team. It is you who are dreaming if you think that. (Plus, as mentioned they have lost their best receiver...even when BR comes back). For the Steelers to be successful again, they have to revert to the sort of team they in BR's rookie and second year. They have to be a run/defense oriented team.

Let's face it though, their running game is nothing like it was when they had a combination of Jerome Bettis/Willie Parker. You can sing the praises of Warner Mendenhall all you want, but he is not proven to be anything on the order of Bettis/Parker.

The defense might show that same strenghth that they had. The operative word being "might". They still have LeBeau running things on defense, and that is everything to them. Yes, that defense will have to carry the Steelers if they want any chance to be a playoff team.

[The Gipper]

@dawgpound3 said:

Dixon and Leftwich are good QBs? I want what to know what you're smoking seriously...

Leftwich's statistics in Tampa:

Completion Percentage: 54%

Passer Rating: 71.2

Dixon's statistics:

Completion Percentage: 46%

Passer Rating: 60.8

Brady Quinn/Derek Anderson would be better.

[dawgpound3]

@the-gipper said:

Brady Quinn/Derek Anderson would be better.

I agree.

[Speedyd900rr]

I wonder how many trolls will disappear when the squeelers come in last place this year. I bet once we start to own the division mid season we will get a surge of people signing up to the Browns Board claiming to be fans all along.

[Vagitron]

@cribbs-is-the-man said:

I bet the suspension gets reduced and he plays in the game against us..

Um the report already states that it's a conditional suspension. If he goes through a behavioral evaluation and maintains a certain demeanor through the first 4 game suspension it will only be a 4 game suspension. The kicker is he's held out of OTA's until this psyche evaluation is complete which is total B.S. I just hope that evaluation is done much sooner than later.

[Vagitron]

@clevelandfanforlife said:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/...ame-suspension/

I knew that 4 games would be the penalty the second I saw the Steeler's schedule. The NFL has no balls and was terrified to put the Steelers in a prime time game without Ben. It's a four game suspension, followed by a bye week and then the Browns. This is such bull crap. Way to favor certain teams over others Goodell.

lol. A 6 game suspension is MORE than harsh. A 4 game suspension is still a little rough so I don't see how anyone is getting preferential treatment for a player that wasn't even charged. You're just pissed you're still going to lose that game. Hell you'd lose that game with DD behind center.