As everyone in Steelers Nation now knows, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been accused of sexual assault for the second time in eight months.

This time the alleged victim went to the police – the woman who is pursuing a civil case against Ben in Nevada never filed a criminal complaint.

The facts of the emerging case, the alleged incident took place in Georgia, are still emerging, and Ben is apparently cooperating with law enforcement officers. However, there are a few things that we can say, depending on how this case plays out.

If the Charges are Baseless….

If the charges are baseless, and let’s hope they are, then at the very least the Steelers need to sit Ben down and have a genuine heart to heart. It needs to be made clear to Ben, in unequivocal language that he must seriously reevaluate the company he keeps and the locales he frequents.

He needs to exercise a lot more basic common sense and proactively avoid situations that lend themselves to these kinds of charges.

If the Charges Have Merit….

If the charges have merit, meaning local law enforcement offices see fit to formally charge Roethlisberger, then the Steelers need to sit back and allow the judicial process to run its course.

But must be prepared to act quickly, even if that means swallowing hard, when the verdict is rendered.