Offensive Line play vs. Bengals was best of the... /Ben Tate

[hawaiiansteel]

I guess it also depends upon if you want a divided locker room...

and to alienate the Steelers' female fan base...

[MCHammer]

Our Steeler girls managed to overlook Ben's escapades, along with those of James Harrison. I can't speak for the locker room, not being a professional athlete let alone a Steeler, but it's my impression the recent hoopla over wife beating is an issue for the suits, not the players. That said, there is no doubt it would be a distraction.

[SS Laser]

Our Steeler girls managed to overlook Ben's escapades, along with those of James Harrison. I can't speak for the locker room, not being a professional athlete let alone a Steeler, but it's my impression the recent hoopla over wife beating is an issue for the suits, not the players. That said, there is no doubt it would be a distraction.

I understand there is a bunch of nfl media coverage so it is easy to not see or read a report. But Willie Gay is BIG on the domestic violence issue. Even was on the list for walter payton award this season.

[MCHammer]

I didn't know that. I actually avoid NFL generated drama and tune in only to watch the games (and even then find myself annoyed with all the media driven BS). I don't think I have sat down to deliberately watch an NFL related TV program, other than a game, since Inside the NFL left HBO.

[Ghost]

Signing Rice would be like going to the store and buying a big bag of cancer.

[Slapstick]

Our Steeler girls managed to overlook Ben's escapades, along with those of James Harrison. I can't speak for the locker room, not being a professional athlete let alone a Steeler, but it's my impression the recent hoopla over wife beating is an issue for the suits, not the players. That said, there is no doubt it would be a distraction.

Right or wrong, Rice is a much bigger deal because of the video. Period. That makes him radioactive, IMO.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Aside from the ethical question, it becomes an issue because it changes the entire narrative of the week.

Current story:

This is a team that is playing well, four game winning streak, may not have it's pro-bowl runner, perhaps rookie stepping in, two seasons out of playoffs, top WR in the game, fighting biggest rival to overcome that potential loss.

Story if signing Rice:

Ray Rice.

Same as a team with Michael Vick, Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow...of course all for different reasons, but they overtake every other story angle.

I'll stick with the original story.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Right or wrong, Rice is a much bigger deal because of the video. Period. That makes him radioactive, IMO.

Yep. I can't see this team getting anywhere close to signing Mr. Rice.

[RobinCole]

Ben's "escapades"? In the Nevada case, the woman's own e-mails indicate she initiated the incident. She never did go to the police. In GA, I smelled a rat when I noted that Ben was described in the police report as 6' 5", 241 pounds, which was exactly what one would find by doing an internet search. Not 250, not 240, but "241" pounds. Not 6' 3", not 6' 4", but 6' 5". What a coincidence. Always thought the whole thing was a shakedown set up by the girl and her friends. When she/they sobered up, they realized things would get more complicated than they bargained for.

[Oviedo]

Ben's "escapades"? In the Nevada case, the woman's own e-mails indicate she initiated the incident. She never did go to the police. In GA, I smelled a rat when I noted that Ben was described in the police report as 6' 5", 241 pounds, which was exactly what one would find by doing an internet search. Not 250, not 240, but "241" pounds. Not 6' 3", not 6' 4", but 6' 5". What a coincidence. Always thought the whole thing was a shakedown set up by the girl and her friends. When she/they sobered up, they realized things would get more complicated than they bargained for.

I said from Day 1 that the girl and her drunk sorority sisters once they realized who it was went back to the house and came up with their story to make a quick buck. If you recall, even the word out of the prosecutors office was the stories all sounded too much alike. How does that happen if only one girl was with Ben.

Ben doesn't get a pass. Dumb move picking up girls in bars. Firstly, you get drunken sluts and secondly you get issues like this.