2007 NFL Thread

[RDF]

hifigator said:

RDF, the Roy Williams tackle violates a specific rule making a specific act illegal because of potential injury to the other player. Givne that he has been called for that identical penalty, not once but twice before this season, it makes sense to suspend him, to teach him to not do it again. Next time I would suggest myabe 4 games, (25%) of the season.

I didn't read the story on Dwight Smith, but I presume your facts were correct. Now first off, you know how I feel about weed, but that is beside the point. At least in Florida, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor citation. It is exactly the same crime as open container for example. Now possession of amounts over that are a felony. As well as potentially possession with intent to distribute. The point is that misemeanor possession is simply not a serious offense. Would you want your boss suspending employees who are doing their job perfectly but on their own time slipped up somewhere along the line? I mean in all seriousness, simple misdemeanor charges in some cities include spitting on the sidewalk, jaywalking and as I mentioned walking in public with an open container of alcohol. I just don't think we want more intrusion into our daily lives. I do understand that as a professional athlete, you give up some of your privacy, but do we really want such incidents to transfer over to additional punishment at the vocational level? I for one, think not.

Smith leaving his car running in middle of one of the busier streets in downtown MPLS, only to have weed in the car--and remember he's driving--admits to the weed, and all of this takes place at the bar/restaurant/club which is below the now closed club he was caught being with a female in stairwell in public the year before. It's not a matter of what you or I think of the crime--it's the fact that is more embarrassing for the franchise/league (especially a team struggling to sell out home games and get a new stadium built) then a guy who is tackling wrong. I agree that Williams should be suspended and understand why--but I also laugh at what takes more precedent in NFL circles in terms of getting immediate reaction from the league office.

[Boz]

Maybe things are different in Florida, but I can pretty much guarantee that if I got a misdemeanor marajuana possession charge on my record, I would lose my job on the spot.

And I'm fairly sure I'm not the only one. You can try to equate that with jaywalking and spitting all you want; it's not the same.

Sorry, not shedding tears for Mr. Smith.


Of course, I would also lose my job on the spot if I horse-collared one of my bosses. And don't think I haven't been tempted.

[hifigator]

rdf said:

hifigator said:

RDF, the Roy Williams tackle violates a specific rule making a specific act illegal because of potential injury to the other player. Givne that he has been called for that identical penalty, not once but twice before this season, it makes sense to suspend him, to teach him to not do it again. Next time I would suggest myabe 4 games, (25%) of the season.

I didn't read the story on Dwight Smith, but I presume your facts were correct. Now first off, you know how I feel about weed, but that is beside the point. At least in Florida, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor citation. It is exactly the same crime as open container for example. Now possession of amounts over that are a felony. As well as potentially possession with intent to distribute. The point is that misemeanor possession is simply not a serious offense. Would you want your boss suspending employees who are doing their job perfectly but on their own time slipped up somewhere along the line? I mean in all seriousness, simple misdemeanor charges in some cities include spitting on the sidewalk, jaywalking and as I mentioned walking in public with an open container of alcohol. I just don't think we want more intrusion into our daily lives. I do understand that as a professional athlete, you give up some of your privacy, but do we really want such incidents to transfer over to additional punishment at the vocational level? I for one, think not.

Smith leaving his car running in middle of one of the busier streets in downtown MPLS, only to have weed in the car--and remember he's driving--admits to the weed, and all of this takes place at the bar/restaurant/club which is below the now closed club he was caught being with a female in stairwell in public the year before. It's not a matter of what you or I think of the crime--it's the fact that is more embarrassing for the franchise/league (especially a team struggling to sell out home games and get a new stadium built) then a guy who is tackling wrong. I agree that Williams should be suspended and understand why--but I also laugh at what takes more precedent in NFL circles in terms of getting immediate reaction from the league office.

I think you are confusing different issues. Is it wise to leave your car running at all unattended? No, in fact it is very unwise. There are many things that could go wrong. But don't confuse the real issue. He could have been issued a double parking ticket for that offense. No, the issue is the weed. And he was cited for it presumably. Yes, I do know that many companies claim a "zero tolerance" policy. I also know that some companies actually abide by that. Others have a mandatory drug test to start, but then as long as you effectively do your job, then what you do on your own time is your business, within reason of course.

I guess it might get down to what exactly the players responsibilities to the team are. Many contracts specifically prohibit players from taking part in dangerous activities like skydiving, flying single engine planes, driving motorcycles or playing sports like basketball. Obviously there could be specific prohibitions on things like weed.

All in all, I would strongly question a policy which issued additional punishments for midemeanor offenses in general.

And in all seriousness, the category of offense for simple possession is the same as jaywalking or open container in many places. You can disagree with that, but that is a fact. In most cases, the marijuana is confiscated, and you are issued a misdemeanor citation for simple possession. Depending on the laws in place of issue, you then either pay a fine, or request a hearing where you will plead either innocent, guilty of no contest. That is exactly what happens if you get an open container ticket.

I only use those illustrations because traffic tickets, though arguably equal in severity in some cases, are treated as traffic and/or civil offenses outside of the criminal system.

[FormerHoya]

hifigator said:

formerhoya2 said:

My mom doesn't look like the spiky-haired goblin-thing that married Kurt Warner.


I'm just saying.

Wow, that's a bit harsh isn't it? I think she is a recovering cancer patient, isn't she?

I have no idea about the cancer, but I was recalling this Onion caption.

www.theonion.com/content/node/34927

[HoyaFanNY]

dwight smith is exactly the type of person the vikings didn't want around after the love boat incident. i wish they'd get rid of him.

[TBird41]

hoyafanny said:

dwight smith is exactly the type of person the vikings didn't want around after the love boat incident. i wish they'd get rid of him.

That'll happen next year, hopefully. Honestly, I thought they were grooming Greg Blue to be his successor, but then they went and cut him for a season full of injuries to Tank Williams and Mike Doss. I wouldn't be surprised if Antoine Winfield ends up as his replacement, especially if the Purple get a corner in the 1st or 2nd round.

[TigerHoya]

Parcells to Atlanta as Exec. VP of Football Ops


sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3160597

[RDF]

hoyafanny said:

dwight smith is exactly the type of person the vikings didn't want around after the love boat incident. i wish they'd get rid of him.

My issue wasn't to label Smith a bad person--on the contrary--he seems to be a decent guy--but his judgement is just awful. I also blame the Vikings for the timing of the Charity Event that was held--they had a Monday Night Game--and didn't have to return to Practice until Thursday--so why not have the event Tuesday or Wednesday? Instead they have it Thursday night--at a place that is an "Active" spot for anything you want--nice place, excellent "scenery" and also an easy place to get into something you shouldn't during work week.

My issue is with the NFL and it's ignorant policies in regards to what merits immediate action and what doesn't.

Hifi--Smith drew attention to his pot use by leaving his car in the MIDDLE of the street--running motor/nobody behind the wheel. This drew attention from police--and then they see marijuana out in open as they approach his vehicle--and the place Smith was at--has plenty of parking--beneath the establishment and has Valet parking as you approach it--this didn't have to happen--and no matter what you spin--it's AWFUL JUDGEMENT. (those who came up to Twin Cities for Regional 2 years ago--its Bellanote which is located in same building as Graves Hotel which was Team Hotel across from Target Center) Smith has been in trouble 2 times within the year at the same place and both times it could've easily been avoided--his incident with the female--there is a HOTEL IN THE BUILDING--he's got money--take her to a room, hell take her to your vehicle downstairs, take her anywhere but a stairwell where various customers to different things (movie theater, hotel, 4 other restaurant/bar/club establishments will be using). Then I described what happened to him last week--and you have to ask yourself why breaking laws-be it misdemeanor or not--doesn't warrant the same quick reaction from league office as a tackle they oppose.

[hifigator]

Fair enough RDF, and my point wasn't to vindicate Smith, just to question your suggestion that we need additional intermingling of public and private issues, governed by another body of authority. I totally agree that he exercised poor judgement and also agree that his is not the image that the Vikings or anyone else, for that matter, should desire.
But I stop right there. I don't take it to the next step and think that therefore the team should suspend the player for an instance such as this. I would however think that if they take their substance abuse policy seriously, then it would be prudent to pay a little closer attention. But then again, it should be legal anyway. But you already know how I feel on that one.

[BuffaloHoya]

Can we get back to football?

And how LUDICROUS it is that the Cowboys have 11 Pro Bowlers? I coun't maybe six...

[hifigator]

Apparently the Falcons aren't as close to inking a deal with Parcells as suggested this morning. The Dolphins are talking to the Tuna as well. I haven't seen an official release, but I would expect in some similar fashion as the Falcons, as an overseer to the GM.

[TigerHoya]

Yeah, Blank told the AJC that Parcells agreed yesterday and backed out today.

[EasyEd]

Cam Cameron bites the dust
hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_DOLPHINS_COACH?SITE=DCTMS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[hifigator]

I don't remember the name, but apparently Bill Parcells has hired the now former Dallas Cowboy VP to be the Miami Dolphins GM. Colin Cowherd was making the point that behind all successful coaches there are two things: 1 -- a good woman, because it takes a special kind of woman to put up with the intense grind of being an NFL coach, and 2 -- a behind the scenes money-man who is essentially a really good accountant. At least in his eyes, this guy from Dallas is such a guy.

[RDF]

Jeff Ireland is the guy Parcells hired.

Expect Parcells to take a long look at Cowboys OL Coach Tony Sparano--and yes that is correct spelling.

[TBird41]

Jan 3, 2008 14:26:14 GMT -5 hifigator said:

I don't remember the name, but apparently Bill Parcells has hired the now former Dallas Cowboy VP to be the Miami Dolphins GM. Colin Cowherd was making the point that behind all successful coaches there are two things: 1 -- a good woman, because it takes a special kind of woman to put up with the intense grind of being an NFL coach, and 2 -- a behind the scenes money-man who is essentially a really good accountant. At least in his eyes, this guy from Dallas is such a guy.

Like Bill Belicheck's wife?

[hifigator]

Jan 3, 2008 14:59:53 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

Jan 3, 2008 14:26:14 GMT -5 hifigator said:

I don't remember the name, but apparently Bill Parcells has hired the now former Dallas Cowboy VP to be the Miami Dolphins GM. Colin Cowherd was making the point that behind all successful coaches there are two things: 1 -- a good woman, because it takes a special kind of woman to put up with the intense grind of being an NFL coach, and 2 -- a behind the scenes money-man who is essentially a really good accountant. At least in his eyes, this guy from Dallas is such a guy.

Like Bill Belicheck's wife?

I'm honsestly not very familiar with his family situation, but I'm sure there is a joke somewhere there.

[TBird41]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Belichick#Family_life

[BuffaloHoya]

A good woman?!

I bet if you polled all D1 and NFL coaches, you'd find a surprisingly high number of (multiple?) divorcees and guys estranged from their wives/families.

And seriously, hifi... enough with the "Cowturd said today..." garbage. Nobody cares. I think given the choice between the two, we'd rather know what you think than that complete and utter idiot.

[HoyaFanNY]

hifi, buff is right.....it's bad enough you went cowturd once, but twice might deserve permanent banishment. my 5 year old nephew knows more about sports than that jim rome wanna be.