Mike Downey wrote an interesting piece in yesterday's Tribune where he makes the argument that Lance Briggs' behavior won't be found morally reprehensible by fans but it certainly should be. It begs a simple question. What illegal actions by athletes are okay enough to not warrant the wrath of fans?
I don't have an answer. Is dogfighting worst than a DUI? Is possession of an arsenal in your home worse than being party to a gang shooting in a Las Vegas strip club? Is crashing and abandoning your car on the highway any better than slapping than your girlfriend?
As we approach the homestretch leading up to the regular season, this will be the last off-field discussion for hopefully the next six months but it's a topic no one seems interested in actually discussing. Lance Briggs crashed and car and walked away and I'm sorta okay with that. Why? What else would needed to have been involved for me to be less okay? Again, I have no answer. But I'd like to know if any of you do.
Note: This weekend da site will open the trunk, extract the parchment and quill and play Nostradamus to the 2007 football season with a special slant as only available from DaBearsBlog.
#2 StartOlsen said . . .Any crime that is victimless and does not hurt the team i can tolerate.
Briggs is an idiot, but he was the only one that he harmed. If he had injured himself, I would care or if he had injured someone else, I would care alot more. But he didnt.
Vick is a no no because he is killing, and torturing, animals for pleasure, money, and sport.
Tank is in the middle cause that is alot of guns and his body guard was shot and killed, but he was arrested for not having a FOID card. The guns were registered, just in Texas.
PacMan has just way to many problems. If these were singular events, I wouldnt care. But they are continual and it just doesnt seem like hes learned.
I mean, I dont watch these guys because they are boyscouts. I watch because I want to see the Bears win. That said, there is a line in the sand as to what I will care about.
So, I am ok with misdemenors. Once you get over that, its case by case. Or as the commish has it, if the player is a continual problem
August 29, 2007
#3 Rocco said . . .One place to draw a line is the difference between stupidity and causing actual harm.
DUI is stupid; an accident from drunk driving can cause harm. Having a lot of guns and pot in the house is not bright; bringing said guns to the strip club (and using them) is far worse. Slapping your girl is low; making dogs kill each other is vile.
There are varying degrees to these things. Bottom line, we expect athletes to do stupid shit, however ugly and wrong it may be. We will forgive or forget the gun collection, DUI and spousal abuse. Eventually.
However, we expect them not to do horrible, violent and reprehensible shit, and have a harder time forgiving.
Although Ray Lewis may have gotten away with murder, and Lenard Little did... and slapping women is no small crime itself... so maybe we forgive too much.
We have a vague, general line draw somewhere between "that's stupid/wrong" and "that's unbelievable and terrible."
Crashed cars and some boozing, right or wrong, is not on the Vick side of the line.
August 29, 2007
#4 mikebdot said . . .I think both of the first two Bears Fans who replied have great points. 1) Did Lance kill or injure any innocent bystanders or said Bears Fans? The answer is 'NO'. 2) Was he charged with anything higher than a misdemeanor and a couple tickets for completely destroying his brand-new Italian Super Car? Again, a definite 'NO' according to the column written by Mike Downey. And of course, Lovie lets it slide when what he should be doing is getting the team's focus in order and eliminating any distractions from ruining another run for the Super Bowl. Briggs has no room for error because he is making over 7 mil this season, and because he is on the Bears, for crying out loud!!! And who knows if the guy will even "show up" for Gametime? I mean, I may be living in Bangkok, Thailand but for Christ's sake I see the same news reports everyone else sees and to turn down the "Franchise Player" deal was a huge disappointment from a guy you need to have on board going 110% everyday. As for Rex getting booed, that is expected, but at least he has this season to make up for it. Go Bears!!
August 29, 2007
#5 mikebdot said . . .I tend to ask the question "would I be reprimanded for this violation if I were at my job?" If not, you can tell how I feel. It's pretty simple.
I know they have a code of conduct laid out in the player's contract (the collective bargaining agreement, not the singular player's contract...the "royal we"...), so I guess if they go against that they should get the punishment that they have already agreed to. But it seems this "hard ass" stance isn't really doing much for the sport. Sure, it keeps Pacman off the field for a year, but so what, I still have to hear about him all day 24/7. It just gives the idiot free publicity. How many people has this even affected? Shoot, there are 1700 people playing football every year (and that's just on the active rosters) and the few bad apples get all the attention. Seems like the rate of blatant dickheads is pretty consistent. There are over 2 million people in jails across the country out of 300 million people, so there ought to be about 11 or 12 people from the league in jail at various points throughout the season. I'd say things are pretty well in order.
August 29, 2007
#6 Phil from SATX said . . .That first paragraph is terrible. I need coffee. I ask myself "Would I be reprimanded at my job for said violation?" or something similar. And by "Pacman" that really ought to be "the latest would-be trouble maker", cuz you don't hear about pacman 24/7 anymore...now it's Vick.
August 29, 2007
#7 jeff said . . .If there's any moral outrage about people towards Briggs it's based on pure assumption, that he was drunk. Otherwise he's a guy who got in a car accident, and who hasn't. You can think what you want to think but the comparisons here are to athletes who actually did things that we know about.
There is simply no comparison here. The national radio sports media were basically laughing this off, with the sports update introducing the story as "NFL Moron Lance Briggs..." but then basically had the tone of "no harm no foul." I thought that opener was pretty good, and pretty apt. The ironic thing here is Lance didn't have very far to fall in the eyes of Bear fans - is there anyone who can see him this year as anything but a one year mercenary for hire? He alone on the team will not accrue any real love this year regardless of what he does, even with a Super Bowl that he helps bring. Yes we'll appreciate his efforts but we won't love him for it - he's barely even a Chicago Bear.
Isn't everyone getting sick of all this? (Vick, Jones, Donaghy, Tank)? I am. The other day I was so sick of the top story being Michael Vick that I angrily stabbed my radio buttons and the next two talk stations were on Vick at the same time - I switched to music.
Bring on the season already. And Jeff, I'm guessing your preview column is about the schedule? or just the final outcome?
August 29, 2007
#8 Pissed off said . . .i'll be predicting the entirety of the nfl season, and specifics within the bears organization. i was okay last year...
August 29, 2007
#9 Phillip said . . .I like Max's statement that any crime that is victimless and does not hurt the team is something I can deal with and eventually look past. That sums it up pretty good.
So did Mike's statement about being reprimanded at our own occupation. But that leaves it pretty wide open. If I were caught dog fighting I would go to jail therefore losing my job. I guess we dont really have a conduct policy like the NFL but its expected that we are good citizens, as most people are. To defend the NFL, if I got a DUI I wouldn't have any repercussions at work but those guys get suspended or fined for bad conduct.
Its unfortunate that because they are celebs in the bright lights all their actions are blown up but thats the price you pay to make millions and be a celeb. Is it too much to ask to keep your nose clean for the years you play professional sports? I think not!For some thats just a year or two, others its 15+ years. After your career is over you can go do what you want.....but hopefully your just a good citizen and dont have the desire to kill dogs, or beat your wife, etc.
August 29, 2007
#10 jeff said . . .Agreed - the only thing that got hurt here is a half-million dollar car, and while that is quite a travesty, it's certainly not a tragedy.
August 29, 2007
#11 Phil from SATX said . . .i'm just surprised that no one here thinks he was drunk driving. i mean, he was drunk driving. either that or he's the dumbest man alive.
August 29, 2007
#12 mikebdot said . . .PO'd I have always wondered about that. I don't make a huge amount of money and my vices are relatively few - bourbon and cigars, that's about it. (Even with that short list, one of those could get me in the kind of trouble Lance got in if I wasn't careful).
If someone told me I could earn $7MM per year, or even $1MM, and all I'd have to do is work hard at a fun game, but I couldn't go out at night partying, I would make that deal in a heartbeat - and stick to it! You're telling me all I have to do is do my job and keep my nose clean and you'll give me X million dollars? Shit yeah!
Now this isn't really a fair comparison because I'm not in my 20's anymore, so the question is could I have done it then? Yes, I pretty much led a working stiff's life then anyway. So I could have.
Since most of the criminal actions that befall athletes occur late at night and after drinking, why doesn't the league (NFL or any league for that matter) just mandate a year-round curfew on these guys plus a ban on drinking? Sounds draconian, but wouldn't that solve most of the issues? (not Vick, he's an exception) For their trouble, they'll get financially set for life? Why wouldn't that be fair?
August 29, 2007
#13 Gin said . . .PO'd: I think we can EXPECT them to keep their nose clean, but the fact that there are a few people every year that don't shouldn't surprise anyone. I mean, EVERYONE should keep their nose clean, regardless of how much money they're making. The temptation to do stupid deeds doesn't just disappear when you get money. It might even increase, especially when you're group of friends growing up wasn't the best bunch of people in the world (see Tank, Pacman, and I guess Vick).
In the NFL there are good people and bad people, just like everywhere else.
Drunk driving, in general, goes unpunished. There are very few people who drink that have literally never driven after drinking. The fact that Briggs hit a guardrail shows that it is possible he could have hit other things, but it was 3:15 am, so the likelihood of him killing a kid (hanging out by the expressway) is rather small. The likelihood he hits another car going the other way, maybe was a little higher. Bottom line, he could have killed someone, including himself. If he was drinking I have a problem with it, but I'm not going to say "kick him off the team". I will say "get the man some help so he doesn't repeat this mistake". If he repeats the mistake, treat him like a child. That's how it ought to be. That's how they're treating Pacman and I'm quite ok with that.
Phil: I also noticed yesterday morning that sportscenter and mike and mike were both talking about vick at the exact same time. That was no accident either.
August 29, 2007
#14 jeff said . . .Briggs is either the dumbest, or the smartest guy alive. I mean, he was 100% drunk. It's 3:30 in the morning. He's wasted, crashes his car, but has the intelliegence to flee the scene so nothing can be proved. He's very lucky that his buddy was driving next to him to take him home (they were probably racing). I mean, if you crash a $350K car at 3:30am, isn't your first instinct to flee and report it stolen? Yeah, if you're drunk. I guess for me, I'm happy Briggs fleed because now he'll avoid punishment from the league (which also only suspends repeat offenders, unless you kill dogs) and he'll be able to play every Sunday. Briggs is lucky/smart to have left the scene and avoid the crime. Now nothing can be proved. I can't believe I actually think it's good that he left the scene of an accident. Damn I love these Bears...
August 29, 2007
#15 Rancid said . . .but driving drunk at 3:30 in the morning and fleeing the scene of the crime COULD HAVE endangered the lives of many people, most importantly briggs. what if HE doesn't walk away at all? what if he breaks his leg and is out for the season? what's the fan response?
August 29, 2007
#16 Phil from SATX said . . .It's America, people. Innocent until proven guilty, and Briggs beat the system. He trades a serious DUI for a midemeanor. Was he drunk?, hell yes he was drunk. Can anyone prove it? No. Hence no punishment beyond leaving the scene. Do I think he's a dick? Yes. But I already did. He is just what Phil said, a one year hired gun. I don't like him at all beyond what he can do on the field, but I'll take the upside and I won't be worried when he takes his shiny new Superbowl ring and goes to play for the crap Redskins or some other lame team with no hope for playoffs.
August 29, 2007
#17 JB said . . .I'll just point out one thing - there truly is no law against drinking and driving. There's a law about driving with too much alcohol in your bloodstream. Yes, I agree that there can be little doubt that Lance was drinking, given the fact that he was out as late as he was. But it's still a jump to assume without a doubt that he was over the limit - he might have been like Tank, at a 0.7, or whatever. Gin, enjoyed your post - "Yeah, if you're drunk." Excellent.
Still wondering why these guys insist on driving themselves - if I could have afforded a full time limo like Lance could, I would have never driven one single time after a night of drinking. (Wait did I just admit something? - scratch that last comment).
August 29, 2007
#18 Gin said . . .I have a hard time with this. I watch the bears because I love the team. I revere our players and consider it a family. I am quick to dislike a player that leaves the family for the enemy (Rosy Colvin). I want guys on my team that will win football games. If they are great people (Payton), mores the better. If they are just bad people off the field (Briggs maybe), I don't really care. I will defend our players with a judicial objectivity, saying things like, let the system take care of it, whatever. I'm not writing my mayor because the guy fixing the pot holes did time for assault...I don't care, it's not my business. We're watching a beautiful violent sport, not judging for man of the year. I just want football character...guys that work hard to win games.
With that being said, I couldnt root for someone who kills or hits women/children. My line is drawn when someone does harm to other people/living things. But more than anything, I can't forgive someone who does harm to the organization.
August 29, 2007
#19 Pissed off said . . .In response to you jeff. What if? Exactly, what if? We can play the what if game for ever, but Briggs didn't get hurt, he didn't hurt anyone. People everyday drive drunk and make it home safely. We can play the what if game all day, but in the end, Briggs will get off with only a wrecked $350k car and tarnished his rep in Chicago an even more so. But in the end, it's football and once he sacks Phillip Rivers I'll have forgotten this ever happened...
August 29, 2007
#20 Phil from SATX said . . .Totally off topic, OK well not totally but ponder this: Did/Does the emergence of Devin Hester make us forget about Vick and his skill/devalue his worth as an NFL player?
My point is that when Vick was drafted and during his first few years in the league he was like this physical specimen that could have his way with defenses. So quick and nimble he was impossible to bring down. Defenses planned differently to play the Falcons to contain Vick. I'm not talking anything about his passing ability (of which I think he has next to none and may be the most inaccurate passer ever). But his speed and quickness. Hester is Vick but better in that regard. Special teams must change game plans now in the way they cover kicks and punts when they play the Bears. Granted Vick is QB so he's on the field more and can arguably make more plays because of it but Hester is that guy that teams fear. I think this has devalued Vick as a player.
August 29, 2007
#21 Max said . . .Don't really see how one great player diminishes the value of another great player, but I do think Hester is somewhat unique right now because he does force teams to game plan for him - although you could say that about some of the great runners and the best receivers in the game. But it sure is great to have him on our team.
The fact that Devin truly has had no experience blocking people and the horrible near-injury he sustained goes to show you it may not be as easy as it sounds to change positions - lots to learn.
I certainly hope the Bears go to him early in the season on offense - his value as a decoy (which has the potential to be immense when he's in there on offense) - that value will only be there if he can prove early that he can damage the other team when the ball goes his way. Still think reverses will be the most successful.
The most exciting thing to me that I have seen in preseason is the fact that last year's Hester was no fluke, and he's ready to do it again this year. It's a guarantee that the opposing coaches will not be able to stick to their game plan of kicking away from him all game/all season long, it just won't happen, and he's going to take some more to the house. And to think that he may be able to do similar things on offense?
The mind boggles. Devin Hester - certainly the most exciting player in the NFL, maybe in all of sports?
August 29, 2007
#22 Phil from SATX said . . .Jeff, if he broke his leg, then he aint jumping in a buddies car and driving off. So then if he was drunk, I take the stance of
"well, your an idiot for doing that and you deserve what you got. . . thanks for playing well and if you dont make it back on the field this season, dont let the door hit ya on your way out"
If he wasnt drunk, Id still call him an idiot but be slightly more forgiving.
August 29, 2007
#23 StartOlsen said . . .Here's a classic slam from Rick Morrissey about Lovie:
"Smith doesn't cry wolf. He cries lamb. One of his players could be holding a gasoline can and standing near a house fire, and Smith would complain about fuel prices."
The Chicago reporters are clearly very upset about this.
August 29, 2007
#24 Phil from SATX said . . .Hester the new Vick (on field only)?
I like it.
Especially since I use to joke that we'd only take Vick as a punt returner, and now we wouldn't even do that since Hester is out of this world.
This is a good moment to take in the fact that one of the most special, dynamic, exciting players on the planet IS A BEAR.and, he has the best nickname ever. Devin Fucking Hester. that says it all, eh?
August 29, 2007
#25 StartOlsen said . . .the best tag line
Devin Hester, you are re-DIC-ulous!
also He Gone is pretty awesome as a nickname.
With Michael Jordan now long departed, I'll ask again, who is a more exciting player in sports than him?
August 29, 2007
#26 Phil from SATX said . . .nobody.
Everyone holds their breath, every time he touches the ball.
I usually stand up off the couch without realizing it.
We open our eyes wider
grab on to something
I usually say something like, "honey, watch watch watch"
and she does, not wanting to miss anything.Devin
Fucking
Hester.August 29, 2007
#27 JB said . . .Let's get a promise out of Lovie and Dave Toub:
This year, when Devin catches the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl and spots the Bears another 7 points, and thereby sets up the whole team by making the other guys kick away from him for the rest of the game,
I, Lovie and Dave, promise that we will have the special teams prepared for this and we will know exactly know how to take advantage of it on the way to our Super win
unlike last year when we had our heads firmly wedged up our asses and acted like we had absolutely no idea that this was even coming
We promise.
Is that too much to ask? Thanks.
August 29, 2007
#28 Rancid said . . .good to know i'm not the only one calling him that StartOlsen.
I don't think there is anyone more electrifying than DH. You can't really compare baseball to football, but I love watching Zambrano when he's on his game...pitching with emotion, breaking bats over his knee, cursing in Espanol. LeBron can be pretty amazing to watch in place of Jordan. Misty May & Kerri Walsh, Maria Sharapova, Taryne Mowatt, and Natalie Gulbis are fun to watch in their respective sports for other, more, ah, personal reasons. But no, exciting/electrifying/jaw dropping plays, it's DH all the way.
August 29, 2007
#29 Pissed off said . . ."most exciting player in sports" is a hard category to be the best in but as Bears fan I am more than willing to put Hester there!
As far as the nickname goes, I have to go with He Gone since I am not willing to scream "Devin Fucking Hester" at the top of lungs in front of my 3 year old. Wow, parenting has really changed how I watch sports.
August 29, 2007
#30 Rancid said . . .Please for the love of God, not "he gone". I hate it, its fitting but I hate it. Not cuz I hate Hawk or the White Sox (ok I do a little) I just cant stand when he uses that phrase. Had that phrase been original when created as a nickname for Hester, I love it but being its prior use I hate it. He doesnt really have an appointed nickname does he? Dante Hall had the "X factor" I think it was and there have been other clever ones but I dont think Hester has one. Lets have a vote, everyone come up with a nickname, post it and at the end of the week we can vote on our favorite and use it from here on out.
August 29, 2007
#31 Max said . . ."He Gone" was a college nickname though so it's tough to take it away from him. The first place I saw the "He Gone" was in a YouTube clip from his college days when we drafted him. It's that crazy return against Duke, I know it's Duke but I still get pumped watching it. For the record I'm not opposed to a new nickname, I just wanted to clarify that he had it prior to last season.
August 29, 2007
#32 Pissed off said . . ."Anytime" Devin Hester.
Or the Windy City Flyer.
August 29, 2007
#33 Rancid said . . .There are plenty o' names out there and they wont all come to mind but I like "Show-Stopper"
August 29, 2007
#34 Phil from SATX said . . .I just checked my facts on the "He Gone" thing and I must be remembering it wrong. An internet article I was just reading states that his nickname at Miami was "Anytime" as Max stated. This was because he played so many different positions you could find him on the field "anytime". The article also says that the "He Gone" moniker came from none other than the esteemed Tank Johnson, so all the more reason for a new one. I like "Anytime" but it's just ok, not great. I don't like "Windy City Flyer". "Show-Stopper" sounds a little too Pro wrestling for me. So I'm stuck for now, I guess I'll stick with "anytime" unless someone comes up with a really great one. I love looking all this stuff up instead of actually working!
August 29, 2007
#35 Max said . . .How about
Rocket Man
Comes with its own song that could be played every before every kickoff or punt return.
August 29, 2007
#36 jeff said . . .It seems a little to slow for Hester. His theme song has gotta be intimidating . . . unless it is william shatners version.
August 29, 2007
#37 Max said . . .my nickname for hester is always going to be what came out of my mouth in those opening seconds of the super bowl: "fuckkkkkkkkhayahdsjkdkdksjsjdjdjdjdjdjdjdjdjdjdjfuckfuckfuckfuck....ahhhhhhhhhhhh"
August 29, 2007
#38 Phil from SATX said . . .if Hester's nickname was what i said during that return in the Super Bowl, then his name for me as just be a long extended scream.
August 29, 2007
#39 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .My recollection is I say
go go go go go GO GO GO GO followed by a long YEAHHHH!!!
So how about something short but to the point
Go
It is elemental, like he is.
August 29, 2007
#40 Megan said . . .I was crowd surfed from one side of the bar to another during the opening return in the superbowl, screaming something similar to Jeff's blurb.
August 29, 2007
#41 JB said . . .I like Rocket Man. That works.
Or Building on Phil'sGo-Go?
I dunno, maybe "Greased Lightning?"
August 29, 2007
#42 Pissed off said . . .I dunno Phil..."Thriller" comes complete with it's own theme song and may be more accurate. sorry megs, but no greased lightning, that's got a theme some too, but it's way outdated.
I like anytime. How about "180", as in he can completely change the game around with 1 touch. "7-11" because he's always open (might be better for B-Twice or Olsen).
August 29, 2007
#43 beardown1982 said . . .If I had known I'd get this kind of positive response I would have saved it and thrown it in my first Sunday night blog. I cant decide if I like nicknames that go in the middle of his name like Devin "anytime" Hester (too boxingish) or one that goes at the begining or the end. I think I like just a plain old nickname that you dont have to incorporate his own name into. One that when you say it everyone knows who your talking about. Those Chicago guys might remember "the mayor" for Fred Hoiberg or something like that.
August 29, 2007
#44 JB said . . .In the words of Kanye...all Briggs did was "parallel, double park that mothafuckah sideways." And yes, he is an idiot for driving while "fill in the blank." But, let's just hope he learns from this and NEVER does it again.
I think Anytime makes the most sense for Devin...I was at the STL game sitting in the last row of the stadium in one of the end zones. One of the best live sports moments of my life. Everytime I think of Devin, I always seem to hear Thayer saying "Noo Waayyy". Anyone who has Madden this year is probably enjoying his 99 speed as much as I am. I think, if he had a catch phrase, it would be Happy Returns.
Let's hope for more "Happy Returns" this season.
August 29, 2007
#45 Megan said . . .100.
his speed is 100.
August 29, 2007
#46 Coxy said . . .JB, ouch dude!
I LOVE "Happy Returns"
August 29, 2007
#47 Brian Sec 430 Row 30 said . . .How about Heaven Blessed Her.
No idea what it means but hey it rhymes.
August 29, 2007
#48 startOlsen said . . .I love the thought of giving a real nickname to hester....the Windy City Flyer is just about the gayist thing I have ever heard. I think his nickname should just be DH2H...Devin Hester to the House!
"DEVIN HESTER YOU ARE RIDICULOUS!"
Being at Super Bowl XLI and having him run right at my endzone seat was the single greatest sports moment of my life, just talking about Hester literally gives me chills....
August 30, 2007
#49 Max said . . .he transends nicknames.
Devin f@cking Hester is the most natural thing to me, but apparently my level of pottymouth is too high for the board. That is just what I hear myself saying, in an amazed tone of voice... sorta like saying un-f,,ing-beliveable...
the point is, he is beyond nicknaming. announcers usually give nicknames; you all have already cited what annoucers say about him. Ridiculous, amazing, etc- he blows them away. speechless.
goddamn Ive got another man crush. I have to go hug my wife or something.
August 30, 2007
#50 jeff said . . .We have a game tomorrow. . . or i guess by the time the rest of you read this, it is today. Most of the 53 man roster has been filled, but it is always fun to watch (or in most cases, listen to) these guys play their hearts out for a spot. Should be a fun day of football
August 30, 2007
#51 Phil from SATX said . . .not gonna lie. i really like GO.
August 30, 2007
Here's what I picture, and it hit me right after I wrote that word down
Week 10 of the 2006 season.
Hester catches the missed field goal from Jay Feely, pauses, takes a slow step while he is downloading information, then
GO
flashes in his circuitry
and he's gone.
August 30, 2007
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