Chadiha's article brought up the subject that people might start saying that they got rid of Holmes (a black guy) for minor stuff and yet still have Big Ben (a white guy) around for more serious offenses. But maybe I'm being dense
No Sarge, you aren't dense. I think Chadiha is. In today's NFL, there is a world of difference between trading away a receiver (even one as good as Holmes) and trading away a franchise QB who has two Lombardi's to his name. The color of the man's skin makes no difference at all and anyone who thinks it does is blind or looking for a reason to claim racism.
The Steelers have Ward and Wallace on the roster already, both of whom had good years last year. They brought back utility receiver ARE and even though we Skins fans were not impressed with him as a #2, he makes a solid #3, especially out of the slot. They have picked up Arnaz Battle in FA and have shown interest in Dez White.
Now ask who is backing up Roethlisburger? The current answer is Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon. The former is 35 and long past being a starter in this league week in and week out. The later is a 3rd year pro who played ok last year when Ben was out with an injury but he didn't set the world on fire and could not beat Baltimore, a team Ben seems to own and one they have to play twice a year.
So ask yourself, which one of these guys was more expendable to the Steelers on the field? I think the answer is obvious and that it has nothing to do with the color of anyone's skin.
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PS - this is not a comment on the severity of the crimes of these two men and should not be taken as support for one over the other. I am commenting only on the idea that racism had anything to do with what was to me a pure football decision.