I was just about to post on this, first of all he should be fined just for saying it. He’s throwing a verbal threat out there about hurting someone on purpose. Let’s get this straight right now, when Hines cleans someone its usually a) cuz he took them out of the play to run blow as was the case in the previous game b) cuz they took at shot at him earlier c) his hits are 99% of the time CLEAN. To be fined from the NFL for “no specific play” for “playing too rough” is absurd. The NFL should be ashamed of itself, to fine Hines for that. While Thuggs and company…excuse me, Suggs and company can make blatant verbal threats to players’ welfare. C’mon now, thats just ridiculous. And Ray Lewis’ comments about Mendenhall are just unreal. He shoulda stayed in jail where he belonged. I work in prison, i see his kind everyday man. I can’t wait to play them, talk all the smack they want, we’ll bury them. Just goes to show you their lack of class, tact, and humility.

according to ESPN. Here it is

PITTSBURGH — The NFL held a private meeting Wednesday with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a series of controversial statements the team made last week.

On the command of commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL sent Ray Anderson, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, to Pittsburgh to meet with “a small group” of Steelers that included team owner Dan Rooney, head coach Mike Tomlin, receiver Hines Ward and safety Troy Polamalu.

“I believe it was a very productive discussion,” Anderson said. “You can ask Coach Tomlin and the players themselves. They’ve certainly indicated to us that, No. 1, they understand, and No. 2, they respect that we took the time to come sit down and engage and talk to them directly.”

Tomlin, Ward and Polamalu all questioned the way the league handled fines after Ward was docked $15,000 for two infractions the team felt were unnecessary. Polamalu, who is rarely outspoken, went as far to say the NFL is becoming a “pansy” league.

Goodell is en route to London and talked with Anderson last week specifically about the Steelers and figured a face-to-face meeting with a higher-up from the league office was the best way to clear the air.

“It was nice exchange of frank feelings about where we are, and I think it provides a little closure for us, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “Now we can get back to focusing on what we need to focus on.”

Ward was not fined for Sunday’s crushing block of Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. The play broke Rivers’ jaw and ended his season. Anderson clarified to the Steelers and the media Wednesday that, under current NFL rules, that play was a legal hit.

A big point of contention with the Steelers last week was neither of Ward’s fines was flagged during the game, which Anderson also discussed with the team Wednesday.

“It is not a requirement that, in fact, a flag be thrown before a person can be fined for a foul,” said Anderson, who said there were 139 fines distributed so far leading into last week’s games. “What we explained to the players is about 40 percent of our fines are assessed against plays that are actually not flagged on the field.”

Anderson also mentioned that the NFL is looking into recent comments made by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs against Ward and Pittsburgh rookie tailback Rashard Mendenhall. Suggs mentioned on a recent radio interview that the team has a “bounty” on those two players.

“That ‘bounty’ notion is completely against the rules,” Anderson said. “To the extent that someone is engaged in that activity, we will look into it and address it. Yes, we’ve seen the comments and we’re trying to determine the completeness of the circumstances.”

I really didn’t have any sour grapes for the ravens after ray-ray took out Mendenhall. I have plenty to say about that POS team, but not regarding that play. Now I F’in do. I hope suspension is the punishment for bounty hunting in the NFL. And what a moron suggs is for admitting it over the air. These guys are nothing but a bunch of neighborhood bullies. And they hate the Steelers for standing up to them year after year. They really, really hate our team.

gives fuel to the Raven’s fire. While doing this is the smart thing to do and arguably the right option, it also provides the Ravens with fire power, by making it look like we went crying scared to mommy (I’m not saying this is the case, it’s just something they can now use, especially if punishment is dealt out.

My course of action would simply be this; ok so Mr. Suggs and Lewis believe that it’s a good idea to celebrate the injuries of players on our team, and think that they can go out and proclaim “bounties” on our players, fine. Let them say that, and come game day, let the hounds lose. Smash the living s**t out of their pathetic, no-class asses, and see what they say then.

but isn’t it ironic how last time we met, one of our guys had one of his statements leaked and look where it ended it up him. Now the tables have turned and Lewis and Suggs are caught with their heads up their asses.

Hines, give ’em hell.

B-More has had a “bounty” on Ward for as long as I can remember. I just think Suggs is just the one who wants to talk about it. I say let them go after Hines. I don’t really think he cares. What are they going to do? Get Ed Reed to hurt hines!? LMFAO. It isn’t going to happen. He’s too bad ass. Let Baltimore keep playing soap opera football. We will keep playing physical football. Let us be known as the baddest Mofo’s in 2008!

(man I can’t wait for the next Baltimore game) I hope Hines get’s 100+ receiving and a TD!

I’m a Black man and HUGE STEELER fan as well, and I just don’t see it that way. You can’t really believe that the word “thug” is exclusive to just black people…slow your roll! I’ve been coming here to BTSC for a long time and I’ve never seen any of that racist shit from fellow Steeler fans or any others for that matter.
Im inclined to agree with Mechem, the term crosses all racial boundaries and they’re thugs in all races my man. Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs are acting like a bunch of gangstas, and thugs, posting “bounties” for one a 200 pound wide out who consistently knocks out their big, supposedly tough linebackers…what else do you call it? It is, what it is! Thuggish and gangsta.
Im aware that there are words out there that carry a racist connotation, but thugs isnt one of them. Especially when its used to describe the Ray-Ray and the boys.