Bears waive troubled DT Tank Johnson

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

First off, Lewis wasn't convicted of anything.

Tank on the other hand is a thug, plain and simple. He's one F up away from a season long ban from the NFL and probably prison time.

Well, actually, he pled guilty to obstruction of justice. It was clearly one of those situations where everybody knew he was involved but (in part due to his obstruction) the actual part he played was never really demonstrated. But for those who followed it, Lewis almost certainly didn't kill anyone but gave a lift to the killer or someone who participated in the fight w/ the killer and then helped that person dispose of/destroy his bloody clothes.

No doubt in my mind, given the facts that came out, Ray Lewis would have gotten a suspension had Goodell been Commissioner. Don't kid yourself - In the offseason, Lewis was every bit the thug, out all hours with his posse. He was, however, a workaholic during the season.

Don't forget Jamal Lewis who was convicted of conspiracy and served time. Again, I think he would get a suspension also.

It's a different world in the NFL for players. Unless they start penalizing teams, however, it's really not going to change.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Well, actually, he pled guilty to obstruction of justice. It was clearly one of those situations where everybody knew he was involved but (in part due to his obstruction) the actual part he played was never really demonstrated. But for those who followed it, Lewis almost certainly didn't kill anyone but gave a lift to the killer or someone who participated in the fight w/ the killer and then helped that person dispose of/destroy his bloody clothes.

No doubt in my mind, given the facts that came out, Ray Lewis would have gotten a suspension had Goodell been Commissioner. Don't kid yourself - In the offseason, Lewis was every bit the thug, out all hours with his posse. He was, however, a workaholic during the season.

Don't forget Jamal Lewis who was convicted of conspiracy and served time. Again, I think he would get a suspension also.

It's a different world in the NFL for players. Unless they start penalizing teams, however, it's really not going to change.

By 'anything' I meant he wasn't convicted of murder. I wouldn't put Lewis in the same class of thug as Tank though. Yeah Lewis was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he seems to have cleaned up his act since then. Tank just doesn't seem to have the IQ to be able to turn his life around. He'll end up dead or in prison.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

By 'anything' I meant he wasn't convicted of murder. I wouldn't put Lewis in the same class of thug as Tank though. Yeah Lewis was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he seems to have cleaned up his act since then. Tank just doesn't seem to have the IQ to be able to turn his life around. He'll end up dead or in prison.

First, it was more than "wrong place, wrong time" Lewis clearly assisted someone who either participated in the murder or was present and knew the murderer. The extent of his knowledge was never proven - mainly b/c it was a mob scene and no credible witnesses could be found. BUT some bloody guy, with a bloody knife got in the backseat of Lewis's limo - w/ Lewis present in the backseat - and both the bloody clothes and the bloody knife disappeard.

Also, being in the wrong place, wrong time, is sorta the m.o. of all these guys. In some ways, Lewis got lucky in that his alleged offense was so heinous and there was a real chance he would go away for a long time. Because of that, I think he did some serious self examination and realized he had to hang with a different crowd.

I think Lewis basically got "scared straight". Being charged with murder may have that effect.

As for Tank, after reading the various reports, I think your right - he doesn't get it. Maybe he just to dumb, maybe he just a liar or maybe he is just to arrogant. Actually, if it's just meatheadedness, that can be cured, but I get the feeling this guy is more liar than anything else. The Chicago papers called him a "con artist". He twice came out and said - "Yes sir, I will follow the straight and narrow" only to go clubbing right after.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

First off, Lewis wasn't convicted of anything.

Tank on the other hand is a thug, plain and simple. He's one F up away from a season long ban from the NFL and probably prison time.

Well which is worse? Covering up a murder where two guys were beaten and stabbed to death in the street? Or getting busted with guns? Tank may not be a model citizen but he was not involved in a murder cover up. Ray Lewis may not have been convicted of murder, but he hid from the police who killed two people. We all know those were the facts.

If you ask me, what Ray Lewis did was WAY WORSE than what Tank did. But the difference is Ray got around some vets like Shannon Sharpe and Rod Woodson and he finally got it and cut his homeboys loose.

[DGreene28]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

First off, Lewis wasn't convicted of anything.

Tank on the other hand is a thug, plain and simple. He's one F up away from a season long ban from the NFL and probably prison time.

Hmmm! So you're saying you'd take a 'chance' on Ray because he had a better lawyer. Tank Johnson made a poor choice having unregistered weapons... but that doesn't make him a thug. If you are an NFL player in this day and age you are under a microscope and every little mishap is magnified. If you think a DUI makes a person a thug you're wrong... All kinds of people make that mistake. You probably have too just haven't been caught.

I'd sign Tank next season. Perfect for a late season D-line boost. If things are going well he'll rotate in.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by DGreene28

Hmmm! So you're saying you'd take a 'chance' on Ray because he had a better lawyer. Tank Johnson made a poor choice having unregistered weapons... but that doesn't make him a thug. If you are an NFL player in this day and age you are under a microscope and every little mishap is magnified. If you think a DUI makes a person a thug you're wrong... All kinds of people make that mistake. You probably have too just haven't been caught.

I'd sign Tank next season. Perfect for a late season D-line boost. If things are going well he'll rotate in.

He saying Ray Lewis seems to have learned his lesson by staying out of trouble. Tank still seems think he's untouchable.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by DGreene28

Hmmm! So you're saying you'd take a 'chance' on Ray because he had a better lawyer. Tank Johnson made a poor choice having unregistered weapons... but that doesn't make him a thug. If you are an NFL player in this day and age you are under a microscope and every little mishap is magnified. If you think a DUI makes a person a thug you're wrong... All kinds of people make that mistake. You probably have too just haven't been caught.

I'd sign Tank next season. Perfect for a late season D-line boost. If things are going well he'll rotate in.

But I think the issue is Tank is under scrutiny, not only by Goodell but also the police (he is under probation isn't he) so there is no room for mistakes. And yet he made a mistake. Interesting comment by Andre Carter on Redskins.com yesterday talking about how the linemen appreciated Gibbs, Blache, and Williams showing faith in them and the importance of them (the lineman) being a group of "class guys" or something like that. Seemed to me like he was subtly saying "We don't want no problem child."

Honestly though, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Tank actually went back to the Bears. Provided he flys straight and narrow the next few months

DGreene, how are things?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by DGreene28

Hmmm! So you're saying you'd take a 'chance' on Ray because he had a better lawyer. Tank Johnson made a poor choice having unregistered weapons... but that doesn't make him a thug. If you are an NFL player in this day and age you are under a microscope and every little mishap is magnified. If you think a DUI makes a person a thug you're wrong... All kinds of people make that mistake. You probably have too just haven't been caught.

I'd sign Tank next season. Perfect for a late season D-line boost. If things are going well he'll rotate in.

Resisting arrest, verbally threatening a police officer and getting maced by cops puts you in thug territory if you ask me. Rolling around with a bodyguard who ended up getting shot and killed at a club by an alleged gang member? Thug. Owning assault rifles? Thug. Getting arrested at a nightclub with a handgun? Thug. Repeatedly violating probation? Thug.

Sorry but these are all things that don't happen to everyday, normal people. That's thug life, plain and simple.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Resisting arrest, verbally threatening a police officer and getting maced by cops puts you in thug territory if you ask me. Rolling around with a bodyguard who ended up getting shot and killed at a club by an alleged gang member? Thug. Owning assault rifles? Thug. Getting arrested at a nightclub with a handgun? Thug. Repeatedly violating probation? Thug.

Sorry but these are all things that don't happen to everyday, normal people. That's thug life, plain and simple.

I agree with you.

Once I got a speeding ticket, and I had the option of taking a defensive driving course, and deferring the speeding offense -- only if there were no additional infractions within 1 year. Of course I took the deferred adjudication, and I was on my best behavior for 1 year. That was for a speeding ticket. This dude is on probation. You'd think he'd be more careful. I'm an owner of a handgun, but if I were in his situation I would probably sell my gun. At least I would know the law, and be certain that I was within its limits. The consequences are just too great. He obviously doesn't get that. He either thinks he's above the law, or he's stupid. Maybe both.

[MTK]

There's no comparing OJ to Lewis. They had barely any evidence against Lewis. OJ on the other hand...

C'mon, don't pull this right to bare arms crap in regard to Tank. His problems go much deeper than that.

In November 2005, Johnson was arrested at the Excalibur nightclub in Chicago's Cook County for possession of a handgun in his sport utility vehicle. Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge and was sentenced to 18 months probation and 40 hours of community service. On February 12, 2006, Johnson, while still on probation, was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after allegedly verbally threatening a police officer. Johnson was leaving Level Nightclub on Chicago's Rush Street when the police officer was ticketing a limousine driver whom Johnson had hired. As Johnson allegedly put up a struggle, he was maced and subdued with the help of other police officers. The charges were eventually dropped.

On December 14, 2006, Lake County police officers searched Johnson's home in Gurnee, Illinois, and allegedly discovered that he possessed six firearms, including two assault rifles. Although Johnson was at football practice during the search, his bodyguard William Posey was arrested from his house for alleged possession of marijuana. Johnson was charged with violation to probation and possessing unlicensed weapons. Bears coach Lovie Smith deactivated Johnson for the following game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on this incident.

On December 16, 2006, Johnson's best friend and bodyguard William Posey was killed in a shooting at Ice Bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Posey was shot after he was allegedly involved in a fight around midnight. Posey was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30am. Posey's assailant was not apprehended by the police. On December 28, Chicago Police apprehended Michael Selvie, Posey's alleged assailant. Selvie, a "reputed gang member" has been implicated in over 30 other crimes. However, Selvie's defense attorney claims that Selvie does not posses a firearm or any gang affiliations. If found guilty, Selvie will face charges of first degree murder.

On December 22, 2006, Cook County Circuit Judge John J. Moran, Jr. (Skokie courthouse, Second District, Cook County, Illinois) placed Johnson on home confinement, preventing him from driving by himself or leaving the state of Illinois. On February 8, 2007, Johnson entered a guilty plea in Cook County's Courthouse in Skokie for violating his probation. On March 15, 2007, Johnson was sentenced to a 120 days in prison (Cook County Jail) and fined $2,500 for violating his probation. On February 17, 2007, Johnson's lawyer contested a Lake County Circuit Court to drop Johnson's unlicensed weapons charges. His attorney claimed that since Johnson is a resident of Arizona, he does not have to abide to gun registration laws of Illinois. Johnson entered a plea of not guilty on 10 counts of possessing a weapon without the proper state-required ID. On December 30, 2006, Tank Johnson contacted Gurnee Police Department to file harassment charges. Local youths left a toilet seat with a harassing message on his doorstep. Local news reported that the police did not disclose what the message on the garbage can said Other sources claim that "Nice Job Tank" was written on the seat. The seat had been duct-taped to a garbage can filled with excrement.

On April 30, Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge as part of an arrangement with prosecutors that will keep him from serving additional jail time. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, which will be served concurrently with a four-month sentence he's already serving in the Cook County Jail for violating his probation; to donate $2,500 to the Gurnee Police Department and $2,500 to the Gurnee Exchange Club's child abuse prevention program. While he was in jail, many of his teammates and coaches, including Brian Urlacher, Rex Grossman, and Lovie Smith visited Johnson. His release from jail on May 13 ended his legal problems from the December 2006 weapons incident. The league ultimately suspended Johnson for half of the regular season on June 4.. However, he will have the opportunity to reduce the sentence to six games if he complies with Commissioner Goodell's guidelines of behavior, which include going to counseling.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Let's not forget that Tank already served prison time. I wouldn't want him here because the fact that he won't change. He thinks that it is a game and he should be casted aside like a pile of rancid taco meat.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

Let's not forget that Tank already served prison time. I wouldn't want him here because the fact that he won't change. He thinks that it is a game and he should be casted aside like a pile of rancid taco meat.

What the hell is rancid taco meat??

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

What the hell is rancid taco meat??

Taco Meat that has gotten rotten

[skinsWill]

Im just showing both sides Matty, but when you get this much pub. over a speeding ticket... A SPEEDING TICKET!!!! its gone too far. which was the only citation he recieved if im not mistaken. Granted the man should have enough money to hire a whole fleet of cars and drivers, and not put himself in that position this close removed from his prison stay. As far as the guns go, I said it before it speaks volumes about his character, but the only thing that was ILLEGAL is that they werent registered. I just moved down to Texas and i was shocked at the amount of guns and ammo everyone has down here... it speaks volumes about their character... but since they are registered its not illegal... its just overboard in my opinion... but down here my opinion is the minority.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skinsWill

Im just showing both sides Matty, but when you get this much pub. over a speeding ticket... A SPEEDING TICKET!!!! its gone too far. which was the only citation he recieved if im not mistaken. Granted the man should have enough money to hire a whole fleet of cars and drivers, and not put himself in that position this close removed from his prison stay. As far as the guns go, I said it before it speaks volumes about his character, but the only thing that was ILLEGAL is that they werent registered. I just moved down to Texas and i was shocked at the amount of guns and ammo everyone has down here... it speaks volumes about their character... but since they are registered its not illegal... its just overboard in my opinion... but down here my opinion is the minority.

The speeding ticket alone isn't the issue. If his record was clean this would barely be a blip on the radar. But considering his significant legal history, it just confirms what we already know. The guy is a loser, a thug, and a waste of human flesh.