If the Facts Don't Fit, You Must Acquit

So here we are, three whole weeks after the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault allegations rocked Steeler Nation and virtually every online sportsnews forum. So what have we gathered up to this point? Here's a list:

• Something went down between His Bigness and a local 20 year old female in or near a nightclub restroom.
• Certain anonymous witness(es) claim that someone in Ben's posse blocked the entrance to the bathroom.
• Apparently no DNA evidence will be extracted from Big Ben.
• Apparently no security video footage showing any misdoings is available.
• The investigating authorities have interviewed virtually every key person of the fateful night, with the exception of Ben.
• 22 days and counting, and still no charges filed.

Hmm, slam dunk, huh? Although this drama may not have yet reached the boiling point and national hype that previous cases involving guys like Michael Vick or Kobe Bryant have, this is still the most polarizing story engulfing sports fans in the Northeast. Just google the word Roethlisberger and you will find endless lists of links to articles that have all but concluded Ben's guilt as a rapist, not once, but twice. The term Rapistberger is plastered on blogs and websites throughout the country, and just last week Ben's infamy was chronicled in animation, as Southpark writers cashed in on the troubled QB's current predicament. Rumor has it that the cities of Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are attempting to make March 5th an official holiday.

Of course, we can't forget the endless streams of stories, eyewitness accounts, and tall tales of Ben's boorish, rude, and el cheapo antics that have also inundated our computers and email inboxes over the past few weeks. How about the tales of Ben's debauchery told by a friend of a friend of a waiter's sister-in-law? We all know how Ben brazenly drove his Harley across the finely manacured greens of Sir Arnold Palmer's golf course. Or was he throwing dice with Arnie's caddies? I forget. How many more times do we need to see that picture of Ben, as a drunken rookie, posing with the hottie? That was the same picture that we all laughed at when we first saw it...in 2005. That was the same picture that filled us a with a certain pride, much like a picture of the Stanley Cup in a swimming pool.

So, once again, 22 days into this shitstorm, where does it leave the player, the team, and the fanbase? Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. The blogosphere reminds us of that every day. The 'geniuses' out there, both credentialed media members and hacks like me, have offered nearly every possible scenario: Ben will be found guilty, Ben will never play in the NFL again, Ben will never play in Pittsburgh again, Ben will start this season under suspension, the NFL, in a blatant display of racism, will let Ben slide with a scolding simply because he's white, this whole thing will just blow over. You name it, it's been speculated. The key word - speculated.

Now I ask you, what has Ben actually done? Why is it taking so long to produce any conclusion? Is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that overrun with criminal cases? After three plus weeks, the only fact that anyone can truly report is that Ben is accused of wrongdoing, and nothing more. If the girl claims a foul was committed, and there is physical evidence or eyewitness accounts of a crime, then why no charges? This isn't the Kennedy assassination we're talking about. Sources continually point out that NFL commish and enforcer, Roger Goodell, will take some form of punitive action against Roethlisberger, regardless of criminal findings. How? Why? Based on what? Accusations?

Regardless of the findings by the GBI, Ben's reputation is now tarnished, and he will be forever linked to this. The amount of tarnish will depend on how the investigation and potential legal process play out. We all know that #7 will rise again, and he will resume his career as a stellar NFL quarterback. I am not defending Ben. I think it's high time that he quarantine his reckless abandon and cavalier demeanor to the gridiron, and exercise more caution in his private life. I just want to point out that after nearly a month, this farce has left us with more questions than answers. The question at hand is when we will actually get some hint of closure on this?

Big Ben or Big Bum???

Sitting in the serene of landscape of Alco Tailgate Lot Green 22, listening to that overly re-hashed collage of Copeisms and savoring the delicately blended aromas of perogies, puke, and piss, our good friend J.D. McNugent asked an important and oddly relevant question: "who was more popular, Ben or Bradshaw?" Contrary to what the legendary crooner Bob Dylan might expect us to believe, the answer, my friend, is not blowing in the wind. As Ed Bouchette points out in his daily question, the starting quarterback on the North Shore is, and will always be, an amazingly scrutinized position.

a good question, indeed

Despite the short flashes of brilliance from journeymen like Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O'Donnell, Tommy Maddox, and the unforgettable Kordell Stewart, there have only been two blue chippers behind a Black and Gold clad center in the post-merger era...Ben and Bradshaw. Both have written their own bio's in the epic tale of Steeler football.

This blogger is not qualified or motivated to write the great comparison article. We'll leave that to the writers who are actually gifted enough to be paid for their work, not a hack writing free dribble for all of you who are simply one click away from beholding today's newest YouPorn files. This hack, however, would like to offer some opinion on Ben's current funk, in hopes of opening some healthy dialogue.

So what about Big Ben? Is this the first serious speed bump on his mercurial rise to superstardom? You know, 2006 can conveniently be dismissed as his post-motorcycle thing. Can the same excuse be made of his ailing shoulder, now that the Large One is no longer a brash 23 year old hot shot, but a wise, seasoned 26 year old veteran with a 102 million dollar check tucked next to the condoms in his sock drawer.

From the moment Ben stood behind center as a redshirt freshman at Miami of Ohio, he has basically been "the guy". Even Coach Bill Cowher's plan of bringing him along slowly as a rookie in 2004 was foiled as the team took injuries to veterans Charlie Batch and Tommy Maddox. Essentially, Ben has been the guy that had been called upon to be the hero day in and day out for the last eight years. It's amazing to think that Ben has only been in the NFL for five seasons when you consider the accomplishments. If anyone understands (and responds to) pressure, it's Number 7. Reverting back to the original question, it's a safe argument to say that Ben has accomplished more in his 4+ years than Bradshaw did in his first 10. Maybe a few less Superbowls, but hey, a few less Hall of Famers around him, as well.

of course, Ben hasn't recorded a hit country album yet

It's hard to find a more textbook definition of golden boy. Since Week 2 of his rookie season, Roethlisberger has been the face of a franchise,...and not just any franchise, but a franchise that other programs are measured against. He is the oarsman that rows the lifeboat of Steeler Nation, and at the moment, the waters are somewhat choppy. NFL fans have short memories, and it won't take many more bad performances before Big Ben hears some Big Boohs.

This scenario is not unique to the Burgh. Just ask those few dozen Philadelphians that are still card carrying members of the Donovan McNabb Fan Club. When you are expected to win, you are expected to win. It's that simple. Ben is now at that lonely crossroads where guys like Favre, McNabb, Brady and Manning have stood before him. He's no longer the wunderkind, but the franchise guy who has been given the keys to the city along with a briefcase full of money, and the great commission to just "win, baby". Mike Tomlin says it clearly every week during his press conference: "the expectations do not change." One must wonder if the great gunslinger himself, Brett Favre, would be clinging to his career so zealously at the senior age of 39, had he not experienced all of his major success at the early stages of his career.

The optimist inside me says that Ben will rise above this as he does every time adversity knocks. Like Bradshaw, decades before, it's his job to lead this team. I truly believe that his performance, as well as his team's, over the next 9 days will dictate the balance of the 2008 season. Will the team re-group and make a drive for yet another AFC North title, or will we be remembering 2008 as the lost season?

life was so much simpler then

Comments please...I'm spent!

Ben 11, Ohio 0

Professional sports matchups are all about the ownership. You know, the way Montana owned Elway, or the way Kelly owned Marino, the way Olajuwon owned Robinson, or how Jordan owned, well...everyone! We can now add another ownership tag to our list of completely one sided, landslide dominations: Big Ben owns Ohio. Yesterday's pasting of the hapless and rudderless Bungals, in the Queen City, pushed Large Benny's record in his home state to 11-0. Truly, that is a stat that should humiliate all Bengal and Brown fans. In the Bungals' defense, the Queen City looked like Heinz Field West yesterday, as the CBS cameramen managed to capture shot after shot of swirling yellow hankies. How embarrassing that must be...but don't take my word for, read the local Cincy beat writer's recap of the beat down.

Coach Lewis demonstrates his all too familiar grimmace of disgust

Depending on what AFC North team you root for, you will find Mr. Daugherty's commentary either amusing or disturbingly sickening. I found his "black and gold clad fans...shooting a middle finger at the Bengals fans" remark to be not only hilarious, but sadly telling of just how depressing this one-way relationship really is. Well, Cincy, cheer up, I think the Reds finished ahead of the Buccos yet again.

Some Quick Hitters:

• A telling stat: the Steelers are now 28-1 when Ben records a game rating of over 100.


• Mewelde Moore rushing for 220 yards in two games says something about the revamped offensive line, and more directly, the inventive playcalling of Bruce Arians.


• Polamalu sounds off about the softness of the league, and then leaves the game with a concussion caused by his own reckless, helmet to helmet impact.


• Say what you want about the recent drafts, second year men Timmons and Woodley have 10.5 sacks through 6 games.

Beneral Hospital

Get ready the newest soap opera saga on the North Shore. The tales of Big Ben's ailing shoulder. Post Gazette released a story and picture today in futile attempts to clarify the speculation created by the Sunday Night Football cast.

I'm no doctor, but it looks like Ben may have swallowed a sock puppet.

The reports surrounding this injury have more inconsistencies than my eHarmony profile. (although I really wanted to be an astronaut). Every arm chair surgeon in Western PA has analyzed Ben's chart, only to reach the same conclusion: Ben will play on Sunday. I'm sure the drama will continue to unfold as we approach game day against the hated Philadelphia Iggles.

Neither hurt shoulder nor Hurricane Ike could stop Ben

In other health related news, my jersey jinx came through again, as I helped Brett Keisel to the training table with a calf injury. I should just stick with throwbacks.

A few more quick hitters from the weekend:

• Has anyone noticed that the Steelers first unit still hasn't yielded a TD yet?


• If Romeo Crennel is not on the hot seat yet, he will be after another pitiful coaching job like Sunday night.
  
• Is the PSU offense this lethal, or has the schedule been this pitiful?


• The Bucs go unnoticed in bringing down elusive win #63, once again guaranteeing a sub 100 loss season.