Wow. This recently passed season in the NFL was anything but boring. You can even safely call it controversial. From the criminal to the stupid, and the devastating to the amazing- this season had it all. Let's recap:
The Criminally Stupid
For those of us who could still think of OJ Simpson as a Buffalo Bill and not a dangerous killer, we had his Las Vegas shenanigans to entertain us in the fall. If his Hall of Fame career wasn't supplanted in your mind by images of Johnnie Cochran- multiple counts of armed robbery and kidnapping should help shift the focus. Allegedly breaking into and robbing a hotel room, with a deadly weapon, is not smart. Actually, it's pretty stupid. OJ proved that some NFL superstars are just regular, flawed, stupid humans. No Superman here. Thanks OJ.
Speaking of flawed humans- Michael Vick is probably one of the dumbest humans to ever buckle a chin strap. Do drugs, admit you have a problem, get clean, and you're there in time for mini-camp (I AM NOT CONDONING DRUG USE. I am simply pointing out it is fairly common in the NFL). Beat your wife or girlfriend, go to jail for the night, apologize, go to anger management therapy, and never miss a snap. It happens all the time in the NFL (I AM NOT CONDONING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I am simply pointing out that it is fairly common in the NFL). But Michael- dogs??!! Dogs, kittens, and kids- you DO NOT mess with them. What were you thinking? A promising career dumbed away. What a waste.
Speaking of idiots, Pacman Jones got stupid in a Las Vegas strip club last February. After Jones allegedly beat a stripper's head off of the stage for collecting his money without permission, someone reportedly associated with Jones fired a gun into the club, hitting three patrons. Add to that legal debacle implications and allegations of drug connections and gambling, and Pacman bought himself at least a year away from football. But fear not- fans of Pacman could tune in to TNA Wrestling for a fix. Maybe Michael Vick can get a gig there, too? He could copy a look from the Junkyard Dog...
Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals also rode the bench during part of the 2007 season due to stupidity, but his suspension was only for eight games. Henry, incidentally a teammate of Pacman Jones at WVU, was suspended for violations of the league's personal conduct policy. Henry's legal troubles have included supplying alcohol to minors, alleged weapons violations, alleged drug violations, and even alleged DUI charges (some of these charges were dropped or found to be erroneous). He was warned by the NFL that further infractions could end his career in the NFL. Well, there's always wrestling...He could tag team with Pacman..and Michael V...
What will 2008 be like? Will more players show courage, committment, and integrity- or will rosters be copied directly from rap sheets? So far, 2008 is off to a quiet start, but the Spygate investigation hasn't picked up full steam. Who knows, if Senator Specter uncovers the huge conspiracy he is convinced exists, maybe we'll find Jimmy Hoffa- I think Belichick is hiding something...
If I have overlooked any criminally stupid players, please comment with their names and violations. I would hate not to recognize anyone's brilliant stupidity.
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4 months ago
You only touched on the stupidy of the all time king of stupid cover ups, Spygate. One player being stupid and careless is one issue that reflects on his character alone. Cheating and being stupid as a leader of the NFL, is a crime and punishable.
The depth and scope of the crime spans 7 seasons, 3 rings and 23 of 26 games won by 3 points or less including 3 Super Bowls! Anything smell funny here? Even after Kraft negociated for the referee's new contracts, even after he buys 3 rings and the referee's to secure a dynasty pumped by the media, and a stat book that looks more like a weak high school season in 7 NFL seaons.
This was the only big stat yr for the Pats in the shadow of a defense ranked 24th against tje pass, and a middle line backer ranked 53 of 55. Thats right the former stroke induced roid head Bruschi....! Add the cologne QB who can't play under pressure because he can't blame himself when they lose,at press time...and you pretty much deserve" mumbles" the head coach of the year...soon to be stripped of the title, who by the way will be picked out of a line up when convicted of fraud, gaming violations in 2001 and illegal use of film after specific clearly defined rules were in place!
No, individual embarrassment is not as prolific as a franchise and the cast that buys into the invincible bigger than life balloon! Right until it pops as it has for a media made dynasty a dirty owner and coach in collusion with a puppett commisioner dancing with and around every whim an owner brings to the table promising camalot, growth, profit and rings for all who come to the table with 750 million to play....winning is not automatic...unless you are Bob Kraft!
Those were his terms for 50 billion dollars in new media contracts for the league! A winner( a team full of bargan players with sprinkles of Moss)! A team that is and was not even close to performing like "dynasty" champions year in and year out.! Not even close ....just look at the books. The numbers never added up and the stat books don't lie!
Bob wanted to convince you that 2+2 =5 in his world and stadium. You need power and money for that! You need a legal team with brown envelopes all over their bathrooms! You need loop holes and a douible standard! You need all of the owners and the league on the same page, so that if the bubble bursts, responsibility for the crime is shared! Brilliantly flawed to a point! A curious Senator was the snag!
from 4 months ago
Spygate is actually reserved for a later piece in this series. I don't know if I can possibly top your comments, though...
4 months ago
Like the weather in New England?.....if you don't like it, wait a minute, is a saying that we have all heard on the east coast. So to it would seem that the media ,reporters, and color commentary people all go with the flow and "script". Whats hot, like an inflating gas bag, they pump repetative stories at you until you burst, one sided...at first , all good!
Of course this is an imperfect world. So when the story is flawed,inaccurate and glossed, the media appologizes for the mistake. The new story begins to tear down the hot to absolutely "not". Case and point , your New England Patriots! When faced with no good news, the media responds with good news about the sandlot team from foxboro...24/7....
Now that the stain and odor has set upon this team and owner, the media , like the wind, will change the tune. It's called "dirty Laundry"! We have enough here between the goal posts to satisfy any robust textile or paper company for the next 100 years. The NFL built a glass house with media perks for mortar. Big mistake....huge! Never ever trust a VW car or the media! Groupies for dirty laundry, and clean freaks for the best upbeat spin of the day! You get it fresh with your morning paper and in many flavors!
A good script and positives help too! After all when headlines read, "ALL DYNASTIES MUST FALL", you get the sense that its not unusual... well the last time I checked , the Steelers, Packers, Colts and 49ers all have rings the old fashioned way...they earned them with blood , sweat, tears and stats...record breaking stats every year...they were hot! The Patriots and media people deserve each other. Dogs like the smell of their own crap!
4 months ago
I always wondered why retired players & misfits like Jr. Seau, Chad Brown, Randy Moss, Rodney Harrison all play for nothing in New England...now I know...the last stop Superbowl Rings
4 months ago
Pacman Jones and Chris Henry were like one-man crime sprees....I guess they don't learn from their mistakes,do they?
from 4 months ago
I have just never understood what happens to these idiots. To be an NFL player is the dream of so many kids- probably even guys like Pacman and Henry (and Williams and... the list goes on) at one time. How can they screw it away like that? That's why I called them stupid. They have to be. A football career doesn't last forever. Why not wait to beat up strippers or corrupt minors until after retirement? :)
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