By Craig Lackey, Sports Columnist; Crln69@mizzou.edu.
April 06, 2007.
The National Football League is a fickle place for a professional athlete to make a living. Careers are short, contracts aren’t guaranteed and once a franchise deems you unworthy of a roster spot, you’ll be quickly sent to the unemployment line.
But don’t misunderstand my point. NFL players tend to make fabulous salaries that can set them up for life long after the bright lights of stardom have faded. But I was appalled by the recent tactics the St. Louis Rams used to dismiss long-time guard Adam Timmerman who, after eight seasons with the organization, became much more than just a football player in the community. Now it appears the same fate awaits veteran Kansas City quarterback Trent Green, who will likely be traded or released.
Let’s face it, the NFL is a business, and in this business, the goal is to always get younger and cheaper. But sometimes with this strategy of turnover, you begin to lose the humanity of sports. Timmerman was much more than a Pro Bowl-caliber player; he was a consummate professional, both on and off the field. The burly guard manned his position for 204 consecutive games. He was a personification of the blue-collar attitude embodied by millions of football fans across the country.
Despite being a model citizen, it appears Timmerman didn’t fit into the blocking schemes implemented by new coach Scott Linehan. Timmerman quickly fell out of favor and last month received an unceremonious release from the team. Gone with him are 13 years of NFL experience from an offensive line that struggled to block opponents week to week. I have trouble believing Richie Incognito and Alex “False Start” Barron can protect quarterback Marc Bulger.
Trent Green is another story that can be placed in the “What have you done for me lately?” category. In all honesty, Green should never have been cleared to play after suffering a severe concussion after a vicious hit in the season opener. The veteran appeared shaken and his play erratic, which led many to wonder if his career was over. But how do you turn your back on the long-time leader of the Chiefs’ offense?
There are a few things involved in Green’s case. He was a Dick Vermeil guy, and the last time I checked, the Chiefs are now coached by Herm Edwards. Unlike Vermeil, Edwards has no history with the quarterback and is willing to sever ties if management can’t convince Green to restructure his contract.
Journeyman backup Damon Huard also complicated matters by playing relatively well in Green’s absence, notching career highs with 1,878 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 98. But this is the same Damon Huard who failed miserably as the heir apparent to Dan Marino, and at age 33, his re-signing offers little upside.
It’s sad that little is mentioned about professional athletes who refuse to abuse their wealth and fame. In an age where we are bombarded by stories involving the antics of Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones, it would be encouraging to hear a story or two about the athletes who show up every Sunday ready to sacrifice everything for the game they love.
The acronym NFL is often interpreted as meaning “not for long,” and for teams, that must be talking about loyalty.
April 06, 2007.
The National Football League is a fickle place for a professional athlete to make a living. Careers are short, contracts aren’t guaranteed and once a franchise deems you unworthy of a roster spot, you’ll be quickly sent to the unemployment line.
But don’t misunderstand my point. NFL players tend to make fabulous salaries that can set them up for life long after the bright lights of stardom have faded. But I was appalled by the recent tactics the St. Louis Rams used to dismiss long-time guard Adam Timmerman who, after eight seasons with the organization, became much more than just a football player in the community. Now it appears the same fate awaits veteran Kansas City quarterback Trent Green, who will likely be traded or released.
Let’s face it, the NFL is a business, and in this business, the goal is to always get younger and cheaper. But sometimes with this strategy of turnover, you begin to lose the humanity of sports. Timmerman was much more than a Pro Bowl-caliber player; he was a consummate professional, both on and off the field. The burly guard manned his position for 204 consecutive games. He was a personification of the blue-collar attitude embodied by millions of football fans across the country.
Despite being a model citizen, it appears Timmerman didn’t fit into the blocking schemes implemented by new coach Scott Linehan. Timmerman quickly fell out of favor and last month received an unceremonious release from the team. Gone with him are 13 years of NFL experience from an offensive line that struggled to block opponents week to week. I have trouble believing Richie Incognito and Alex “False Start” Barron can protect quarterback Marc Bulger.
Trent Green is another story that can be placed in the “What have you done for me lately?” category. In all honesty, Green should never have been cleared to play after suffering a severe concussion after a vicious hit in the season opener. The veteran appeared shaken and his play erratic, which led many to wonder if his career was over. But how do you turn your back on the long-time leader of the Chiefs’ offense?
There are a few things involved in Green’s case. He was a Dick Vermeil guy, and the last time I checked, the Chiefs are now coached by Herm Edwards. Unlike Vermeil, Edwards has no history with the quarterback and is willing to sever ties if management can’t convince Green to restructure his contract.
Journeyman backup Damon Huard also complicated matters by playing relatively well in Green’s absence, notching career highs with 1,878 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 98. But this is the same Damon Huard who failed miserably as the heir apparent to Dan Marino, and at age 33, his re-signing offers little upside.
It’s sad that little is mentioned about professional athletes who refuse to abuse their wealth and fame. In an age where we are bombarded by stories involving the antics of Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones, it would be encouraging to hear a story or two about the athletes who show up every Sunday ready to sacrifice everything for the game they love.
The acronym NFL is often interpreted as meaning “not for long,” and for teams, that must be talking about loyalty.