2010 NFL Thread

[Matt]

If you would stop trying to prove some ridiculously ignorant "NFL is racist" theory and actually looked at the facts you would understand that Holmes suspension has nothing to do with a night club incident and everything to do with the fact he was decided marijuana was more important than his job. Holmes, who has gotten in trouble multiple times for marijuana, failed a drug test. That's why he is gone for four games. If the night club incident in Orlando brings out more criminal charges (and I don't think it will) he will likely face a longer (if not year long) suspension.

Plus it's still widely believed that Big Ben will be punished by the league - likely one or two games. If not the league, the Steelers will likely suspend him for a game (they did so with Santonio after his first criminal marijuana bust).

Chill with the race baiting, dude.



In my experience, Steeler fans are the most obnoxious of the group. To be fair, this experience is influenced greatly by the fact that there seems to be an Army of Steeler fans in every city in this country. That speaks volumes about the quality of a franchise, and is perfect justification for my loathing of their supporters.

(Still :heart: you Mattie)

:heart:

In my defense, I'm not one of the obnoxious ones (at least I don't think so).

On a personal level, I do believe Ben did it. Once is a gold digger. Twice is a guilty man who got very lucky that the D.A. did not want to risk ruining his career by missing on this conviction (ala Thomas Sneddon with Michael Jackson). Beyond that, the entire investigation stunk. Everything from police posing for pictures with Rothlisberger, to the way Rothlisberger's attorney slandered this poor girl in the media by saying things about her character that EVERY person who has ever encountered her disagree with.

Can I say with certainty that Ben did it? No. But I will forever look at him in a different way and he is, in my opinion, a rapist. And it makes me sad that we have a rapist leading our team and ruining it's integrity.

As for Holmes, I find it at the very least very suspicious that his private investigator finds the real thrower of the glass who just happened to have a sudden moral epiphany and decided to confess. I would very much like to see if any money was added to the so-called real thrower's bank account recently.

It disappoints me that the once great organization, which in addition to its storied history, has always been able to pride itself on being one of the most integrity filled team in the NFL, nay, professional sports, is now being dragged down by a head coach who does not make discipline a priority (unlike our great coaches of past) and players who are essentially thugs in uniforms that they do not deserve to wear.

 

[StorminNorman]

And to think, that's the ESPN "draft expert" that actually knows what they are talking about. I wonder what McShay's irrelevant thoughts were.

 

[StorminNorman]

:heart:

In my defense, I'm not one of the obnoxious ones (at least I don't think so).

On a personal level, I do believe Ben did it. Once is a gold digger. Twice is a guilty man who got very lucky that the D.A. did not want to risk ruining his career by missing on this conviction (ala Thomas Sneddon with Michael Jackson). Beyond that, the entire investigation stunk. Everything from police posing for pictures with Rothlisberger, to the way Rothlisberger's attorney slandered this poor girl in the media by saying things about her character that EVERY person who has ever encountered her disagree with.

Can I say with certainty that Ben did it? No. But I will forever look at him in a different way and he is, in my opinion, a rapist. And it makes me sad that we have a rapist leading our team and ruining it's integrity.

As for Holmes, I find it at the very least very suspicious that his private investigator finds the real thrower of the glass who just happened to have a sudden moral epiphany and decided to confess. I would very much like to see if any money was added to the so-called real thrower's bank account recently.

It disappoints me that the once great organization, which in addition to its storied history, has always been able to pride itself on being one of the most integrity filled team in the NFL, nay, professional sports, is now being dragged down by a head coach who does not make discipline a priority (unlike our great coaches of past) and players who are essentially thugs in uniforms that they do not deserve to wear.

I am very interested to see how Pittsburgh handles Big Ben. If Jimmy Clausen is sitting there (and the possibility IS there), do you take him? (After all, if you develop Clausen you will likely get a first rounder in return, even if Big Ben straightens out).

Pat Kirwin of Sirius NFL Radio (and probably my top ranked NFL opinion) believes that Marc Bulger would be a great fit for Pittsburgh. He's probably the best veteran Free Agent QB on the market today. A trade for Jason Campbell wouldn't be bad either, depending on the cost.

I think Jonathon Crompton makes a lot of sense in the draft. He has legit NFL talent, a good senior year at Tennessee and should be available late in the third round for Pittsburgh. Evaluating his skill set, I think he would work very well in Pittsburgh. Unlike Dennis Dixon, who reminds me more of a Seneca Wallace-quality back up (which is far, far from an insult - Wallace may have been the best back up QB this side of San Diego for years now), Crompton has the potential to be a starting NFL QB. He is the Charlie Whitehurst of the 2010 draft.

Other "project" QB's the Steelers could target as Roethlisburger insurance are Levi Brown (Troy), something Kafka from Northwestern and Jonathon Skelton from Fordham. Jevon Snead is one of the other two QB's that I consider an NFL Starting Quality project in this draft, but I have heard that he is a raging alcoholic and exactly the sort of player that Pittsburgh would likely want to avoid. Snead needs to learn under fellow Mississippian alcoholic Brett Favre in Minnesota. The other one, Jared Brown from West Virginia, could be gone by the time Pittsburgh drafts in the third round (he's my favorite Buffalo draft prospect) - but could certainly be an option.

 

[FaT_tONle]

LOL @ 0:57

No one could have predicted the sheer laziness and the love for the dinner table.

 

[Dark Donnie]

The biggest crime commited was Ben thinking that hair style was cool

 

[Matt]

I am very interested to see how Pittsburgh handles Big Ben. If Jimmy Clausen is sitting there (and the possibility IS there), do you take him? (After all, if you develop Clausen you will likely get a first rounder in return, even if Big Ben straightens out).

Pat Kirwin of Sirius NFL Radio (and probably my top ranked NFL opinion) believes that Marc Bulger would be a great fit for Pittsburgh. He's probably the best veteran Free Agent QB on the market today. A trade for Jason Campbell wouldn't be bad either, depending on the cost.

I think Jonathon Crompton makes a lot of sense in the draft. He has legit NFL talent, a good senior year at Tennessee and should be available late in the third round for Pittsburgh. Evaluating his skill set, I think he would work very well in Pittsburgh. Unlike Dennis Dixon, who reminds me more of a Seneca Wallace-quality back up (which is far, far from an insult - Wallace may have been the best back up QB this side of San Diego for years now), Crompton has the potential to be a starting NFL QB. He is the Charlie Whitehurst of the 2010 draft.

Other "project" QB's the Steelers could target as Roethlisburger insurance are Levi Brown (Troy), something Kafka from Northwestern and Jonathon Skelton from Fordham. Jevon Snead is one of the other two QB's that I consider an NFL Starting Quality project in this draft, but I have heard that he is a raging alcoholic and exactly the sort of player that Pittsburgh would likely want to avoid. Snead needs to learn under fellow Mississippian alcoholic Brett Favre in Minnesota. The other one, Jared Brown from West Virginia, could be gone by the time Pittsburgh drafts in the third round (he's my favorite Buffalo draft prospect) - but could certainly be an option.

I definitely think they need to draft someone who can step into the quarterback role and if Clausen is there, I can see no reason not to take him. We need an insurance QB. My only beef with Clausen is that he's shown a wild streak himself and it would suck to sign him only to see him be arrested. I personally love the way Bulger fits in Pittsburgh. Granted, he's only got two years on Charlie Batch, but frankly, he still has starter talent. I just feel sorta bad for him. He showed so much talent a few years back but due to injuries and the fact that he's been playing with receivers who would've been cut on any other team, he just hasn't had much luck. However, I think he has the talent to step right into the starter spot in Pittsburgh if necessary and do fairly well. Meanwhile, I just don't think Dixon is a good fit for the offense. Cut Dixon, knock Batch down to number three, and make Bulger the number two guy.

 

[Excel]

Santonio Holmes + New York City = Disaster waiting to happen. I would bet he is arrested within 2 years.

Big Ben will be fine. Nothing more will come of this from Ben. Get him a WR now-T.O., Dez, SOMEONE!

 

[FaT_tONle]

Listening to the radio this morning, and apparently there was a third victim whose lawyer reveals has investigated Big Ben for another accusation of sexual assault. Once a Rapistberger always a Rapistberger...

Six months ago I was retained by a client of mine, a close friend, to investigate allegations against Ben Roethlisberger in a Las Vegas nightclub that were absolutely identical to this Georgia girl’s story. And the outcome was the young woman did not want to proceed and we dropped it and never took any action. But there is a history here — and I can’t say any further because we never proceeded with it — but there is a history here that is just super troubling.

Vegas, Tahoe, Georgia — doesn’t he qualify under the brain-dead category?

Yeah, how much is driven by the party atmosphere and alcohol? I mean, you don’t know. This isn’t happening at 4 o’clock in the Starbucks while you’re drinking lattés. This is 1:30 in the Vegas club, or 3:30 in the Vegas club, with shots and the private room, with bottles of Grey Goose floating around and the music and the whole scene. And it’s the scene that he has gotten himself caught up with the belief that he can walk. And so far, so good. But it’s hurting him. He’s hurt, he has been damaged, and the next one, the wrath of God is going to come down on him — if there is a next one.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2010/04/13/transcript-manion-on-dc/

 

[BlackLantern]

im thinking the 5th round pick was the best offer Pittsburgh was getting....people think he might have been "worth" more, but apparently the offers were slim

 

[Erzengel]

NY radio was essentially saying it was the ONLY offer he was getting. For one year? I still think it was worth it.

 

[Raiden]

Listening to the radio this morning, and apparently there was a third victim whose lawyer reveals has investigated Big Ben for another accusation of sexual assault. Once a Rapistberger always a Rapistberger...

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2010/04/13/transcript-manion-on-dc/

Won't surprised me if it's true. I think Big Ben will eventually run out of luck and get an indictment someday. I also don't believe he has learned anything yet; he had that Nevada case pending and he still got involved with the co-ed in a college bar. He might finally learn his lesson if he were ever convicted, and that's a big IF.

 

[StorminNorman]

Unless a proud pothead decides to smoke pot during this year - then you would have traded a draft pick for a player suspended during the one year he has left on his contract.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

He took advantage of a twenty year old drunk. You don't put your body guard out there to make sure no one is taking pictures of you while you are in the bathroom. What is someone going to do, slip the camera under the stall and say "Look everybody, I got a photo of a pantless Big Ben on facebook." It's sad that former officers let whatever happened happen in there while standing there blocking people off.

Again, you don't know what happened in that bathroom. It could very well have been consensual sex. Why was the bodyguard out there? Maybe so nobody went in there and saw him banging a chick in a public restroom. I'm not saying he's innocent by any means, I'm just saying we cannot call him guilty either. We don't know what happened, you don't know what happened, and contrary to popular belief, just because he wanted to help of bodyguards doesn't mean he was doing anything illegal (other than illegally supplying a 20-year old with alcohol).

Listening to the radio this morning, and apparently there was a third victim whose lawyer reveals has investigated Big Ben for another accusation of sexual assault. Once a Rapistberger always a Rapistberger...

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2010/04/13/transcript-manion-on-dc/

That lawyer apparently backtracked, and said he doesn't know if any actual incidents. That said, if there is a third incident- regardless of if he's innocent or not- I'm all for dumping Big Ben immediately.

There is also a rumor that has popped up within the last few hours- apparently from a credible source, I'm not positive though- that the Rams are offering this year's first-rounder AND next year's first-rounder for Big Ben. If that's true, I can't honestly say I wouldn't be tempted to dump Ben's ass. I hate to say it, being a huge fan of Ben (as a player, obviously), but I don't feel like this allegation will be the last time he puts himself into a troubling situation. I can only wonder what the Steelers can do with two consecutive years of first-round picks. My dreams of Eric Berry becoming a Steeler might actually become true.

 

[Dark Donnie]

I can't see how Big Ben holds the value of a 1st pick...and potentially another top 5 pick next year......

 

[BlackLantern]

because he helped bring 2 more rings to Pittsburgh??

 

[Cunning Stunts]

And is easily one of the top 5 QBs in the league, and is already being talked about for the Hall of Fame? And the guy's a goddamned winner. It doesn't seem to matter how badly he performs all game, he seems to pull wins out of his ass.

 

[Dark Donnie]

The Rams aren't a QB away....it would be an absolute waste. If you're a team like SF who needs a QB right now to make a run that's one thing....but The Rams are at least 2-3 years away from competing.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

And as a Steelers fan, if Big Ben's gonna keep being a dumbass, I'm completely willing for the Rams to make it an "absolute waste".

Although Big Ben alone will give them more wins than the single one they got this year.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Again, you don't know what happened in that bathroom. It could very well have been consensual sex. Why was the bodyguard out there? Maybe so nobody went in there and saw him banging a chick in a public restroom. I'm not saying he's innocent by any means, I'm just saying we cannot call him guilty either. We don't know what happened, you don't know what happened, and contrary to popular belief, just because he wanted to help of bodyguards doesn't mean he was doing anything illegal (other than illegally supplying a 20-year old with alcohol).

Fine. We don't know what happened. Beyond the fact that a college student was escorted by the body guard to a filthy bathroom (maybe she really had to go), but to be followed there afterwards? That's a classic dupe and **** the underage drunk. And her blood alcohol was .2... of course it was consensual when you are pretty much passed out at that point. Maybe it's not a crime, but it's the closest thing you can come to rape without actually being rape. He may as well have slipped in some date rape pills to circumvent the situation instead of buying her extra shots.

That lawyer apparently backtracked, and said he doesn't know if any actual incidents. That said, if there is a third incident- regardless of if he's innocent or not- I'm all for dumping Big Ben immediately.

It was a mirror image of this case, only the girl may have been at least been 22 or 23 at the time. She had a degree. If there wasn't any substantial evidence she probably wouldn't have a case.

There is also a rumor that has popped up within the last few hours- apparently from a credible source, I'm not positive though- that the Rams are offering this year's first-rounder AND next year's first-rounder for Big Ben. If that's true, I can't honestly say I wouldn't be tempted to dump Ben's ass. I hate to say it, being a huge fan of Ben (as a player, obviously), but I don't feel like this allegation will be the last time he puts himself into a troubling situation. I can only wonder what the Steelers can do with two consecutive years of first-round picks. My dreams of Eric Berry becoming a Steeler might actually become true.

That's a bunch of bull. Unless the Rams trade down significantly lower. Hell, the Holmes trade was probably just to save face and retain any credibility the fans/media may still have for the Pitt front office. They wouldn't have the balls to suspend him more than one game. The commissioner will probably do it for them anyhow.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

Fine. We don't know what happened. Beyond the fact that a college student was escorted by the body guard in a filthy bathroom (maybe she really had to go), but to be followed there afterwards? That's a classic dupe and **** the underage drunk. And her blood alcohol was .2... of course it was consensual when you are pretty much passed out at that point. Maybe it's not a crime, but it's the closest thing you can come to rape without actually being rape. He may as well have slipped in some date rape pills to circumvent the situation instead of buying her extra shots.

A "classic dupe and **** the underage drunk", huh? Since when did you become a prosecutor? I'd also like to know how you know her blood alcohol was a .2, as I've not heard jack on this case, much less exact details like that.

And how can you prove this one wasn't a money grab as well? It seriously sounds like you're just running your mouth because of some ill will toward Ben, for whatever reason. Sure, Ben's a *****ebag, and pretty freaking dumb, I'll give you that. But seriously, you've got nothing to base all this B.S. on. You're calling for the guy's head when this dude, according to our justice system, and according to all the information and evidence we [don't] have, is innocent. This is not a case of "where there's smoke, there's fire", because there was no smoke in the first place. I really don't see where all this bitterness and hatred for the guy is coming from when there hasn't been a damned thing proved against him. YOU sound like a "classic case" of unfounded hatred for a guy for reasons that stand for complete ********.

It was a mirror image of this case, only the girl may have been at least been 22 or 23 at the time. She had a degree. If there wasn't any substantial evidence she probably wouldn't have a case.

Again, the lawyer backtracked on those remarks. Meaning, he rescinded what he said, and even openly admitted that he did notmean to imply another incident had occurred.

That's a bunch of bull. Unless the Rams trade down significantly lower. Hell, the Holmes trade was probably just to save face and retain any credibility the fans/media may still have for the Pitt front office. They wouldn't have the balls to suspend him more than one game. The commissioner will probably do it for them anyhow.

Don't start acting like an ******* because I brought up a rumor, especially given that the point wasn't even directed at you, nor did I ever say it's going to happen. I brought up a rumor I read about, and even I know it's probably not going to come to any fruition. Hence the, "if that's true," remark.

 

[Dark Donnie]

ESPN's legal analysts did say that the DA wanted to prosecute the case but the victim didn't want to move forward with it. The DA obviously felt that he had a case with here testimony. He also said that she is going to get a cash settlement in the near future...that's almost a certainty. Aren't there eye witness reports that the whole bathroom louring by the bodyguard actually occurred? Thought I read that?

 

[FaT_tONle]

A "classic dupe and **** the underage drunk", huh? Since when did you become a prosecutor? I'd also like to know how you know her blood alcohol was a .2, as I've not heard jack on this case, much less exact details like that.

Unless the biggest sports radio guy in the tri-state area was pulling facts from his ass, that's where I heard it from.

And how can you prove this one wasn't a money grab as well? It seriously sounds like you're just running your mouth because of some ill will toward Ben, for whatever reason. Sure, Ben's a *****ebag, and pretty freaking dumb, I'll give you that. But seriously, you've got nothing to base all this B.S. on. You're calling for the guy's head when this dude, according to our justice system, and according to all the information and evidence we [don't] have, is innocent. This is not a case of "where there's smoke, there's fire", because there was no smoke in the first place. I really don't see where all this bitterness and hatred for the guy is coming from when there hasn't been a damned thing proved against him. YOU sound like a "classic case" of unfounded hatred for a guy for reasons that stand for complete ********.

I like Ben the player. And I'm not a guy who is going to get bitter because it was him getting all the action instead of myself. Just letting it be known that the guy is a *****e and a dumbass for putting himself in this position again, things you already agree with.

Again, the lawyer backtracked on those remarks. Meaning, he rescinded what he said, and even openly admitted that he did notmean to imply another incident had occurred.

I just didn't hear that. Find it hard to believe he'd make all that up with those quotes and put his reputation on the line. I need to confirm that from elsewhere.

Don't start acting like an ******* because I brought up a rumor, especially given that the point wasn't even directed at you, nor did I ever say it's going to happen. I brought up a rumor I read about, and even I know it's probably not going to come to any fruition. Hence the, "if that's true," remark.

The day that deal goes through as the picks stand now, tell Immortal to ban me.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

ESPN's legal analysts did say that the DA wanted to prosecute the case but the victim didn't want to move forward with it. The DA obviously felt that he had a case with here testimony. He also said that she is going to get a cash settlement in the near future...that's almost a certainty. Aren't there eye witness reports that the whole bathroom louring by the bodyguard actually occurred? Thought I read that?

I stopped giving a damn about what ESPN had to say a long time ago. Also, the DA didn't feel he had a case with her testimony, obviously, because that alone wasn't enough for him to push forward. There was insufficient DNA found on the girl to even test it against Ben's DNA samples. And no cash settlement has been confirmed either. Even with a cash settlement, as damning as it looks, those can still occur for a few reasons- not all of which admitting guilt to any crimes.

As far as the eyewitnesses recounting the bodyguard incident, I'm not sure. I didn't read anything about that, so if it's out there, I never saw it.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

Unless the biggest sports radio guy in the tri-state area was pulling facts from his ass, that's where I heard it from.

I looked around for that information, and found nothing. I'm gonna go with him pulling it out of his ass.

I just didn't hear that. Find it hard to believe he'd make all that up with those quotes and put his reputation on the line. I need to confirm that from elsewhere.

Here:

"But contrary to the impresson left by the radio interview that there might have been an allegation of illegal sexual contact, Mr. Manion clarified his statements later in the day.

'There's no allegation. We don't know what happened,' Mr. Manion said in an interview with the Post-Gazette."

http://post-gazette.com/pg/10103/1050084-66.stm

The day that deal goes through as the picks stand now, tell Immortal to ban me.

Are you just not able to comprehend what I said? I stated specifically it's a rumor- one which I know is most likely just a rumor. In other words: "speculation", "just a thought", "it will probably amount to nothing".

 

[FaT_tONle]

I looked around for that information, and found nothing. I'm gonna go with him pulling it out of his ass.

"She presented the ID, but the security saw that it clearly was a fake birth date," said Cansino, a former county prosecutor. "Because she never got the chance to drink, security confiscated it and didn't turn her over for other charges."

According to Cansino, authorities told him the woman's blood alcohol level was above 0.20 percent, more than 10 times the legal limit for drivers younger than 21 in Georgia and more than twice the limit for older motorists.

Are you just not able to comprehend what I said? I stated specifically it's a rumor- one which I know is most likely just a rumor. In other words: "speculation", "just a thought", "it will probably amount to nothing".

Oh I am all for starting up and talking crazy rumors on the trade mill, but it just seemed to detract from the issue at hand. If the deal at least made sense, it would have been worth discussing. I mean a sign and trade of Jeff George for a mid-round draft pick is more likely IMO.