For all those talking trade

[Slapstick]

Actually, I do believe that the Rooney's and the NFL will be disciplining Ben expressly because of what happened in the media...

What is happening in the media is a huge black eye to the Steelers franchise as well as to the NFL...the media is using Ben's alleged conduct to sell stories and therefore tarnish the public image of the Steelers and the NFL...

So, yes, it is absolutely about media and public perception...

[fordfixer]

Hmm....Chadman wonders how many of you would be howling for someone's head to roll if they were a player from another franchise?

Say for example, the 'murderer' Ray Lewis.

Come on, let's be honest- how many of you think of Lewis as a murderer? How many of you have thought- he got away with one? If nobody puts their hand up, Chadman will call liar, because there has been numerous occasions where we have often put the boot in on Ray.

How many of you have said or thought- glad I don't support the Ravens/Bengals? How many will admit it's because those organisations have a number of players on their roster with questionable character?

How many of you have said- the Steelers don't draft players with bad character? Or have thought that the Steelers 'do things better'? Chadman sure as hell has.

So, here's the point- Do we 'want' to be one of those teams? A Bengals/Ravens, low character, dubious ethics, letting player indescretions slide if it means the team is, somehow, better?

Or do you want to be better than that?

Do you want that fabled franchise that 'does things better'? Because Chadman can assure you, the Rooneys want that. It's the image they want the Steelers to portray- a higher class organisation.

Now, if we can still call Ray a 'murderer', even though he wasn't charged, and therefore we can use Ray Lewis as the beacon that shows the Ravens to be a low-class organisation- why can't fans of every other team do the same with Ben?

And if they can do that- how can the Steelers ever be viewed as a higher class organisation?

So, here's the thing. We can all stand here & say- we should give Ben another chance, and pretend that we believe he is innocent, and that the Steelers are still a class organisation.

OR...we can demand that the Steelers ARE a class organisation, and not allow their roster to be infested with players who have poor, embarrasing morals & behaviour.

We can't have it both ways- you either want to support 'the Steeler way', or you support 'winning at all costs'.

Fact is, if you support 'the Steeler way', you know in your heart that Ben should go the way of Santonio, and that Reed should be packing up too.

And if you don't feel that way- if you feel that trading a player of the calibre of Ben would result in too many poor seasons for your little heart to endure- then Chadman sure hopes you are not one of the stone throwers who live in those damn glass houses..

Sorry to break one of the rules.... FUCKING POST OF THE OFF-SEASON. This higher standard is the hallmark of the franchise. Surely nothing wrong in expecting the idealistic cornerstones that's the foundation of this organization.

[stlrz d]

Sorry to break one of the rules.... FUCKING POST OF THE OFF-SEASON. This higher standard is the hallmark of the franchise. Surely nothing wrong in expecting the idealistic cornerstones that's the foundation of this organization.

Did we have those higher standards when Ernie Holmes was shooting at cops? Or when Justin Strzelczyk led cops on a wild chase that ended with him dying in a fiery crash? Or when Carlton Haselrig was arrested for drunk driving or allegedly assaulting a 7 year old child? How about when Jerome Bettis supposedly assaulted a woman? Or there's the case of Greg Lloyd allegedly putting a gun in his son's mouth and to his ex-wife's head?

And the list goes on and on.

The idea that the Steelers organization is somehow more pure or holy or has a higher standard is a myth propagated by fans who wish to feel superior. Sorry man, but that's the way it is.

[Sugar]

Actually, I do believe that the Rooney's and the NFL will be disciplining Ben expressly because of what happened in the media...

What is happening in the media is a huge black eye to the Steelers franchise as well as to the NFL...the media is using Ben's alleged conduct to sell stories and therefore tarnish the public image of the Steelers and the NFL...

So, yes, it is absolutely about media and public perception...

It's all about the PR baby.