FanPost

Leading the NFL in the wrong thing


I was struck in the pre draft chats that few people seem to think that character counts. Many posters were willing to totally overlook stupidity such as the draftees like Jernigan who couldn't even show up clean to the NFL combine, not to mention the lunatic behavior of people like Colt Lyerla. Many of these get designated "DNDC" for "do not draft - character" by some teams, while other teams look the other way and take them anyway.

Is DNDC too harsh? I looked at the number of players suspended by the NFL since the start of 2013. In those a 16 months, there have been 42 suspensions, of which 34 are for drugs. That is an average of a bit more than 1 player suspended per team. However, many teams had nobody suspended, while 5 teams (Jax, Indi, StL, Seattle, and Washington) accounted for 20 (almost half) of the total. FYI, Cinci had one of the best records.

The worst team? You guessed it, the Redskins. Four drug suspensions and Meriweather's helmet to helmet suspension. That doesn't even include Tanard Jackson, who was indefinitely suspended before this period.

By the way, Indianapolis' position here sure didn't help Robert Mathis in his appeal on drug use.

Drug suspensions matter. Players list for significant periods have included Bruce Irvin, Justin Blackmon, Josh Gordon, Von Miller, and Mathis. Deeper teams, like Seattle, survive. The Skins haven't been that deep.

Character counts. The Haynesworth debacle was a huge downer and an expensive one in DC. The behavior of Incognito and friends tore Miami apart and ruined their season last year.

One of the best things about the Redskins draft was the heavy emphasis on hard working, high character guys. Let's hope it signals a change in culture, and no more leading the league in suspensions.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_and_coaches_suspended_by_the_NFL for a list of suspensions.