Darren McFadden, who holds both single-season and career rushing records for the Razorback's, went to a bar in Arkansas underage. I know what you're thinking. So did every other twenty year old that attends college. The one difference is McFadden is going into the NFL draft. This brings up a serious issue for teams who may potentially draft him.
We live in an age where football players are continuously making poor decisions off the field. Darren McFadden chose a terrible time to make a big mistake. With less than a year until he turns twenty-one and the NFL draft approaching at the end of April, McFadden decided that he had to go to a bar on January 10. I say big mistake not because it is so horrible that he was underage drinking, although it is a problem, but because he should know how much is at stake and how closely those entering the draft are scrutinized. This is simply a case of poor decision making.
This has to lower McFadden's stock in the draft. Just look at what happens to teams who draft off-the-field troublemakers. Marcus Vick was dismissed from Virginia Tech football; the University sited a "cumulative effect of legal infractions and unsportsmanlike play." Vick was signed by the Dolphins in 2006 and was later released May 1, 2007, he is currently unsigned. What about Pacman Jones? After several legal incidents the NFL suspended Jones for the entire 2007 season. The Bengals had a record amount of players in legal trouble over the past year, look how that team did. Then, of course, there is Michael Vick.
MCFadden, obviously, cannot say to himself, "OK, I'm entering the draft, I'm not of legal drinking age, and everyone is watching my every move. I won't go into the bar." If McFadden cannot make simple decisions such as this, there is no telling what other stupid situations he will get himself into. We have to bear in mind that this is a very young man at twenty-years-old. He may be very impressionable and this is very dangerous, as Michael Vick has shown us.
Several college players go to bars underage and we never hear about it. However, in this occasion a fight broke out and though there is no claims that McFadden was involved, he was still handcuffed temporarily; that does not look good.
In all likelyhood, McFadden will be drafted early and no one will say a peep about it. Of course some NFL teams could care less about the risk because the NFL is a business looking to earn money. But think about this, should an NFL franchise really take the risk? History has shown us that these troublemakers dont pay off because they end up unable to play. Hopefully, this will serve as a wake-up call for McFadden and he wont end up burning his team in the future.
*** Because so many people are not reading the entire article, I must put this disclaimer up! I don't like or dislike McFadden! I understand many people are very opionated about this young man, I wish him the best! I am simply stating that he made a bad choice, that's fine, i make bad decisions all the time. Please read the entire article before posting something about me hating McFadded, thank you. My intent was to generate thought-provoking conversation and for the most part it was succesful
The Cowboys acquisition of Zach Thomas is a good reminder, for die-hard football fans who wont see a game until August, that there is still alot to be excited for besides the combine. Although he missed much of this past season,due to migraines and concussions, the Cowboys felt comfortable signing Thomas for a year.
This isn't just good news for Thomas, its good news for all us football fans. We are headed into the dismal time of NFL off-season. A time when we must get by with little or no action in respect to football. We are left inspecting vertical jump numbers and which guy dropped the most passes today at the combine. I, myself, never realize until late-February how fascinated I am with the 40 yard dash. Did you hear the latest tidbit? Players may no longer go topless! How starved we become for a little NFL scoop.
With the Thomas deal begins the early signing period in football were deals are attempted to be made quickly and there are a slew of rumors going around. Firstly, Randy Moss, fresh off his Super Bowl loss; will Randy really want to stay in New England or will he use his record setting season as incentive for other teams to put up some serious cash? Several gabby-gusses are imagining the unholy union of T.O. and Moss together on the Cowboys. Imagine the mayhem!
In my opinion, the most important player up for grabs is Asante Samuels. There are talks that he is being courted by the Saint's who had an up-and-down season. There is no doubt, however, that many teams will make a pass at the pro-bowl back.
How about the Jet's? After a horrendous season not only are they going to get in some good draft picks but one knows they are working out deals as you read this. Speaking of bad teams, Bill Parcells is going to turn the Dolphins roster upside down and there is no telling what kind of talent the Big Tuna will bring in. Remember Parcells likes veterans.
So, If you are like me, and hunger for a little NFL action; just imagine all the drafts, trades, signings, and weird occurences that we have left to come. As soon as your team makes a move let your imagination run wild!
"We got him! That's exactly who we need to make a playoff bid." It's a rough time for us fans we might as well make the best of it.
Feel free to post any comments regarding your teams signings, trades, rumors, or let your imagination run wild. Dont be afraid to add some crazy-super-unlikely wish you may have for your team.
Hank Steinbrenner has commented that he doesn't understand why the MLB is being "singled out" in regards to the highly publicized steroid accusations surrounding baseball. Steinbrenner then went on to say that "football is tailor-made for performance-enhancing drugs".
All this is is a cheap cop-out by the Yankee's owner's son. This poor attempt to pass the buck is a sad indication of how negligible the MLB has been with its knowledge of steroid use. With their backs in the corner Basbeball people are scratching and clawing to get the spotlight taken off themselves.
What is more irritating about the situation is the finger-pointing Steinbrenner began. In attempting to take some pressure off (the Yankees had the most names in the Mitchel Report) Steinbrenner decided to throw the NFL under the bus. He should be ashamed of himself. Instead of facing the problems that he has as part of Baseball's greatest dynasty he as attempted to circumvent the problem with blame shifting. As if to say, "I know it's wrong, but they're doing it too and no one is saying anything."
Admittedly, the NFL does have some drug issues of their own but they have been publicly punishing atheletes caught using drugs, remember Shaun Merriman was suspended for five games last season for steroid use. Furthermore, one might say that the NFL is a little too strict in their enforcement of drug use. Leading rushers like Travis Henry and Ricky Williams have both been suspended for marijuana use; this is recreational not performance-enhancing.
Debating about drugs aside, the NFL has done more in the public eye about drug use than baseball has. Wether or not NFL players use performance-enhancing drugs more than baseball players is unknown to us and most importantly unknown to Hank Steinbrenner. All the public knows is that their is a list naming more than 80 baseball players who have been involved with steriods and HGH. No such list exist in the NFL, where videotaping seems to be the subject of interest at this point in time.
Steinbrenner doesn't really wonder why he's being singled-out; he is just trying to take some pressure off. The MLB is being singled out because for years the public has been told, by former players and trainers, that players have been abusing these drugs for decades without reprecussions. More importantly, several of these abusers hold high positions on Baseball record lists, most notbaly for wins, single-season homeruns, and career homeruns.
I in no way condone the use of drugs in any sport but when players begin talking about the rampant use of steroids in football, then Steinbrenner will have a scapegoat. Until then he should just worry about fixing the problem within his organization and keep his mouth shut
Unfortunately the Antonio Pierce story seems to be a case of the media stereotyping black athletes as pet/animal abusers. Although the abuse of animals is serious and wrong, this story appears to be the victim of the twenty-four hour news cycle.
If Antonio Pierce did neglect his dog, that is wrong but its not sports news. Why don't journalist focus on the fact that while Roger Clemens faces accusations on Capitol Hill, Barry Bonds - a man who has been accused of using steriods for years - sits at home looking for a new contract. Furthermore, why wasn't there a stink about the Patriots, who were caught cheating, attempting a perfect season with almost no reprecussions. Stories of Pierce abusing his pet are merely headline attempts in the wake of the Michael Vick scandal. Sports journalism should stick to exactly that, sports!
Let's say Antonio Pierce's dog was truly found sick and underweight. Okay! Let whatever humane society is in charge of this situation investigate. In all likely-hood he wasn't home because he was preparing for the SuperBowl and the person in charge of taking care of his dog in that time was not responsible. What if he didn't leave anyone in charge of taking care of his dog you say? Well ok, let that humane society/organization fine him for his wrong doing and move on.
It would be wrong to drag this story out, this dog was not part of a dog-fighting ring and he did not put it to death. He made a mistake like everyone else. It is the responsiblity of journalist to refrain from racial profiling and stereotyping. Let the story play out before we start pointing fingers and talking of Michael Vick.
As the owner of two wonderful and healthy purebreed dogs, I find it insulting that people would jump to conclusions with Antonio Pierce because another black athlete KILLED his pets. Let's be responsible and wait and see how this plays out.
