Comments on: Will someone please sign Brian Banks?

By: kcfan4lyfe

kcfan4lyfe — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:48:27 +0000

even if an NFL team doesnt end up signing him, even to a practice squad, he could try the CFL, or arena league and work his way back to NFL shape…if the talent is there it will show…I hope he does make it…

By: holdsteady76

holdsteady76 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:54:42 +0000

Then again, someone gave Tim Tebow a job so why not? If it sells tickets.

By: holdsteady76

holdsteady76 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:51:25 +0000

Brian should go play in the CFL for a year. If he plays well he MIGHT earn another look next year.

By: defscottyb

defscottyb — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 07:45:11 +0000

I really hate to say this (I’m rooting for the guy) but the reason no one is signing him is because he’s probably not good enough or coaches don’t see any upside. If he was, he’d be signed by now. Man, I’m rooting for him I am… just keeping it real. It’s a business and part of that business is putting the best available talent on the field. Feel good stories are nice and this story would be even better if the kid was really good. The Chiefs say his workout was “decent” but “decent” doesn’t make NFL rosters. Maybe some team will sign him to a practice team and try and develop him. I hope he makes it somewhere. Good luck Brian!

By: warrenpeacephotography

warrenpeacephotography — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:26:25 +0000

I’d like to know how a jury can find an innocent man “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt”

By: laserw

laserw — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 22:09:31 +0000

Contrary to the precedent set by the Dog Killer in Philthydelphia, feel good stories are no owed any slot on a pro football team at this level of play. If Brian wants to play football, let him get the rust off and play for an Arena team or go to Canada where not-ready-for-prime-time players flee to make a name for themselves.

His story may be compelling, but if he isn’t NFL material, no amount of whining will make him NFL caliber.

By: arkadyrenko

arkadyrenko — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 07:51:19 +0000

Amen, Florio. Well said.

By: hooterdawg

hooterdawg — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:21:49 +0000

Maybe this site should hire him, and then explain to the cut staff member that Banks needs a job regardless of his qualifications.

By: mgifford15

mgifford15 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:12:35 +0000

hulkhogansays says:Jun 15, 2012 8:43 PM

RG3 makes dreams come true. All Banks has to do is call RG3 and RG3 will tell Chief M.Shanahan and wah-lah. Banks is a member of the Washington Redskins, home to the greatest QB in football.
——————————————————–

First off, RG3 is more advertisement than product. (shamwow) it’ all hype off the flamboyant socks, good play in a mediocre college conference, and, let’s face it, with andrew luck coming out in 2012, as by far the best prospect in many years, the media/nfl needed a #2 qb to overrate to keep the top 3 in the draft interesting.

Secondly, check shannys record in denver on the players with “questionable pasts” category. (javon walker, darryl gardner, dale carter, maurice clarett, etc.) shanahan isn’t the front office guru he’s made out to be.

also, that “home to the greatest QB in football” comment is just a clown comment, bro.

By: superross

superross — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:00:34 +0000

Very sad story. Life can be unfair. Hopefully, if he does not catch on with an NFL team, this season, he can play with my Alouettes in the CFL. Hopefully that will get him in football shape, so he can help my Jets repeat as super bowl champs next year!

By: briang123

briang123 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:49:13 +0000

What makes me sad is tht this happened during the Bush years, which countless young African-Americans were put in jail so Republican benefactors like Halliburton could get fat private prison contracts. Under Obama, this would have never happened and he would likely have been a two-time Pro Bowler by now.

By: cereal blogger

cereal blogger — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:37:18 +0000

This is the story of the Hurricane II

By: cliffordc05

cliffordc05 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:34:08 +0000

For every signing there is a cut. This is a feel good story and I hope he has the ability to make a roster. I would love to see Florio explain to the person who is cut that Banks deserves a shot, even if he is not quite in the proper shape.

Do not jump on the latest feel good story and thing that there are no downsides. I wish Banks the best, but I don’t think he should get a roster spot because of his story. If he earns it then I have no problem.

By: micker716

micker716 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:31:27 +0000

It’s the NFL not a Lifetime movie. If these teams thought he could help them win, then they would sign him.

By: timasahh

timasahh — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:30:52 +0000

Honestly, why don’t the Eagles give him a shot? Their roster is at 89 right now, have a slew of terrible linebackers behind Ryans and Kendricks, and are known to give people who rightfully went to prison a chance at rehabilitation. Why not someone who did time but not a crime? What is there to lose?

By: goldrush36

goldrush36 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:20:20 +0000

I would love to see the 49ers take a flyer on him. At least onto the practice squad. He would have a real good trio in Willis, Bowman, and Grant to mentor him too. With enough time and coaching you never know when you can find the next Kurt Warner off the streets.

By: oilman989

oilman989 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:03:12 +0000

Look, I feel for the kid. I didn’t spend the last five years of my life in jail wrongly accused. It would be great if I could secure an opportunity to compete for a job in my chosen field.

But guess what, Florio? No one is giving me “a roster spot” to see what I can do!! All potential employers I’ve spoken with want a proven veteran; someone with experience who’s familiar with the business scheme. Times truly ARE tough.

God speed, Brian Banks. I hope we both catch that break.

By: raiderrob21

raiderrob21 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:42:49 +0000

Who?

By: icewalker946

icewalker946 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:25:38 +0000

He would be a 25 year-old rookie after not playing for 5+ years. By the time he shakes the rust off (practice squad) he’ll be 27.

He got screwed over by his lawyer. He deserves to get his life back in order. He doesn’t deserve a roster spot.

That would be like giving Brandon Burlsworth’s brother or friend his roster spot after he got drafted and then died in an auto accident.

The NFL isn’t about charity cases.

By: drinkblatz

drinkblatz — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:25:36 +0000

How about he goes to USC to get an education on scholarship? Wouldn’t that be the feel good story?

By: 69finfan

69finfan — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:16:34 +0000

This was an unfortunate set of circumstances for Brian Banks. I can’t imagine going through what he did. That being said I feel he should be given a fair opportunity to compete for a roster spot, not given a spot. He hasn’t played football in 10 years, didn’t complete High School, didn’t play 1 down in College and you want an NFL Team to give him a roster spot? He was given a fair opportunity to make a team and apparently wasn’t good enough. If he can earn his way on a team great, but he should not be given a spot. That would be wellfare, too much of that in this country already.

By: kowboydmac

kowboydmac — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:06:24 +0000

I agree with the NCAA allowing him a 2 year scholarship. This is obviously a unique incident, and I feel he should at least get a chance at what he missed initially: A scholarship. Even if he has to play at Abilene Christian or Appalachian State, this would at least let him get his mind right (education) and help his conditioning.

By: beerbudsnbevo

beerbudsnbevo — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:02:48 +0000

Yeah somebody should give him a roster spot….

I mean hell, it’s not my money right?

Feel good stories and running a multi million dollar business are two different things

By: santolonius

santolonius — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:01:26 +0000

as much as i would like to agree with this post, i just can’t. these coaches aren’t playing tiddly winks. you give a player a spot because you think he has a chance to make your team, not because the guy deserves it or because it will be a feel-good story. that said – i do love a feel-good story and i hope banks gets in shape and makes it someday.

By: expertop

expertop — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 01:46:03 +0000

Maybe he’s not that good, Mike. The guy’s got a sad story, and was done a serious injustice. A lot of people are treated unjustly. That doesn’t mean they somehow deserve to play in the National Football League.

By: karlton2

karlton2 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 01:41:55 +0000

Somewhere in 32 cities across the US, 1 player in each city is wondering why their lifetime of hard work and dedication to their sport is no longer good enough for their shot at the NFL dream.

By: scoob766

scoob766 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 01:41:53 +0000

@seahawks55, your name sucks, but I agree. I mean Brandon Weeden is like 50 right?

By: charltonhestonsvest

charltonhestonsvest — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 01:38:07 +0000

Why don’t you give him a job at PFT? You want him to be employed so badly, why don’t you step up to the plate?

By: jwil444

jwil444 — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 01:25:27 +0000

They will if he earns it………… the NFL is not a socialist league, get a grip man!

By: Christian

Christian — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 01:18:09 +0000

For those of you saying “football isn’t about feel good stories” and “You can’t give him a roster spot out of pity, Florio,” how do you explain the Buccaneers’ signing of Eric Legrand?

The signing of Legrand (and the potential signing of Banks) can have a significant positive effect on the locker room, and how a fan base mobilizes behind a team.

I’m not saying the Bucs SHOULD have signed Legrand, or that anyone else SHOULD sign Banks, but there is definitely room to do it, and Florio is right–this isn’t about how he performs on the spot, with the ankle bracelet freshly removed. It’s about how he can develop.