I don't really know what to say about the situation, other than his attorney's letter to Roger Goodell is in parts touching, disgusting and risible.
Question: is 4 to 6 games consistent with past Goodell punishments for similar offenses? I am thinking 8 games (punishing by killing the 2010-11 season for him), but I think that's because I don't like ol' #7.
3 comments:
Jim,
This is a very difficult position for Herr Goodell. Many of NFL players have been suspended without ever being charged with a specific crime. However, the accusations against Ben are just beyond atrocious.
This isn't your typical DUI, or disorderly conduct case. The police report reads like a Lifetime movie, starring Billy Baldwin as token douche sexual assaulter. And the words from the DA in Milledgeville would lead me to believe that he wanted to press charges, but didn't have the evidence to do so.
With his two sexual assault allegations, and not to mention numerous other stories that paint Roethlisberger as an entitled prick, I would say a message needs to be sent.
However (Stephen A. Smith voice) the NFL in the end is a business. And Roethlisberger is the star of the most popular team in the league. It is no coincidence that the Steelers have no primetime games in his absence. He probably should be suspended more games, but 4 games seems to be the NFL standard.
So, Vince, I take it that you think the punishment is, if not fair or just, consistent?
I guess that I think that if it were the last 4 games of the season, that would be a big deal. The first 4 games of the season? I'm not even sure there's an effect on him, other than the financial.
Jim,
Exactly. The punishment isn't fair for what he has done, but it is consistent with other guys who weren't charged with a crime. I agree with you in that the punishment is really weak, and will probably not effect the Steelers at all. They open up with three winnable games against non-playoff teams. Also, keep in mind that the release of the schedule was delayed an extra week while all of this suspension talk was going on.
Post a Comment