"An Exposition on Character" by MHS

[MHS831]

This critical and well-researched (well..) critical essay explores a theme that is periodically debated routinely here on the Huddle. So this,  I suppose, is to all of the people who, following recent debates where your position on keeping Greg Hardy or heated discussions about drafting players with red flags, etc will refuse to make the obvious connection that should have thwarted your logic when you watched the Bengals collapse--spawned and ignited by the very same people they thought they could convert.  So the argument that some of you proposed, that "character does not win football games" was refuted, or at least compounded with the addendum, "but it can and will lose them."   This is long and that will annoy some scholars whose attention span is determined by the limitations of a tweet, but this is more of a brief, impromptu exposition on character.  It happens every year--an issue about a talented prospect arises, and many people throw caution to the wind and caustically (at times) denounce theories about the value of character in lieu of obtaining the best talent possible. 

The Cincinnati Bengals have a good running game, a good defense, a good franchise qb, a top-tier WR with a solid supporting cast.  Their defense is very talented--one of the best in the NFL.  In fact, throughout the past 25 years, the Bengals have had solid teams from time to time, and have been very good of late.  However, they cannot win a playoff game--haven't since the 80s.  Wonder why?

They too have thrown caution to the wind and drafted the best available talent-often taking in those who plummet in the draft like a nun at a battered-women's shelter. I challenge you to look back  at Marvin Lewis's post-draft interviews when asked about questionable character when he would provided a canned response--"we visited him a few times and felt better about him."  or comments to that effect.  Stupid. (in 2015, however, he would admit that he cannot change players with character flaws -- http://cin.247sports.com/Bolt/Lewis-on-players-with-character-issues-I-cant-change-them-35741265 ) If I have millions of reasons a thug should like me, I bet the thug likes me.  So let's move past Marvin Lewis' self-proclaimed ability to identify character and rehabilitate wayward-yet-talented thug/athletes.  He has yet to succeed.  And why any Panther fan thinks that a professional football team has time for rehabbing young delinquents is beyond me.  Just a brief overview from my memory (and a few googles) that illustrates the Bengal aptitude for signing low-character talent:

Chris Henry:  Talented WR who dropped in the draft due to repeated on and off field issues at WV.  Now deceased

Orsen Charles:  Communicating threats with a handgun

Adam Jones (free agent):  Assault, disorderly conduct--etc etc numerous violations over his career.

Brandon Joiner:  Went to prison for aggravated robbery and drug possession, offenses the Bengals knew about when signing him

Robert Sands: Wife abuse

Ray Maualuga:  Settled out of court after being accused of assault; not inconsistent with his reputation when drafted in 2009.

Andre Smith: Drafted after being suspended from team in college; possession of firearm at airport while a Bengal. Other legal issues.

Vontaze Burfict:  Read this comment about Burfict before the 2012 draft:  "His mis-behavior and undisciplined brutality on the field has cost his team multiple personal foul penalties, and sadly, throughout 3 years in college, that never changed. His own coach once benched him because he received too many personal foul penalties."  -- http://www.thephinsider.com/2012/3/7/2847876/the-curious-case-of-vontaze-burfict 

And there are more--but the point is, a team that does not value character in the hiring process should not expect it afterwards. 

When the opportunity to display one's character arises--when there is adversity and pressure and the individual has to dig deep inside to find the courage, cunning, and impetus to rise to the occasion--players without character implode.  Character is built on support, a code of ethics, a moral creed that becomes our compass through the challenging storms and heated fires of intense obstacles that become suddenly lodged across our paths.  The Thomas Davises, the Luke Kuechleys and the Cam Newtons of the world accept the challenge because they know they have what it takes and they will not accept less than a complete, exhaustive effort for fear of letting their teammates down.  That is how they make people around them better.

Teams like the  Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati ironically are the green, shiny flies of the NFL, unconsciously attracted to the turds.  Sure, the Panthers drafted Hardy, but they did not keep Hardy.  The Cowboys took him and then went after La'ell Collins, another player who had character red flags flying high who was involved in a murder investigation when he was signed. (He was not involved, but teams would not draft him, so that was an unknown to some degree when Jones pursued him)  Let's not forget, they drafted Randy Gregory in the second round that year after failing a drug test at the combine. Three years ago, Josh Brent killed teammate Jerry Brown  in a car crash and was brought back.They needed, I suppose, complements for the ever-balanced and multi-talented Dez Bryant, who was accused by his mother of assault.   Guilty/not guilty?  If that is where you are with this, you are missing the point.  It is a culture that cannot sustain winning.  This is tolerated in Dallas.  When the  Since 1998 and despite having a franchise qb, the Cowboys have won 2 playoff games, most recently a squeaker vs. the Lions in 2014.  Jones is desperate, looking for an advantage in any way possible, selling his soul to all that is wrong with the NFL to get his picture with the Lombardi.

So the playoffs, the big stage with big pressure and big moments where character is at a premium, is where these teams have floundered. Combined since 1998, the Bengals and the Cowboys are 2-14 in the playoffs.  If you consider that during those times, both teams tolerated insubordinate and illegal behavior in hopes of greater return down the road.  Fool's gold. 

Character matters.  The Bengals defense features 2 players nobody wanted because they were renegades.  Guess what?  When they needed them the most, the stayed renegades.

Thank you Jerry Richardson and Dave Gettlemen for not biting.  For ridding our locker room of cancer. 

[Growl]

Really not fair to a lot of those men as individuals to lump them in with one guy who has consistently demonstrated that kind of behavior on the field. 

 

Most people would lump josh Norman in with those players just because. Perception isn't reality. Fans really have no business commenting on the character of a player, to be honest.

[CelibatePimp]

Errrm Cam Newton was not exactly like a saint like The Golden Calf of Bristol coming out of college. Remember the laptop, academic misconduct and alleged NCAA violations? I think you are reaching here with some of the people you named like La'el Collins etc. Panthers also drafted Hardy whether they kept him or not. It's not black and white like you are making it seem.

Also, how about the teams filled with Choirboys who have also won nothing in forever?

[Growl]

Honestly the entire premise that washing your hands of anybody whose ever made a bad decision is somehow the moral high ground itself is flawed. 

For the record iI don't think the team operates that way as you suggest they do and am glad for it.

 

This team has a great mix of personalities and i love it.