Steelers’ message to Ben: Shape up or you’re out

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Ben Roethlisberger is on his own this time.

The Steelers stood behind their quarterback when he wrecked his motorcycle while riding helmet-less in 2006, acknowledging his immaturity yet eagerly welcoming him to training camp a month later.

Coach Mike Tomlin lined up with Roethlisberger last year at a news conference when he angrily denied assaulting a Nevada hotel employee. The look in his eyes said: Ben’s still my guy.

Nobody is standing with Roethlisberger now.

His teammates are publicly supporting him but that’s what teammates do. But if Roethlisberger anticipated one of the most image-protective franchises in pro sports treating his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy as routine business, he got a surprise.

The Steelers are mad. They’re out of patience. They’re so determined to put Roethlisberger’s off-field problems behind them, they spent time Wednesday weighing whether they’d trade their two-time Super Bowl winner if they got the right offer.

If Roethlisberger’s pending behavioral evaluation and the knowledge he can’t play until October don’t scare him straight, the Steelers reason, perhaps the thought of being traded to a last-place team will do it.

“I agree and support the decision the commissioner made, the discipline for Ben Roethlisberger,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said.

If Roethlisberger wants to go on playing, Rooney said, he must do it the NFL’s way. The Steelers’ way, too.

Because of the terms of the suspension, the Steelers might not see Roethlisberger again until training camp. When they do see him, it’s obvious they expect to see a different man.

“I know his intent here is to follow the program the commissioner sets out, and it’s our hope and expectation that’s what he’s going to do,” Rooney said.