Pers. Conduct Policy's affect on FF
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seems to be on the
rise. As a fantasy owner, you'll want to remain abreast of the
ongoing legal troubles plaguing these NFL stars so you can slot them
appropriately on your draft board or if you select them, plan
accordingly for an alternative strategy. Based upon the
suspension handed down by the league office, you'll want to steer
clear of some athletes or handcuff a solid backup to your starter in
the event of their multi-game, league imposed exile.
The NFL bye week
trap, can really hurt a fantasy football team. If you select too
many players with the same bye week that represent your top point
scorers, you might be facing a loss as your fantasy stars are riding
the bench. Compound that problem with player suspensions due to NFL
Personal Conduct Policy violations and you have a real mess on your
hands. The following is a summary of current pending legal
situations that you'll want to consider when making your selections
on draft day.
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WR Brandon Marshall - Denver Broncos
- In his second year in the league, the 6'4", 230 lb former fourth
round pick out of the University of Central Florida, exploded onto
the scene to take a firm grasp of the #1 receiver spot for the
Denver Broncos with 1325 yard receiving a seven touchdowns. Poised
for his breakout 3rd year at the wide receiver position and coupled
with the emergence of Jay Cutler at the Quarterback spot, fantasy
football owners should be salivating over the prospect of adding
this guy to your roster. Unfortunately these lofty expectations come
with some baggage. Brandon Marshall is recovering from a
serious arm injury that resulted in a severed artery, vein, and
tendons to five muscles, along with a damaged nerve in his forearm.
All the result of putting his hand through a TV screen under curious
circumstances. But the main issue with Marshall is his alleged assault
against his girlfriend and the details surrounding a physical
altercation with her sister that's caught the attention of the
Atlanta Police Department. Marshall has been arrested three
times in the past twelve months: March 2008 - misdemeanor battery
charge, October 2007 - DUI, March 2007 - domestic violence charge
that was dismissed. He may face multiple game suspensions as a
result.
June 30, 2008
Details concerning the March arrest for assaulting his girlfriend
are coming to light. The Denver Post reports that Brandon Marshall
has been involved in as many as eight incidents with 12 police
reports filed concerning domestic disputes since June 2006. The
newspaper has received reports that Marshall previously, “punched
his girlfriend, cut her leg with a knife, and threw a rock at a car
in which she was a passenger.” What a sweetheart … if you’re
planning to draft his guy, be aware that he may not last the season
in Denver.
July 17, 2008
Brandon Marshall can’t seem to stay out of trouble as the Denver
Post reports that he was ticketed on June 12 for making an illegal
lane change, according to Denver County court records. Marshall was
stopped after allegedly driving his Hummer H2 on the shoulder to
pass two cars. He was also ticketed for not having his driver’s
license and proof of insurance. Adding the alleged assault of his
girlfriend and the DUI he is charged with, and it won’t take long
for Roger Goodell to step in, especially is he’s found guilty on any
counts.
July 24, 2008
Adam Schefter of the NFL Network states that Brandon Marshall could
face a suspension of four to eight weeks due to his multiple arrests
and recent trouble with the law. Marshall is scheduled to meet with
commissioner Roger Goodell and soon afterward Goodell will announce
whether or not Marshall will be suspended during the 2008 NFL
season. We'll keep you posted on this one as it is sure to affect
Marshall's draft status.
August 6, 2008
Brandon Marshall has been suspended three games for violating the
NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. Marshall plans to appeal.
RB Marshawn Lynch - Buffalo Bills
- On the heels of a fantastic rookie season that saw Lynch post 1115
yards and seven scores, his offseason has not been so fantastic.
Lynch was involved in a hit and run incident that resulted in him
pleading guilty for failure to exercise due care (a lesser charge)
and an apology to the victim. With a civil lawsuit sure to follow,
this situation is not over for Marshawn. Roger Goodell will also
probably weigh in with some form of suspension. Fantasy owners
interested in Lynch should make sure that backup running back Fred
Jackson also appears on their roster before the draft concludes.
July 28, 2008
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has decided not to discipline
Marshawn Lynch for his involvement in a hit-and-run accident that
left a woman injured. Lynch pleaded guilty to a traffic violation as
part of a plea deal with prosecutors which according to Goodell does
not violate the league's personal conduct policy. This is fantastic
news for fantasy owners, with no repercussions or pending
suspensions on the horizon Marshawn Lynch should resume "Beast Mode"
in Buffalo and terrorize NFL defenses for the full 16 games.
WR Chris Henry - waived by Cincinnati
- Chris Henry is a fairly
talented #3 receiver that should not be on anyone's draft board.
Henry is currently on indefinite suspension from the NFL pending the
outcome of his trial. Henry has been accused of punching a man in
the face a breaking his car window with a beer bottle. He is
currently being charged with assault.
July 17, 2008
Prosecutors have dropped the assault charges filed against former
Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver Chris Henry, paving the way for his
reinstatement by the NFL. Henry has shown flashes during his brief
career as a Bengal, but he’s also proven he can find trouble. Upon
reinstatement it will be interesting to see who will give this guy
another shot. Henry has already stated that he is open to returning
to the Bengals.
July 31, 2008
Former Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was reinstated to the
league, but must first serve a four game suspension once signed by
an NFL team. The speedy 6'4" wide receiver was very productive as a
member of the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm sure some team will be willing
to give him a shot.
RB Travis Henry - cut by Denver
- Following the lofty expectations of a 1500 yard season behind the
zone blocking scheme of Mike Shanahan, Travis Henry now finds
himself on the unemployment line, largely due to his off-field
transgressions. These include several violations of the NFL's
substance abuse policy and the threat of jail time for failing to
pay child support on his nine illegitimate children by nine
different mothers. Henry was also close to a one year
suspension for a failed marijuana test. However, after
appealing and the test with the support of Shanahan, the league
reconsidered. Denver apparently grew tired of his antics and
sent him packing. If intrigued by the multi-headed running
back by committee situation in Denver, draft Selvin Young, but keep
close tabs on Michael Pittman and Andre Hall as the training camp
starter in Denver rarely finishes the year in that position.
RB Cedric Benson - cut by Chicago -
The tired act of this former first rounder finally grew to be too
much for the Chicago Bears, as he was given his walking papers after
his second alcohol-related arrest in five weeks. Benson
alleged police misconduct on both situations, but nothing was ever
proven. If he does catch on with an NFL team, Benson will
probably face multiple game suspensions for violating the league's
Personal Conduct Policy. The Chicago Bears are apparently
comfortable moving forward with rookie Matt Forte at the runningback
position, however until Forte begins facing NFL defenses, it will be
difficult to rate very high on any fantasy draft board.
WR James Hardy -
Buffalo Bills -
This rookie second round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills is slated
to start opposite Lee Evans in Buffalo if he can manage to keep his
nose clean. However, in May 2008 Hardy reportedly brandished a
firearm during an argument with his father. A situation he
explained as a misunderstanding. Hardy was also indentified as
being inside the vehicle driven by Marshawn Lynch during his hit and
run incident. Considering his questionable past that was
debated on draft day, Hardy is not doing such a great job endearing
himself to his new team.
RB Kevin Faulk - New England Patriots
– Kevin Faulk pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of
marijuana possession. At this point it is unclear whether or not
Faulk will face any form of suspension from the league.
WR Matt Jones -
Jacksonville Jaguars
- According to FirstCoastNews.com, Jacksonville wide receiver Matt
Jones was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance,
which was cocaine. The site reported that when Jones was approached
by policemen, he was sitting in the back of a car and had a card
with a white powdery substance on it. Athletically, Matt Jones never
lived up to the promise that made him a first round pick of the
Jaguars in 2005. He was in danger of being released before this
incident as he sat low on the depth chart at wide receiver.
Depending on how this shakes out, he may find himself on the NFL
unemployment line.
July 22, 2008
Strangely enough, the Jacksonville Jaguars have announced that they
will be retaining the services of Matt Jones ... for now. On the
heels of his arrest for felony cocaine possession, this is good news
for Jones. It may also be an indication that the Jags are feeling a
bit vulnerable at the wide receiver position. We'll continue to
monitor this one.
July 25, 2008
Matt Jones apologizes for his arrest in which he was found in the
back of a car with cocaine in his possession. "I'm embarrassed for
Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, coach Del Rio and my teammates, and even the
fans of Jacksonville," Jones stated. For now he remains a Jaguar,
but this guy should be on nobody's draft board even for deep fantasy
football leagues.
WR Marvin Harrison - Indianapolis Colts
July 23, 2008
According to Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison should see no repercussions
from the league in regard to his connection to the April shooting in
his hometown of Philadelphia. "I've been given reason to think that
Marvin's part of it will not be anything that will come up for us
during the year," Dungy said. It appears that things are a go for
Marvin Harrison for fantasy football this year with his recovery
from last year's injury well underway.
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How
does the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy Affect My Fantasy Team?