Tardy for the Party

Heidi's #1 crush, Bill Belichick, sent 4 players home from practice yesterday for being late. The team had an 8 a.m. meeting and players who arrived late were asked to leave including Randy Moss, Gary Guyton, Adalius Thomas and Derrick Burgess.

Asked for comment, Thomas seemed quite upset that he was sent home blaming the weather and traffic for his tardiness. While I appreciate the realities of life, I also know that Belichick is a no nonsense kind of coach, as are most in the NFL. On the one hand, Thomas claims he didn't know it was supposed to snow. On the other, I'm sure it's Belichick's position he should have checked the weather the night before. After all, 49 other players and, most likely, the practice squad arrived on time.

What has come of all this is confirmation from Thomas that he is not a Jetson and cannot "run people over." While I'm sure Stallworth might beg to differ about whether he could, I'm sure he would agree Thomas should not do that.

Even I know what Belichick expects and I am not at all surprised by this common reaction of NFL coaches to tardiness.

Can't Stop Won't Stop

Charles Barkley isn't giving up the booze anytime soon - or ever for that matter. After serving a two day sentence in jail for drunk driving after running a stop sign in Scottsdale, AZ, Barkley is barking about how much he enjoys drinking. On Monday night, Barkley insisted he wouldn't stop drinking, although he does intend to stop drinking and driving. Instead, he's going to try to hitch rides home with random women. I just made that last part up but it's a good plan... hint hint.

In other news, Braylon Edwards (who was partying with Donte Stallworth the night before Stallworth had an accident with a pedestrian leaving one dead and one without a career), another pro-bo, was arrested this week on charges of misdemeanor assault resulting from a bar fight which spurred his trade to the Jets. Personally, I am thrilled that Braylon is on the Jets now, because having former Wolverines close to me makes me feel good. Between Braylon and Mario Manningham, I feel like I'm in college again.

The incident leading up to Edwards' arrest took place outside a Cleveland nightclub just before Edwards was traded. Allegedly, Edwards punched a friend of LeBron's who reportedly weighs a mere 130 lbs. On the one hand, that has to be an awkward relationship for Bron Bron, having male friends that small. On the other, doesn't Edwards know better than to mess with Bron Bron?!?

Criminal Minds

Is it just me, or are athletes being indicted now more than ever?  Between Stallworth, Pierce, Burress, and Vick I feel like athletes stampeding our criminal courts.  Perhaps it is just a perception.  Perhaps it is just that there is more media attention to these indictments.  Sure, we were always going to hear about the O.J. Simpsons of the bunch.  And, undoubtedly, Michael Vick was a good opportunity for prosecutors to make a "spectacle."  

Another minor league pitcher has been indicted for hitting a fan in the head with a ball intended for the opposing team's dugout during a bench-clearing brawl.  Sentenced to 30 days in jail, ordered to work toward his GED, and 3 years probation along with anger management courses, Julio Castillo certainly got the most severe punishment of all the players involved in the brawl.  And why, because he's a bad pitcher?  Let's face it, I'd expect a pitcher of all players to be able to hit his target!  But that's here nor there.  Shouldn't each and every player be indicted?  They all participated and I don't think a brawl was within the scope of their consent so unless everyone else just stood around like little girls they all committed crimes!

Why should Castillo face two felony charges - assault with a deadly weapon and causing serious physical harm?  First of all, I am not convinced a baseball is a deadly weapon.  Sure, when thrown by a professional pitcher it is.  But, if that is the standard then every time Merriweather throws a punch it's assault with a deadly weapon.  Since I don't believe that average person throwing a baseball has the ability to kill someone I strongly oppose the conclusion that this is a "deadly weapon."  Which seriously draws into question the capacity of Castillo's lawyer.  

Second, I don't qualify a headache as serious physical harm.  In most states, serious physical harm is defined by statute.  Because I'd rather draw the conclusion that people in Ohio are pansies, I haven't researched the existence of an OH statute.  However, any state that deems a buckeye intimidating is likely to think a headache is serious.  A rational state, for example, New York, defines a serious injury as loss of limb, life, serious disfigurement, etc.  Certainly a headache would not qualify.  Again, I have to question Castillo's legal assistance.  

Which ultimately leads me to question why these athletes are being indicted and charged for these crimes.  Obviously in some cases its undeniable that they committed them.  Indeed, frequently they plead guilty and take full responsibility like Stallworth.  Other times athletes try and play the popularity card to avoid criminal charges, like Burress.  Apparently it works sometimes, look at O.J.  Other times it does not.  Look at O.J.  I also wonder whether these new strict "conduct" rules by the NFL and other leagues are actually leading to greater criminal charges.  It seems to me that there has been a rise in criminal charges since Goodell has implemented stricter rules in the NFL.  I haven't seen a similar rise in charges against basketball players.  Come to think of it, when the NBA was trying to be more strict it seems to me the players were getting arrested more often.  I'll have to run some numbers on this hypothesis and get back to you...

Of course, the answer could be that we have become more interested in criminal activity in the Nancy Grace era resulting in greater media attention.  Who knows.  Nonetheless, it does seem to me that something's up.