NFL Lockout 2011: 8 Players Who Are Having the Worst Offseasons

With the 2011 NFL draft being the last event around the NFL now thanks to the lockout, players, just like fans, will have to occupy their time some other way.

Some have found side jobs (Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko working with a major corporations), some have found other sports (Chad Ochocinco playing in the MLS, Jamaal Charles considering running track), and some have been simply relaxing, attempting to stay in shape so once the lockout is over they can hit the ground running.

However, a few haven't been able to take this break off from football and use it wisely. These eight players have had a few extra headaches so far over the lockout.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

Once upon a time, Palmer was viewed as the third-best quarterback in the league behind Manning and Brady. But after injuries, Bengals-like seasons and frustrations by him on and off the field, he's now a fringe top-10 to top-15 quarterback in the league.

Palmer has said he wants out of Cincinnati, saying he won't play another game in the Bengals stadium as a member of the team. The Bengals have said already that he won't be going anywhere, but it's a dangerous risk to call his bluff.

However, regardless if he wants to go, a team is willing to bring him in, and if the team wants to trade him, nothing can happen. Thanks to the lockout, no trades between teams can occur, so he's stuck on the Bengals depth chart until it's solved. And worse for him, teams may not want to gamble on getting him when the CBA disagreement is solved and could look to the draft to find their franchise quarterback.

Louis Murphy, Oakland Raiders

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: Louis Murphy #18 of the Oakland Raiders warms up before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Louis Murphy, 2010 rookie performer for the Raiders, was charged with failure to obey authorities, resisting arrest without violence and possessing an illegal amount of a drug (Viagra).

The arrest and charges won't be cut-threatening and he'll be wearing black and grey come next season. But he won't be getting a contract enhancement to go with his other "enhancements." And while the Raiders staff likely won't be pleased with the arrest, it's not like they don't have a history of having arrest-prone players.

Mark Brunell, New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Mark Brunell #8 of the New York Jets scrambles against the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

Things have not gone well for Mark Brunell in the past few years. After being one of the best backups in the NFL, Brunell is forced to stay in the league and not retire like he might, as he has now needed to file for bankruptcy thanks to poor investments and other money issues.

Now, as part of his bankruptcy, the bank is trying to require him to sell his college national championship ring he won at Washington, his 2009 Super Bowl ring he won with the Saints and a host of other college and pro awards.

It's safe to say that no one really wants to see that happen to such a classy individual and one of the more respected players in the NFL, but right now, it's not a happy time for Brunell to solve his money crisis.

Bryan McCann, Dallas Cowboys

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Bryan McCann #37 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Bryan McCann wasn't a high-impact player for this Dallas Cowboys team, but as a later-round pick and a depth cornerback, he was a great value and a player they were hoping to utilize more in the NFL. In limited action last year he had two touchdowns, one on an interception, and the other on a punt return.

However, you can expect some major cuts and an overhaul of the Cowboys roster this year, with the secondary likely being the focus. Terrence Newman and Mike Jenkins both could be gone, and no one is safe in that locker room.

McCann was charged with public intoxication recently, and could be a casualty of the Cowboys cuts once the CBA is agreed upon.

Mike Vrabel, Kansas City Chiefs

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ATLANTA - AUGUST 13: Mike Vrabel #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on August 13, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

One of the current representatives in the case against the NFL lockout is high-character, well-respected tackling machine Mike Vrabel, formerly of the New England Patriots and currently of the Kansas City Chiefs.

But, things aren't all business on the Vrabel home front. Vrabel was charged with theft at a Belterra Casino in Indiana this past week, for reportedly the lowest charge for theft that the state of Indiana allows.

"I feel confident after talking with the appropriate parties, we will resolve this matter," Vrabel said in a prepared statement. However, hopefully for all of our NFL fandom sakes, he can put this past him and help the NFL get past this whole lockout frustration.

Johnny Jolly, Green Bay Packers

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Johnny Jolly #97 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the field against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Things aren't so jolly right now for the Green Bay Packers defensive lineman. Johnny Jolly was on probation for possession of codeine in the past, so he was walking a fine line when it comes to staying not only on the field but out of jail.

But, Johnny decided to go for a drive recently, even though his driver's license has been ruled ineligible for renewing. So when he got pulled over, he showed them his state identification card, for whatever reason thinking that would be his ticket out of ticket.

Well, as you might expect, that didn't work, and after police searched his car, he was arrested on felony possession of codeine, with 600 grams of it in his car.

As a side note, after the report about his arrest was released, head coach Mike McCarthy has said that Jolly is "definetly still in the team's plans."

Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Dez Bryant's adviser, David Wells, is quoted as saying that Dez is in a "dark place." Interesting phrasing, because not only does he owe around $858,000 in jewelry, but also in rent and, of course, electricity bills.

Bryant was known as a character risk in the draft last year, but was a top-10 prospect on just about every team's board if character issues were put aside. But now, after concerns in college, early in his NFL career in the offseason and now with concerns about his maturities as an adult in the real world, Bryant better figure things out soon. He seems closer to Charles Rogers as an NFL receiver than to Michael Irvin right now.

Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 03: Defensive back Aqib Talib #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers breaks up a pass intended for receiver Michael Jenkins #12 of the Atlanta Falcons during the game at Raymond James Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by

Talib fell on draft day as he came out of Kansas not because of the lack of talent, but the fear that he may not be mature enough to handle being a professional athlete. Similar to Dez Bryant, Talib was viewed by most scouts as a top-15 to top-20 talent, but many teams passed because they thought he wasn't worth the risk.

Well, after a few solid seasons and another off-field incident in his short NFL career, those scouts and teams that said, "Thanks, but no thanks," look like they made the right call.

Aqib Talib was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he and his mother fired shots at Aqib's sister's boyfriend. They actually fired shots in a tag team-Talib effort.

That is a major concern for the authorities, the Bucs and the NFL, and don't be surprised if Talib isn't wearing a Tampa Bay Bucs uniform.