2009-10 NFL off season thread

[Cujo]

Chris Mortensen (I Know) Reports that the suspension of Big Ben will be between 4 and 6 Games.

On top of that, it's sounding more and more like Roethlisberger's played his last game as a Steeler, as Pittsburgh is actively trying to trade Ben for a top 10 pick in tomorrow's draft.

[BBTV]

The way the Steelers are signing backup QB's, you'd think they were worried about Roethlisberger.

Any word on whether or not Tommy Maddox is available?

Here's a silly question, if a Police investigation found no evidence to charge Roethlisberger, (even though it appears he has used poor judgement and might just be lucky that he had people around him to cover his ass) , how is it even legal for Roger Gumshoe Goodel to hand out such a harsh suspension of six games.

Well the commissioner's right to suspend players under the personal conduct policy is likely all spelled out in the collective bargaining agreement, and I highly doubt that the policy specifically mentions that a bona fide crime has to be committed. We'll see if the union challenges it, because it's likely that the commissioner's office doens't really need too much to prove that the policy has been violeted.

Heck - you could suspend a guy for looking at you funny if you're allowed to under the CBA. It just so happens in this case that the rule that was broken is a pretty vague one.

[NEW.ERA]

Chris Mortensen (I Know) Reports that the suspension of Big Ben will be between 4 and 6 Games.

On top of that, it's sounding more and more like Roethlisberger's played his last game as a Steeler, as Pittsburgh is actively trying to trade Ben for a top 10 pick in tomorrow's draft.

Make it 6 Games.

How are Steeler fans handling this news, haven't seen much of them around lately.

[rams80]

Chris Mortensen (I Know) Reports that the suspension of Big Ben will be between 4 and 6 Games.

On top of that, it's sounding more and more like Roethlisberger's played his last game as a Steeler, as Pittsburgh is actively trying to trade Ben for a top 10 pick in tomorrow's draft.

Reportedly they called St. Louis over the weekend. The Rams laughed in their face. (Surprisingly good call on Devaney's part)

The way the Steelers are signing backup QB's, you'd think they were worried about Roethlisberger.

Any word on whether or not Tommy Maddox is available?

Here's a silly question, if a Police investigation found no evidence to charge Roethlisberger, (even though it appears he has used poor judgement and might just be lucky that he had people around him to cover his ass) , how is it even legal for Roger Gumshoe Goodel to hand out such a harsh suspension of six games.

Well the commissioner's right to suspend players under the personal conduct policy is likely all spelled out in the collective bargaining agreement, and I highly doubt that the policy specifically mentions that a bona fide crime has to be committed. We'll see if the union challenges it, because it's likely that the commissioner's office doens't really need too much to prove that the policy has been violeted.

Heck - you could suspend a guy for looking at you funny if you're allowed to under the CBA. It just so happens in this case that the rule that was broken is a pretty vague one.

Given the notable absence of a union rep during Roethlisberger's meeting, I strongly doubt that this is getting challenged.

[dfwabel]

You can download and read the Personal Conduct Policy from 2008 via the NFLPA site here.

The policy states that one is subject to discipline even if there is a not conviction, but previous misconduct may be taken into consideration by the Commissioner.

I do not know if it changed for 2009 as the 2008 policy is the only one available to the public via PDF.

[Gary]

Chris Mortensen (I Know) Reports that the suspension of Big Ben will be between 4 and 6 Games.

On top of that, it's sounding more and more like Roethlisberger's played his last game as a Steeler, as Pittsburgh is actively trying to trade Ben for a top 10 pick in tomorrow's draft.

Make it 6 Games.

How are Steeler fans handling this news, haven't seen much of them around lately.

Is he really worth a top ten pick? I just can't see anyone outside of Buffalo wasting their pick on Roethisberger

[TFoA]

According to Anti-Liar Adam Schefter, the following teams were called by the Steelers: Rams (no interest), Bills (no interest), 49ers, Raiders, Jaguars, Seahawks, & Browns.

I wanna see him go to Cleveland, just because it would be hilarious to see how quickly the fans of both teams would turn on Big Ben.

[Gary]

According to Anti-Liar Adam Schefter, the following teams were called by the Steelers: Rams (no interest), Bills (no interest), 49ers, Raiders, Jaguars, Seahawks, & Browns.

I wanna see him go to Cleveland, just because it would be hilarious to see how quickly the fans of both teams would turn on Big Ben.

I actually see Al Davis on the phone giving up all draft picks for Big Ben

[TFoA]

According to Anti-Liar Adam Schefter, the following teams were called by the Steelers: Rams (no interest), Bills (no interest), 49ers, Raiders, Jaguars, Seahawks, & Browns.

I wanna see him go to Cleveland, just because it would be hilarious to see how quickly the fans of both teams would turn on Big Ben.

I actually see Al Davis on the phone giving up all draft picks for Big Ben

Al Davis may be a crazy, old, speed-obsessed kook, but he is not Mike Ditka circa 1999.

[Gary]

According to Anti-Liar Adam Schefter, the following teams were called by the Steelers: Rams (no interest), Bills (no interest), 49ers, Raiders, Jaguars, Seahawks, & Browns.

I wanna see him go to Cleveland, just because it would be hilarious to see how quickly the fans of both teams would turn on Big Ben.

I actually see Al Davis on the phone giving up all draft picks for Big Ben

Al Davis may be a crazy, old, speed-obsessed kook, but he is not Mike Ditka circa 1999.

After last years draft, I wouldn't put it past him

[FiddySicks]

ESPN's yearly quarterback meltdowns are starting to remind me of the South Park episode where they said :censored: on television.

[ZapRowsdower8]

Chris Mortensen (I Know) Reports that the suspension of Big Ben will be between 4 and 6 Games.

On top of that, it's sounding more and more like Roethlisberger's played his last game as a Steeler, as Pittsburgh is actively trying to trade Ben for a top 10 pick in tomorrow's draft.

Make it 6 Games.

How are Steeler fans handling this news, haven't seen much of them around lately.

I was only expecting 3 games, but I am happy that it was longer. I hope they trade him. People I have talked to back in Pittsburgh are done with him. Of course, everybody wants a trade for what he is worth, not a repeat of Holmes for a 5th rounder. I would say that probably 60% to 70% of Steelers fans feel the same way.

Remeber a few years ago a study came out saying that the Steelers have more female fans than any other profession team in the U.S.? You can guess what side of the argument they come down on.

[RedRenesis]

Make it 6 Games.

How are Steeler fans handling this news, haven't seen much of them around lately.

Im losing more interest in the NFL by the year, so this doesnt bother me as much as it may have a few years ago. Six games I think is a bit much, but dealing him for it is a bad move. I understand the Rooneys pride themselves on being an organization above the rest on stuff like this and thats cool, but I think this is going to set the team back years if they do this. Also, the problem now becomes if they dont deal him, and its out in public that they are trying to do just that, how committed to the organization is he going to be? Is he going to continue to do everything he can to win, or does it get dialed back?

[The_Admiral]

The Roethlisberger thing is such a mess to me, because he probably did rape those girls, and yet dropping the hammer on people for "probably" doesn't feel right. Yes, I know it's not a court of law, and they don't need to prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt. Yes, he should stop getting into situations where one might get the impression that he's a serial rapist. Nevertheless, missing 38% of your job and your pay for acting like a fool seems awfully draconian to me, and this will only stand because the NFLPA has the spine of an amoeba and the bargaining leverage of a homeless man.

Oh, and the Rooneys' reputation for being above the scum is a pile of crap. Tell me how above they are as all their dynasty players die off from drug abuse.

[NEW.ERA]

Jacksonville is interesting. Really their only main need is QB if they're aren't dead set on Gerrard, Too bad they might have to wait 6 weeks to see what's he got. I want to say Ben's played his last game with the Steelers but the only team I could see making a major case for him is the Raiders who are essentially a QB a way from 8-8 or better in a weak AFC West.

Also it will be very funny to see if Leftwich leads the Steelers to a 5-1 start. To see how Tomlin handles the QB situation.

[The_Admiral]

Jacksonville is signing Tim Tebow. I told you guys already.

[Cujo]

According to Anti-Liar Adam Schefter, the following teams were called by the Steelers: Rams (no interest), Bills (no interest), 49ers, Raiders, Jaguars, Seahawks, & Browns.

I wanna see him go to Cleveland, just because it would be hilarious to see how quickly the fans of both teams would turn on Big Ben.

I actually see Al Davis on the phone giving up all draft picks for Big Ben

Can't be worse than taking another 'Darrius Heyward-Bey'.

[RedRenesis]

Oh, and the Rooneys' reputation for being above the scum is a pile of crap. Tell me how above they are as all their dynasty players die off from drug abuse.

The selective enforcement of the standard the Rooneys have had in the past shows that the standard is crap. But obviously trading the face of your franchise, and highest paid player in team history starts to reverse that.

[The_Admiral]

I'm getting really weary of sports teams that publicly wank themselves for being "classy." No you're not. You're a sports team. You employ sociopathic meatheads for enormous profit. And irony of ironies, who are the two most guilty parties at this time? The St. Louis Cardinals, managed by a drunk driver who has threatened the press with bodily harm and turned a blind eye to steroid abuse for over 20 years; and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who transformed themselves from laughingstock to megapower by shooting their players up with steroids and drugs before leaving them to die lonely shameful deaths. If that's class, I don't want it.

[Eye]

I'm getting really weary of sports teams that publicly wank themselves for being "classy." No you're not. You're a sports team. You employ sociopathic meatheads for enormous profit. And irony of ironies, who are the two most guilty parties at this time? The St. Louis Cardinals, managed by a drunk driver who has threatened the press with bodily harm and turned a blind eye to steroid abuse for over 20 years; and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who transformed themselves from laughingstock to megapower by shooting their players up with steroids and drugs before leaving them to die lonely shameful deaths. If that's class, I don't want it.

But you don't understand, Cardinals fans are the best ever, and they never get on their players when they play poorly, and things are just different in Pittsburgh.