HardHittingRoy31
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Off-field problems involving several players have created an image problem for the NFL, and first-year commissioner Roger Goodell has made cleaning things up his biggest priority. The NFL released a new player-conduct policy this week that makes it clear the league won't tolerate certain behavior and is prepared to hand down stiff suspensions, including the possibility of a lifetime ban.
The ripple effect of clearer and stiffer penalties for off-field troubles should be seen in this year's draft, where teams will be more hesitant than usual to select a player red-flagged with character issues.
Though this year's class isn't loaded with players carrying that kind of baggage, here are prospects (ranked by grade) whose pasts could come back to haunt them come draft weekend.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
Sources from two different teams have indicated they aren't completely comfortable with Lynch's makeup. Aside from general worries about his immaturity, there are some questions lingering about accusations by his former girlfriend that she was choked, slapped and assaulted by Lynch Dec. 13 in Oakland. The woman was granted a restraining order against Lynch in January, but Lynch was never arrested or charged. Prosecutors cited a lack of evidence and inconsistencies in the woman's story as factors in the decision not to press charges. Although Lynch grades out as a mid-first round talent, he could slip a half-round or so due to character as well as durability concerns.
Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Moss' infraction pales in comparison to many of the other players on this list, but Florida did suspend him for the Western Carolina game last season for violating an unspecified team rule. With so many defensive ends competing for first-round slots, that could be enough to cause him to slide to the second round.
Eric Wright, CB, UNLV
Wright transferred from USC to UNLV after he was arrested and charged with suspicion of rape in 2005. The charges eventually were dropped, but authorities did find the drug Ecstasy in his apartment, which he shared with a roommate, during a search. Wright's problems staying healthy also should raise red flags. He is talented enough to warrant consideration as high as the second round, but his character and durability issues could cause him to slip.
Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami-FL
Meriweather has become infamous for his role in the on-field brawl with Florida International last season. NFL teams also are questioning him regarding an incident that took place on July 21, 2006, in which an assailant shot his teammate, Willie Cooper, in the buttocks and Meriweather responded by firing three shots at the assailant with a registered weapon. In his defense, police never charged Meriweather, because he owned the gun and was acting in self-defense. Overall, Meriweather grades out as a first-round prospect on film study alone, but concerns regarding his character and durability could cause him to slip a full round in the draft.
Tanard Jackson, CB, Syracuse
Jackson was stabbed in the chest and missed one game in 2004, although reports indicate he sustained the wound while attempting to break up a fight after an on-campus party. However, Jackson was suspended in April 2006 for "conduct detrimental to the team," and even though coach Greg Robinson reinstated him before the start preseason practice, these incidents could cause Jackson to slide a bit.
Tarell Brown, CB, Texas
Texas suspended Brown for the 2006 Ohio State game for his role in an incident involving a handgun and marijuana. Although authorities eventually dropped the charges in that case, Brown was arrested again in March 2007 for possession of marijuana. Reports indicate he was riding in a car with his cousin when the vehicle was pulled over and his cousin arrested on an outstanding warrant. Police found marijuana in the car, and both men were charged with possession. Brown possesses enough size, speed and athletic ability to develop into a starting man-to-man cover corner in the NFL, but the two arrests should cause him to slip to the middle rounds.
Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida
In 2006, Thomas was dismissed from the Florida football team for "failing to meet responsibilities and obligations" just one month after the team reinstated him following a two-game suspension due to a failed drug test (marijuana). A first-round talent, Thomas could slip out of the first day due to off-field baggage and injury history.
Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Authorities charged Smith with disorderly conduct for his part in a scuffle outside his dorm on Nov. 20, 2003. In December 2004, Ohio State suspended him for the Alamo Bowl and the 2005 opener for accepting $500 from a booster. In fairness, Smith has shown a great deal of maturity in the past two years, but that doesn't mean the Heisman Trophy winner's past won't be a factor on draft weekend.
Tank Tyler, DT, North Carolina State
Authorities arrested Tyler in 2005 for assaulting a police officer in a Raleigh, N.C., nightclub, and officials ejected him from the 2006 Southern Miss game for allegedly spitting at an opposing player. In addition to those incidents, red flags have been raised regarding Tyler's work ethic and mental capacity that could contribute to a free fall on draft weekend.
Paul Soliai, DT, Utah
Utah suspended Soliai for the Armed Forces Bowl last December for an unspecified violation of team rules. Moreover, Soliai appears sluggish at times and might need to shed some weight, prompting concerns about his ability to stay in good playing shape. Soliai is an early Day 2 talent who could slip beyond that due to minor concerns regarding his character and immaturity.
Uche Nwaneri, G, Purdue
Purdue suspended Nwaneri for the 2005 season after a fight in which he broke a teammate's jaw during an offseason workout. To his credit, Nwaneri enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College (Ind.) for the fall semester and returned to Purdue in January of 2006, regaining his scholarship. That doesn't erase the past, but it should help prevent him from sliding too far on character concerns.
Xavier Jackson, DE, Missouri
Missouri suspended Jackson for the 2006 season opener for undisclosed reasons, but reports indicate it was an academic, not legal, issue. It's not an event that should have a significant effect on his draft status, but he is a developmental prospect who needs to stay on the field to improve, so it's worth noting when considering drafting him.
Justin Medlock, PK, UCLA
Medlock pled guilty in April 2006 to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting from a vehicle accident in December 2005. Medlock, suspended by UCLA for the 2005 Vitalis Sun Bowl and all team activities until his case was resolved, was placed on three years' probation. Medlock has the power and accuracy to develop into a productive NFL kicker, but his off-the-field issues are concerning and he is inconsistent. As a result, he projects as a late-round pick or rookie free agent.
Nate Harris, ILB, Louisville
Harris is a tough run-stopper who has a good combination of size and speed, but he comes with a load of baggage -- including significant concerns regarding his mental capacity, character, work ethic and maturity. He lost out on a scholarship to Miami in 2002 because of his involvement in an armed robbery, and he wound up at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College in 2003 and 2004 before enrolling at Louisville in 2005. By all accounts, he was a model citizen at Dodge City and Louisville, but he did cause a stir last season by calling out the Hurricanes verbally the week of the Miami game.
Thomas Clayton, RB, Kansas State
Clayton has the natural ability to contribute in the NFL, but his collegiate career tailed off badly the last two seasons, and concerns regarding his character could prevent him from being drafted at all. He was arrested and charged with aggravated battery in 2005 after an incident in which he argued with a campus parking services employee, then struck the employee with his car while driving away. Clayton was suspended one game during the 2005 season for that incident, then later suspended for the 2006 season opener after being convicted of the misdemeanor battery charge.
Ramonce Taylor, RB, Texas
Taylor was arrested for possession of marijuana in May 2006 and later sentenced to 60 days in jail. After transferring to NAIA Texas College, he was academically ineligible to play in 2006. Though he has the speed and athletic ability to develop into an excellent third-down back or slot receiver, concerns about his character and ability to stay on the field should make him a late-round pick.
Marvin Mitchell, ILB, Tennessee
Mitchell was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in May 2006, but the charges were dismissed, and he went on to start 13 games during the 2006 season. He now projects as a late-round pick, but he could go undrafted due to concerns regarding his character and durability.
Ryan Moore, WR, Miami-Fla.
Moore was suspended by the Hurricanes for the Peach Bowl after the 2005 season, then for the start of the 2006 season for an Aug. 26, 2006, incident in which police said he kicked a woman's car door, then grabbed her by the neck and pushed her. He eventually pleaded no contest to charges of criminal mischief, a felony, and simple battery, a misdemeanor. In addition to his off-field baggage, Moore also struggled to stay healthy and was a career underachiever at Miami, which is why most NFL teams have taken him off their draft board completely.
Gary Russell, RB, Minnesota
Russell flunked out of school after the 2005 season and did not enroll for the fall 2006 semester, making him ineligible. He did not play football in 2006 and showed up at the combine out of shape and sluggish. Russell is talented enough to warrant late-round attention, but most teams view him as too much of a risk to gamble on at this point. ESPN's Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles.
The ripple effect of clearer and stiffer penalties for off-field troubles should be seen in this year's draft, where teams will be more hesitant than usual to select a player red-flagged with character issues.
Though this year's class isn't loaded with players carrying that kind of baggage, here are prospects (ranked by grade) whose pasts could come back to haunt them come draft weekend.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
Sources from two different teams have indicated they aren't completely comfortable with Lynch's makeup. Aside from general worries about his immaturity, there are some questions lingering about accusations by his former girlfriend that she was choked, slapped and assaulted by Lynch Dec. 13 in Oakland. The woman was granted a restraining order against Lynch in January, but Lynch was never arrested or charged. Prosecutors cited a lack of evidence and inconsistencies in the woman's story as factors in the decision not to press charges. Although Lynch grades out as a mid-first round talent, he could slip a half-round or so due to character as well as durability concerns.
Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Moss' infraction pales in comparison to many of the other players on this list, but Florida did suspend him for the Western Carolina game last season for violating an unspecified team rule. With so many defensive ends competing for first-round slots, that could be enough to cause him to slide to the second round.
Eric Wright, CB, UNLV
Wright transferred from USC to UNLV after he was arrested and charged with suspicion of rape in 2005. The charges eventually were dropped, but authorities did find the drug Ecstasy in his apartment, which he shared with a roommate, during a search. Wright's problems staying healthy also should raise red flags. He is talented enough to warrant consideration as high as the second round, but his character and durability issues could cause him to slip.
Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami-FL
Meriweather has become infamous for his role in the on-field brawl with Florida International last season. NFL teams also are questioning him regarding an incident that took place on July 21, 2006, in which an assailant shot his teammate, Willie Cooper, in the buttocks and Meriweather responded by firing three shots at the assailant with a registered weapon. In his defense, police never charged Meriweather, because he owned the gun and was acting in self-defense. Overall, Meriweather grades out as a first-round prospect on film study alone, but concerns regarding his character and durability could cause him to slip a full round in the draft.
Tanard Jackson, CB, Syracuse
Jackson was stabbed in the chest and missed one game in 2004, although reports indicate he sustained the wound while attempting to break up a fight after an on-campus party. However, Jackson was suspended in April 2006 for "conduct detrimental to the team," and even though coach Greg Robinson reinstated him before the start preseason practice, these incidents could cause Jackson to slide a bit.
Tarell Brown, CB, Texas
Texas suspended Brown for the 2006 Ohio State game for his role in an incident involving a handgun and marijuana. Although authorities eventually dropped the charges in that case, Brown was arrested again in March 2007 for possession of marijuana. Reports indicate he was riding in a car with his cousin when the vehicle was pulled over and his cousin arrested on an outstanding warrant. Police found marijuana in the car, and both men were charged with possession. Brown possesses enough size, speed and athletic ability to develop into a starting man-to-man cover corner in the NFL, but the two arrests should cause him to slip to the middle rounds.
Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida
In 2006, Thomas was dismissed from the Florida football team for "failing to meet responsibilities and obligations" just one month after the team reinstated him following a two-game suspension due to a failed drug test (marijuana). A first-round talent, Thomas could slip out of the first day due to off-field baggage and injury history.
Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Authorities charged Smith with disorderly conduct for his part in a scuffle outside his dorm on Nov. 20, 2003. In December 2004, Ohio State suspended him for the Alamo Bowl and the 2005 opener for accepting $500 from a booster. In fairness, Smith has shown a great deal of maturity in the past two years, but that doesn't mean the Heisman Trophy winner's past won't be a factor on draft weekend.
Tank Tyler, DT, North Carolina State
Authorities arrested Tyler in 2005 for assaulting a police officer in a Raleigh, N.C., nightclub, and officials ejected him from the 2006 Southern Miss game for allegedly spitting at an opposing player. In addition to those incidents, red flags have been raised regarding Tyler's work ethic and mental capacity that could contribute to a free fall on draft weekend.
Paul Soliai, DT, Utah
Utah suspended Soliai for the Armed Forces Bowl last December for an unspecified violation of team rules. Moreover, Soliai appears sluggish at times and might need to shed some weight, prompting concerns about his ability to stay in good playing shape. Soliai is an early Day 2 talent who could slip beyond that due to minor concerns regarding his character and immaturity.
Uche Nwaneri, G, Purdue
Purdue suspended Nwaneri for the 2005 season after a fight in which he broke a teammate's jaw during an offseason workout. To his credit, Nwaneri enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College (Ind.) for the fall semester and returned to Purdue in January of 2006, regaining his scholarship. That doesn't erase the past, but it should help prevent him from sliding too far on character concerns.
Xavier Jackson, DE, Missouri
Missouri suspended Jackson for the 2006 season opener for undisclosed reasons, but reports indicate it was an academic, not legal, issue. It's not an event that should have a significant effect on his draft status, but he is a developmental prospect who needs to stay on the field to improve, so it's worth noting when considering drafting him.
Justin Medlock, PK, UCLA
Medlock pled guilty in April 2006 to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting from a vehicle accident in December 2005. Medlock, suspended by UCLA for the 2005 Vitalis Sun Bowl and all team activities until his case was resolved, was placed on three years' probation. Medlock has the power and accuracy to develop into a productive NFL kicker, but his off-the-field issues are concerning and he is inconsistent. As a result, he projects as a late-round pick or rookie free agent.
Nate Harris, ILB, Louisville
Harris is a tough run-stopper who has a good combination of size and speed, but he comes with a load of baggage -- including significant concerns regarding his mental capacity, character, work ethic and maturity. He lost out on a scholarship to Miami in 2002 because of his involvement in an armed robbery, and he wound up at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College in 2003 and 2004 before enrolling at Louisville in 2005. By all accounts, he was a model citizen at Dodge City and Louisville, but he did cause a stir last season by calling out the Hurricanes verbally the week of the Miami game.
Thomas Clayton, RB, Kansas State
Clayton has the natural ability to contribute in the NFL, but his collegiate career tailed off badly the last two seasons, and concerns regarding his character could prevent him from being drafted at all. He was arrested and charged with aggravated battery in 2005 after an incident in which he argued with a campus parking services employee, then struck the employee with his car while driving away. Clayton was suspended one game during the 2005 season for that incident, then later suspended for the 2006 season opener after being convicted of the misdemeanor battery charge.
Ramonce Taylor, RB, Texas
Taylor was arrested for possession of marijuana in May 2006 and later sentenced to 60 days in jail. After transferring to NAIA Texas College, he was academically ineligible to play in 2006. Though he has the speed and athletic ability to develop into an excellent third-down back or slot receiver, concerns about his character and ability to stay on the field should make him a late-round pick.
Marvin Mitchell, ILB, Tennessee
Mitchell was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in May 2006, but the charges were dismissed, and he went on to start 13 games during the 2006 season. He now projects as a late-round pick, but he could go undrafted due to concerns regarding his character and durability.
Ryan Moore, WR, Miami-Fla.
Moore was suspended by the Hurricanes for the Peach Bowl after the 2005 season, then for the start of the 2006 season for an Aug. 26, 2006, incident in which police said he kicked a woman's car door, then grabbed her by the neck and pushed her. He eventually pleaded no contest to charges of criminal mischief, a felony, and simple battery, a misdemeanor. In addition to his off-field baggage, Moore also struggled to stay healthy and was a career underachiever at Miami, which is why most NFL teams have taken him off their draft board completely.
Gary Russell, RB, Minnesota
Russell flunked out of school after the 2005 season and did not enroll for the fall 2006 semester, making him ineligible. He did not play football in 2006 and showed up at the combine out of shape and sluggish. Russell is talented enough to warrant late-round attention, but most teams view him as too much of a risk to gamble on at this point. ESPN's Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles.