What if .... (Ben)

[MeetJoeGreene]

Ok. As an objective member of Steeler Nation, I am positive that this lawsuit is without merit and will be tossed or Ben will found not liable.

But... stranger things have happened.

What if this drags on... How will it impact his concentration/play this year

Will it impact the team's focus?


What if the unthinkable occurs and he is subject to some sort of judgement?

First -- how will we then feel about him?

Second -- would Goodell suspend him?

Third -- If Ben was suspended, what would our backup be? It could make watching our 2nd string QB battle this TC much more relevant.

[Steelgal]

I've been wondering about this as well. Hoping for the best, while expecting the worst.......

I think, if it doesn't get cleared up soon, it's going to start full force at training camp. I'm guessing there will be a large crowd anyway, being Superbowl champs, but the allegations with Ben will make it much worse. I have more faith in Tomlin keeping them focused though, than I would have Cowher.

I think if it lingers too much into the season, it will be detrimental. I know this seems like a very close team, but with an issue this potentially big, it can't be overlooked. I'm not sure what Goodell would do, since criminal charges haven't been filed. If he didn't commit a criminal act, then could/would he still act?

As for how I'd feel about Ben, if the claims were true, I'd be horrified and disappointed. Why do guys that have that amount of money even go there? I'm sure he's got ladies beating down his door?

I just hope it gets rectified quickly and she gets whats coming to her, if she's just trying to get his money.

[Acero]

Ok. As an objective member of Steeler Nation, I am positive that this lawsuit is without merit and will be tossed or Ben will found not liable.
:Agree


What if this drags on... How will it impact his concentration/play this year

Will it impact the team's focus?


IF this drags on... which I don't think it will, I think Tomlin and Ben will have a meeting or two and then Ben, being the team leader he is, will address his teammates behind closed doors so that at least it won't be a distraction for the team, even if it is one for the fans and the media (which is inevitable, whether he's guilty or not).


What if the unthinkable occurs and he is subject to some sort of judgement?

Well actually, since the story broke out he's been subjected to judgement. I already got two IM's from cowboy fans friends of mine calling him a rapist. And people all over the media are jumping to conclusions and rushing to judgement. Not all of them, to be fair, but several have.

I think you meant "conviction" or "sentencing" rather than "judgement". Am I correct?



First -- how will we then feel about him?

Second -- would Goodell suspend him?

Third -- If Ben was suspended, what would our backup be? It could make watching our 2nd string QB battle this TC much more relevant.

First -- I don't know personally how I would feel if it turns out he really is guilty. I haven't even prepared for that possibility, given the fact that everything I've seen from Roethlisberger in the six years I've known of him leads me to believe he's not that kind of guy. It's not like our QB is Ryan Leaf, or Joe "I wanna kiss you, Suzy Kolber" Namath.

Second -- if he's convicted/sentenced, most definitely.

Third -- The Steelers would probably look for a veteran backup to shore up the position and add competition to Batch and Dixon.

[Oviedo]

I don't think this effects his focus at all. He may become less available to the media because he will get tired of the same question over and over. If anything that may help his focus.

I can't even think this will go negative towards Ben. There is no associated criminal complaint. No physical evidence of violence. It is really a classic "he said, she said" and really just an attempt by someone who appears to be a less than credible witness with some real baggage to get an out of court settlement.

Like I said earlier this is something that sucks about being famous nowadays. You almost have to be chaparoned everywhere you go to have a witness to everything that happens. Ben also needs to get smart and realize "rich man in room alone with women who is not girlfriend or wife=potential bad news."

[MeetJoeGreene]

Ok. As an objective member of Steeler Nation, I am positive that this lawsuit is without merit and will be tossed or Ben will found not liable.
:Agree


What if this drags on... How will it impact his concentration/play this year

Will it impact the team's focus?


IF this drags on... which I don't think it will, I think Tomlin and Ben will have a meeting or two and then Ben, being the team leader he is, will address his teammates behind closed doors so that at least it won't be a distraction for the team, even if it is one for the fans and the media (which is inevitable, whether he's guilty or not).


What if the unthinkable occurs and he is subject to some sort of judgement?

Well actually, since the story broke out he's been subjected to judgement. I already got two IM's from cowboy fans friends of mine calling him a rapist. And people all over the media are jumping to conclusions and rushing to judgement. Not all of them, to be fair, but several have.

I think you meant "conviction" or "sentencing" rather than "judgement". Am I correct?



First -- how will we then feel about him?

Second -- would Goodell suspend him?

Third -- If Ben was suspended, what would our backup be? It could make watching our 2nd string QB battle this TC much more relevant.

First -- I don't know personally how I would feel if it turns out he really is guilty. I haven't even prepared for that possibility, given the fact that everything I've seen from Roethlisberger in the six years I've known of him leads me to believe he's not that kind of guy. It's not like our QB is Ryan Leaf, or Joe "I wanna kiss you, Suzy Kolber" Namath.

Second -- if he's convicted/sentenced, most definitely.

Third -- The Steelers would probably look for a veteran backup to shore up the position and add competition to Batch and Dixon.

Since it is a civil case, I didn't think their was a "conviction" per se. (although I am not a lawyer)... that is why I used the term "judgement" to mean that the jury (or judge) finds for the insane, lying woman.

[LouSteel]

First, I'm assuming that Ben -- like anyone else in this country accused of a crime -- is innocent until proven otherwise. But I'm also not going to assume that his accuser is a gold digger or anything else.

I think Tomlin has the leadership ability to keep the team focused, and I think he will get Ben to privately address the team. I think we'll be OK in the beginning... but if this lingers and drags on, the media will make this a distraction.

If this woman proves her case and Ben is subject to a civil judgment, I don't think the commish will do anything. I'd bet any official league punishment is held until after criminal proceedings -- which may never materialize. Hell, the NFL was silent on Donte Stallworth until after he plead guilty.

I think the best thing Ben can do is to try and get this out of the news -- either through a confidential settlement that gets her to drop the lawsuit, or by somehow demonstrating that he is innocent.

And I think after this, Ben needs to be sure that he has people with him 24/7, because -- innocent or guilty -- he will become a target for people looking to get rich fast.

[Acero]

Sorry... I forgot to address the whole civil vs. criminal angle which obviously is HUGE. You're right, there's no crime. There probably wasn't even an incident.

Now I ain't sayin' she's a gold-digga... but she ain't suin' no broke jiga...

[Iron Shiek]

Haha...Acero.

"Ben just won the Super Bowl...drove off in a Hyundai"

if she gets her way....

[RuthlessBurgher]

Sorry... I forgot to address the whole civil vs. criminal angle which obviously is HUGE. You're right, there's no crime. There probably wasn't even an incident.

Now I ain't sayin' she's a gold-digga... but she ain't suin' no broke jiga...

She would not sue Jiga because there was too much evidence of homosexuality that would damage the credibility of her claims. :lol:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w226/angryasian07/PHOTOSHOP%20CONTESTS/PLANETPEOPLE-1.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/24mcguu.jpg

[phillyesq]

Ok. As an objective member of Steeler Nation, I am positive that this lawsuit is without merit and will be tossed or Ben will found not liable.
:Agree


What if this drags on... How will it impact his concentration/play this year

Will it impact the team's focus?


IF this drags on... which I don't think it will, I think Tomlin and Ben will have a meeting or two and then Ben, being the team leader he is, will address his teammates behind closed doors so that at least it won't be a distraction for the team, even if it is one for the fans and the media (which is inevitable, whether he's guilty or not).


What if the unthinkable occurs and he is subject to some sort of judgement?

Well actually, since the story broke out he's been subjected to judgement. I already got two IM's from cowboy fans friends of mine calling him a rapist. And people all over the media are jumping to conclusions and rushing to judgement. Not all of them, to be fair, but several have.

I think you meant "conviction" or "sentencing" rather than "judgement". Am I correct?



First -- how will we then feel about him?

Second -- would Goodell suspend him?

Third -- If Ben was suspended, what would our backup be? It could make watching our 2nd string QB battle this TC much more relevant.

First -- I don't know personally how I would feel if it turns out he really is guilty. I haven't even prepared for that possibility, given the fact that everything I've seen from Roethlisberger in the six years I've known of him leads me to believe he's not that kind of guy. It's not like our QB is Ryan Leaf, or Joe "I wanna kiss you, Suzy Kolber" Namath.

Second -- if he's convicted/sentenced, most definitely.

Third -- The Steelers would probably look for a veteran backup to shore up the position and add competition to Batch and Dixon.

Since it is a civil case, I didn't think their was a "conviction" per se. (although I am not a lawyer)... that is why I used the term "judgement" to mean that the jury (or judge) finds for the insane, lying woman.

Since this is far more interesting than anything I'm being paid to do, I'll weigh in on the issue of conviction vs. judgment. :lol:

So far, no criminal investigation has been initiated, and no criminal charges have been filed. This is a purely civil matter. There are no convictions in a civil matter -- judgment is actually the term that is used. If Ben is found liable, then a judgment will be assessed against him.

This does raise an interesting issue. The comish often imposes suspensions on players convicted of crimes. The standard of proof for a criminal conviction (guilty beyond a reasonable doubt) is significantly higher than the standard in a civil action (preponderance of the evidence). If a jury finds against Ben (and juries do crazy things), will the comish still impose an additional penalty if there is no criminal conviction?

Finally, as to the issue of whether or not this will drag on, in all likelihood, it will. Civil cases can take a very long time, depending on the rules of the jurisdiction. In Philadelphia, most complex cases are tracked for about 2 years -- and Philadelphia is significantly faster than the surrounding counties, where civil cases can easily take 4-5 years to resolve. I don't think this case will drag on for that long; I think that both lawyers will make this case one of their highest priorities, but this isn't something that will go away quickly. If it resolves before the season starts, I'd be shocked, and it could very well drag on through the season. The discovery process in a civil case can take a long time -- Ben will likely have to sit through a deposition, which, depending on the rules of the jurisdiction, can last for up to 7 hours, if not longer (in PA state court, they can theoretically last for days -- there is no set time limit). The deposition process is very nerve racking for witnesses, and requires a lot of preparation. It is certainly something that would be distracting.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

I am just angry he laid down in a bed with that girl. Not much of a looker. You would figure the superbowl winning QB with 100 million dollar contract wouldn't have much of a hard time picking up a hot chick at a casino resort. Jeez.

[Jom112]

What if this drags on... How will it impact his concentration/play this year

Will it impact the team's focus?


I know you guys won't like the comparison but here it comes.

The Patriots went 16-0 and made it to the SB, amid all the Spygate controversy. So I wouldn't think this is something that could be used as a excuse later on if Ben and/or the Steelers struggle this season...

[Chachi]

If Ben is innocent then I don't see any of this affecting his play. I think he will have faith in the system, he will have convinced his teammates of his innocence, and he will be more thinking of this becoming another "Super Bowl Hangover" and work overtime to make sure that doesn't happen again.

If he is guilty, then, yea, this will affect his play.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I am just angry he laid down in a bed with that girl. Not much of a looker. You would figure the superbowl winning QB with 100 million dollar contract wouldn't have much of a hard time picking up a hot chick at a casino resort. Jeez.

Who's to say that ever even happened? This woman mourned the death of an American Soldier in Iraq who never even existed. She could have seen Ben in the hallway of her hotel and just conjured up the entire story (everything from discussion of fly fishing to the broken television to the alleged assault could have been complete and total fantasy). At this point, who knows?

[pfelix73]

I'll say it right now that I would not be surprised if Ben pays them something to make this go away.

Why have it drag on? The problem is if he does, it would make him look like he did something wrong. Then you have the Goodell's boys and the NFL to worry about. I also think (not to change the subject) that one of these days the NFL is going to suspend someone and that someone will take them to court over it because of denying that someone of not being able to make a living, etc. But that's another issue.

We have to remember that all this is, is a civil lawsuit. I wonder if Ben has hired any private eyes to check up on both the client suing him as well as the lawyer representing her....?. They both better have squeaky clean pasts.

Her lawyer stating in the press that he's surprised by the media coverage at this point- why is he? Or is he just saying that?

[phillyesq]

I'll say it right now that I would not be surprised if Ben pays them something to make this go away.

Why have it drag on? The problem is if he does, it would make him look like he did something wrong. Then you have the Goodell's boys and the NFL to worry about. I also think (not to change the subject) that one of these days the NFL is going to suspend someone and that someone will take them to court over it because of denying that someone of not being able to make a living, etc. But that's another issue.

We have to remember that all this is, is a civil lawsuit. I wonder if Ben has hired any private eyes to check up on both the client suing him as well as the lawyer representing her....?. They both better have squeaky clean pasts.

Her lawyer stating in the press that he's surprised by the media coverage at this point- why is he? Or is he just saying that?

I'd be shocked if his lawyer didn't have investigators looking into every aspect of the Plaintiff. If Ben ends up settling the matter, the agreement will almost certainly contain language that there is no admission of liability. If it didn't, he could subject himself to criminal prosecution. The settlement agreement would also likely include a confidentiality provision, which should prevent Goodell from getting his hands on it.

[Wolfhound45]

My thoughts...

1 - If there was any merit to her claims, then she would have gone to the police soon after the incident occurred. This is just an attempt to get money, plain and simple.

2 - If he is innocent (and I believe he is) he should immediately counter-sue and go on the offensive. However, if he is in fact guilty, then he needs to be sent to prison. I am tired of "professionals" being given a pass when they commit a crime.

[RuthlessBurgher]

My thoughts...

1 - If there was any merit to her claims, then she would have gone to the police soon after the incident occurred. This is just an attempt to get money, plain and simple.

2 - If he is innocent (and I believe he is) he should immediately counter-sue and go on the offensive. However, if he is in fact guilty, then he needs to be sent to prison. I am tired of "professionals" being given a pass when they commit a crime.

Speaking of countersuits, Tony Zendejas (that little kicker that we used to see on a yearly basis with the Houston Oilers in the 80's) just filed a $2 million countersuit earlier this week, claiming he was charged with rape without foundation. He is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, claiming he was harassed for seven years before facing rape charges on which he was eventually acquitted.

[pfelix73]

Lawyer on ESPN said that Harrah's could in fact pay her off to make it go away... This could be the way things go. I guess they are named in the lawsuit too.

[skyhawk]

I just hate this kind of stuff.

I am very concerned because of the level of details and the number of people named in the suit. If things were not true it would be highly unlikely that all those details and accusations could be proven.

All this reeks of a major cover-up. To the extent that Ben raped or assaulted her may never be known, but something happened.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I just hate this kind of stuff.

I am very concerned because of the level of details and the number of people named in the suit. If things were not true it would be highly unlikely that all those details and accusations could be proven.

All this reeks of a major cover-up. To the extent that Ben raped or assaulted her may never be known, but something happened.

I don't think it reeks of a major cover-up at all. I think it reeks of a woman with some serious psychological issues manifesting her paranoia (she seriously thinks her employers broke into her home to delete files from her home computer?) who may also be experiencing some post-traumatic stress (not from any sexual assault, but from finding out that the soldier she met online and fell in love with never existed, and was actually the wife of the guy she was screwing on the side). She seems like a severely troubled girl who thinks everyone is out to get her...a sad, pathetic story to me.

[skyhawk]

I just hate this kind of stuff.

I am very concerned because of the level of details and the number of people named in the suit. If things were not true it would be highly unlikely that all those details and accusations could be proven.

All this reeks of a major cover-up. To the extent that Ben raped or assaulted her may never be known, but something happened.

I don't think it reeks of a major cover-up at all. I think it reeks of a woman with some serious psychological issues manifesting her paranoia (she seriously thinks her employers broke into her home to delete files from her home computer?) who may also be experiencing some post-traumatic stress (not from any sexual assault, but from finding out that the soldier she met online and fell in love with never existed, and was actually the wife of the guy she was screwing on the side). She seems like a severely troubled girl who thinks everyone is out to get her...a sad, pathetic story to me.

Well, I have thought that too.

But that is also a typical response to many women (or men) who cry rape. And also one of the many reasons lots of rapes go unreported.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I just hate this kind of stuff.

I am very concerned because of the level of details and the number of people named in the suit. If things were not true it would be highly unlikely that all those details and accusations could be proven.

All this reeks of a major cover-up. To the extent that Ben raped or assaulted her may never be known, but something happened.

I don't think it reeks of a major cover-up at all. I think it reeks of a woman with some serious psychological issues manifesting her paranoia (she seriously thinks her employers broke into her home to delete files from her home computer?) who may also be experiencing some post-traumatic stress (not from any sexual assault, but from finding out that the soldier she met online and fell in love with never existed, and was actually the wife of the guy she was screwing on the side). She seems like a severely troubled girl who thinks everyone is out to get her...a sad, pathetic story to me.

Well, I have thought that too.

But that is also a typical response to many women (or men) who cry rape. And also one of the many reasons lots of rapes go unreported.

There is not much worse in this world than a scumbag rapist. However, the scumbags who cry rape when there was no rape, manufacturing a fake charge in an effort to get money, thereby making it more difficult for the victims of actual rape, are almost as bad as the rapists themselves.

[skyhawk]

I just hate this kind of stuff.

I am very concerned because of the level of details and the number of people named in the suit. If things were not true it would be highly unlikely that all those details and accusations could be proven.

All this reeks of a major cover-up. To the extent that Ben raped or assaulted her may never be known, but something happened.

I don't think it reeks of a major cover-up at all. I think it reeks of a woman with some serious psychological issues manifesting her paranoia (she seriously thinks her employers broke into her home to delete files from her home computer?) who may also be experiencing some post-traumatic stress (not from any sexual assault, but from finding out that the soldier she met online and fell in love with never existed, and was actually the wife of the guy she was screwing on the side). She seems like a severely troubled girl who thinks everyone is out to get her...a sad, pathetic story to me.

Well, I have thought that too.

But that is also a typical response to many women (or men) who cry rape. And also one of the many reasons lots of rapes go unreported.

There is not much worse in this world than a scumbag rapist. However, the scumbags who cry rape when there was no rape, manufacturing a fake charge in an effort to get money, thereby making it more difficult for the victims of actual rape, are almost as bad as the rapists themselves.

I agree 100%. What a mess.

[skyhawk]

And btw, aren't most reported rapes criminally filed? I don't hear that often those that are filed civilly and right out the box state dollar values for damages. Seems a bit fishy.

[phillyesq]

And btw, aren't most reported rapes criminally filed? I don't hear that often those that are filed civilly and right out the box state dollar values for damages. Seems a bit fishy.

From reading the complaint, the only actual dollar figures claimed were those relating to the medical bills. The rest of the complaint was just alleged that the damages exceeded a certain statutory amount. Without going into too much boring detail, you generally have to allege that damages exceed a certain amount to get past arbitration and into the jury system.

So, basically, the damages in the suit are one of the few things that aren't fishy.

[skyhawk]

And btw, aren't most reported rapes criminally filed? I don't hear that often those that are filed civilly and right out the box state dollar values for damages. Seems a bit fishy.

From reading the complaint, the only actual dollar figures claimed were those relating to the medical bills. The rest of the complaint was just alleged that the damages exceeded a certain statutory amount. Without going into too much boring detail, you generally have to allege that damages exceed a certain amount to get past arbitration and into the jury system.

So, basically, the damages in the suit are one of the few things that aren't fishy.

Thanks for that info, counselor. 8)

[phillyesq]

And btw, aren't most reported rapes criminally filed? I don't hear that often those that are filed civilly and right out the box state dollar values for damages. Seems a bit fishy.

From reading the complaint, the only actual dollar figures claimed were those relating to the medical bills. The rest of the complaint was just alleged that the damages exceeded a certain statutory amount. Without going into too much boring detail, you generally have to allege that damages exceed a certain amount to get past arbitration and into the jury system.

So, basically, the damages in the suit are one of the few things that aren't fishy.

Thanks for that info, counselor. 8)

Anytime! It is refreshing for me to look at legal issues that actually hold my interest, as opposed to what I do at work all day...

[stlrz d]

Pennypacker, do you dress in gabardine at your workplace? :P

[Iron Shiek]

I just hate this kind of stuff.

I am very concerned because of the level of details and the number of people named in the suit. If things were not true it would be highly unlikely that all those details and accusations could be proven.

All this reeks of a major cover-up. To the extent that Ben raped or assaulted her may never be known, but something happened.

I don't think it reeks of a major cover-up at all. I think it reeks of a woman with some serious psychological issues manifesting her paranoia (she seriously thinks her employers broke into her home to delete files from her home computer?) who may also be experiencing some post-traumatic stress (not from any sexual assault, but from finding out that the soldier she met online and fell in love with never existed, and was actually the wife of the guy she was screwing on the side). She seems like a severely troubled girl who thinks everyone is out to get her...a sad, pathetic story to me.


^ = nutjob

I hope people have learned from the Duke Lacrosse team case.

:nono