Tank Johnson Question

[Litics]

I am a supporter of the crack down on players who are acting stupid and endangering the public. I completely agree with Pacman’s punishment and if Vick is found to be involved in this dog thing I think he should be suspending for a year if not longer. However I don’t necessary agree with the recent events with Tank. Yes he should have been suspended for the 8 games for violating his probation but doing 40 in a 25mph zone being the straw that broke the camel’s back?? That’s weak. To be honest I could easily see myself doing 40 in a 25; especially at 330 in the morning when there is no traffic. What about you? Its not like he was racing down the freeway at 100+ (ah-la Mario).
Now I realize there is suspicion that he was intoxicated and if the blood test comes back positive… then I can agree with him getting cut and further suspended. But at this point that is still unknown.
So I guess my question is... in this situation have the Bear acted prematurely?

[El Tejano]

I think it depends on what he and the Bears discussed. You ever heard of deffered ajudication? Or SR22s? That is when the court tells you hey if you can go this long without any speeding tickets or traffic violations then we will dismiss that ticket. Or if you have an SR22 it pretty much means, you have to drive with insurance and if you get caught either driving without insurance or with another violation you can lose your driving PRIVILEGE!
Now my point being is that playing in the NFL or on an NFL team is a privilege. Regardless of wether you were heavily recruited or not, there are alternatives to what you could be doing. If the NFL says, "Hey no more police incidents" then I better be following all laws if I want to continue to play. If the Bears said, anymore bad news coming from you, then I better make sure to keep my nose in a play book, working out and watching game tape, adjusting my savings accounts, working on cars, having autograph sessions, trying to prove my dedication to my team etc...
That being said though, a traffic ticket is also known as a misdemeanor (less criminal act) or infraction (minor offense, minor violation, petty offense). To me that isn't grounds for releasing a very important piece to your defense. What it means to me is that the Bears wanted to see if he could keep his nose clean. He didn't and so now there is the suspicion of will this guy even be here after 8 weeks into the season if we let him off the hook or will he do something to mess things up again. Meanwhile Work Hard DT is proving something in camp but we're releasing him for a guy that we are up in the air about.
Let's put it this way, a misdemeanor is not keeping me from wanting this guy on The Texans but it was the previous stuff that will keep Mcnair from picking him up.

[jvaldez1984]

What peaked my attention about this whole thing is now they are thin at DT...How about sending our T. Johnson up there for a draft pick?

[outofhnd]

Doubt they want to take is 1st round salary off our hands.

[srstex]

My take on Tank goes back to the weapons charge, for weapons that were registered in his name just not in the state he was in, or I am missing something? If I am right the jail time was stiff IMO.

[HydrOshocK]

I am a supporter of the crack down on players who are acting stupid and endangering the public. I completely agree with Pacman’s punishment and if Vick is found to be involved in this dog thing I think he should be suspending for a year if not longer. However I don’t necessary agree with the recent events with Tank. Yes he should have been suspended for the 8 games for violating his probation but doing 40 in a 25mph zone being the straw that broke the camel’s back?? That’s weak. To be honest I could easily see myself doing 40 in a 25; especially at 330 in the morning when there is no traffic. What about you? Its not like he was racing down the freeway at 100+ (ah-la Mario).
Now I realize there is suspicion that he was intoxicated and if the blood test comes back positive… then I can agree with him getting cut and further suspended. But at this point that is still unknown.
So I guess my question is... in this situation have the Bear acted prematurely?

I agree 100%. When I first heard this story I thought it seemed a little severe also. I could also see myself going 40 in a 25 (I practically do it every day). Also, if I'm not mistaken, the suspicion of intocixation was "minimal" and he was released without being charged. I know the Bears are trying to set an example with the zero tolerance policy but the punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime in this case. However, it was his conviction on the weapons charges that put him on the short leash to begin with.
Is he worth the Texans bringing him in? Probably not but you have to think he'll be out to prove something if/when he comes back with a different team. An owner like Jerry Jones would take a chance on him.

[outofhnd]

As I have stated on previous topics regarding this issue.
Probation is clearly defined set of rules you must follow. One rule on probation is to not have any adverse contact with law enforcement.
He had an adverse contact with law enforcement, enough to where they were not going to let him drive away with just a ticket. That is a violation of his probation, as well as a violation of his aggreement with the NFL. You guys sit there and say it is harsh, but I ask you after spending 45 days in jail, meetings with the commisioner and getting a 10 game suspension without pay, why put yourself in the position to where you would be considered impaired to drive? Probation also stipulates that you not consume any alcohol or be at a place that gets more than 50% of their profits from liquor sales. Probation is a cakewalk but there are alot of things that they will not allow an arrest is one of those. Tank knew the risks and he got burned, why? because he was not paying attention and was going 40 in a 25... thats all it takes. Poor choices.

[Mr.Bigglesworth]

LOL! I'd sign Maddox and Johnson-Johnson to decent contracts and drop Travis like a rock.

The guy in unmotivated and is a disgrace! Why Kubiak has not cleaned him out is a mystery that we now have Okoye.

[outofhnd]

the avg defensive tackle takes 3 years before he develops and actually shows his full potential.
That plus his salary is not something another team wants to take considering his production.