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Character Issues

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
Posted

This is a topic we throw around a lot, but the words themselves are kind of vague. Just saying "character issues" can mean any number of things.

With the team looking at bringing in one guy who's been known to have a few (Shockey) I thought I'd break down the types just for a bit of clarification.

Your guys with 'issues" tend to fall under one of the following categories:

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THE PARTY ANIMAL

Who is he: He's the life of the party. As soon as the work day is done, he's headed for a bar or a club, and chances are he'll be throwing some money around in the process.

Can you work with him: Probably. He's mostly harmless as long as his partying doesn't get to Charlie Sheen level or involve anything illegal. Most NFL players go through a phase of this before eventually settling down either due to age or gaining a wife and kids.

Examples: A significant portion of guys in their first few years in the NFL.

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THE MORON

Who is he: He ain't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Can you work with him: Again, as long as his stupidity doesn't get to a certain level, probably. If they do something really stupid off the field though, best to part ways with them.

Examples: Deon Grant, Plaxico Burress, Michael Vick

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THE MISFIT

Who is he: You know that guy who just somehow always manages to say the wrong thing or be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Yeah, this is him. Sometimes it's minor. Other times it's trouble.

Can you work with him: You certainly don't want this guy as the face of your franchise. If he's a guy who's not in the spotlight much though, you can probably live with having him on your team. Just be prepared to deal with it when he irks some of his teammates, which he inevitably will.

Examples: David Carr, young Kerry Collins, Jay Cutler

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THE BUM

Who is he: He's the guy who never managed to put the words "work" and "ethic" in the same sentence. He figures he can get by on his ability on game day, but practice? Come on man, we're talking about practice.

Can you work with him: If you can break him of his ways, yeah, but it can be an uphill battle. Some guys come into the league like this because they never had to work hard before. If they learn how, you're fine. If not, they're gone.

Examples: Dwayne Jarrett, Kris Jenkins, JaMarcus Russell

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THE BRAT / EGOTIST / DIVA

Who is he: Me me, me, me, me. It's all about me. The team revolves around me. The universe revolves around me. But enough about me. Let's talk about you. So tell me, what do you think of me?

Can you work with him: You'll most likely have to, especially if you're working with receivers or cornerbacks. This type tends to need a second locker just to house their ego. But yes, it's generally possible to keep this sort of player happy as long as they don't move on to a later stage of issues (see below).

Examples: Jeremy Shockey, Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre

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THE JERK

Who is he: He's the Brat amped up to another level, one where not only is he the center of all things, but everyone around him is a potential target for either general disrespect or just plain wrath (depending on the kind of mood you catch him in).

Can you work with him: Probably not a guy you want in a leadershp role, but for a while, yes. Eventually though, he's going to piss somebody off. Even then, as long as he stays at this stage, you might (might) be able to deal with him. If he moves to the next level though, look out.

Examples: Keyshawn Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, Todd Sauerbrun

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THE LOCKER ROOM CANCER

Who is he: This is where we start getting into the real problem children. The Cancer is the Jerk on steroids. His particular jerkiness is amplified to the point that it divides the team and affects your ability to win games.

Can you work with him: No. He needs to be cut out just like you would a real cancer.

Examples: Albert Haynesworth, Randy Moss, Joey Porter

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THE HEAD CASE

Who is he: He's mild-mannered Dr Jekyll, until he suddenly turns into Mr Hyde. And sadly, there's no telling what might set him off, nor is there an easy way to change him back. In short, you have to walk on eggshells around him because you never know what might happen.

Can you work with him: No. You can certainly hope that he gets his issues straightened out, but you definitely don't want to have to depend on him, especially not in a significant role.

Examples: Ryan Leaf, Vince Young, Terrell Owens

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THE HERBALIST

Who is he: The guy who needs a little something extra - whether popped, smoked or imbibed - either to give him an edge in his game or a little fun for the weekend.

Can you work with him: If you don't mind him not being around for four to six games a year, maybe. If they stop after the first incident, then you've got a chance. If they're continual users, no chance.

Examples: Bill Romanowski, Ricky Williams, Matt Jones

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THE CRIMINAL

Who is he: He's the guy who thinks the laws don't apply to him. Whether it be the drug laws, the drunk and disorderly laws, the firearm laws, the don't cause a public disturbance at the strip club laws, whatever it happens to be.

Can you work with him: Generally speaking, that'd be a no. there are some guys who clean up after their first incident of ignorance, but it's rare. You pretty much want to avoid this kind at all costs.

Examples: Pac Man Jones, the late Chris Henry, Tank Johnson, Lawrence Taylor

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THE THUG

Who is he: The worst of the bunch. Not only does he have no regard for the laws, but he has little issue with harming others.

Can you work with him: Usually only if you're the Raiders, Bengals or Cowboys (and in one case, the Steelers).

Examples: Ben Roethlisberger, Jerramy Stevens, Chris Terry, Rae Carruth

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Now, the natural question that follows is whether we have examples of these archetypes on the Panthers roster already, and/or are we pursuing or considering anyone that might fit any of these descriptions.

I feel fairly safe saying we've got examples of the first five on roster now, and probably will acquire more over time (who they are and who's what is a mater of debate).

The more severe ones? I'd say no at the moment, but feel free to say differently.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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Let's get straight to the point, Newton fits almost all of those.

lol

Referring to yourself in third person probably puts you in the egotist category. Whether his prior indiscretions fit more under misfit, moron, or criminal is probably a pretty big debate.

For the record, I was thinking about Shockey when I wrote this thread, not Newton. Doesn't surprise me to have his name mentioned though.

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rico6 Grand Master

rico6

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Referring to yourself in third person probably puts you in the egotist category. Whether his prior indiscretions fit more under misfit, moron, or criminal is probably a pretty big debate.

For the record, I was thinking about Shockey when I wrote this thread, not Newton. Doesn't surprise me to have his name mentioned though.

Me neither.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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good list mr. Scot I'd throw Steve Smith under the Jerk, Diva, Headcase rolled into one.......but he's our Jerk, Diva, Headcase :)

don't freak out I love Steve, but everything I've heard and know about it him points to these things

Doubt anyone would argue Smith fits into the Diva/Brat/Egotist mold.

Jerk you can probably argue. Some would disagree. Anthony Bright might argue for something worse.

Head Case? I can't go quite that far with Smith. To me a head case is someone who's a little (or a lot) unstable. Maybe in his younger days you might have seen some evidence of that with Smith, but not anymore.

Personal opinion: having kids did a lot to keep him from going down that road.

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