Your Fantasy Football Draft: Do you need a law degree?
Here we are, just at the opening beginning of Pro Football camps and one of the many things variables with which Fantasy followers need to concern themselves as they head into this year’s Fantasy Football draft is whether or not they have a solid enough grip on how the judicial system will impact some options on their draft boards.
Under usual circumstances, a player returning to the league after a campaign off, (usually due to injury), that owns the unbelievable athletic tools of a Michael Vick, could be counted on a Fantasy sleeper list; a late round flier with the potential to bring large dividends. In Vick’s situation, however, it could be months before we find out if he’ll be back at all. After serving nineteen months in a federal lockup for his hand in operating an extensive interstate dog fighting ring, Vick was under house arrest until July. Having been suspended indefinitely by Roger Goodell, Vick must then convince the NFL exec that he is worthy of reinstatement; no small task. Then, and only then, can Vick and his agent embark on the difficult course of locating a team willing to withstand the public relations disaster that will absolutely accompany a Vick signing.
At the wide receiver position, the status of one potential stud remains up in the air while another seems to have lost all value going into this year’s fantasy football draft. Plaxico Burress strutted into a New York nightclub last year and literally shot the Giants’ Super Bowl chances right in the leg. His own. He was nabbed that night for the gun he was concealing in the belt of his pants and has since landed himself on the radar of none other than New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who wants to make an example of Burress as part of his tough stance against guns. Dropped by the Giants and freshly indicted, Burress is facing a 2010 trial, and Burress is in search of a team.
The case of Cleveland Browns wideout Donte’ Stallworth, as played out in the Miami legal system, is one that defies any logic. After pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter charges for running down a Miami pedestrian and arranging a plea bargain, Stallworth served less than thirty days in jail. There are additional penalties that are a part of the deal. He is required to serve two years of house arrest, an eight year probation term, and submit to drug and alcohol testing. He also reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the victim’s family and will perform 1,000 hours of community service as well as having his driver’s license permanently revoked. None of these sanctions, however, would have stopped him from continuing his football career.
That is, until Goodell stepped in. Noting that, while the criminal justice system had determined legal penalties, it was the duty of the commissioner to decide league discipline. To that end, Goodell suspended Stallworth immediately and indefinitely. Keep in mind, however, that while most think the ban to be for at least a year, all parties involved will meet soon to determine the actual length of the penalty.
So, head right out and grab those Fantasy Football Draft magazines. You might want to pick up a copy of The Law Review while you’re at it.
