Recent Troubles Mean More Than We Think

 In lieu of today’s appeal from PacMan, I thought it would be a good idea to sound off on the recent troubles of NFL players.  

 Don’t worry, I’m not going to rehash the same old stories about what Pacman, Chris Henry and Tank Johnson did. We all know those. But with the suspensions that have been meted out – one year, 8 games and who-knows-what for Tank – you would think that players would be learning. Enter Michael Vick and Steve McNair. 

 I’m going to start with Steve, because I know what type of person he is. He’s one of the good guys, someone who tries to do what’s right. He’s well loved in
Nashville – by fans, at least. His 2003 DUI was well covered in the media, particularly when it was apparent the officer that pulled him over did so illegally (he was accused of targeting Titans players). Many had a feeling there was more to the story, and that the targeting didn’t stop with just one of the Metro officers. McNair had to be aware of this. 

 That’s why his recent arrest puzzles me. Regardless of the situation, he shouldn’t have let someone that was drinking behind the wheel. That was a boneheaded mistake. It doesn’t matter that his brother wasn’t stumbling drunk – he was just legally intoxicated (we all know there’s a difference, but the law is the law) – it just matters that he did it. And it matters that he already had a target on his back from escaping the previous DUI charges. And it matters because the NFL is already under immense scrutiny because of player conduct. This arrest has been magnified for much more than it is, and not only will the NFL suffer because of it, McNair will also. 

 Why? Let’s take a look at my friend Michael Vick before we get onto that point. 

 So excuse me if I sound like I’m on a tangent here, but we all know about Vick. He’s everywhere. We can’t turn on the TV or go to a mall or step in the shower without seeing him. We know about his ridiculous talent. We know it hasn’t translated on the field. We know about his brother, about his past, about the water bottle incident in
Miami and about the dog fighting allegations. We all know these things because Michael Vick is under a microscope. We all know that, but why doesn’t Vick? It blows my mind that this guy would even attempt some of the things he does – even think about them – when he knows he’s under so much scrutiny. Let me clarify that, as most of his issues were alleged: Why would he not pay better attention to those around him and what he does when he knows he can’t escape the media? We all know the argument that you have to be responsible for what’s done on your property. It’s hard for anybody to tell me he didn’t know about what was happening on his property – even if he does live several hundred miles away (don’t even test me on this one – he knew). And now these problems will make a lot of people suffer. The NFL, the Falcons and Vick himself.  

 That’s not rocket science. But let me now tell you why I’m saying all this. Goodell very well may have opened up a can of worms with his suspension of PacMan. I haven’t heard anyone saying Chris Henry’s punishment was unwarranted, and I sincerely doubt, no matter the final judgment, that anyone will bat an eye when Tank here’s his (how many rounds were found in his house again?). PacMan is the issue. Especially because of his appeal process. Remember, he’s banking on the fact that some 270+ players have been in legal trouble over the past two years without this kind of punishment. It’s not fair, he says, because there’s no groundwork for this severity.  

 Goodell says it’s a new era, with a new commish, with a new look on things. There’s no groundwork because I haven’t been here, Adam. Now I’m here. Get over it. 

 That’s very well how it could go, and how people are expecting it to go. So if that happens, what does Goodell do with McNair and Vick? Where is the fairness if they both go unpunished while the others are hammered on?  

 Is it not fair to do something to McNair? It’s his second run-in with the Metro police in 4 years on DUI charges. But Goodell will leave this one up to the club. He will be disciplined, I’m sure. 

 And Vick? He needs to be suspended, in my opinion. And I think Goodell very well may have his hands tied. We all know what’s happening now. Blank has had a face-to-face with him and was reportedly stern. Word out of the NFL offices is that Goodell is just waiting on word from law enforcement to drop the hammer on Vick. How much can you expect? If charges are filed, sources are looking at a 4 game suspension at least. This is a new area and the league wants to send a message: You are responsible for what you do and what goes on around you. When could that happen? Nobody knows, and it might not happen unless things go deeper than what we know. But if it does, the Falcons are in trouble. Can you say Matt Schaub? 

 So we have to ask ourselves: What is it going to take before the players learn? Probably a few more suspensions that cost fellow players big money. It will never stop, but it will die down. I just hope the NFL isn’t tainted beyond repair by then.