Film Room: Another WR Conversation
Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by Bassett
Ray, Greg and Brian talk about adding a WR (or not) on JetNation.
Filed under: Film Room
Ray, Greg and Brian talk about adding a WR (or not) on JetNation.
Filed under: Film Room
-Ray Lucas should’ve been groomed to a starter for the Jets.
-I’m glad to hear someone else say it: ‘They didn’t address the WR situation in the draft. WHERE THEY SHOULD’VE.’
-I wouldn’t call Plaxico a “locker room cancer”. He’s more of an irresponsible person. Maybe a really dumb guy. But i don’t remember anyone saying where he had a negative effect on Big Eli and the the Giants.
Maybe missing team meetings and suchlike is a poor example to set the younger players, but I’d agree that doesn’t exactly meet the criteria for being a ‘cancer’. It does seem his teammates have been supportive of him.
Yeah. Right. And as I recall there was definitely some constant speculation as to how Plax getting away with so much BS would effect the other players. So that’s certainly a negative effect. And in a team that’s less tight-nit than the Giants I could see that having some real bad outcomes for the season.
igs,
I agree that the Jets should’ve drafted a WR in the draft. But, not this draft. The real mistake was in 2005. The infamous Doug Jolley/Nugent draft. The Jets could’ve stayed with the 26th pick of the 1st round and selected Roddy White or, even after making the deal, taken Roscoe Parrish (instead of Nugent) or Vincent Jackson (instead of Miller) in the 2nd round. In fact, the Jets could’ve taken Parrish, who would’ve been just as good as Miller as a KR AND Jackson…all 6-5 of him. And, since it takes @ 3 years for a WR to blossom, each of these WRs would be ready now.
People are assuming straight up that Plaxico hasnt learned anything and will continue to be a fool. I mean, the guy SHOT HIMSELF. He HAD to learn something. The only person that complained about him as a locker room teammate was Tim Hasselback… that means nothing to me. He is a TOP 5 reciever. You want to know what breeds a good lockerroom environment? WINNING. If he can help us win, theres no question we should sign him to a one year deal and see what we can do with a number one reciever like him. You know who we should be asking about Plax and whether hes worth it or not…? Eli Manning.
Granted, they should have found a way to draft a WR. However, Tannenbaum is not going to get a WR now just to stop the fans and media from bugging him about not drafting one. If he thinks there is a guy out there who fits our team and would help us win, then he’ll make the move. I would really love to see Plax here, but if we don’t get him or anyone else, its not the end of the world. We will still be solid with our running game and O-Line.
Sack,
True. You’re absolutely right. Foresight. Well the real mistake has been every year, outside of the LC pickup, but including this one. But, yeah, I remember that stupid Doug Jolley crap trade. Stupid Idiot Terry Bradway. I mean, the Jets could’ve made a move for Limas Sweed last year adn we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
MSM,
He hasn’t done anything to show me that he’s remorseful. First off, he should’ve tried to make it right for his teammates. 2nd, he should’ve taken the plea and done his 2 months. He might be signed right now, depending on how Goodell played it. But he scared of jail so he’s not taking his medicine. Where’s the public apology? love Plax but he’s doing what he’s always done, trying to get around his responsibility.
Tim Hasselbeck single-handedly changed my mind on Plax. He was there, is a low-key, level-headed guy, and went so far as to call Plax a “disaster” as a teammate. It was a powerful thing to see him use such words on NFL Live.
Guys, i dont agree. First of all Tim Hasselback is a terrible referance in my opinion. Ask the people that actually played on the field with him. Ask Eli Manning. Seriously… he would be the one i want to hear, not Tim Hasselback. Hasselback has no career to look back on and is depending on his NFL Live job to make a splash in the media and get his name out there as an analyst. If anything, listen to the people on the JETS like Faneca that have already played with him and want to play with him again. He wants to win.
Also… Apologize to who?? He shot himself, not anyone else.He brought a gun into a club (dumb) and he shot himself (dumber). Hes afraid of jail??? WHO ISNT. I would rather prolong that as much as possible and do whatever it takes to get the hell away from jail and back on the field. In my mind the Stallworth punishment essentially makes the Plax situation black and white for me. If Stallworth is getting 30 days in jail for killing someone while driving drunk, than Plax is just a case of bad luck. Plus lets not forget how many of those players do the same exact thing (except for the shooting themselves part).
MSM,
Plax was part of a team. A team that he won a championship with. And he compromised their ability to win another. If the guy has no sense of allegiance toward the Giants, who all basically came out in support of him when this went down, (Peirce actually put his career and record on the line for Plax to boot), then what kind of allegience will he have toward the Jets.
The Jets should never have traded Santana Moss to the Skins. I’m still pissed at that move!
igs…
Plax was the reason they won a championship. The fact that he compromised their ability to win another because he shot himself is a damn shame but i think it means a lot that important players like Peirce and Eli support him throughout. He is a headache yes, but honestly, the headache we have from losing for 40 years is worse. Id take a championship, just one for now… Forget about the off the field stuff. On the field he makes everyone better, which translates into wins, which translates into a happy lockeroom and team. Thats it. Theres plenty of leaders on this team now, plenty of players that will demand the spotlight. Plax is an important peice of the puzzle right now. And to take a shot with him is def. worth it. It wouldnt cost us a trade or anything. We HAVE to do something at that position. Honestly, hes the best option right now.
whoever says all of plax’s teammates were very supportive of plax never seen any interview where eli talked about plax. eli never showed any affection towards plax. always just a very rehearsed, “he was a big contributor to our oganization.” with a who cares attitude.
can plax be a contributor though? most definitely. do i want plax on the jets? definitely NO. im sorry but i just dont like ridiculously stupid people.
I would definitely take Plax. He shot himself accidentally in the leg. Definitely a weirdo lame move. But at least he didn’t shoot someone else. Then it would be a big problem.
Nevertheless, he was such a cancer to the Giants that all they did was win when he was in the lineup and then lose without him. We would be lucky to have him on the team.
Spoken like a TruJetFan…
All i want to do is win for gods sake. 40 years is enough already. I cant take it. I want the best players (ON THE FIELD) available… period.
MSM, anyone could tell you I share your sentiment for the Jets to win a Super Bowl. But I think your looking past some really key issues. Like I said, if the guy had any crew love he would be back in NY right now trying to make things right for the Giants. He would’ve done his 2 months like a grown up. He would have apologized publicly. He would be well on the road to public redemption by now, so that when Goody Goodell had to make a decision about reinstatement, it would’ve been easier to help Plax out.
Not to mention the grand jury exploration which means he could go to trail before year’s end.
My friend. It’s a pipe dream. He ain’t playing. I’m 92% sure.
And as for the org, you can’t make up for 10 years of ineptitude by throwing a very weak band aid on the problem. If you’re going to make a move it’s gotta be a quality one, with a future.
igs…
I guess this an agree to disagree situation and i def understand where you are coming from. But theres not a chance I would consider adding Plax to our team (the way it is set up right now with 3 rbs, a rookie qb, and a SOLID defense), a “very weak band aid”. I look at Plax as the missing link. If you want to consider the future, consider how much Sanchez could benefit from a huge target like that. I think we need to get past the emotional, hes “my hero”, elements of football. Most of those guys arent role models. Most of them have lawyers and agents telling them what to do. And unfortunatly many of them (even publically) have admitted to carrying guns like that. Clearly theres a reason he felt that he needed one, but thats a deeper issue for the NFL, not a Plax issue. If you want to win a Super Bowl, than lets do it… im with you. But we need a number one reciever right now. We need it… and hes the best one out there that wouldnt cost us much, and wouldnt require a trade. No brainer.
igs,
I disagree on Limas Sweed because the Jets moved up to get Keller. You can’t just look at WRs, you have to look at the whole receiving corps. I can’t fault Tanny for preferring Keller, especially in today’s NFL where a TE cannot be manhandled without penalty and, thus, has a natural advantage against LBs and safeties. IMO, 2005 was a better example because at each Jets draft position in the first 2 rounds there was available a WR that has carved a niche in the NFL. A matter of fact, if you look at the Jets’ 1st and 2nd round picks this decade, there weren’t many times when they drafted a player but a top-notch WR that was considered to have talent commensurate with the pick was available. I think you also have to fault the Jets for not tapping the FA/trade markets effectively. There have been many good WRs that have been traded or hit the FA markets, like Welker, Chambers, Moss, Roy Williams, TO, Housh, Berrian, etc. And, I still don’t know how the Jets let Colston out of their backyard and into the Pro Bowl.
igs,
I’m for signing Plax. Many Giants players and almost all the Jets’ players interviewed would welcome Plax. I agree that he should’ve taken a plea deal, but you can’t expect common sense from a guy that shot himself in the thigh. Also, he can’t issue an apology (it would be an admission of guilt) unless he does it as part of his plea deal (and, really, the only people he has to apologize to are the Giants and Giants fans).
I’m also ambivalent about Plax’s crime. Yes, it’s illegal to carry a gun in NYC (but it isn’t most other states and cities in the US) and it was reckless to shoot the gun (most towns do have laws against firing a gun in public except for special circumstances), but Americans have a Second Amendment right to own a gun and the licensing regime is the “law”, but so is driving a car with a license. If Plax had driven his car off the road, hurt his thigh, but it was found out that he had an expired driver’s license and the car was unregistered, nobody would be talking about jail time or suspension. And, don’t tell me a car isn’t a dangerous weapon, more Americans are killed by cars than guns. NYC is allowed to have strict handgun laws and they’ve been upheld, but getting the book thrown at you for what is otherwise a legal activity under the US Constitution rankles me.
Is this going through? All of a sudden my posts are not going through? Am I being censored?
MSM, some good points but you’re off in some places.
No he won’t come cheap. The guy does have the audacity to think that he can command top market value, one of the reasons he got cut by the jints.
2, athletes are role models, like it or not. It’s not up for debate. If your kids like sports, there’s some athlete that he loves. But that’s an aside anyway.
I’ve been past the emotional part of it. We have a real team first kind of mentality on this roster now. Maybe that will temper Plax. Or maybe Plax will come in and mess that all up. Who can say. I don’t like the chances.
Did I mention that he ain’t playing this year? You think Goody Godell’s going to let him off with a 2 game? No. Maybe not next year either? If he goes to trail, he IS going to be found guilty. There IS NO real defense in his corner. And he will do some hard time.
Aren’t you concerned at all about the way he’s handled this whole situation and how he’s turned his back on his teammates?
I think my point about the band aid was to say that we’ve been screwing up in the draft and free agency all these years. if it’s going to be a FA receiver, get a young guy that can still grow with the team, with a clear record and a lot of potential, and a guy that doesn’t include pimping on his list of hobbies. In other words…
…SIGN MATT JONES!
Sack,
The key phrase you uttered is “what is OTHERWISE a legal activity”.
What Plax did is illegal…period. I’ll not argue the constitutional consideration, which is dubious anyway. But in NYC he comitted a crime. (It’s lucky for him that he shot himself, and not someone else. But he clearly endangered OTHERS with his actions.)
As for “throwing the book at him”, that’s yet to be seen. When he’s been tried, or when a plea deal is reached, we’ll know the legal price he’s paid. Should it turn out to be something similar to the plea deal he’s already rejected that would seem fair to me.
As far as the Jets acquiring him I’ve said all along it isn’t going to happen for quite a while, if at all. I’m not against it, but given the time frame I don’t think ultimately it will make sense.
Sorry igs…dunno why that was being blocked.
Sack, I disagree. But I don’t think you’re particularly wrong. IMO, you take the WR when have a chance at him. There were plenty of TEs. That was a really good crop, and though they have been quiet, you’ll see a lot of those guys flourish over the next few years. Their both skill positions, but TE is less so, therefore easier to fill and easier to develop. But, even if we passed in the Keller year, there were plenty of other years.
Good point about the admission with Plax. I missed that, but plenty of public apologies have been made without admitting guilt. I still don’t think he has gone about his business with any sense of regret for reason I already mentioned.
igs,
I always thought Ray Lucas could’ve taken Jets further, but we didn’t open the playbook to him after Vinny went down.
I love his comment about TO swearing in the huddle:
“That wouldn’t happen in my huddle. Ray Lucas would bust TO in the mouth!!!”
Good luck, Buffalo!
PS: About Plax. I’d rather take a chance on a playmaker like Plax missing games than some schlep making games, not touchdowns.
Barbarella,
Yeah Ray showed me a lot of good stuff when he played for Vinny that year. I mean I guess there was something to him getting cut since he didn’t take with the Dolphins either. But I thought he showed a heck of a lot of potential and he was onee of the few good things about that agonizing season.
Let me pose a general question to folks. You know about the grand jury as reported by Lucas. You know if it goes to trial he’s doing time. You know the DA wants him to do time in the plea, which is what the stallwart is based on. Do you guys think Plax gets off scott-free to play ofr the Jets?
StvDoe,
It’s illegal to speed, drive a car without a license or a car without insurance. If that combination occurs and you have an accident and hurt yourself, it’s likely not a felony or there’s no way you would face jail time. Sorry, but I’m not in favor of gun control and I try to keep politics out of my blog comments, but I just don’t think Plax deserves a possible felony trial and jail time. The man learned his lesson. He shot himself, which must have hurt quite a bit, and was suspended without pay for 5 games by the Giants (a huge chunk of change). IMO, he should just get a slap on the wrist and likely that’s all he would’ve gotten if he were a rich nobody. Instead, he’s a rich somebody, so it becomes a media circus. Also, if he had gotten a gun license and a carry permit (it’s hard in NYC, but not impossible), he would not be facing any criminal liability. So, the crime is all based on the licensing and, unlike for a car, there’s no proficiency test to make sure you have a baseline of skill to safely handle a gun. For that, he faces a possible felony conviction? Because he didn’t pay a fee and fill out an application? And, someone with Plax’s money and his legitimate safety concerns, likely would’ve gotten a carry permit. I’m a law and order guy, but let’s not make this “crime” more than it is. He just didn’t have a carry permit. A hot dog vendor without a license presents more of a societal threat.
So it’s okay to walk around with an unlicensed loaded weapon that you do not know how to use while you’re drunk and in a dark crowded club among a bunch of innocent citizens and have it go off?
Sack, I agree a full sentence would be to harsh, which is among the reasons that people plea down in the NYC. Except Plax think he’s going to magically get out of going to jail. The guy should have taken the plea and done the time. This would all be over.
Regardless of the type of person and player Burres would be in the lockeroom, there is no way he will play for the Jets this season. He would be crazy to stay in NY and have to hear the never ending talk of his shooting and impending legal issues. If he were smart he would sign with the team furthest from NY.
That said, thats exactaly why he’ll be in green and white this season.
Sack,
Regardless of your politics, (which are diametrically opposed to mine), it’s a crime.
No analogy can change that fact. The fact that you don’t think it should be a crime doesn’t change it either.
And I think you’re ignoring the serious threat he posed to others, even if that threat was caused by his stupidity in not having the safety on. His gun went off with nobody aiming it! He could have killed somebody!
How you can gloss over this is betyond me, regardless of your hatred of gun control.
He commited a serious crime, a felony. SOME punishment seems appropriate. I’m not even calling for the MINIMUM sentence as proscribed by law. In NYC first time offenders are usually given less than that, and he’s a first time offender.
But his crime is greater than not “bothering” to fill out some paperwork. The process is stringent. One can’t say if he’d be approved without going through said process.
The fact is that his not “bothering” is just another indictment of his attitude about rules in general, but that’s another discussion.
Signing Matt Jones makes a lot od sense.
And what do you think Bent? Basset? Corey? You think Plax gets off scott free? You think his trail waits till off-season 2010?
sack-
nyc is a “no carry” town. even if a person completes a pistol permit application, pays the required fee, and and obtains a permit, he still cannot carry the weapon within NYC (or yonkers). so this isnt a case where his actions would have been legal if only he had “done the paperwork.”
personally i dont particularly like laws that punish victimless crimes like drug use or prostitution. however gun laws do not fall into that category. plax accidentally discharged his weapon in a crowded venue. he could easily have shot someone, and also created a panic/stampede that might have killed many others. the stupidity that plax showed is exactly why these laws stay on the books.
i really dont have any sympathy for him, even though i would like to see him at WR this year.
Looking at the Jets RBs in 2009:
http://turnonthejets.com/2009/06/22/jets-positional-analysis-running-back/
StvDoe,
How about operating a car without a license? A car is a 2,000 lb death machine. You’re on public streets. How about if you’ve been drinking, but not drunk, speeding without a license? Wouldn’t you also present a public threat? Just speeding kills more people than guns in America. I don’t “hate” gun control (I never said that); it has a place in the law, I just don’t think carrying a hand gun without a license should be a serious felony with mandatory jail time.
Also, there are many cities and states that don’t have NYC’s draconian gun laws. An accidental discharge of a handgun is a mistake. Sure, it could’ve caused harm. So, can doing flaming shots near drapes (and, more Americans will die from binge drinking in bars and clubs than from handguns…should we bring back Prohibition?). Again, my problem is that carrying a gun is a “crime” because of the licensing. There’s no other intrinsic crime because Americans have a Second Amendment right to own a gun. In fact, NYC was lucky that it’s gun laws were upheld as being constitutional. It’s the lack of the license that is the crime, not the possession of the gun.
Also, you can get a carry permit in NYC (I’ve looked into it and decided it was too much of a hassle, so benjam you’re misinformed:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/permits/handgun_licensing_information.shtml
jetsfanforlife…. ..santana moss??? r u serious….
how is he relevant to any of this conversation??
sack-
i didn’t want to write a dissertation on nyc’s carry law. you are correct that there are some limited exceptions (e.g. security guards) to the “no carry” law, but none of them apply even remotely to this situation. plax could never get a license that would allow him to carry in a nightclub and you could not et a carry license either. you said you didnt apply for the license because it was “a hassle.” the truth is you didn’t apply because you realized you couldn’t get one.
your second amendment reference is also misplaced. in the first place, the second amendment applies to the federal government and not to the states so the second amendment doesn’t even apply to NYCs gun law. secondly, no right is absolute. we have freedom of speech but you cannot yell fire in a crowded movie house. you cannot commit slander. you cannot file a false police report. etc etc etc.
i happen to admire your libertarian impulses, but dont defend plax. his foolish behavior is the kind of thing that continues to justify big government.
i really dont think plax should do serious time on this, assuming he has no priors. in my view, michael vick’s crime was 10 times as bad as what plax did. how much time did vick get?
Why does it matter how any of us feel about gun laws? Will Plax be on trail at the end of the year? Will Plax be in jail come the playoffs? Can Plax even make a comeback after being gone for a year? Hmmm, seems like you’re on shaky ground if you’re signing this guy to your squad.
i disagree. plax is a stud. he would make the jets better and he definitely wont be in jail for the playoffs. along those lines, i’m very worried the patriots will sign vick. i’m not worried about what vick will do to their locker room. i’m worried that the pats will use him properly and that he will be impossible to cover.
the side conversation is that some of us want plax so badly that we’re pretending he didnt do anything wrong.
Benjam, what makes you think he’s not going to jail? I’m just curious. How exactly do you envision Plax wiggling out of the situation?
benjam,
I don’t want to get into a constitutional law debate with you on whether Second Amendment rights apply to the states under the 14th Amendment, like 4th or 5th Amendment rights (and they do, although there’s a split in the federal and state courts…want to bet how this Supreme Court will decide?). And, don’t presume. I was actually convinced that I could’ve gotten a carry permit. But, a cop friend of mine convinced me that the hassle wasn’t worth it (not to bore folks here, but you can carry for certain limited purposes and I wasn’t sure that my purpose was frequent enough to go through the time and expense…the rest of the time I could’ve owned the gun and carried it to and from a gun club locked). I have no idea whether Plax could’ve gotten a permit to allow his carrying it in a club…seems unlikely, but a licensing is a legal process and money influences most legal processes (not by corruption, but by being able to afford the right counsel…and celebrity doesn’t hurt).
Plax accidentally shot himself. He apparently had no intent to cause anyone harm, like libel (an intentional tort) or yelling “fire” in a movie theater. So, your examples are off-base. Again, his “crime” is not having the license…it’s a strict liability crime. By the way, a fool could cause just as much panic by brandishing a cap gun and shooting it in a crowded club…that fool, who would intend his crime, might be prosecuted but would not face mandatory jail time.
As for whether Plax will be indicted? Of course he will. The questions are whether he gets a plea deal and whether his trial date will be set during the 2009 season. I think its unlikely that his trial date will be set for this year. His lawyer is very good and he’ll have a ton of motions to file, including a change of venue motion (hard to have a fair trial when the Mayor denounces you). Ultimately, he’ll plead out. Then, the issue is whether Goodell suspends him. Like I said earlier, Plax shot himself, which hurt, and was suspended by the Giants for 5 games and lost his pay. I think that he should be suspended, but more than 2-3 games would be, IMO, unfair. In effect, that would become a 7-8 game suspension…that’s a long time w/out pay and should have the necessary deterrent effect. If you’re in the NFL, NFL security can accompany the players and guys like Plax can afford a bodyguard. While I don’t like the gun laws, there is no denying that Plax was an idiot for what he did.
benjam,
Last point, there’s a difference between “condoning” and feeling that the punishment doesn’t fit the “crime.” Like I said initially, discharging a firearm in city limits is a crime in many jurisdictions that allow gun ownership (of course, there are exceptions, like being threatened, etc.) Plax is facing a mandatory sentence of 3 1/2 to 15 years. A fine, community service, even 30 days in jail…that’s okay with me. 3 1/2 years for a first offense? C’mon! That’s ridiculous.
If anyone’s interested in th public policy/legal debate, this law blog is very informative:
http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2009/06/lawyer-for-plaxico-burress-making-much-of-sweet-plea-deal-given-to-other-nfl-receiver.html
The author, an OSU law professor, has lots of interesting insights into the Plax case.
“And what do you think Bent?”
I think I’m fed up of reading speculation about legalities and would prefer to talk about football!
I have no idea, but I’m sure the front office has their ear close to the ground.
[...] thejetsblog.com. Please read the complete article and let us know what you think [...]
Still wear my Santana Moss jersey every Sunday… My favorite Jet, that trade broke my heart, the guy was a game breaker, in every aspect of the game. But, if we sign Plax, that brings with it almost as much media spotlight as the Favre trade last year. At first I loved it, it was the first time in my lifetime the Jets were being talked about on TV everyday. But as the season grew on, everyone waited on the failure, and the spotlight just became a light in everyone’s eyes. I personally would love the signing, why not take the chance? This team is built to win football games, and a big time receiver completes our offense. But this is why we can only wait to hear what Mike T has planned, I’m sure he’s got his lines in the water. He needs this team to win too. Just stay patient.
I can appreciate that Bet.
Chris,
I gotta say. Oe f the gloomiest days of being a Jets fan was when we taded one great WR that we drafted for another great WR that we drafted. I certainly have my knocks on Tannenbaum – lots of them in fact – but he’s nothing like the train wreck that was Terry Bradway.
Sack,
There’s certainly some merit to that. It’s definitely feasible that Plax’s lawyers could string things out so that his court appearances run until the playoffs are over. To me it’s a big if. And, in effect. leaves us here again next season. Which is not the end of the world since we have the draft right.
Woops – *Bent
Yeah, this is from Michael Lombardi link on a later post. This is mostly touches on much of what i’m saying about signing Plax, outside of the team loyalty issues:
“I talked to some of the teams that might be interested in former Giant Plaxico Burress if he’s free to play this year, and all of them are concerned about the ruling from the commissioner. No one in the league takes the personal conduct ruling lightly, but what concerned one team most was Burress’ five brushes with the law as a result of driving since the gun incident. Everyone I spoke to seems to feel the commissioner will come down hard on Burress and is fearful that he might not be able to play. The delay game Burress is attempting is not really helping his situation.”
Plax, however, was disciplined by the Giants. He was suspended for 5 games without pay. I understand that Goodell is serious about the personal conduct policy, but an 8 game suspension (which is the longest that I think Goodell could legitimately levy) would aggregate to a 13-game suspension. Plus, I still don’t think that Goodell can suspend Plax while his case is pending. If he does, then he’s setting an awful precedent and the NFLPA will take him to Court. Isn’t the last thing he needs is another collective bargaining issue?
lgs-
i think he probably is going to jail. i’ve said that all along in all my posts. i’ve also said it wont be serious time, maybe 30-90 days. at the same time, i wouldnt be surprised to see him avoid jail time simply because he’s rich and famous and that’s just the way it goes most of the time. i wont lose sleep if he walks because he isnt a threat to the community.
sack-
great link to the law blog. i agree with you that 3-5 would be grossly infair, but no one thinks he’ll get anything close to that. harsh penalties like those are just a way to induce guilty pleas. maybe “draconian” isnt such a bad characterization…
I’m with Bent.
“I think I’m fed up of reading speculation about legalities and would prefer to talk about football!
I have no idea, but I’m sure the front office has their ear close to the ground.”
I only wish I were as concise as he. Sigh…
That said, let me throw my 2 cents in…
That ground Bent mentioned is the political landscape of NYC. This whole kerfluffle isn’t about “legalities,” it’s about “realities.”
I’ve read this thread and a couple of points are missing.
1) A duck’s not a swan just because you really, really want it to be. Sorry. NYC passed one of the toughest gun law codes in the country because of the high number of gun-involved crimes committed in the city at that time. It was an answer to a problem, not an attempt to ruin Sack’s day. It carries a 3 1/2 yr. mandatory sentence, on top of whatever other charge is levied against you. You like it; you don’t like it — who cares? It’s the law. Houston has the fourth-highest execution rate in the world. I don’t like that, but I can’t change it, so I don’t go to Houston. Sack, whether you personally like NYC law or not is immaterial, it’s the law on the books of NYC. Period. If no one tells that to NYC athletes, then bad on them. Anything PB’s lawyers get him short of 3 1/2+ is miraculous, and they go to the Lawyer HOF.
2) The main issue here — Forget about football. This isn’t remotely about football. You have a mayor (who has all the money in the world) who is waging a fierce big-money campaign for re-election (even without an opponent yet) because they wouldn’t allow him to be president. Everything that happens in NYC until next Nov. will be parsed through the lens of this election/coronation. However, there is currently a rotten economy in NYC, as with elsewhere — but this being NYC, the rot is bigger. The one upsetting issue Bloomberg does NOT want to deal with is a rise in crime in NYC due to the fact that everyone is broke. That would mean a rise in guns/violence/fear/blame for the Mayor — and he WILL NOT sit still for being blamed for any return to the ’70s which is certainly possible here. Plax stupidly dumped a ready-made issue right into Bloomberg’s lap, and Bloomberg will pet it and caress it as long as it suits his purposes. Mike is friends with Mara and Tisch, but he’s REALLY tight with Woody (it’s a billionaire thing, we wouldn’t understand), so hammering a Giant isn’t personal for him — just business. So, Bloomy sends a political PR dream message to one and all about how he’s tough on crime (and will protect you) by not tolerating “pampered celebrities” encouraging others to carry guns, even if you’re stupid enough to hurt only yourself. This is not about Plax in the least. It’s the greater message Bloomberg is sending to the city. And make no mistake. He WILL send it. And, gosh gee-willikers! If someone mistakenly reads racial overtones into Mike’s message, gee, what’s a Mayor to do, ya know? Legally, Plax is toast because it assists Bloomberg’s campaign for him to be toast. Simple. End of story.
3) As I said, Mike and Woody are very tight. Mike still owes Woody for not getting him the Manhattan stadium site Mike had promised him. You can safely assume that IF Plax plays this year, it will be for the Jets and for no one else. Talk of his playing anywhere else is fantastical twaddle. If any of the stringent laws of NYC — currently on the books — are quietly turned into a pretzel in some hushed conversation over drinks in the shadows within the next six months, it will be to allow Woody to have his toy after Mike is through using him.
4) Welcome to New York! Have a nice day!
miketaliaferro,
Again, I don’t want to get into an extended argument about the law. However, there’s a chance that NY’s draconian gun laws are unconstitutional. In America, the US Constitution is the highest law in the land and similarly draconian gun laws were struck down last year as to DC (which is governed under federal law). As benjam explained, there is some debate as to whether this ruling pertains to the states. I understand why the gun laws are in place, but I still think a 3 1/2 year minimum prison sentence for carrying an UNLICENSED hand gun is ridiculous. You know, there’s a reason that the Manhattan DA (who is 100% independent from the Mayor) has not even convened a grand jury. The case stinks from the prosecutorial side. The last thing Morgy (or his successor) wants to do is allow a well-heeled defendant to test the hand gun laws all the way up to the Supreme Court (want to bet which way the Court will rule?). Moreover, there’s a real chance that an NY jury (made up of uber-liberals) could just decide that it’s unfair to convict Plax…that’s called “jury nullification.” Plus, there are likely career prosecutors that think trying a guy who shot himself in the leg and who lost millions of dollars as a consequence of it is not fundamentally fair.
IMO, there are many other ways NYC can achieve gun control without making not having a license a felony. How about if you commit a crime with a gun in your possession (whether licensed or not) you get an automatic, mandatory sentencing increase? Prosecute real crimes. Don’t criminalize otherwise lawful activities.
Plus, is it necessary to personalize this to me? “Ruin my day.” What does that mean? I’ve lived in 4 of the 5 boros and I was born in Manhattan. I know all about NYC history. The roots of crime are multi-faceted and based in socio-economic realities. To think that draconian gun laws, standing alone, will reduce the crime/murder rate is a false construct. Problem is that criminals can buy guns with impunity, but law-abiding citizens are burdened by harsh gun laws. For instance, until the Supreme Court struck down DC’s gun laws (on the books since 1976), DC had similarly draconian gun laws. That didn’t stop DC from having one of the highest murder rates in the US. So, Mike, sorry to “ruin your day” but harsh gun laws don’t work.
This article explains the DC problem better than I could:
http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/8002.html
As for the Woody/Bloomy dynamic, I’ve written the same thing about a dozen times on this blog. So, on that point, we agree.
Why does everyone call someone bad a locker room cancer? There are plenty of other diseases that fit just as well. For instance last year Plax was more like a locker room herpes for the Giants….all season they didn’t even know about it and then at the least opportune time he had a flareup that kept them from sealing the deal.
What would you suggest instead?
A cyst?,
pustule?,
extreme rectal itch?,
or perhaps “a pimple on the a$$ of progress”?
Mr. ATL and Mr. Pass,
Your combined brilliance is staggering.
I defer to your expert wisdom!
A locker room pustule, it is then…
Surely, there can be no debating THAT! :)
Awe shucks…thanks..coming from you, THAT’S a compliment
:-)