In the endless debate about rookie hazing that has cropped up in NFL training camps across the country, count Colts quarterback Peyton Manning as one who supports Dez Bryant’s refusal to carry Roy Williams’ pads, and doesn’t think Tim Tebow should have been given a haircut.
“You’ve seen all the highlights with the rookie hazing and haircuts,” Manning said, per John Oehser of FanHouse. “We don’t do that around here, because we don’t treat the guys like rookies. We expect those guys to play this year and to play well.”
Manning says the Colts’ attitude toward rookie hazing stems from the team’s philosophy that if a rookie is going to be on the roster, he’s going to contribute just like everyone else.
“We’re probably not very patient,” Manning said. “We don’t cut them a whole lot of slack. If they’re on the team, we expect them to know the offense and to be in there. That’s why we treat them all like veterans.”
Although I’ll admit the Tebow haircut is funny, I have to side with Manning on this one. NFL rookies ought to be treated like the professionals they are, not like freshmen at a frat house.