Every time an owner or general manager drafts a wide receiver you know they are holding their breath. They hope they get superstar production without what now seems to be the gold standard for all wideouts; off the field problems and huge egos.
It seems almost mandatory that touchdown receptions and first downs are accompanied by legal problems and character issues. Many people are left wondering if it is worth it to have players like that on their football team.
Randy Moss and Terrell Owens are both examples of players who are great on the field and horrible off it. Everyone remembers Randy Moss bumping a meter maid with his car. Moss is also known for staring down a camera and exclaiming “Straight cash homie!” in regards to his $10,000 fine he received for fake mooning Packer fans during a playoff game in 2005. Terrell Owens’ actions are not far from memory either. The way he left San Francisco and Philadelphia has tarnished an otherwise tremendous career. Owens once went as far to imply that his former quarterback, Jeff Garcia, was gay. Though their production on the field beats out the majority of other players, you have to wonder if stars like these do more harm than good.
For a less extreme example you have to go no further than Chad Ocho Cinco. When Chad Ocho Cinco was coming up as a player he was loved by fans all across the NFL. People cited him as an example of how a player can celebrate and still be good for his team. The issue was debatable; while many felt he was just a harmless goofball, he has rubbed many fans and sportswriters the wrong way with his celebrations and boasting. On the field Ocho Cinco led the AFC in receiving yards for a record four straight seasons. Recently, his trade demands and lack of current production have led many to believe that he is not worth the hassle.
The wideout plague has even hit the once infallible New York Giants. Plaxico Burress, the player who caught the game winning touchdown in last year’s Superbowl, was once famous for being a team player and producing on the gridiron while being injured. Now he is famous for being late for meetings, felony gun charges, and shooting himself in the leg. The Giants’ offense has not been the same since Burress’ legal issues have surfaced. It appears that his distractions are worth enduring.
Big named wide receivers aren’t the only ones with issues. Brandon Marshall has had several brushes with the law in his life. The most recent accusations are domestic abuse and a DUI charge. On the field Marshall has a reputation for being an aggressive wideout who loves contact. A dominant force at his position, he demands double teams and still manages to put up impressive numbers. He is still a younger person, and many hope that he can clean up his act.
Santonio Holmes has added an explosive element to what used to be a run only Pittsburgh Steeler offense. Like the rest of these players, Holmes play has come at a price. Marijuana and domestic abuse charges have plagued Holmes’ early career. Still, he gives Big Ben another viable receiving target. Like Brandon Marshall, Holmes is in his early twenties and some feel that he can change as a human being.
Each player on this list is at tremendous talent. They all have the ability to change the game with one crisp route. They also have the ability to hurt their team by being arrested, suspended, bringing negative press to their franchise, and some of them have been known to take plays off. If the question being asked is are they worth it? The answer is a resounding yes. Terrell Owens was a coveted by the Eagles and Ravens when he was up for trade. Randy Moss had not produced for several seasons and was traded away to the no nonsense Patriots. Chad Johnson had several suitors this past offseason. The fact of the matter is that while Holmes and Marshall are still slightly unproven, they are needed on their teams. The only player on this list that has actually received any real punishment from their team is Plaxico Burress.
I think the question that should be asked is this; can we blame teams for wanting to win so badly that they put a malcontent wideout on their team?