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Thread: Bad boys: NFL 2009 'All-Notorious' Offense

  1. #1
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    Default Bad boys: NFL 2009 'All-Notorious' Offense

    Posted: June 8, 2009
    In past years, my primary online hangout has grouped together the NFL's bad boys under a distinctive name that isn't quite ready for the main stream.

    This year, we're exporting the list to SportingNews.com, under a more palatable title.


    But the spirit is the same -- guys who create trouble off the field, on the field, in the locker room, or some combination of the three.

    And, as usual, the offensive side of the ball is dominated by one specific position. Check it out:

    Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos. Though it seems ESPN might be ignoring some serious flaws in the lingering allegations of violence pending against Marshall, the Broncos' receiver continues to be on track for serious consequences to his career, if he doesn't clean up his act. He dodged a bullet when disorderly conduct charges from March 2009 promptly were dismissed; he won't be so lucky if convicted on the allegations from March 2008.

    Plaxico Burress, WR, unattached. He single-handedly derailed the Giants' run at back-to-back championships. (Or, as the case may be, single-fingeredly.) His ill-advised decision to carry a loaded and unlicensed firearm in Manhattan resulted in two holes in his leg -- and possibly a long time in jail.

    Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals. Though he's no longer whining and crying for a ticket out of town, the player who loved his alter ego so much that he took on its name and has stayed away -- again -- from offseason workouts, creating a distraction that a team, trying hard to put a nightmarish season behind it, simply doesn't need.

    Donte' Stallworth, WR, Browns. After more than a few close calls involving other NFL players who drove after drinking, Stallworth became the first one whose alleged inebriation claimed a life since Leonard Little 11 years ago. Hopefully, Stallworth's case will serve as a wake-up call for other men who have enough money to afford another way home -- and apparently too much pride to admit that they shouldn't be driving.

    Biren Ealy, WR, unattached. We've likely heard the last of the tackling dummy who was dumped by the Saints only days after being arrested in early May. But the allegations are the stuff of legend, involving a claim that, after being told by a woman to stop urinating in public, Early used a certain prop to illustrate his displeasure with the directive.

    Matt Jones, WR, unattached. After three mediocre-at-best seasons with the Jaguars, Jones was arrested for felony possession of cocaine. He entered a pre-trial diversion program, served a three-game suspension, and put together a surprisingly strong 2008 campaign in Jacksonville. And then Jones got himself thrown in jail for a week after testing positive for alcohol. It was the last straw for the Jaguars, and they cut the first-rounder who failed to deliver on an incredible amount of potential.

    Kolo Kapanui, TE, unattached. See Biren Ealy.

    Jerramy Stevens, TE, Buccaneers. This guy's rap sheet and various other allegations of antisocial behavior qualifies him for a spot on this roster for as long as he's playing for an NFL team.

    Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints. He was a major disappointment in his first year with the Saints, and he has laid the foundation for another subpar season by augmenting his offseason workout regimen with a bout of "dehydration."

    Quinn Ojinnaka, OL, Falcons. Arrested for allegedly fighting with his wife over his use of a popular social-networking site, Ojinnaka apparently took the term "Facebook" a bit too literally.

    Richie Incognito, OL, Rams. Playing at a position that typically is steeped in anonymity, Incognito is trying to shed his reputation for being a loose cannon.

    Bryant McKinnie, OL, Vikings. McKinnie was suspended four games to start the 2008 season after being arrested for allegedly swinging a pole at a Miami bouncer.

    Jason Peters, OL, Eagles. A lengthy holdout (i.e., violation of his contract) in 2008 forced the Bills to trade him before he had a chance to violate his contract again.

    Gosder Cherilus, OL, Lions. Beaten on a play last season by Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, Cherilus dove at Allen's knee. Cherilus also got into trouble in college, allegedly breaking a guy's back while supposedly breaking up a fight.

    Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs. A couple of incidents involving allegations of misbehavior against women caused Johnson to miss several games in 2008, including a one-game suspension imposed by the league. Though he's now on his best behavior for fear of being cut and not being paid a big-money salary that no other team would offer him, Johnson's off-field misconduct coupled with a variety of reported fines for football-related rules violations makes him the perfect candidate for this dubious distinction.

    Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills. Lynch got lucky last year, when a fairly clear case of hit-and-run ended up being reduced to reckless driving, with no fine or suspension. This year, a guilty plea to weapons charges has gotten Lynch suspended for the first three games of the regular season.

    Corey McIntyre, FB, Bills. McIntyre reportedly passed a lie-detector test, and this team needs a fullback. But he's the only one currently on an NFL roster who got in trouble over the past year. The colorful (to say the least) nature of the allegations makes his placement on this squad even more appropriate.

    Brett Favre, QB, "retired." Favre's power play last July against the Packers forced the team to trade him, albeit not to the NFC North foe for which he wanted to play. Favre's performance down the stretch kept his new team, the Jets, from making it to the postseason. And so Favre, in his quest to ride off into the sunset with a Lombardi Trophy tucked under his arm a la John Elway, will likely be getting his way a year after the fact, playing for the Vikings and imploding the remainder of his Green Bay legacy.

    Mike Vick, QB, Falcons. The only NFL player in years (if ever) to return to the game after doing extensive jail is now back. Even if he doesn't get reinstated for 2009, the convicted dogfighter whose rights are still held by the Falcons continues to hold a spot on this roster.

    Jay Cutler, QB, Bears. Multiple credible reports indicate that, before the Broncos tried to trade quarterback Jay Cutler in a deal that would have brought Matt Cassel to Denver, Cutler had asked to be traded. And so his indignation over the fact that the Broncos were trying to give him what he wanted apparently was phony, likely aimed at pressuring the team into maintaining its efforts to move him. To ice the cake, Cutler decided to diss owner Pat Bowlen, refusing to return his calls or text messages. Cutler is celebrating his new freedom by refusing to sign autographs in Chicago.
    Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor

    http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=557894

  2. #2
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    Well it's about time the Broncos started getting some respect from MSM in one of these lists.

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