Stay Out of Lockeroom by Ritchie Owens

In the past week, I have seen various female reporters and woman’s groups getting fired up over the decision or lack thereof the NFL made to not punish the Jets for the alleged incident after last weeks loss.  And by no means am I condoning any behaviors that can be conceived as harassment.  The issue, to me, is that she and her colleges should never have been in the locker room in the first place.  After all, even families aren’t allowed in the locker room post-game.

Here’s the solution to the problem, remove ALL reporters from the team locker room and place them in a separate room to do their interviews!  There you go equal access.  Because it’s not about a Woman’s right to go into a Man’s locker room, it’s about the right to have equal access to players regardless of gender. As a former player, I think that it is ridiculous to have to speak to people while you are fresh out of the shower, trying to get dressed, etc…  And let’s be honest, most reporters are only there to interview the same 5 or 6 guys every week anyway.

Contrary to what some reporters, male included, are calling a, “gender neutral area“everyone‘s “work area“.  I say it is not.  A reporter in a locker room is a courtesy not a right.  You do not work for the organization that you cover.  Ask anyone who has every showered in a health club or any other open shower setting if they would mind if a few dozen members of the press could come in get some interviews.  It isn’t a public area.

I remember being in the locker room and feeling very uncomfortable with the fact that there were women (and to a greater extent people with cameras and whatnot) in there while I was showering, and changing.  And yes, I have caught females in the locker room stealing glances or even straight out giggling to someone else.  To be fair, I did not know what they were saying, but the timing was suspicious. Please understand that there are more than just reporters in the locker room, its camera people, sound people and whoever else happens be associated with the production that day for various news agencies that has access to team facilities.

An incident that occurred while I was in the locker room that involved a female (I don‘t know if she was a reporter) showing myself and a couple of teammates a photo of a very well muscled teammate of ours.  Once over our initial shock of this woman who had the audacity to show us this picture and actually ask us if we knew who it was, we promptly reporter her to our public relations staff.   This woman was summarily ejected from the locker room.  To this day, I still don’t know who that woman was.

My whole point, ladies and gentlemen, is this.  It’s not about what is right or wrong.  This isn’t a matter of a woman being denied her rights.  This is a matter of what is proper.  Men aren’t allowed (with good reason) into woman’s locker rooms because is it not proper?  Therefore, women should not be allowed in man’s locker rooms.  Now since we don’t want to deny our sisters equal access to players, all reporters should be made to wait in a designated “interview room”.  I don’t understand what is so hard about that to figure out.

Ritchie Owens is a former Defensive Lineman in the NFL who played for 10 seasons.  He Currently hosts his own show ” Sack Sound with Ritchie Owens” on the Sports Journey Broadcast Network.

2010 NFL Pre-Training Camp Top Stories – Player Misconduct by Lloyd Vance

Leading up to 2010 NFL Training Camps there have been too many stories of player misconduct.  Recently Green Bay Packers DL Johnny Jolly (pictured) was suspended for the season by the league for drug charges

Hard to believe 3 years after NFL Commissioner Roger “Hang’em High” Goodell instituted a Player Conduct policy that gave him much latitude in its application, we are still talking about players putting themselves in bad situations.  Sure the majority of the NFL’s over 1500 players are good up-standing types, but since the Super Bowl ended in February there has been a steady stream of player misconduct that has fans, media, and league officials concerned about a pattern. 

And to make matters worse, now the players involved seem to be more “high profile”.  No longer is everyone talking about the misdeeds of a 2nd string nickelback (i.e. Adam “Pacman” Jones), now quarterbacks who are the league and franchise’s faces are producing negative front-page news too, that may have implications going into the 2010 NFL season. 

Philadelphia Eagles backup QB Michael Vick (a shooting occurring after his 30th B-Day Party), Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (Bar hopping gone array in Milledgeville, GA), Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young (misdemeanor assault citation after allegedly punching a guy in a strip club for an upside down hook’em Horns sign), Tennessee Titans back-up QB Chris Simms (arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of marijuana in New York City), former Oakland Raiders QB / 2008 NFL Draft first overall pick JaMarcus Russell (arrested for illegal possession of Codeine to allegedly produce a drink called “The Sizzurp”) and too many others. 

The situation that Roethlisberger got himself into was most distressing to Goodell and everyone else as he is the marquee player of one of the NFL’s cornerstone franchises.  Though eventually the authorities in Georgia decided to not press charges for sexual assault against Big Ben, the salacious details and accusations, including the showing of taped interviews with the alleged victim, will follow Roethlisberger, the Steelers and NFL for a long time. 

The former 2-time Super Bowl winning quarterback has been suspended for the first 6 games of the 2010 Season, but it is looking like his early summer good behavior could have his suspension lowered to 4 games instead.  However good behavior by Roethlisberger and the NFL’s other bad boys withstanding, it will be interesting in CBA negotiations if NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith wants to call Goodell and his sometimes heavy-handed administration of the Player Conduct Policy to task.  Because you know the league will counter with tales of how disorderly players have taken signing bonuses and other guaranteed money and not lived-up to their end of the bargain.

Hopefully now that training camps have begun (Cleveland Browns rookies reported on July 23rd) player misconduct will be tempered as fans and media should be looking forward to the action on the gridiron rather than NFL players on the police blotter.

2010 Player Misconduct Suspensions

• Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, 6-game suspension (Player Conduct – two sexually related incidents) — Out until at least Week 8 vs. New Orleans, but could be shortened to 4-games based on league review
• San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson, 3-game suspension (Player Conduct – Multiple DUIs) — Out until Week 4 vs. Arizona
• Atlanta Falcons OT Quinn Ojinnaka, 1-game suspension (Player Conduct – Domestic Violence) — Out until Week 2 vs. Arizona
• Seattle Seahawks LB Leroy Hill, 1-game suspension (Player Conduct – Drug Charge) — Out until Week 2 at Denver (also their could be an additional suspension coming for Player Conduct – Domestic Violence)
• Green Bay Packers DE Johnny Jolly, indefinite suspension with the minimum for all of the 2010 season (Player Conduct – Drug Charge)
• Free Agent WR Plaxico Burress, indefinite suspension (gun charges) that will end once he is released from prison

*** It should also be noted that when a player serves a suspension, he does not get paid and misses out on game checks.

Other possible misconduct violations

• Miami Dolphins DE Phillip Merling – Domestic Violence
• Cleveland Browns DT Shaun Rodgers – Carrrying a weapon into the airport
• Atlanta Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux – Drug Chrages
• Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Benson – Assault
• Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young – Citation for Assault
• Philadelphia Eagles backup QB Michael Vick — Possible probation violation from a shooting that occurred after his 30th B-Day Party
• Tennessee Titans back-up QB Chris Simms — Arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of marijuana in New York City
• Free Agent QB JaMarcus Russell – Drug Charges

 

 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and Sports Journey Network , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

Russell caught sipping the Sizzurp by Lloyd Vance

Former high draft pick QB JaMarcus Russell’s life away from the gridiron got even worse after his recent arrest for the “Sizzurp”

Those thinking that any day the NY Jets or some other team might soon be calling former NFL quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s representatives, may have a longer wait than expected.  The bizarre case of one of the NFL Draft’s biggest busts just got worse as the former first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft was arrested in Alabama for possession of Codeine Cough Syrup aka “The Sizzurp”.

Surprisingly, Russell had lingered on the sidelines for months after the Oakland Raiders released back in April and he was supposedly in Arizona while “Getting in Shape”.  But several reports had placed him around his hometown of Mobile, Alabama and I guess the only shape he was getting into was an “Unconscious” one. 

For years, people on Oakland’s staff had labeled their former anointed franchise starter as lazy, aloof, and sometimes semi-conscious and maybe they finally found the reason why.  “The Sizzurup” like marijuana and painkillers – drugs that have been around NFL teams way before Russell was born — is just another escape mechanism. 

I guess Russell was using the substance to get away from the pain of being the punchline to so many draft bust jokes.  And let’s face it, the jokes were aplenty considering Russell accepted close to $37 Million from the Raiders while producing disappointing numbers — career starting record of 7-18 with numbers 354-680, 52.1%, 4083 yards, 18 TDs, and 23 INTs

Right now much like former NFL high-priced substance abusers – Jason Peter, Quincy Carter, Joe Gilliam, Cris Carter, and many others – Russell is at a career crossroads.  He can either look internally in order to get the help he needs to clean is act up to start the long road back to resume his once bright career or fall off into the Sports / Drugs Abyss that has claimed many an athlete. 

However I am not just ready to give-up on the very talented former LSU star.  Russell’s biggest problem had always been a lack of effort in terms of practice and reading his playbook and this is the first incident where he had been linked to off-the-field misconduct. 

The hefty high-RPM throwing passer still is young enough at 24 years old that his NFL career and life still has many unwritten chapters — still has the legal system and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to answer to.  Though it it is not the same cirmcumstances, he may want to contact soon to be Hall of Famer Kurt Warner to talk with a quarterback who was once at bottom of football’s Quarterback Scrap Heap only to make it back to the top.

Here’s hoping that Russell can get some help and get a football career back on track that once had pro personnel evaluators drooling at his famed Pro Day workout.

 

 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and Sports Journey Network , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

The Bengals to sign Pacman Jones by Lloyd Vance

It seems the Cincinnati Bengals have room for one more “maverick” as notorious NFL problem player Adam “Pacman” Jones will soon be joining the team

It used to be a running “joke” around NFL circles that the Oakland Raiders and their patriarch Al Davis were the “Statue of Liberty” for NFL reclamation projects — Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.  In the past, Davis had been a master of picking-up cast-offs, usually players with “character” issues like former high motor pass rusher Lyle Alzado, and turning them into productive players on winning teams. 

Well anyone looking for the NFL’s new version of Father Flanagan’s Boys Town doesn’t have to look any further than the Cincinnati Bengals – noteworthy problem players on the team’s current roster include DE Frostee Rucker, WR Matt Jones, WR Antonio Bryant, WR Maurice Purify, DT Tank Johnson, DE Carlos Dunlap, and others.  However it seems that Bengals owner/GM Mike Brown and head coach Marvin Lewis are willing to take-on another “rap-sheet” player. 

As multiple sources are reporting that Cincinnati is very near to signing free agent cornerback and notorious NFL Bad Boy Adam “Pacman” Jones — suspended in the past for the entire 2007 season and part of the 2008 season (player misconduct policy) for numerous run-ins with the law including a much-publicized strip club shooting in Las Vegas.

Jones must have looked better in his recent audition than an earlier tryout in February, where it was reported that he was grossly out of shape.  Pacman will be trying to return to the NFL for the first time since the end of the 2008.  During the 2008 season, the NFL had suspended the former 2005 first round pick (6^th overall) from West Virginia again (4 games) after foolishness that included allegedly fighting a paid Cowboys’ security staff member in a hotel.

During his brief time with the Cowboys in 2008 — 9 games w/ 6 starts – Jones didn’t appear to still have the same burst and coverage skills that once made him an in-demand player despite his off-the-field problems.  So at age 26 and having missed almost two full years away from the field over the course of 5 years, that the 2009 AFC North champion Bengals are clearly Pacman’s last stop in the NFL. It will be interesting to see if the former Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys talented yet infamous corner can return to the dangerous player that he once was – in his second season for the Titans in 2006, he had 51 tackles, 12 pass deflections, 4 INTs – returned one for a touchdown — and 3 TD’s on punt returns.

I am figuring that the Bengals will use Jones in the nickel, dime, and on special teams as they already have talented corners Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph.  There are also rumors that the Bengals may try Pacman at free safety in competition with 2010 third-round pick Brandon Ghee and holdovers Tom Nelson and Chinedum Ndukwe (currently in the team’s doghouse) .  For his career, Jones’ numbers are 146 tackles, 4 INTs, 1 sack, over 2000 return yards and 4 TDs in 39 games played.

If the Bengals do sign Jones, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer – took Cincinnati’s defensive ranking from 21st to 4th in just one year – will be his new best and worst friend.  Zimmer, who has been in contact with former player Deion Sanders (Pacman’s friend), has made it abundantly clear that Jones is not coming in to start and that he will need to play with more discipline than he has shown in his career.

Though the Bengals have given second chances to multiple players, like the late Chris Henry, team chemistry is everything to Zimmer, Lewis, and Brown.  Zimmer recently said of the potential Pacman signing, “If we sign him…I’ll be on him at all times.”

So with Adam “Pacman” Jones soon to be entering the fold, I am wondering if the Bengals have any room left in their wacky locker-room for malcontent receiver Terrell “T.O” Owens, who is having trouble finding a job this offseason.

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and Sports Journey Network , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

Roethlisberger Avoids Charge, but still has others to answer to by Lloyd Vance

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger reads a statement after learning that he will not be charged over an alleged incident

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger learned yesterday that indeed he had avoided a huge bullet in tiny Milledgeville, Georgia. The two-time Super Bowl winner will not face a rape charge in connection with an incident at a Georgia nightclub in March 2010.  But in avoiding being charged, Roethlisberger was not spared a scolding by Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fredric D. Bright that included the prosecutor advising Big Ben to “Grow Up.”

To the surprise of many, Bright was more than willing to spell out what allegedly happened in a nightclub bathroom and the amount of alcohol that was involved in an incident with a 20-year old college student that he continually called the “victim”.  You know that the Steelers and the NFL cringed at the salacious details that were given for the world to hear.  And there is no denying that Bright’s forthright information surely brought shame to one of the league’s most decorated franchises and possibly left a crack in the league’s indelible shield. 

However in the end, Bright said that there wouldn’t be any charges with the following accompanying comments, “Based on the evidence here, we don’t have enough evidence to prosecute. I know when I have a case, and I know when I don’t. And I don’t have enough evidence to convince 12 jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Roethlisberger would be guilty of a crime of rape.”

Bright added, “Everybody could be criticized for their actions that night. I’m not condoning what (Roethlisberger) did.   There was too much drinking going on. If he were my son, [I would say], ‘Ben, grow up. Come on, you’re supposed to stand for something. I mean, you’re a leader, you should be a role model. You don’t need to put yourself in this position anymore.”  Bright firmly summed up his feeling on the non-moving-forward case by saying, “We do not prosecute morals.  We prosecute crimes.”

Bright also revealed that the alleged victim did not wish to pursue the case, due to facing public scrutiny, but added that it had no bearing on his decision.  Of course, after the decision was finalized both the 20-year old alleged victim’s attorney and  Roethlisberger’s Atlanta-based attorney, Ed Garland, issued statements saying that the whole matter was thoroughly investigated and it would now be behind both parties. 

But not so fast as Roethlisberger could possibly have to face his second civil case in 2 years around a sexual case and there is also the matter of both the Rooney family and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wanting to meet with him later this week.

After the decision was announced,  Roethlisberger addressed the media from the Steelers headquarters, where he read a prepared statement and took no questions.  Below is the text from his statement (courtesy of the Steelers).

 “I’d like to begin by expressing gratitude for the thorough investigation process in Georgia and the Prosecutor’s decision not to bring charges. I know without a doubt it is the right conclusion. I don’t intend to discuss any details related to the events in Georgia. I am happy to put this behind me and move forward. 

I am truly sorry for the disappointment and negative attention I have brought to my family, my teammates and coaches, the Rooneys and the NFL. I understand that the opportunities I have been blessed with are a privilege, and that much is expected of me as the quarterback of Pittsburgh Steelers. I absolutely want to be the leader this team deserves, valued in the community and a role model to kids. I have much work to do to earn this trust, and I am committed to improving and showing everyone my true values.

I am excited to get back to work with my teammates, and I am more determined than ever to have a great season. I intend to make my family, friends and the Steeler Nation proud on all fronts.

Thank you. God Bless!”

It will be interesting to see where the Steelers, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Roethlisberger go from here.  The Steelers have already unequivocally voiced their displeasure with the negative spotlight their star quarterback has shined on the organization.  Over the years, the Steelers and the Rooney family have been known for making tough decisions around “character”, just ask recently departed Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes – traded to the New York Jets for a measly 5^th round after several legal run-ins and being suspended (4 games) for failing a league mandated drug test.  But this time it involves the team’s biggest star and everyone will be watching.  I believe that the Steelers will wait for Goodell to impose any sanction before acting.  However remember that any team decision can be appealed by the player’s association, if Roethlisberger wishes.

As for Goodell, remember back when he first took office in 2007 that cleaning up the NFL’s image was omnipotent.  Commissioner Goodell, fueled behind a “beefed” up Person Conduct Policy that was blessed by the NFLPA and player’s advisory committee, quickly went on the attack against the league’s “Bad Boys”.  Goodell clearly was agitated about the NFL’s off the field image and the policy gave him a lot of latitude that he applied in suspending players like Adam “Pacman” Jones, the late Chris Henry and others.  At the time that the new policy was enacted in 2007, co-chairman of the league’s competition committee Rich Mc-Kay said, “We’re all concerned with the things that go on off the field and how the actions of a few may affect many (players)”.

Alright then Goodell and the rest of the “Keepers of the Shield” now it is time to follow the same course of action with Roethlisberger.  Because you know in a league that is over 70% African-American that everyone wants to see if a prominent Caucasian player will get the same treatment as a Pacman Jones.  Already Pittsburgh Post Gazette columnist Ron Cook wrote after Bright’s decision. 

“There is tremendous pressure on Goodell — some of it racial pressure — to take a tough position with Roethlisberger. The commissioner has earned something of a reputation for being a hanging judge in his disciplinary dealings with black players such as Michael Vick and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones. He has to know how it would look if he turns soft with a star, two-time Super Bowl-winning, white quarterback, who, clearly, has violated the league’s Personal Conduct Policy. Certainly, the league’s black players will be watching closely how Goodell handles the Roethlisberger situation.”

My gut is telling me that the NFL will impose a 2 to 4-game suspension against  Roethlisberger plus tell him to attend some kind of alcohol classes.  You can also expect that the Steelers will support the league’s decision and possibly add in their own recourse which could include fining their quarterback.  And it will behoove Roethlisberger to not appeal and accept whatever punishment that the league and the Rooney family hands down. 

 But the biggest decision of where we go from here involves Roethlisberger himself.  The Georgia small town DA was right when he told Big Ben to “Grow Up” and now he must.  Second chances are few and far between in the eyes of NFL and the league’s millions of fans and Roethlisberger better take advantage of it.  Though some fans will never fully take him back, I believe humbling himself and winning are the keys for the two-time Super Bowl winner to get back in good graces of the court of public opinion. 

 Big Ben should take a page from the circumstances that once surrounded Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis back in 2000.  At the time, Lewis went through a double homicide trial in Atlanta and was ultimately exonerated after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of obstruction of justice. Then the NFL sent their own message in the form of a $250,000 dollar fine – highest in league history.  However it was during this trying time that Lewis learned that he needed to some self-reflection  first causing him to change his ways.  

Afterwards Lewis prospered on the field, winning defensive player of year honors during the regular season and leading the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV where he was named MVP of the game.  The future Hall of Fame linebacker even got back in the good graces of the NFL, fans, and advertisers to the point where he appeared on the cover of the popular EA Sports Madden football game and did commercials for the NFL Network of all places.

Now it is decision time for Roethlisberger, he can either “Grow Up” or end up just another story in the NFL’s lengthy list of guys that “Just Didn’t Get It” during their playing days.

 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and Sports Journey Network , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)