We recently pointed out in a SportingNews.com item that the revised (as of 2007) personal conduct policy seems to be working, finally.
Still, even if current players finally are figuring out the consequences of misconduct, the new guys need to know what they should and shouldn’t do, too.
They got more than a taste of that at the Rookie Symposium, where all of them (except Percy “Swine Flu” Harvin) heard all about the examples set by the guys who have screwed things up.
And maybe the message got through, at least to some of them.
“A lot of times, guys end up in the wrong situations, whether it’s
being in the wrong place at the wrong time or making poor decisions,”
Jaguars tackle Eugene Monroe, the eighth overall pick in the 2009 draft, told Steve Wyche of NFL.com. “Seeing those things play out here and in real life lets
me, and hopefully others, realize that you really don’t want to get
caught up with those things.”
Browns first-round center Alex Mack realizes the scrutiny he’ll face. “People would love to be an NFL player. A lot of them, like me,
strive to be an NFL player,” Mack said. “What we
do, people see. They take notice, so how we behave and carry ourselves
matters a lot. I’ve heard it a lot: ‘Those guys make a lot of money.
Why would they do such stupid things?’
“Most people would love
to be in our position, and they wouldn’t do such stupid things. I hope
I don’t. You shouldn’t want to lose what we have.”
The presentation included a visit from former NFL defensive lineman Marcellus Wiley, who told the rookies that he used to illegally carry a gun, and that he eventually pitched the thing into Niagara Falls.
Hopefully, the rookie took heed — and didn’t simply regard Wiley’s words as the rantings of a grumpy old man.
Nice site guys, it looks crisp. I do miss the turd watch though.
Wiley is a man the younguns would be wise to take wisdom from. There are too many Dexter “Man Love” Manley stories out there, and not enough of good men teaching potentially good boys to become the same.
Sadly…even great men cannot cure a broken noggin. Look at Brandon “*Insert play on crime name here*” Marshall. He had one of the all time greats in Rod Smith in his ear and vouching for him to the league office…and STILL finds his way to the police blotter and dirt-sheet sites (No, not this one Florio!) despite such mentoring.
typical NBC, the FEEDBACK button doesnt work!
The presentation included a visit from former NFL defensive lineman Marcellus Wiley, who told the rookies that he used to illegally carry a gun, and that he eventually pitched the thing into Niagara Falls.
So he is telling them he went from a thug to a polluter? Any other great advice?
What happened to User Ratings for rating comments?
Notice the positive quotes come from O-Lineman, who are hailed as the smartest players on the field. Outside of Eric Steinbach’s boozing bumper boat fiasco who was the last OL to get in trouble?
There’s the solution, get rid of all non O-Lineman in the NFL that should clean it up.
Hopefully the players coming into the league today have been watching what’s been happening to screw ups. Too many guys put themselves in bad positions, or make poor decisions. The NFL needs to keep bringing the hammer down on trouble makers.
here’s to hoping Percy Harvin can’t keep his big mouth shut.
The ones that will heed it would have likely without the warning. There will still be some that no matter who you put up front are not going to listen.
Young age + money is going to equal bad in some cases no matter what you do.
my advice to rookies; “you can get as f&%#ed up as you want when you retire, which will probably be within 2 years…”