Cowboys will be sorry for this Tank job

[Gryphon]

BY JAY MARIOTTI Sun-Times Columnist
Clear all highways. Evacuate all seedy bars. Hide all children and pit bulls.
Tank Johnson is coming to Texas, y’all, where gun laws are almost nonexistent and rifles are easier to obtain than water pistols. Which makes it a creepy landing spot for a troubled soul known to leave assault-style weapons and rounds of ammunition lying around the house, sometimes while his kids played.

Though he really deserves to sit for a long time and think about life, Tank has been signed by the Dallas Cowboys, who surely will pump him for information about the Bears as Sunday’s game approaches. I doubt whether Johnson can reveal much more than the obvious — Rex Grossman is a mental midget — but I have deeper doubts about how long he can avoid big trouble off the field. Remember, the Bears gave him second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth chances before finally dumping him in June, when he went drinking and driving and speeding in Arizona and came very close to exceeding the state’s legal limit for DUI.

Not enough time has passed to declare him a changed man. Nor is there any assurance that NFL top cop Roger Goodell, who must review Johnson’s case when his eight-game suspension expires in November, immediately will allow him to play. Knowing Goodell, he’ll responsibly inquire why Tank would drink and drive only weeks after leaving Cook County Jail. In Goodell’s world of law and order, that could spell a longer suspension.

So much for the vow of owner Jerry Jones to employ players of good character, recalling the sordid years when the Cowboys were known as ‘‘South America’s Team.’’ Though the Bears have injury issues on the defensive front, please realize that Halas Hall’s gain is Valley Ranch’s loss. I can’t wait until Tank gives the media down yonder his ‘‘I want to be the NFL Man of the Year’’ speech.

In his next life, maybe.

 

[Gryphon]

DMN Blog: Tank talks

Calvin Watkins caught up with new Cowboy Tank Johnson.

“I’m real excited, man, I can move forward,” Johnson said. “It’s a process I knew was going to take some time, but I’m excited to reach this point.”

Johnson is hoping his legal troubles are behind him. The Cowboys plan on having Calvin Hill, an organizational consultant to the players, to forge a bond with Johnson. Under the terms of Johnson’s suspension, he must seek counseling. As part of his meetings with team officials today, he met with Hill.
“I see him being a major influence in a lot respects,” Johnson said. “He’s a great guy and I’m excited about getting a relationship with Calvin.”

Posted by Pete Aldrich at 5:07 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (2)
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[TunaFan33]

Marrioti's a trip-most of the time, he says negative things about The Bears(he seems to be more of a baseball fan).

 

[Hypnotoad]

Any fan of around the horn knows Marrioti is always predicting doom and gloom.

Tank should play to prove the marriotis of this world wrong.

 

[Gryphon]

DMN Blog: Who cares about Tank's character?

Somebody asked whether Tank Johnson deserves a second (or eighth, for that matter) chance. He doesn't deserve anything, but that's really not relevant to his arrival in Valley Ranch.

The important question: Can he help the Cowboys win? Answer: Probably, as long as he stays off the police blotter.

Character is a concern when teams make long-term, high-dollar commitments to players. That's not the case here.

It's a concern if you're afraid a thug will rub off on teammates. Cross your fingers that all the Cowboys have enough sense not to socialize with Tank until the wee hours of the morning.

It's only a concern in this case because another legal screw-up from Tank would take him off the field. If Tank didn't land in prison, Sheriff Goodell would certainly deliver a suspension much longer than eight games.

Tank has caused enough trouble that only a team that had a glaring need at DT and thought he might be the final piece to a Super Bowl run would touch him. The Cowboys fit that description once Jason Ferguson went down.

Posted by Tim MacMahon at 5:40 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (16)
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[dmq]

Calvin Hill is the most underrated hire in Cowboys history.

 

[LeonDixson]

"South America's Team"?? Is that a racial slur implying that South Americans are lawless thugs? I'm offended, even though I'm Cherokee, Irish and Dutch.

 

[theebs]

although I sort of agree with mariotti, it doesnt change the fact that mariotti is a Tard.

I live in North Texas and I have never fired a gun in my life nor will I.

His stereotyping is boring, I mean how does he find the time to write his columns and be a celebrity on espn in between ordering mob hits, eating GOBBA-GOOl and washing his lincoln town car?

 

[tunahelper]

Translation:

Meanie Tank is gonna wear the star and kick butt for Dallas!

 

[Cochese]

Ozzie Guillen had it right when it comes to flamin Jay Mariotti. No one takes him or his columns seriously. His opinion changes as quickly as the days pass.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Whole this might seem unpopular. The first game with tank, I'd make him a Captain of the team.

During the coin flip ceremony, while he is shaking the hands of the other team's Captains, I'd have him lean over and whisper:

"Hey bud, today I'm packing."

Just an added bit of intimidation.

 

[Aikbach]

Ok, one player who didn't acquire the proper registration for part of his gun collection and was pulled over for speeding in a separate incident, what a boogeyman.

Half the American population is criminal by this criteria.

He'll be on his best behavior, he knows he blew it in the past and has something to prove.

 

[LeonDixson]

Ok, one player who didn't acquire the proper registration for part of his gun collection and was pulled over for speeding in a separate incident, what a boogeyman.

Half the American population is criminal by this criteria.

He'll be on his best behavior, he knows he blew it in the past and has something to prove.

Somebody posted his rap sheet yesterday or the day before. It's a lot longer than that. But it's too late to argue, he's signed and now we have to hope Goodell doesn't extend his suspension.

 

[Nors]

Calvin Hill is the most underrated hire in Cowboys history.

I'm not completely party line there -

We have had more than a "few" substance abuse issues in his tenure. He's not Superman

 

[Dave_in-NC]

In November 2005, Johnson was arrested at the Excalibur nightclub in Chicago's Cook County for possession of a handgun in his sport utility vehicle. Illinois law dictates that "It is unlawful to carry or possess any firearm in any vehicle or concealed on or about the person, except on one’s land or in one’s abode or fixed place of business."[9] Illinois and Wisconsin are the only U.S. states that do not issue Concealed Carry Permits. Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge and was sentenced to 18 months probation and 40 hours of community service.[10] On February 12, 2006, Johnson, while still on probation, was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after allegedly verbally threatening a police officer. Johnson was leaving Level Nightclub on Chicago's Rush Street when the police officer was ticketing a limousine driver whom Johnson had hired. As Johnson allegedly put up a struggle, he was maced and subdued with the help of other police officers. The charges were eventually dropped.[11]


Johnson's mugshot from his arrest.On December 14, 2006, Lake County police officers searched Johnson's home in Gurnee, Illinois, and allegedly discovered that he possessed six firearms, including two assault rifles. According to police reports, some of the guns were loaded and there were children in the house. [12] Although Johnson was at football practice during the search, his bodyguard William Posey was arrested from his house for alleged possession of marijuana. Johnson was charged with violation to probation and possessing unlicensed weapons. Bears coach Lovie Smith deactivated Johnson for the following game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on this incident.[13]

On December 16, 2006, Johnson's best friend and bodyguard William Posey was killed in a shooting at the Ice Bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Posey was shot after he was allegedly involved in a fight around midnight. Posey was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30am. Posey's assailant was not apprehended by the police.[14] On December 28, Chicago Police apprehended Michael Selvie, Posey's alleged assailant. Selvie, a "reputed gang member" has been implicated in over 30 other crimes. However, Selvie's defense attorney claims that Selvie does not posses a firearm or any gang affiliations. If found guilty, Selvie will face charges of first degree murder.[15]

On December 22, 2006, Cook County Circuit Judge John J. Moran, Jr. (Skokie courthouse, Second District, Cook County, Illinois) placed Johnson on home confinement, preventing him from driving by himself or leaving the state of Illinois.[16] On February 8, 2007, Johnson entered a guilty plea in Cook County's Courthouse in Skokie for violating his probation.[17] On March 15, 2007, Johnson was sentenced to a 120 days in prison (Cook County Jail) and fined $2,500 for violating his probation. [18] On February 17, 2007, Johnson's lawyer contested a Lake County Circuit Court to drop Johnson's unlicensed weapons charges. His attorney claimed that since Johnson is a resident of Arizona, he does not have to abide to gun registration laws of Illinois.[19] Johnson entered a plea of not guilty on 10 counts of possessing a weapon without the proper state-required ID. [20] On December 30, 2006, Tank Johnson contacted Gurnee Police Department to file harassment charges. [21] Local youths left a toilet seat with a harassing message on his doorstep. Local news reported that the police did not disclose what the message on the garbage can said [22] Other sources claim that "Nice Job Tank" was written on the seat. The seat had been duct-taped to a garbage can filled with excrement.

On April 30, Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge as part of an arrangement with prosecutors that will keep him from serving additional jail time. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, which will be served concurrently with a four-month sentence he's already serving in the Cook County Jail for violating his probation; to donate $2,500 to the Gurnee Police Department and $2,500 to the Gurnee Exchange Club's child abuse prevention program.[23] While he was in jail, many of his teammates and coaches, including Brian Urlacher, Rex Grossman, and Lovie Smith visited Johnson.[24] His release from jail on May 13 ended his legal problems from the December 2006 weapons incident.[25] The league ultimately suspended Johnson for half of the regular season on June 4.[26]. However, he will have the opportunity to reduce the sentence to six games if he complies with Commissioner Goodell's guidelines of behavior, which include going to counseling.

On June 22, Johnson was pulled over for speeding in Gilbert, Arizona. According to the police, he was stopped by after driving forty miles per hour in a twenty-five mile per hour zone. He was also suspected of driving while impaired "to the slightest degree", but was released without being booked or charged. The Bears waived Johnson a few days after hearing the news, as general manager Jerry Angelo stated that he had no room for error left. [27] The incident would prove to be the final straw in his already tense relationship with the Bears' organization. The Bears ultimately released Johnson on June 25, claiming he "compromised the credibility" of the team.[28] Almost a week after Johnson was waived, the results from a blood test conducted on Johnson when he was pulled over confirmed his blood alcohol content was under the legal limit. [29]

 

[watertown]

what has he done wrong after the guns?

 

[bbgun]

So much for the vow of owner Jerry Jones to employ players of good character, recalling the sordid years when the Cowboys were known as ‘‘South America’s Team.’’

Indeed.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Somebody posted his rap sheet yesterday or the day before. It's a lot longer than that. But it's too late to argue, he's signed and now we have to hope Goodell doesn't extend his suspension.

I hate that people try to downplay all the criminal stuff he was involved in. Oh it was just this or it was just that. Dude's rap sheet rivals Pacman Jones...AND he served jail time.

But like you said, he's signed now, so we just wait and see.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I hate that people try to downplay all the criminal stuff he was involved in. Oh it was just this or it was just that. Dude's rap sheet rivals Pacman Jones...AND he served jail time.

But like you said, he's signed now, so we just wait and see.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

what has he done wrong after the guns?

Just google Tank Johnson. Its a long read.