There are varying degrees of thought on this but the fundamental question remains, is it fair to group Brandon Marshall into a fraternity that includes Terry "Tank" Johnson, Chris Henry, Adam (No Longer Pacman) Jones, and Michael Vick.
Yes and no.
The players above have all been suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell under the Code of Conduct policy. The major difference is that Marshall, while probably guilty of bad behavior and questionable judgment, has not been convicted of any crimes. He has been arrested three times in three different states, but short of conviction, does he deserve a suspension? Should he at least be convicted of a crime before Goodell hands down a suspension? I say no.
The NFL takes its players and their conduct----on and off the field---pretty seriously. It seems that that stance has been strengthened greatly since Goodell replaced Paul Tagliabue. The respected Tagliabue may have done more for the growth of the NFL as anyone since Pete Rozelle, but his almost dismissive attitude towards matters not pertaining to football---i.e.---offseason behavior, were disappointing.
To me, Goodell is doing what is in the best interest of the NFL and that is the bottom line. Does it have the propensity to look weird, if by some measure, Marshall is cleared of all of the charges he is facing, yet still was made to serve a suspension? Once again, yes and no. I can see both sides.
To Goodell, if you put the NFL in disrepute, you will suffer the consequences, regardless of the consequences you may face. The point has been made loud and clear and the above examples show that leniency is not Goodell's favorite word.
I think what really sets him apart from his peers is his intolerance for repeat offenders----though, in a different sense of the word. I do not mean getting caught perpetrating the same type of crime, I mean, the hubris of always making the wrong decision and thinking since you are a professional athlete, you are above reproach.
After all, you tell me what made Goodell more privately angry? That Vick was taking part in dogfighting or that he constantly denied those allegations to Goodell? I think both have a strong argument.
Was it more troubling that Jones was involved in an altercation at a strip club that left one man paralyzed or that just prior to meeting with Goodell, he had visited---hard to imagine, a strip club? Once again, is Goodell more infuriated at Jones or agry that their meeting was apparently was not a top of mind issue for Jones?
The same logic applies to Marshall. Too may run-ins, too many wrong place wrong time issues. Nobody is fooled, least of all Goodell. Marshall is an exceptional talent that the Broncos will go to the wall to save. After all, David Kircus was a wide receiver too....and he was involved with the police only once, not ten times like Marshall.......and how did it work out for him?
-"z"
