Personal Conduct Meets Fantasy
I just learned that Javon Walker, who signed a ridiculous contract with the Raiders in free agency this off-season, was discovered in Las Vegas lying unconscious on a sidewalk with an orbital fracture and taken to a hospital where he’s in fair condition. I almost threw up on myself. Why you ask?
Well, I’m nauseated by the thought of well-paid professional football players getting in hot water off the field, whether it’s with the law or their physical well-being. I mean, for crying out loud, you’re being paid to play a game for a living. Is it that tough to keep a low profile, work on your craft, and make it through the off-season in one piece? It can’t possibly be.
Playing baseball throughout my youth, I was always taught by my father to put my team first and steer clear of any dangerous or threatening circumstances. Why can’t one family member, one agent, one team official, one coach, or one teammate preach the same thing in this day and age?
It’s been an epidemic lately around the league and that disturbing trend along with Roger Goodell’s crackdown on bad behavior will no doubt impact fantasy owners (and actual NFL teams) in 2008 and beyond. Just look at the spectrum of arrests, issues, and injuries occurring with big-name guys like Chris Henry, Travis Henry, Cedric Benson, LenDale White, Marshawn Lynch, and Brandon Marshall this off-season. Even a so-called “character” guy like Marvin Harrison has found his way into a bad situation. I know they’re human and they’ll make mistakes, but that doesn’t make it pardonable.
What this all means for fantasy is that you’ve got to have a backup plan built into your roster for unforeseen disasters, which seem to pop up each week in the modern-day NFL, sadly enough. Arrests, non-football injuries, and all other inexcusable circumstances that “our” players get themselves into will need to be planned for, plain and simple.
Essentially, what I’m suggesting is that you be forward-thinking and always remember that drafting for depth is just as vital as fielding your starting lineup.
I know this is important because I drafted Javon Walker already this year. And I’m not afraid to admit it because I snatched up Drew Carter to protect my investment. With a seemingly endless list of impact fantasy performers getting in trouble, getting hurt, or getting shown the door, you ought to protect your investments as well, even a guy who appears to be a saint on the surface.
ZAP!! Harsh, but true. You are playing a game for a living, making millions of dollars. Bring the game(Vegas) to you, bring the girls, the booze to YOU!! I would be having crazy parties every weekend…IN MY OWN CRIB. I would hire my down and out boy, to drive me around. Some guys just don’t get it. Good luck Javon, and I hope this wasn’t a result of you talking shit, and you just got randomly beat down on the Vegas strip.
As far as drafting him. I would never do it. He is a cancer as far as fantasy. I would rather draft Engram in that spot and reap the rewards.
Comment by JBeau — June 17, 2008 @ 11:16 am
Didn’t mean to come across as harsh, but was trying to express my frustration for sure. We’ve now learned that Walker was robbed, which wasn’t exactly something he could control. However, he was clearly drawing attention to himself by making the champagne rain….bad move.
Comment by Zap — June 17, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
Absolutely. He was flossing his money, without an entourage. Just plain stupid. Jealous cats got him.
Comment by JBeau — June 17, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
“Oh, I’m so sorry I was in Vegas having a good time and got rolled. Must have been my fault.” signed Javon
Really guys?? Sorry real life got in the way of your fantasy football. But come on. Dude got rolled and you just kicked him as he’s laying in the street. As the story goes right now, seems more like a Sean Taylor story, than like a Chris Henry one. Didn’t Mendenhall get robbed last month?? Isn’t it the same thing??
Life happens guys… whether we like it or not.
Comment by CCarter — June 17, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
Walker is just one of many players who’ve encountered negative situations in recent months. The point is that if this had occurred in-season, which is entirely possible, fantasy owners would be left hanging. As such, insurance and depth are key in the off-field circus that is the NFL.
Comment by Zap — June 17, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
CCarter….fact is, that these guys are targets, and shouldn’t be going out spraying champagne and flossing their loot, without an entourage or body guards. Not trying to kick him while he is down, and Yes, he should be able to go anywhere and party like any other person…but he can’t. Guys like that are targets.
Sean Taylor was sleeping in his home with his family…Javon..out, spraying champagne throwing money around…how’s are the two situations similar.
Comment by JBeau — June 18, 2008 @ 7:46 am