The Playbook Commentary:
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to pose the million dollar question to two NFL players. Point blank I asked, "What are your colleagues thinking continuing to get in trouble?" Their response (names will not be included) were enlightening. One said, "Since being in the league, its only over the past year or so that the examples given during the rookie symposium have become relevant and had an impact." He went on to share that he makes it a point to just go to work and that is it. Because, he says, "playing is a job". He works so hard that all he feels like doing is going home and chillin' out. But, if he does go out, he is with folks who clearly have his back.
The other player said, "Bottom-line, it's easy to get into trouble and harder to get out. That keeps me in line as much as is possible. But, anything can happen to anyone under the right the situation." They both also said, it's mainly ego that gets guys in trouble, as well as the folks you choose to have in your circle.
My follow up was about the symposium. I asked if the symposium was the first time they were taught specifically about choices and consequences. And, they said yes. I then asked, "So, it is safe to say that goes for most rookie players?" "Yes." Now, of course a lot of players come from a strong family. But, a lot don't. Either way, the symposium is the only introduction or reinforcement of the choice/consequence lesson. But, it should not be. It should be taught on the high school level, if not middle school. So, again, time to plug The Playbook: Mentoring Initiative as this is what we are looking to accomplish.
By the time an aspiring student-athlete is drafted and participate in the rookie symposium, at least the lesson on choice/consequence should be a topic they are more than familiar with.Marshall's charge dropped; suspension still possible
Associated Press
A disorderly conduct charge against Denver
Broncos receiver
Brandon Marshall has been dismissed in an Atlanta court, according to his Denver-based lawyer, Harvey Steinberg.
The Pro Bowl receiver, however, still faces possible suspension for repeated violations of the NFL's personal conduct code. The league doesn't require convictions for the commissioner to suspend a player.
"We will (still) look into it," league spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press.
When reached by
FOX 31 KDVR in Denver, Marshall said, "I'm very happy, thank you. This is still not a good time, and there's a lot that I have to go through."
Marshall was suspended for a game last year for repeated run-ins with the law. He was looking at perhaps a suspension of eight games or more.
Marshall was arrested in Atlanta on Sunday morning following a fight and spent five hours in Atlanta City Jail before posting $300 bond.
He was suspended for three games last season for repeatedly running afoul of the law — Marshall's suspension stemmed from seven police-related incidents with his former girlfriend, Rasheedah Wately. But he had his punishment reduced to a single game when he pledged to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that he would stay out of trouble.
Marshall, 24, now potentially faces a longer suspension to start the 2009 season, perhaps as much as eight games, which is the punishment other players have received for repeatedly getting into trouble off the field.
The league doesn't require convictions for the commissioner to suspend a player.
Team spokesman Patrick Smyth said the
Broncos were aware of reports of Marshall's arrest but had no comment, and Marshall's Denver-based lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, also declined comment in a text to The AP.
His agent, Kennard McGwire, didn't immediately return an e-mail. Calls and e-mails also were sent after hours to
Broncos general manager Brian Xanders and league spokesman Greg Aiello.
It was a March 6, 2008, arrest on a domestic violence warrant filed by his former girlfriend in Atlanta that led Goodell to summon Marshall to his New York offices last summer to explain his series of misdeeds. At that time, Marshall also faced a drunken driving trial that didn't fall under the league's personal conduct policy that would allow for suspension.
After sitting out the opener last season, Marshall returned from his suspension insisting he had turned round his life. He began making weekly visits to the
Darrent Williams Teen Center on his days off to help inner city youths, something he said kept him grounded and fed his desire to stay off the police blotter.
Marshall said at the Pro Bowl last month he was ready to settle down and he proposed to his fiance, Michi Nogami, while in Hawaii for the all-star game.
Broncos fans hoped this was another sign of Marshall maturing.
Marshall caught 104 passes for 1,265 yards and six TDs last season. But he dropped 18 on-target passes, something he blamed on the nerve damage in his right arm, which he put through a television set while horsing around with his brother in the offseason.
In three NFL seasons, Marshall has caught 226 passes for 2,899 yards and 15 touchdowns, although he's fumbled eight times, losing four.
Marshall is expected to seek a monster contract this year befitting his immense talents and reflecting his back-to-back 100-catch seasons.
His arrest came the same weekend another one of the team's leaders found himself in the news. Quarterback
Jay Cutler, a fellow 2006 draft pick who also made his first trip to the Pro Bowl last month, is angry he was the subject of trade talks for
Matt Cassel and has suggested his relationship with new coach Josh McDaniels has been strained.
FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Marshall's charge dropped; suspension still possible
