It’s Time for Ben Roethlisberger to Grow Up
What started out as a pretty nice offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers has turned into another media relations nightmare.
The franchise was coming off a busier then usual free agency period, and a successful one at that.
K Jeff Reed, S Ryan Clark, and NT Casey Hampton stayed put, while WR Antwaan Randle-El and ILB Larry Foote returned to the black and gold.
Life was peachy in the Steel City.
Then came the Ben Roethlisberger Show, Part II.
Big Ben was accused of sexual assault on March 5, his second such accusation in nine months, by a 20-year old female college student in Georgia. Roethlisberger's trouble was followed by Tuesday's assault accusation hurled against WR Santonio Holmes in Florida. That investigation has been dropped by the police, but the 21-year-old woman is still pursuing her lawsuit.
Let the circus begin.
The media frenzy has caused so much of a distraction that Roethlisberger was told by the Steelers to stay away from voluntary workouts this week.
Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to meet with Ben about these allegations. Here was his comments about the situation.
"First, I think the most important thing is we take the issue very seriously," Goodell said. "We are concerned that Ben continues to put himself in this position. I have spoken to the Steelers. I have spoken to Art Rooney directly about it. And at the appropriate time I will be meeting with Ben."
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin uncharacteristically had this to say on NFL Network:
"I'm highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally."
Pretty serious stuff to say the least.
No one knows for sure if he's guilty or innocent except Roethlisberger and his accuser. The truth will eventually come out. In the end it always does.
I believe he's innocent, but I've been wrong before and will be so again.
One thing I'm sure of is this:
Roethlisberger needs a visit from the grow-up fairy.
It's time for Ben to join the world of adults. He's the unquestioned face of the franchise—the leader of the offense. To keep putting himself in these types of situations is immature and irresponsible.
He's not only letting down the franchise and his teammates—he's letting down Ben Roethlisberger as well.
Discipline isn't an option in the NFL. It's a must-have.
Last season, despite the injuries, there was a clear lack of discipline in the locker room. So much so that former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison, spoke out openly on the subject.
This is not a team defending a Super Bowl title like last season. This is a franchise that went 9-7 and missed the playoffs in 2009.The Bengals won the division last season and the Ravens added WR Anquan Boldin to give QB Joe Flacco a legit go-to guy. The AFC North has become scary good.
Ben needed to be at the voluntary workouts, because that's what leaders do—they show up and out-work everyone else. They lead by example. Instead he's a no-show because of his penchant for the nightlife and party scene.
Roethlisberger is 28, not some teenager with runaway hormones. He can control and discipline himself to stay away from situations like these if he wants to. The problem lies in his unwillingness to do so.
It's a problem the Pittsburgh Steelers organization needs to take very seriously.
Be Careful What You Wish For Eagles Fans
We all know that Philadelphia sports fans can be brutal. Hell, they even jeered jolly old Saint Nick once and are proud of it.
Their wrath can fall on anyone, at anytime. Even if you're a winner.
Case in point, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb.
When word leaked out that Andy Reid and company are willing to listen to trade offers for the five-time pro bowler, it signaled the end of the McNabb era in Philadelphia.
Make no mistake, the rift between quarterback and franchise is now a gaping chasm. McNabb was placated after his benching a few years ago with a new contract and a boatload of money.
All the money in Fort Knox wouldn't appease him now.
He has an ego, just like all of us do. Finding out a team you gave your heart and soul to for 11 years is trying to dump you can cause anger and bitterness on a pretty big scale.
Reid feels that Kevin Kolb is ready to take the reins of the team and continue the success built over the past 10 years. He has hinted at that in recent interviews.
A statement was issued by the Eagles media relations department that all three quarterbacks could be had for the right price. We know that isn't true. Kolb is going to be the guy. McNabb is in the final year of his contract and Philly has no interest in giving him a new long-term deal.
He's also due a $6.2 million roster bonus on May 5, that I doubt the Eagles are willing to pay.
Surprisingly, many Eagle diehards took to the airwaves and Internet voicing their happiness that McNabb could soon be out of town for a second rounder or more. The most likely destination being either Oakland or Buffalo, with the Raiders holding a slight edge as of now.
The most puzzling question in all of this is why are some Eagles fans so happy?
I can understand Reid's willingness to let McNabb go. If he really feels Kolb can do the job, why not go with the younger and cheaper alternative and get something for Donovan before he walks?
The fans, that's a different story.
Some will justify their feelings by pointing out McNabb's 9-7 career playoff record and zero Super Bowl rings during his tenure, but that's just nit-picking.
Philadelphia has had its most successful decade in franchise history under McNabb. It's true that his success hasn't led to Super Bowl titles, but that doesn't mean McNabb hasn't been a great quarterback.
Look at Dan Marino, Dan Fouts, Fran Tarkenton, and Warren Moon. They didn't win Super Bowls either, but no one will deny their place among the all-time greats
McNabb is one too and at 33, he still has four to five good years left. Brett Favre and Kurt Warner proved age is not a detriment to solid quarterback play.
Let's take a look at some of his accomplishments:
- The Eagles have made the playoffs in eight of his 10 years as a starter.
- The Eagles, under McNabb, have won six NFC East titles since 2000.
- The Eagles, under McNabb, have played in five NFC Championship games with one Super Bowl berth since 2001.
- McNabb has a career record of 101-56-1, good enough for a .643 winning percentage. Third behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the last ten years.
- The Eagles have suffered only two losing seasons since 1999, the year McNabb was drafted.
When was there a time in Eagles history when they won like this?
Never. Not even back in the days of Hall-of-Famer Steve Van Buren.
Can Kolb be the man with only two games of significant playing time under his belt?
That's a question that will affect this organization for years to come. It's a gamble Reid is willing to take. If it works out, he'll be hailed a genius. If not, the franchise could be set back for years to come.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher and author, once said, "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it."
The Eagles and many of their fans will soon get what they've wished for; McNabb will be gone and a new era will begin in Philadelphia.
And as Emerson pointed out so eloquently, sometimes getting what you want isn't a good thing.
Sam Bradford Solidifies Top Draft Status
Quarterback Sam Bradford shined in his pro day workout today and strengthened his position as the top pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
The former Oklahoma standout threw a total of 63 passes and completed all but one of those. He worked from under center, the shotgun, and rolling out of the pocket to throw.
Questions about his arm strength and rebuilt shoulder were answered when one of his passes went close to 70 yards. The shoulder held up and, according to the scouts, Bradford made all the throws.
"Bradford was accurate from start to finish. He threw several beautiful strikes downfield, hitting receivers in stride some 40 yards from the line of scrimmage. He didn't display a rifle arm, yet showed enough strength to make all the throws."
If he aces his private workout with the Rams three days before the draft, he's a lock to be the first overall pick.
Helping Bradford's cause is his measurements: he stood 6-5 and weighed 236 pounds, looking like a poised, NFL-ready quarterback today.
Bradford has all the tools and intangibles to be a franchise quarterback, including great character and mental makeup. He's a natural leader on and off the field. Listen to what first-round prospect OT Trent Williams had to say about Bradford.
"I honestly think he’s one of the best – best in my class and hopefully he can be one of the best of the era, because he has it all, smarts and accuracy. I mean anything you want in a quarterback, Sam has. He knows the game. He knows all the details of what should be going on at practice. You just need that from a quarterback these days. Just leadership."
The only thing that could slow Bradford down is the heavy expectations being placed on him.
NFL Network analyst and draft guru Gil Brandt said "it was the best pro day I've seen by a quarterback since Troy Aikman in 1989."
Rams fans are already having visions of playoffs and Super Bowls in their heads, but remember this; the draft is a crap shoot, especially when quarterbacks are involved.
Do the names Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Cade McNown and Tim Couch ring a bell?
Bradford is better than all of them but the Rams need to proceed with caution and not throw him into the fire, unless and until, they feel he's ready.
St. Louis was 1-15 last season and has a ton of needs at almost every position. A Jets style turnaround doesn't appear to be in the cards this season. It will take some time to rebuild the dearth of talent the Rams have accumulated after years of bad drafts and horrible free agent mistakes.
Don't expect miracles in the first year of the Bradford era Rams fans. If coach Steve Spagnoulo and GM Billy Devaney can get some talent around him, great things should happen.
And maybe those Super Bowl dreams will become a reality.
Welcome to Carson’s Corner
Welcome and thanks for stopping by Carson's Corner.
For those of you who didn't read the about me page, I've been a professional sports writer, (I don't know if that's a good or bad thing?), for over 15 years at various newspapers throughout Central Pennsylvania.
With the print business taking a pounding lately and many reporters losing their jobs to downsizing, I decided to jump into the online world last year before the hammer fell on me.
I became a featured columnist on Bleacher Report in 2009 and I'm beginning my second year as the Pittsburgh Steelers Rapid Reporter for CBSsports.com.
I've created this site for the diehard sports fan like myself. I love sports and writing and this is my way of indulging in both passions. Hopefully I can entertain, inform, and make this place a must visit for sports fanatics like yourself.
I look forward to reading your comments and finding out what you think. And if there are topics you'd like me to address in future posts, please let me know. Email me at carson5499@gmail.com.
Talk to you soon. Take care!