Aqib Talib's Court Date Set, but What Will Happen When He Faces Roger Goodell?

Aqib Talib’s court date is set. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback is scheduled to stand trial on assault charges in March, 2012, increasing the likelihood that he will play in 2011.

Unless Roger Goodell has something to say about it.

The league’s personal conduct policy does not require a ruling on charges against a player for the commissioner to take action and levy a suspension.

Just last year, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual assault at a Georgia nightclub. He was neither arrested nor charged. His suspension was later reduced to four games.

Talib was indicted and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in May, 2011 after he allegedly fired gunshots at his sister’s boyfriend during a domestic dispute in Garland, Texas. He is out on $25,000 bond.

Could Talib receive a punishment similar  to  Roethlisberger's?

On the field, he’s been stellar. He recorded 40 tackles in 2010 and was tied for third in the league with six interceptions. In three seasons, he has 15 interceptions and one touchdown. He has stared 28 games in the NFL.

Off the field, he’s had his issues. The 2008 NFL rookie symposium fight with Cory Boyd. The alleged taxi driver assault in 2009, for which he was arrested and charged with resisting arrest without violence and simply battery. He later settled out of court and served a one-game suspension to start the 2010 season.

It’s certainly not his first time in the principal’s office and definitely not his first stay in Goodell’s doghouse.

Talib will play in 2011, but when and for how long likely depends on when the lockout is lifted and how swiftly and aggressively the commissioner decides to take action, if he takes action at all.

Recent precedent set with his handling of Roethlisberger’s incident suggest he will.

Commissioner Goodell included the following in a letter to Roethlisberger regarding his suspension:

"

In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track.

"

Perhaps Talib, just 25 years old and heading into his fourth season, could benefit from similar advice.

Aqib Talib will play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011, but don’t think for a moment that Roger Goodell won’t have a say in when or how much.