Clinton Portis

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Somer, I hear what you are saying and all, but my mind is made up. I don't have a lot of faith in the justice system, see OJ Simpson, but even after the initial report came out, Vick has been an a sshole. Showing absolutely no class, not that I expected anything else. Trying to play the poor me game. It's no coincidence that his name is constantly in the press negatively, usually where there's smoke, there's fire.

I know, but being a jerk doesn't make him guilty of dog fighting...certainly he's acting the part and I'm afraid dog fighting among NFL athletes may be more common than we dare think...I certainly won't be surprised if appearances preceed guilt here BUT he still has to be convicted. OJ was another story...I have my personal thoughts about his guilt/innocence but I really think I'd have had trouble voting guilty based on the performance of the prosecution...they simply blew what appeared a lock conviction.

[skippy3481]

Somer why should he be banned from the nfl for this. What makes this felony any worse then the other random felonies that many nfl players commit. Personally, I think the guy is a complete ass, but i fail to see why conviction for dog fighting should get him banned from his job.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by skippy3481

Somer why should he be banned from the nfl for this. What makes this felony any worse then the other random felonies that many nfl players commit. Personally, I think the guy is a complete ass, but i fail to see why conviction for dog fighting should get him banned from his job.

Two points here...I think any felony conviction should exclude a player from playing in the NFL (I would exclude convictions prior to that player joining the league...considering them on an individual basis)...if you can't behave in a civilized manner, I see no reason why the NFL should employ you. Secondly, the penalty in Va for this crime is 5 years...if convicted I see no reason why that shouldn't be his sentence. I worked all my life in the social service field...I had to undergo background checks every time I changed employers and believe me, if I was convicted of a felony while employed..I'd have been history. I struggled with a modest income...why should some guy making millions be held to a lower standard? Nobody has a "right" to play pro ball, if the NFL is serious about cleaning up it's house, it has to make folks responsible for their behavior!

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Two points here...I think any felony conviction should exclude a player from playing in the NFL (I would exclude convictions prior to that player joining the league...considering them on an individual basis)...if you can't behave in a civilized manner, I see no reason why the NFL should employ you. Secondly, the penalty in Va for this crime is 5 years...if convicted I see no reason why that shouldn't be his sentence. I worked all my life in the social service field...I had to undergo background checks every time I changed employers and believe me, if I was convicted of a felony while employed..I'd have been history. I struggled with a modest income...why should some guy making millions be held to a lower standard? Nobody has a "right" to play pro ball, if the NFL is serious about cleaning up it's house, it has to make folks responsible for their behavior!

now, you know I've been right with ya on this one, but I don't know if he deserves a ban or not....Now if he is charged, convicted, and is banned as part of the sentence, I have no problem with that.....but when you talk about employment, unless it's a bonding issue or privacy issue, I don't think he can be banned....I don't know though, I'm the ops guy, not the HR person....

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Samarta

now, you know I've been right with ya on this one, but I don't know if he deserves a ban or not....Now if he is charged, convicted, and is banned as part of the sentence, I have no problem with that.....but when you talk about employment, unless it's a bonding issue or privacy issue, I don't think he can be banned....I don't know though, I'm the ops guy, not the HR person....

And you may be right, I don't know how the contracts are worded. Many teams do have a "morals clause" in there somewhere, Atlanta could probably legally release him and there is no "right" to be picked up by another team but I suspect a formal ban might have to be put into policy with the Union's OK and that would probably be "in the future" so Vick might skate. I just think "thug" behavior cannot be tolerated...abuse of women, gun charges, any violent crime that rises to the felony level is a personal choice...you can either play pro ball or be a thug...your choice!

[skippy3481]

Somer,
First the NFL is not paying these players, the individual teams are. Second, If he is convicted, he'll most likely end up in jail and that sentence may be enough for individual teams to pass on certain players. I don't think that having a felony should get anyone banned from playing pro ball of any kind.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by skippy3481

Somer,
First the NFL is not paying these players, the individual teams are. Second, If he is convicted, he'll most likely end up in jail and that sentence may be enough for individual teams to pass on certain players. I don't think that having a felony should get anyone banned from playing pro ball of any kind.

That's cool...we disagree! I know the individual teams pay their players but they have a Commish for a reason.

[skippy3481]

Yup we must agree to disagree. Although i am all for the commish cleaning up the game. People that are arrested 3 or 4 times in a year are problematic for the league. All these players should hire drivers...