An NFL Grab Bag … Monday Cup O’Chiefs
It has been a mad scramble over the weekend as we celebrated the graduation of our youngest with her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology from the University of Tulsa. As a parent, you always hope your children are smarter than you; that was not too hard for Liz, but she went above and beyond to get it done. Congratulations sweetie!
Now back to work as we catch up on a number of items from around the world of pro football.
WHERE IS JOHN HENDERSON?
He is not at Arrowhead Stadium. He’s not going through the off-season program with the New York Giants. John Henderson remains unemployed several weeks after his release by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Why? There could be several factors at work here, but likely the biggest reason is an over-estimation of his value to his next team. Simply: he wants too much money. This happens a lot when long-time veterans are cut loose by their old team and they view it as a chance to cash in at the pay window.
If that’s the case, it sends a message about what this player thinks is important. If that’s the case, it would seem to diminish the chances of Henderson landing with the Chiefs. Pioli/Haley are not looking for guys seeking a pay day. They are looking for players “that fit” their mold.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SUSPENDED
Houston Texans LB Brian Cushing, the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year last season, got slapped for a four-game suspension by the league under the performance enhancing drugs category.
Rumors of PED use by Cushing go back to his days at Southern Cal and it was a charge that the linebacker denied, saying he never tested positive. Even after the NFL suspension, Cushing denies using PEDs, saying in a statement released by his agent that the suspension was due to a “non-steroidal banned substance.”
That line alone tells us who to blame for this situation: Cushing. OK, it wasn’t a steroid, but it was banned by the league, so it might as well have been a steroid. More than likely it was a diuretic-type substance or a similar type of masking agent. No matter, players are provided a significant amount of information and education on what they can use in their bodies and what they can’t. They may dislike the whole idea of the NFL being able to tell them what they are allowed to ingest.
And if they want to take a stand that’s fine – leave the league and go make millions doing something else. That cases like this keep popping up in the NFL tells us that setting up rules only starts a clock on those seeking a way to beat the regulations.
Another factor here that’s bothersome for the NFL: Cushing is the third defensive rookie of the year in the last eight that has received an NFL suspension for PEDs. The others were San Diego LB Shawne Merriman (2005) and then Carolina DE Julius Peppers (2002).
If the league is trying to get a message to young players about stopping the use of PEDs, it doesn’t help matters when the top rookie gets nailed and other than losing four-game checks, there’s little or no ramifications. Look at Peppers. He cashed in this year – his first chance to be a true free agent – with a contract that includes $40 million in guaranteed dollars.
PACMAN RETURNS ON MONDAY
World out of the Queen City of Cincinnati is that on Monday the Bengals will formally announce the signing of Pacman Jones to a two-year contract.
Is this something the NFL really needs? Pacman has been arrested six times and been involved in a dozen incidents where police were called during the time since he came out of the University of West Virginia as a first-round choice in the 2005 NFL Draft. He’s been suspended by the league for a handful of games and for an entire season, 22 games in all.
But still there’s a team that is willing to take a chance on him. It’s no surprise that it would be the Bengals. We obviously see now that the football ruler of the franchise Mike Brown does not view familiarity with law enforcement officials to be a negative. Brown sees himself as the NFL’s Father Flannigan, welcoming troubled young men to his Boy’s Town in Cincinnati.
In ‘05-06, Pacman was a remarkable contributor to the Titans, contributing five TDs on defense and special teams. In the three seasons since then, he’s played in only nine games and has not sniffed the end zone.
Just what Jones can bring to the Bengals at this point is unknown. They have a pair of pretty good cornerbacks and they used a high draft choice just a few weeks ago on another (3rd-round pick Brandon Ghee.) They were a division winner in ‘09 and they made the playoffs.
Do the Bengals need Pacman? Not as much as Pacman needs the Bengals and that apparently is enough to get the attention of Father Flannigan Brown.
LAWRENCE TAYLOR AND HIS TRAVAILS
Scum … that may be too nice a word to describe Lawrence Taylor, his behavior and lifestyle.
My definition of scum is someone who knows better, has been caught and disciplined for his actions and stupidity, but continues to take part in those actions and stupidity.
Taylor becomes has become the poster scum for this type of person. It’s time for the justice system to open the cell door and slam it behind him. Heaven knows if there’s any chance he can change his behavior. But rehab – whether for drugs, booze or sexual addictions – hasn’t done anything to alter this man’s perspective on tomorrow.
Maybe the Graybar Hotel can do that.
Congratulations to your daughter, Bob. You have every right to be a proud papa.
As for the rest of the article? Meh. Poor old John Henderson got lumped in with some lousy company, that’s for sure. I know it was a “grab bag”, but still…I’d hate to have my picture up next to those other three losers.
Money, drugs, sex (and rock and roll). I guess we are ready for Woodstock, got a torpedo handy?
It is sad how people make heros out of sports figures and then love to see they have clay feet.
How about some good news, ie Chiefs are superbowl bound?
Damn Bob,
When my youngest graduates, I plan on staying drunk for a week. Imperessive work ethic.
Bob, always a warm feeling to see one of your kids graduate. Well done, both of you! An early question for the next “Ask Bob” series:
(I’ll remember to ask it again under the proper format)
Did the Chiefs experience more than the normal amount of problems/bad attitudes in the locker room during the 2009 season? It would seem so with this increased push for character players.
when the economy went bad, my old ass did not have a degree, didn’t have a job either. Congrats to your family, Bob. Thanks so much for all your work Bob. Really enjoy BOB GRETZ.COM
I wonder when the “experts” are going to link head trauma and LT’s actions, just like Big Ben!
Big Boys with Bad Habits. I have no love lost with Bob’s motley crew today.
Being famous has it’s drawbacks as evidenced by these clowns. Every time you get a speeding ticket or trip an old woman as she is crossing the street, we are going to know about it. The plain & ordinary folks like us are fascinated with the antics of the rich & famous. All the salacious details of the Tiger Woods saga for example, had some drooling for more. Witnessing the downfall of these people is almost pleasing to many of us.
So why is this?. What makes their personal & complicated lives more interesting than our own?. (jealousy or envy maybe) I really don’t have the answers. I read or watch the information as it unfolds. I’m really not that interested in the details, but we get them anyway. I really don’t care to know, yet I keep reading.
I have my family & friends, they are the ones I care about. Details & facts are more meaningful to me & allows me time to absorb and understand their particular situation to give comfort or advice.
Bottom line is, we all have problems. We deal with them no differently than the famous do. Unfortunately for them, their dirty laundry is hung out in the street for all of us to look at & see. Me…I’ll take rich over being famous any day of the week. Although, I am neither.
Congrats Bob on your daughters graduation. Hopefully when you are old & still wise?(ha, ha) you will have a successful & loving family to care for you.
Go Chiefs.
On LT…not sure scum is the word…how about downright EVIL? When did that word ever become outlawed? Is it only reserved for foreign heads of state that commit genocide? Why water it down to something slimy? Slimy is a lying lawyer. Slimy is a door to door businessman with a bad toupee who convinces old ladies on fixed incomes to buy a hairbrush or a vacuum cleaner. Let’s just call LT what he is (although he’s innocent until proven guilty). The best word for a rapist is EVIL! (Roethlisberger take note.)
why do you worry about this crap? In 2011 there will be no salary cap as I understad it. If this happoens, the Chiefs will not be able to compete with the larger markets. They will be just like the Royals and never even have a chance. This could even force the Chiefs to move to a bigger market. There will be a lock out . Count on it. Everyone is too greedy to get anything done. I believe the NFL will eventually kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
BOB, congratz
ThunderChief says,
Did the Chiefs experience more than the normal amount of problems/bad attitudes in the locker room during the 2009 season?
I dont know for sure. But with the saga of lj and pollard leaving, who thought to be a headache in the locker room, we may have been. But even if we were or we werent, I think they (pioli) have done it that way in the past and will continue to make players accountable and live up 2 a higher standards on and off the field. And having a coach in “herm the worm” not taking things accountable for even himself, its hard not to think that making excuses bacame apart of our locker room.
Gosh, craig, and I thought I was as negative as it gets on this site. Breath, the NFL has been pretty smart in not shooting itself in the foot so far. I admit the Hunt family are not long on winning over monetary considerations but come on, I got season tickets, do not rain on my parade.
As for “character” being the end all, folks, just so much verbal mutterings. Character is fine until there are no wins to go with it. I think Lombardi said something about winning being what was important. Character can go out the window with a normal team (Chiefs have not been about winning it all since the only SB victory when you deduct Marty and Vermeil) when that team stays below .500 year in and out.
Bob,
Congrats on your daughter’s (and your) accomplishment. She also got her degree in a field where she can help others as well which may say more about her than the degree itself. I couldn’t agree with you more on the parade of characters. I thought for some time that Henderson might be pricing himself out of a job. I’m glad to see we didn’t show him the money. Like it or hate it these guys are doing exactly what they have said they are going to do all along. I think the indications are they are building a quality team for the long haul and one that will be accountable on and off the field.
(World) out of Cincinatti?
Bob can’t you spell check these articles before you post them. You do this kind of thign alll teh tiem.
I think everyone is being a little quick to judge L.T. What he admitted to was paying for sex from what he thought was an adult. Morally wrong, yes most definetely. Illegal, without a doubt. However, if the guy really did not know about her circumstances, or about her age, what makes that soooooo horribly evil. Wrong, yes, but it sounds like a really bad decision and not like L.T. is the devil himself. Now if Taylor knew she was being beaten, and being forced to live that lifestyle, and knew her age well then he is no better than a human trafficker himself. However the guy used a middle man, I doubt he knew. He made a dumb choice, the guy has to live with this shame and face the world for it. How is he any different from those who watch bad movies in their own home, providing he was ignorant of her circumstances?