Deion Sanders' involvement with Dez Bryant ultimately cost the Oklahoma State wideout his eligibility. His involvement with Michael Crabtree has, at the very least, touched off a tampering investigation against the New York Jets.
Yet NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell decided to tread very lightly when discussing Sanders and the apparent conflicts of interest he's been involved in recently as an employee of NFL Network and an advisor to young men.
"Some of the things that Deion is involved with are very positive things because they are working in the best interest of our players and making sure our players are better prepared to make decisions and make good decisions as they develop in their careers," said Goodell(Apparently, we're going to overlook Deion's counsel of Crabtree, who just completed a 70-plus day holdout. Maybe it was Hammer's fault. Ahem.)
"I support Deion in doing that," Goodell added. "He has actually been helpful to me in giving me feedback from time to time about issues that we have to face as a league as it relates to the players. But he does have a job with the NFL Network and he has to be careful of any conflict of interests. That has been made clear to Deion and it is something that he is going to have to manage. Particularly as his interests take him further down that road potentially."
That last bit about going "further down that road" seems to point to Sanders getting involved even more deeply in counseling, training, providing life skills and contract advice to young players. Because why should Crabtree and Bryant be the only ones to benefit from having Deion around?
What's Neon gonna teach anyone?
How To Not Tackle Anyone or How To Dance?
Worthless
Goodell is a spineless sell-out.
Deion is a loser. I'd spit on his face if I ever saw him.
I think it was Cromartie.. who spent some time with Deon. Cromartie has been a bust ever since.
His "teachings" do wonders....just ask Dre' Bly
copy pasta
What's with the snark on this blog? Sanders didn't advise him on the business side of things, that's what an agent receives a cut for. Are these the only two players he's counseled? Are you gonna cover the others Curran or just pick and choose the ones that reinforce your prejudiced notions?
As for what Neon can teach someone, let's see, as one of the greatest players of all time and a sure fire HOF'er as a CB, I'm sure there's quite a few things he can show WR's when it comes to beating coverages. I don't want my CB's tackling people, if they have to tackle someone, that either means my DL and LB's are atrocious or that the CB is getting thrown on a lot. It's not a coincidence he's the greatest lockdown CB ever and a terrible tackler.
"What's Neon gonna teach anyone?
How To Not Tackle Anyone or How To Dance?"
Maybe he'll teach how many ways you can score a TD since he's the only guy that's scored a TD in every way it's possible to score a TD. Kick return, punt return, INT return, fumble return, receiving and rushing.
"Because why should Crabtree and Bryant be the only ones to benefit from having Deion around?"
Great line! Good article.
Loved Deion as a player, like him as a broadcaster, but he seems to be quite a bust as advisor to young players. Let the player beware....
@defenders - dude..Deion would shut down your FAVORITE wr any given sunday! ps..its not a CB's job to tackle, thats why you pay DL & LBs! CBs cover..thats what they do!
@Gurp--sure you would! thats why u talk tough on message boards! dont get it twisted bc of the fancy suits, hes still a brother from the projects of ft lauderdale who will kick the shit outta you! fake tough guy actin hard behind a keyboard..what has he done to you?
@twinsanity--FINALLY! a sensible comment! thanks for injecting non-hating rationale
the guy was one of the BEST players, regardless of position in the NFL in the 1990s..you cant take that away from him bc u didnt like his antics or whatever...no one seems to remember golden boy Favre abusing alcohol and pain killers!! nope, only bash the ones who you are jealous of
If he truly is giving some of these kids advice on life/life in the NFL, than I guess thats good. I just wonder if its good advice. I know some of these kids had no fathers and it shows. I just have a hard to time trusting a guy that always has sommething to say and mouth runs non stop. Plus, it seemed like Deon, as talented as he was, kinda sold himself out to the almighty dollar more than once in his career.
I agree with you to a point twinsanity. Your CB should be able to tackle. I understand about the DL and LB, but what about on a pass. They have nothing to do with tackling WR. Tackling is a part of the game.
"As for what Neon can teach someone, let's see, as one of the greatest players of all time and a sure fire HOF'er as a CB, I'm sure there's quite a few things he can show WR's when it comes to beating coverages. I don't want my CB's tackling people, if they have to tackle someone, that either means my DL and LB's are atrocious or that the CB is getting thrown on a lot. It's not a coincidence he's the greatest lockdown CB ever and a terrible tackler. "
dude..are you serious? you dont want corners TACKLING?? one of the basic things a defensive player is supposed to do? and its pretty common knowledge and widely understood that primetime had horrible technique as a corner but was blessed with exceptional closing speed. A lot of his picks came because he was often out of position and thrown at early in his career because of it but quickly adjusted because of his speed... give me scrabble (Nnamdi) ANY DAY who is NEVER out of position, never gets thrown on...oh yeah, and actually makes tackles.
Yeah GurpBadesha -
And he'd probably kick your sorry tail until you were a bloody pulp.
"Maybe he'll teach how many ways you can score a TD since he's the only guy that's scored a TD in every way it's possible to score a TD. Kick return, punt return, INT return, fumble return, receiving and rushing."
maybe he can teach someone just to be a fast pussy...its why he said he enjoyed baseball more.
Deion has some issues. Remember when he tried to adopt West Virginia's Noel Devine. He moved Devine into his home until Devine stole Deion's wife's car and took it to the airport to fly out of town. He has an obsession with associating himself with young talent either for money or other motives. I think Dre Bly honored Deion perfectly on his interception return by looking like a selfish jackass.
"Maybe he'll teach how many ways you can score a TD since he's the only guy that's scored a TD in every way it's possible to score a TD. Kick return, punt return, INT return, fumble return, receiving and rushing."
... or to be the only person on the field to get run over by the QUARTERBACK. I remember he had to come out for two plays after a feeble attempt at a backpeddaling tackle before being bowled over by Jeff Hoestetler
I am starting to wonder if he is on the downlow.
The Commish officially just jumped the shartk. So much for the "Follow The Letter Of The Law" Commissioner. He stands up tough to players and coaches, but when it comes to Deion or Owners, he wilts. Deion tampered, potentially runied 2 nfl careers in a week, and all the Commish can say is that Deion needs to be careful and will continue down the road.
Lame and now I have no respect for him. So much for cleaning up the NFL. You just pushed the trash to the side rather than cleaning it up.
Two people I would never take advice from on league matters and both are named Deion Sanders
"Deion Sanders' involvement with Dez Bryant ultimately cost the Oklahoma State wideout his eligibility"
No it didn't. Bryant's lying was the cause of his problems.
A lesson for you perhaps?
And you boss Poor Florio.
Wait a sec here......how did Deion cost Dez his ineligibility? From everything I read, Dez lied which is why he was ruled ineligible. It wouldn't matter if Dez came to MY house then lied about it, would it?
Someone tell me where I am wrong here......
Sanders has to be one of the biggest assholes to come out of pro football, period!!!
"and its pretty common knowledge and widely understood that primetime had horrible technique as a corner but was blessed with exceptional closing speed."
Jeez. Yeah that's all it takes. Speed. That's why track stars make such great defensive backs.
"horrible technique"
Would you like to explain why his coverage technique was horrible, professor? People say that a lot, but nobody explains why they feel that way.
deion gave up a td to thigpen in the sb. yancey ran a slant near the goal line. neon doesnt go in there. he could get hurt...
sure he had talent. but he didnt do jack on running plays. and when he got his wish and got to play offense that year when dallas' playoff hopes were fading, loads of opposing d-players lined up to clean his stopped clock.
cause ya see, when people know you have the ball, you cant really shy away from contact. it's going to find you.
delhomme burnt him badly in jake's first start too.
he was an a-hole from day one, meaning in college.
@ OldSkoolRules
You couldn't have put it any better.
"give me scrabble (Nnamdi) ANY DAY who is NEVER out of position, never gets thrown on"
How does he get interceptions if nobody ever throws on him?
"maybe he can teach someone just to be a fast pussy"
And take all those nickels away from your girlfriend, sporto?
"Would you like to explain why his coverage technique was horrible, professor? People say that a lot, but nobody explains why they feel that way."
I dont think I necessairly said that I feel that way..I reiterated that even when he was playing the prevailing theme was that his stance was, his first step was wrong, he didnt always break down properly, etc. NFL players, analysts, teams, whatever say that..maybe you should ask them. It is however well acknowledged that he was fast, and had good instincts and made plays.. I dont think Deion would get away with that with todays receivers who are just as fast and more technically sound, bigger, jump higher...who was Deions toughest opponent? Jerry Rice? great WR, but not known for size and speed. Sterling Sharpe? Andre Rison? Heywood jefferies? you said it, speed doesnt always translate to good DBs..ask Fabian Washington. Deion was fast, had good instincts, and by your own acknowledgemtn, on all acounts overcame bad technique..that said, in TODAYS game, give me a CB who tackles and plays sound football.
Sanders Only Wished He Was As Great As Rod Woodson.
Woodson Is The Definition Of A CB
"Jeff Hoestetler"
It was 6'5", 230 pound Dave Brown, dummy. I can remember Asomugha getting destroyed by the Patriots last season. Got a couple of defensive holding calls trying to deal with Randy Moss... great technique, I guess. Nobody ever turned Deion Sanders out like that. Not Joe Montana, not Steve Young or Troy Aikman, not BertFarve, not Warren Moon. And certainly not Matt Cassel. I wonder how hAsomugha felt when 5'9", 190 pound Wee Wes Welker blocked him completely out of the play and about 5 yards downfield on Sammy Morris's 35 yard TD run?
I think Deion must have taught the entire Washington Redskins secondary how to tackle. I mean, he is probably still collecting a paycheck from Danny boy!
"It was 6'5", 230 pound Dave Brown, dummy."
actually douche-bag, it was Jeff Hoestetler.. I was AT THE GAME. And I remember seeing it repeatedly on highlights and laughing. Maybe Dave Brown did then too...actually maybe EVERY corner in the league did at one point...dummy.
your gross love affair with anyone that ever put on a cowboys helmet makes you sound like a fag..and a dummy. At least when a player on my team sucks, i say they suck. you defend every cowboys player that you ever slept with....dummy
"I don't think I necessarily said that I feel that way"
Uh huh.
"maybe you should ask them"
You're the one that said it. I'm asking you.
"todays receivers"
It's not like he quit playing 20 years ago. I mean the guy had two interceptions in 2005 and three in 2004, including one for a TD. Not sure how you can diminish guys like Rice, Sharpe etc. Who are the best in today's NFL? Randy Moss is the only physical freak that I see, and he's got problems that may keep him out of future conversations about the "best evers".
"by your own acknowledgement on all accounts overcame bad technique"
I didn't say that. I think his "technique" was fine. Very unconventional, but fine for him. Seems to have worked out pretty well. That's one of those keywords that pundits and coaches overuse. I don't care how technically sound a defender is, a perfectly executed offensive play will beat him more times than not. Playmakers use whatever they have to make plays, period. Speed, size, strength, whatever. That's the proper technique.
"actually douche-bag, it was Jeff Hoestetler.. I was AT THE GAME"
Yeah? Which game? Hostetler played in two career games against Deion Sanders. He was with the Raiders in both games. 1994 when Sanders was with the 49ers (1 rush, 1 yard), and 1995 when he was with the Cowboys (1 rush, 0 yards, got hurt and was replaced by Vince Evans).
I still think that you're thinking of Dave Brown but if you saw that one, then you had to have seen it in Texas Stadium. A big deal was made of it at the time.
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/1995/12/18/1995-12-18_brown_does_deion_shuffle_pok.html
"Woodson"
Naah, Irvin pwned Woodson's soul every time they faced each other. NObody did that to Deion. NObody.
"sure he had talent. but he didnt do jack on running plays."
Why don't you ask Bam Morris if Deion did jack on running plays?
"and when he got his wish and got to play offense that year when dallas' playoff hopes were fading, loads of opposing d-players lined up to clean his stopped clock."
That's funny, I seem to remember him catching a 47 yard pass in the same Super Bowl.
"delhomme burnt him badly in jake's first start too."
Did you know that Jake Delhomme's first NFL pass was an interception by Deion Sanders?
goodell has no balls.
give deion a cease-and-desist order. he can't have his cake and eat it too, conflict of interest. the NFL should terminate deion's contract if he wishes to ruin young players careers