Is It Time To Kick Shayne Graham Out the Bengals' Door?

Being a kicker in the NFL is one of the most pressure-filled jobs in sports. Much like a closer on a baseball team, you must have ice in your veins and a very short memory.

To be successful, you need be able to balance your emotions after every performance, good and bad.

In today's world of news on demand, the media and fans want to hear from players. I don't think players have to speak to the media, but I think they should.

The worst situation happens when a player only chooses to talk after a good performance.

Shayne Graham missed two field goals on Saturday in the Jets' 24-14 victory over the Bengals. Both were kicks that he should have made.

However, I can accept the fact that he tried to perform his job and failed. It isn't the first time that an athlete has failed on the field, and it won't be the last.

The problem is that Graham left the locker room after the game and on Sunday without speaking to reporters. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy revealed that Graham was only accessible this season after the Cleveland game (when he kicked the winning field goal) and when long snapper Brad St. Louis was about to lose his job.

Weak.

I understand the frustration that the Bengals must have felt after Saturday's loss. I get the fact that the last thing you want to do after a poor performance is talk about it to a room full of reporters.

However, two of Graham's teammates were available after having a bad game against the Jets. Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco both answered questions like professionals.

Graham is now an unrestricted free agent and is likely done with the Bengals. He has done some great charity work during his tenure in Cincinnati. However, over the last couple of days I have gotten the impression that he is not the most approachable person on the Bengals.

When you are an impact player, it makes your annoying personality or negative characteristics more tolerable. When you fail on the field and show the lack of testicular valor that Graham did this weekend, it is time to go. That is simply the nature of the sports world we live in today.

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