Roethlisberger is no ‘Girl Whisperer’

Here we go again. Ben Roethlisberger once again has been accused of sexually assaulting a female, making this twice in the span of a year that he has been accused of such actions.
These actions are tarnishing the image of both the Steelers and Roethlisberger, and many in the front office will not take these added accusations lightly.
This latest report can have a serious negative impact about how the Steelers go about their business.
Roethlisberger’s skirt chasing ways have been well documented. Roethlisberger has been a popular target of the internet while being photographed drunk with various woman. Before you know it, this may finally catch up with him. It could have a negative impact on the team and lead to more distractions that the team does not need as they try to bounce back from a playoff-less season.
The new report claims that in the early morning hours of Friday, March 5, Roethlisberger sexually assaulted a woman at a Milledgeville, Georgia nightclub. Roethlisberger has a residence nearby and was there with a few friends of his, reportedly including Willie Colon.
Police accounts say that Roethlisberger has been questioned in the case, although no formal charges have been made. Both Roethlisberger and the unidentified victim were both interviewed and were at the same establishment. The victim also went to a local hospital and was later released.
Of course compounding the matter is Roethlisberger’s ongoing civil suit with a woman, Andrea McNulty, from Reno, Nevada who says Roethlisberger allegedly raped her at hotel she worked for. Roethlisberger has steadfastly denied such accusations.
One accusation you can possibly justify as an extortion plot. And I am in no way saying that to be the case or claiming Roethlisberger is innocent in all of this. However, with two accusations now being thrown out there the old saying of ‘where there is smoke, there is fire’ can easily be applied here.
In his six-year career Roethlisberger has been through the ringer, from his lawsuits to his infamous motorcycle crash, and has usually come out of it with aplomb and perseverance.
But how much longer can Roethlisberger walk this tightrope before it bites him in the behind?
Steeler fans and managements can only hope that this is a case of Roethlisberger being an easy target. That is being a high-profile sports celebrity mixing up with the locals and possibly consuming too much alcohol, one with a checkered past.
I don’t think Roethlisberger has a drinking problem though. Then again, maybe he does. But if he does or not, is not the crux of the situation. Perhaps the best course of action is to go into counseling and try to save face with the public. Roethlisberger simply has to alter his public image and stay below the radar for the good of all parties.
At this point Roethlisberger, guilty or innocent, has to repair his image much the same way Tiger Woods is trying to accomplish. The good thing is that Roethlisberger will not have cameras and paparazzi follow him along tirelessly, which should subdue some of the distractions it may cause the Steeler franchise.
These cases will no doubt linger and we’ll surely know the full ramifications of them when training camp opens. That is when the media firestorm will be ignited. Camera’s will be turned on and microphones will pointed in Roethlisberger’s direction. How will Roethlisberger and the team handle that?
If I were the Steelers, I might broach the idea of possibly upgrading the back-up quarterback position by possibly looking at some available quarterbacks(Jake Delhomme, Michael Vick, David Carr?) just in case these issues go and become a Kobe Bryant-like circus.
Imagine Vick replacing Roethlisberger due to character issues? Well, Vick is no ‘Dog Whisperer’ and Roethlisberger is certainly no ‘Girl Whisperer’!

MillNotes:

* The Steelers do have a need to upgrade the safety position, especially with Polamalu’s health an issue, and on Friday they let one of the best in the open market sign with another team. On Friday, the New York Giants snagged Arizona’s Antrel Rolle and signed him to a five-year, $37 million contract. Steeler’s management said they would not overspend and only make minor tweaks. Well that was more than apparent as they let the Giants lock up Rolle. Perhaps the Steelers get a gem in the draft. They surely might have to as it appears Ryan Clark’s days with the Steelers  are done. Also making matters worse is that divisional rival Baltimore traded for Anquan Boldin on Friday as well. This makes the Baltimore passing offense more versatile and dangerous.

*Another possible free agent they whiffed on was Minnesota’s Chester Taylor, as he singed with the Chicago Bears today. Either through free agency or the draft, the Steelers must find a sidekick to Rashard Mendenhall. It’s not going to be Willie Parker. Mendenhall did miss the bulk of the 2008 season, so there is injury issues there, and the Steelers must get another runner to compliment him. The consensus opinion is that Mewelde Moore is just a third down receiving back, nothing much more than that. Like I said in a previous post maybe that person is LaDainian Tomlinson.

*One possible low-level depth producing wide receiver the Steelers have interest in is San Francisco’s Arnaz Battle. Battle has shown glimpses of talent over the years and they could get him cheap. After all, the Steelers have Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace so it’s not a major priority. And don’t forget Limas Sweed. Is this the year he redeems himself? We’ll see. I assume the Steelers will fill out their roster with some nice players. It’s still early.

Tags: Andrea McNulty, Antrel Rolle, Arnaz Battle, Ben Roethlisberger, Chster Taylor, Hines Ward, LaDainian Tomlinson, Limas Sweed, Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers, Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Clark, Santonio Homes, Troy Polamalu, Willie Colon., Willie Parker