Sunday, September 26, 2010

What Separates The Best from the Rest

I write this post as the Patriots are down to the Bills in the second quarter, so excuse me if I sound, you know, pissed. Anyways, my topic today is Braylon Edwards and the Jets organization. As many of you are probably aware, Edwards was arrested this past Tuesday morning at 5 am for drunk driving, blowing a .16 BAL.  Edwards had two other Jets players in the car with him (D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Vernon Gholston), neither of whom were tested for blood alcohol level. This isn't Edwards first contact with the law, as he was in a fight at a nightclub last year in Ohio (with one of Lebron James' friends), and was out drinking with Dante Stallworth the night Stallworth ran over and killed a man down in Florida. Edwards has a long history of having a bad attitude and conflicting with teammates, so I don't think too many were surprised with Edwards arrest. What is surprising, however, is how the Jets organization has chosen to handle this situation, given Edwards past. Earlier this week, the Jets announced that Edwards would not be suspended or fined, just not allowed to start against the Dolphins. And now, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has announced that the Jets had no problem with Edwards arrest, simply that they were not happy he was out at 5 am. Needless to say, the Jets have taken much heat for their reaction to Edwards arrest.

This, ladies and gentleman, is what separates elite organizations such as the Patriots, the Saints, and the Colts, from second tier organizations like the Jets.  Tannenbaum cited precedent when questioned about why they weren't taking a harsher stance, saying that "no team over the past 2 years has suspended a player for a drunken driving arrest". Makes sense, except when you remember how bad of an attitude Edwards has and his prior arrests/run-ins with the police. The Jets are more or less telling their players to go out and get hammered and drive home but just be home at a reasonable hour Oh, and if you get pulled over by the police, claim you are taking antibiotics and that's what made your blood alcohol level worse. Are you kidding me? If the Jets had any respect for their own organization they would be pre-emptively suspending Edwards and docking his pay to send a message, that no player is above the law or suspension. Especially considering Edwards tendency to act like a 20 year old on spring break. You better believe this wouldn't fly in many other organizations (yes, I'm talking about the Patriots). We can only hope that after Edwards is surely convicted of drunk driving that the league will take a hard line on this. Because God know the Jets won't, come hell or high water...

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