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Posted by Mike Florio on March 27, 2010 10:48 PM ET
Many of you have argued that Commissioner Roger Goodell should be coming down harder on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, based on two claims of sexual assault. But Ben has never been arrested or charged criminally, for sexual assault or anything else.
In contrast, cornerback Pacman Jones was suspended after a slew of criminal incidents -- and after visiting a strip club while in New York to meet with Goodell. Quarterback Mike Vick was suspended indefinitely, but only upon his indictment for federal charges relating to gambling and dogfighting.
The distinction likely comes from the fact that, in every case of this kind, NFL Security conducts its own investigation -- and comes to a conclusion as to whether the player did what he is accused of doing.
In Pacman's case, it didn't require Sherlock Holmes, or even Larry Holmes, to realize that Pac was a bad man who had done plenty of bad things. In Vick's case, we'd consistently heard that NFL Security was convinced from early on that Vick was guilty of dogfighting, and that NFL Security nudged the feds to get involved due to concerns that the local prosecutor was either going to look the other way or deliberately botch the process.
As to Roethlisberger, whether he's suspended promptly upon being charged (if he's charged) will depend in large part on the intelligence gathered by the staff of retired law-enforcement types regarding whether Ben is guilty of being a moron or something more sinister. If it's the latter, he'll be suspended indefinitely upon indictment, just like Vick was.
If NFL Security concludes otherwise, the fact that Roethlisberger has not previously violated the Personal Conduct Policy will prompt Goodell to wait until the case is fully resolved -- just like he did last year with receiver Plaxico Burress and receiver Donte' Stallworth.
That said, we agree with folks like Jemele Hill of ESPN.com regarding the argument that Goodell already should have met with Roethlisberger, if for no reason than to read him the riot act regarding the consequences of any further nightclub restroom sexual activity with drunken girls who are too young to legally drink. Even though Ben likely has heard the same message from someone whose name rhymes with "Mooney," Goodell needs to bring Ben to 280 Park Avenue and tell him in plain, clear terms that fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life.
As to whether Goodell will park Big Ben for all or part of the 2010 season, NFL Security will have a major say in the process. And we won't be able to discern their findings until we find out whether an indictment triggers a suspension that lasts until the matter is resolved, if not longer.
If it does, it means that NFL Security has concluded that he did it.
Many of you have argued that Commissioner Roger Goodell should be coming down harder on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, based on two claims of sexual assault. But Ben has never been arrested or charged criminally, for sexual assault or anything else.
In contrast, cornerback Pacman Jones was suspended after a slew of criminal incidents -- and after visiting a strip club while in New York to meet with Goodell. Quarterback Mike Vick was suspended indefinitely, but only upon his indictment for federal charges relating to gambling and dogfighting.
The distinction likely comes from the fact that, in every case of this kind, NFL Security conducts its own investigation -- and comes to a conclusion as to whether the player did what he is accused of doing.
In Pacman's case, it didn't require Sherlock Holmes, or even Larry Holmes, to realize that Pac was a bad man who had done plenty of bad things. In Vick's case, we'd consistently heard that NFL Security was convinced from early on that Vick was guilty of dogfighting, and that NFL Security nudged the feds to get involved due to concerns that the local prosecutor was either going to look the other way or deliberately botch the process.
As to Roethlisberger, whether he's suspended promptly upon being charged (if he's charged) will depend in large part on the intelligence gathered by the staff of retired law-enforcement types regarding whether Ben is guilty of being a moron or something more sinister. If it's the latter, he'll be suspended indefinitely upon indictment, just like Vick was.
If NFL Security concludes otherwise, the fact that Roethlisberger has not previously violated the Personal Conduct Policy will prompt Goodell to wait until the case is fully resolved -- just like he did last year with receiver Plaxico Burress and receiver Donte' Stallworth.
That said, we agree with folks like Jemele Hill of ESPN.com regarding the argument that Goodell already should have met with Roethlisberger, if for no reason than to read him the riot act regarding the consequences of any further nightclub restroom sexual activity with drunken girls who are too young to legally drink. Even though Ben likely has heard the same message from someone whose name rhymes with "Mooney," Goodell needs to bring Ben to 280 Park Avenue and tell him in plain, clear terms that fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life.
As to whether Goodell will park Big Ben for all or part of the 2010 season, NFL Security will have a major say in the process. And we won't be able to discern their findings until we find out whether an indictment triggers a suspension that lasts until the matter is resolved, if not longer.
If it does, it means that NFL Security has concluded that he did it.