Source: WR Edwards will NOT face suspension

[Craic]

I understand that Ben was not charged.

However, my point of view is quite different from most of yours, simply because I understand somewhat what it is to live under a microscope (in someways, much greater than they do, in some ways, much MUCH less than they do).

It is quite simple. Ben is absolutely guilty of putting himself in two different situations which someone could legitimately claim rape. Whether it actually happened, is completely beside the point. WHen you are talking reputation, it is ONLY the claim that matters. Unfair? Absolutely. That is why I will NEVER be seen in a car with any woman that is not my wife or mother, unless other men are in the car as well-anywhere in town. That is why if a female wants to talk to me and there is no one else at the church, I tell them to meet me at a coffee shop, and we sit outdoors. That is why I never hug women my age, except in the rare cases, and then, only a "side hug". Why? Because it only takes an accusation. Ben knew that. IT happened once, and he was too stupid to keep himself out of a situation for it to happen again.

Legality has nothing to do with it. It is all reputation, because the NFL has an image to sell. That image is NOT damaged by a guy hitting another guy outside a bar 1/100th as much as it is damaged by a twice accused rapist (Regardless of whether he did it or not).

Once again, it isn't about the truth, it is about the reputation. It isn't about legality, its about reputation. If Ben is a CEO of company- he is forced out. If he is a cop, he is fired. Reputation.

That is what I mean... 2 is greater than 1.

And the instant he was accused the first time, half the world thought he did it, the other half thought he didn't. The second time... the half that thought he didn't.... probably got cut in half again. Yeah, it was high time he was suspended. If nothing else, to wake HIM up in order to grow up.

Now, hopefully, we have a QB that has come back to his senses a bit. Just in time for the second half of his career to outshine the first half. Maybe even the second 2/3rds. And that is saying something, because on the football field itself, Ben has had quite a career already. Not HOF yet, but has struck the course and is on the way if he continues.

[Butch]

1st off if he is a CEO he is not fired he is given a raise and a bonus to his retirement fund. JK I just couldn't resist.

Yes the NFL has a reputation to uphold that is why Good Hell suspended Belicheat for spygate and quickly burned the evidence alla "Let me make this perfectly clear" Dick Nixon. He came down real hard on Donte Stallworth who killed a man driving drunk and tried to pin blame on the guy at 1st although he later changed his tune. If that was you or me we would not only be fired but would have one helluva time getting another job. I like most others here believe Ben needed some suspension time but 4 to 6, when there is so much else that could be just as bad if not worse, is rediculous.

Good Hell reminds me of a song by Megadeath "You take a mortal man and put him in control, once he becomes a God heads are gonna roll. Just like the pied piper led rats through the streets. Dance like a marionette swaying to the symphony of destruction."

[Craic]

1st off if he is a CEO he is not fired he is given a raise and a bonus to his retirement fund. JK I just couldn't resist.

Yes the NFL has a reputation to uphold that is why Good Hell suspended Belicheat for spygate and quickly burned the evidence alla "Let me make this perfectly clear" Dick Nixon. He came down real hard on Donte Stallworth who killed a man driving drunk and tried to pin blame on the guy at 1st although he later changed his tune. If that was you or me we would not only be fired but would have one helluva time getting another job. I like most others here believe Ben needed some suspension time but 4 to 6, when there is so much else that could be just as bad if not worse, is ridiculous.

Good Hell reminds me of a song by Megadeath "You take a mortal man and put him in control, once he becomes a God heads are gonna roll. Just like the pied piper led rats through the streets. Dance like a marionette swaying to the symphony of destruction."

I think 4 is absolutely appropriate. ANd truth be told, that is exactly what I think he is going to sit-4 games.

As far as Good-deal himself making the choices, I completely agree with you. I think there should be a Discipline Committee that meets and makes decisions. That committee should be made up of former players and former coaches. All discipline should be referred to them from Good-deal, and they should hand out discipline via a broad, but firm guide (i.e. 2-6 games for this, 1-3 games for that, year to 3 year suspension for this, etc etc). No one man should be able to determine discipline, the wisdom of two is 4 times the wisdom of one.

[fansince'76]

Yes the NFL has a reputation to uphold that is why Good Hell suspended Belicheat for spygate and quickly burned the evidence alla "Let me make this perfectly clear" Dick Nixon.

He didn't suspend Belicheat. He levied a $500,000 fine against him, which in light of his $4+ million salary at the time, was a slap on the wrist. He suspended Wade Wilson (Dallas' QB coach) for 5 games, however, for using HGH for his diabetes (and without distributing it to any players) earlier in the same season.

[Craic]

He didn't suspend Belicheat. He levied a $500,000 fine against him, which in light of his $4+ million salary at the time, was a slap on the wrist. He suspended Wade Wilson (Dallas' QB coach) for 5 games, however, for using HGH for his diabetes (and without distributing it to any players) earlier in the same season.

Which is exactly why I think a discipline committee of former players and coaches should be in charge of handing out fines and suspensions. Furthermore, make them wait 10 years before they can be on the committee. Heck, even restrict it to HOF players and coaches, so that they have even a better sense of the honor of the game from that perspective.

[BigNastyDefense]

Heck, I wouldn't be so upset with Goodell doling out the punishments of they went to an independent arbitrator if the player chose to appeal. Instead all appeals go right back to the desk of Goodell, and I don't see him changing his mind because the player doesn't like it.

[Shea]

I'm with Preacher on this topic.

I thought it was just me, but it's nice to see someone else understand why what happened to Ben was justified.

Sadly, most posters are more pissed at Goodell here then they are at Ben. It baffles me.

[Nadroj 20]

Im sorry but it baffles me for people not to understand where we are coming from

[steeldawg]

Being at a bar drinking and having sex is not grounds for a 6 game suspension if that was the case most of the league would be suspended. He might as well suspend willie colon too he was there. I dont see any justification because goodell said himself he was not suspending ben for the allegations and he agreed with the da's ruling. So if you take the allegations out of the equation your suspending the guy for being in a bar.

[Shea]

Im sorry but it baffles me for people not to understand where we are coming from

Looks like we're just a baffled mess around here, eh?

Being at a bar drinking and having sex is not grounds for a 6 game suspension if that was the case most of the league would be suspended. He might as well suspend willie colon too he was there. I dont see any justification because goodell said himself he was not suspending ben for the allegations and he agreed with the da's ruling. So if you take the allegations out of the equation your suspending the guy for being in a bar.

Really?

[steeldawg]

Looks like we're just a baffled mess around here, eh?



Really?

Ya really

[steeldawg]

really

[BigNastyDefense]

I'm with Preacher on this topic.

I thought it was just me, but it's nice to see someone else understand why what happened to Ben was justified.

Sadly, most posters are more pissed at Goodell here then they are at Ben. It baffles me.

I feel that Ben deserved a suspension. No more than four games and no less than two. But the chance of six games or even more without ever even having been handcuffed? That's what I think is outrageous. Ben Roethlisberger acted irresponsibly and put himself in a bad situation. He hurt his image, the image of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the image of the National Football League. I understand that, and I think that most of the people on this board do too.

However, I think Goodell should have stepped back and let Art Rooney suspend Ben Roethlisberger. The NFL is not a single entity, it is made up of 32 separate entities as the Supreme Court recently ruled. I still think Goodell had some type of agenda with the suspension of Big Ben. I think it would of helped his image if he would have let Art Rooney be the one to suspend Ben Roethlisberger for four games.

[NCSteeler]

Not pissed at Jolly Roger for suspending Ben, pissed at him for not being even handed with all the players. If a second ACCUSATION is grounds for 4-6 suspension, then certainly a guilty verdict/plea deal of anything is worth 1-2 games . You watch now that Benson has been arrested for assualt too, he'll (Jolly Roger) be getting tired of this crap and Benson will draw the "The rest of you better watch out" suspension.

[steeldawg]

ii keep reading everyone saying ben should be suspend for putting himself in bad situations can someone explain to me what situation he put himself in.

[Craic]

ii keep reading everyone saying ben should be suspend for putting himself in bad situations can someone explain to me what situation he put himself in.

Simple.

A situation where two different women at two different times can accuse Ben of rape--and the charges aren't so ludicrous that a judge literally throws them out of court.

When you take on certain roles in life, you have to be aware of those situations. Like I said before, I do it everyday. I make simple choices that keep me out of trouble-even though there are people who literally want to see me discredited and removed (very typical for any pastor. I am no different than anyone else in this profession. And yes, if asked, I would be able to name names of some who would want to see that). That means, that I ALWAYS have to make sure I am doing things in a way that cannot be perceived as bad.

Sorry, but alone, in a bathroom, with a 20 year old drunk girl, is a bad situation. Its her word against yours---and she's drunk, which in some places, is coming to be viewed automatically as rape (Don't think it is true in the states yet, but nonetheless, it is coming... and I am not sure I agree with that... but it is). And when you are a 100 million dollar start QB with a nationally publicized rape charge (civil) already against you... THAT IS A BAD SITUATION.

Heck.. Have a camera with you. Take a video camera and turn it on. Make a film. buy a vault and store em all in there. But he left himself completely exposed (no pun intended). For that, regardless of anything else, he is a complete idiot.

Like I said, hopefully, he had learned his lesson and this is the end of it. Because I am seriously coming to believe that ON the football field, his career trajectory now, if he plays another 6-8 years, will put him in the HOF- if he doesn't screw it up.

[NCSteeler]

Simple.

A situation where two different women at two different times can accuse Ben of rape--and the charges aren't so ludicrous that a judge literally throws them out of court.

When you take on certain roles in life, you have to be aware of those situations. Like I said before, I do it everyday. I make simple choices that keep me out of trouble-even though there are people who literally want to see me discredited and removed (very typical for any pastor. I am no different than anyone else in this profession. And yes, if asked, I would be able to name names of some who would want to see that). That means, that I ALWAYS have to make sure I am doing things in a way that cannot be perceived as bad.

Sorry, but alone, in a bathroom, with a 20 year old drunk girl, is a bad situation. Its her word against yours---and she's drunk, which in some places, is coming to be viewed automatically as rape (Don't think it is true in the states yet, but nonetheless, it is coming... and I am not sure I agree with that... but it is). And when you are a 100 million dollar start QB with a nationally publicized rape charge (civil) already against you... THAT IS A BAD SITUATION.

Heck.. Have a camera with you. Take a video camera and turn it on. Make a film. buy a vault and store em all in there. But he left himself completely exposed (no pun intended). For that, regardless of anything else, he is a complete idiot.

Like I said, hopefully, he had learned his lesson and this is the end of it. Because I am seriously coming to believe that ON the football field, his career trajectory now, if he plays another 6-8 years, will put him in the HOF- if he doesn't screw it up.

Two times, Really? Ben completely screwed up with the Ga thing. But having consensual sex with a 30plus year old in a hotel is far from putting yourself "in a situation". Even little vegas ho bag's friends think she is a loon. The commish should take that into consideration too.

[NCSteeler]

Simple.

A situation where two different women at two different times can accuse Ben of rape--and the charges aren't so ludicrous that a judge literally throws them out of court.

When you take on certain roles in life, you have to be aware of those situations. Like I said before, I do it everyday. I make simple choices that keep me out of trouble-even though there are people who literally want to see me discredited and removed (very typical for any pastor. I am no different than anyone else in this profession. And yes, if asked, I would be able to name names of some who would want to see that). That means, that I ALWAYS have to make sure I am doing things in a way that cannot be perceived as bad.

Sorry, but alone, in a bathroom, with a 20 year old drunk girl, is a bad situation. Its her word against yours---and she's drunk, which in some places, is coming to be viewed automatically as rape (Don't think it is true in the states yet, but nonetheless, it is coming... and I am not sure I agree with that... but it is). And when you are a 100 million dollar start QB with a nationally publicized rape charge (civil) already against you... THAT IS A BAD SITUATION.

Heck.. Have a camera with you. Take a video camera and turn it on. Make a film. buy a vault and store em all in there. But he left himself completely exposed (no pun intended). For that, regardless of anything else, he is a complete idiot.

Like I said, hopefully, he had learned his lesson and this is the end of it. Because I am seriously coming to believe that ON the football field, his career trajectory now, if he plays another 6-8 years, will put him in the HOF- if he doesn't screw it up.

Two times, Really? Ben completely screwed up with the Ga thing. But having consensual sex with a 30plus year old in a hotel is far from putting yourself "in a situation". Even little vegas ho bag's friends think she is a loon. The commish should take that into consideration too.

[Nadroj 20]

Two times, Really? Ben completely screwed up with the Ga thing. But having consensual sex with a 30plus year old in a hotel is far from putting yourself "in a situation". Even little vegas ho bag's friends think she is a loon. The commish should take that into consideration too.

2nd time is worse because of the first. Whether he did anything wrong the first time or not, he was still accused of rape. So if you get yourself accused a 2nd time, you are doing something wrong.