Did Cowboys cut two players because they didn't wear suits?

[GimmeTheBall!]

http://www.sportsdaydfw.com/dallas-...hristine-michael-corey-white-lack-performance

Interesting read, but there's a player quote in there that gives it a little validity. If I recall correctly, it was a "second offense" for both, as neither wore the required attire for the team's visit to the 9/11 Memorial earlier this season. In other words, it's not just the matter of not wearing a suit, but an indicator of a bigger issue, such as a respect for team rules and authority in general.

I was skeptical of the "official" reason given that their respective releases were performance-related, especially in the case of Corey White. I thought he performed pretty well when he was healthy.

But slapping a clipboard from a coach's hand is OK.
And what the hey? Why does a team visit memorials? Just play the game, for crying out loud.

 

[casmith07]

Alternate Headline;

Two players cut for dress code and poor performance, but mostly poor performance.

Wasn't even poor performance. Like I said earlier in this thread, there were other internal issues that are not reported for public consumption.

 

[speedkilz88]

Here's an old philly.com article on Roper being cut and picked up by the eagles.
Rich Kotite sounds like a bunch of guys on this thread.


Eagles Get Real Sleeper Roper, Let Go After Dozing Off In Dallas, Provides Lb Depth


by Kevin Mulligan, Daily News Sports Writer
Posted: November 18, 1993

"Some of the greatest players who ever played in this league have slept during a meeting," Eagles coach Rich Kotite said. "Who knows what the story was, but if you're going to fire guys for dozing off, and that's the only reason, then that's kind of scary, isn't it?

"What happens if your star quarterback, or your star player falls asleep? I mean, I heard the same thing you guys did, and that's pretty ridiculous."

The 6-1, 235-pound Roper might already be anticipating his return to Dallas as an Eagle on Dec. 6. The 28-year-old Texas A & M product did not fit into the Dallas system, the same one being used by new Bears coach Dave Wannstedt, a former Cowboy assistant.

Roper thought it was unprofessional of Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson to publicly cite "falling asleep in a team meeting" as the reason the Cowboys released him.

"Coaches know who the real players are," Roper said. "And they know that if that was the reason to get rid of a player, then there probably wouldn't be any players left in this league. That wasn't the reason he got rid of me and he knows it. Fortunately, the real coaches who know athletes know that's not really what happened.

"It was kind of obvious that if I couldn't play for one coach (Wannstedt) that left the same team (Dallas) that they traded me to, then I couldn't play for the other one. So that really didn't bother me, because I knew I wasn't supposed to be down there anyway. It was really no big deal."

Roper thinks Johnson's derogatory comment might have limited his opportunities to sign with other teams.

"It probably did," he said, "especially with coaches that don't know me. Well, I'd like to tell them that I'm a football player, and I'm anxious to show it here."

 

[casmith07]

I'm sure not following protocol had something to do with it but I also believe CM lost his shot because he was flaky and could not take advantage of his opportunities.
Concerning White, it was reported on one of the local stations he had lost ground to the Olatoye kid and was expendable.

Among other issues, Christine Michael didn't know the plays.

 

[ccb04]

On the trip to NYC for the Giants game, they landed and basically went straight to an event/tour/dinner at the 911 memorial. The owner, all coaches, staff, players to include Romo, Witten, Smith, Lee, Martin, Hardy, etc. etc...were all dressed. Those 2 were not. Many companies/workplaces have dress codes and appearance standards. Then there's safety codes/rules, etc. The NFL is their job...they're professional athletes that get paid to play.

Christine Michael showed up for the flight to NYC dressed more like he was going to a concert rather than a special event at the WTC memorial. There's 251 pictures of the trip/event on DC.com. Michael boarding the plane is pic #94. White is pic #49...and while not in a suit, he appears more presentable than Michael. The only other guy not in a suit jacket was David Irving. He had on slacks & a tucked-in long sleeve shirt. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the slideshow: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...memorable-trip-site-commemorating-ground-zero

There's also a cool video. The article mentions the Cowboys being the first 'professional organization' to visit the memorial. It also mentions that Garrett had the idea when he and his wife visited the site while in NY during the summer.

As an NFL player...I'll take Turbin any day over Michael. It seemingly matters to Turbin, and he's smart/professional. That's why he was ahead of Michael in Seattle, and that's why he was able to pick up the offense so quickly with Dallas. Both have talent, but Michael is a knucklehead that doesn't get it and perhaps never will...though I hope he does. Same would apply to Randle.

Wasn't really surprised by Michael getting released. Was a bit surprised by White. There had to be more there as well. He replaced Patmon as the NCB for 2 games...then they went back to Patmon and left White inactive for a couple of games. Then came his release.

 

[rpntex]

You guys are so predictable.

"I have to run to defend the rules no matter how dumb they are."

The teams are traveling on a private plane to a football game, a suit does not belong. I had coaches that made us were coat and ties to high school games on buses when the other team didn't have locker room facilities. Don't wear team sweats without a shower, gotta look right.

Yeah genius you saw Knute Rockne do it and that is why he was a successful coach.

Does Bill Belichick look professional following the NFL's rules or does he win looking like a bum?

AND the point wasn't necessarily about the rule but cutting guys at thin positions to prove a point before viable backups were in place. Is that best for the team or for JG's ego?

Absolutely non-responsive on your part. Either that or you're still just missing it. It's not about the rules… It's about the players attitudes and thinking they don't have to abide by the rules. Whether I agree with the rules at my work is irrelevant, I still have to abide by them. If I don't, I'm labeled as a "bad attitude" and run the risk of losing my job through repeat offenses. It doesn't matter if it's a dress code, punctuality, or taking excessive breaks, etc. I may think it's a stupid rule, but if I don't abide by it, it says more about ME than it does about my employer.

If what Brandon George is asserting is true, regarding repeat offenses of the same rule, it says more about White and Michael than it does about anyone else.

 

[5Stars]

Absolutely non-responsive on your part. Either that or you're still just missing it. It's not about the rules… It's about the players attitudes and thinking they don't have to abide by the rules. Whether I agree with the rules at my work is irrelevant, I still have to abide by them. If I don't, I'm labeled as a "bad attitude" and run the risk of losing my job through repeat offenses. It doesn't matter if it's a dress code, punctuality, or taking excessive breaks, etc. I may think it's a stupid rule, but if I don't abide by it, it says more about ME than it does about my employer.

If what Brandon George is asserting is true, regarding repeat offenses of the same rule, it says more about White and Michael than it does about anyone else.

It's called taking control of the locker room (i bet many if you have never been in one) That's how I view all this. If the suit don't fit, then take your ****!

Those players were brought in just to help the team get through this losing streak. They somehow did not fit into the locker room. Now they are gone.

Don't monkey around and you can stay.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

You can't blame a guy for getting fired simply because he wouldn't wear a suit? I can. What a moron.

I'm fine with them doing things like that. I was just talking about the current disconnect between millennials and their elders.

 

[Nightman]

It's called taking control of the locker room (i bet many if you have never been in one) That's how I view all this. If the suit don't fit, then take your ****!

Those players were brought in just to help the team get through this losing streak. They somehow did not fit into the locker room. Now they are gone.

Don't monkey around and you can stay.

Both players were on the team before the season started. CWhite was here instead of Sterling Moore who shut Dez down one on one in Tampa.

But please tell us about your experiences in a locker room and how they shaped your life.

 

[5Stars]

Both players were on the team before the season started. CWhite was here instead of Sterling Moore who shut Dez down one on one in Tampa.

But please tell us about your experiences in a locker room and how they shaped your life.

Yeah..I played baseball from little league all the way through high school. I played catcher and sometime first base if needed. I tried out for the Lobos in NM..but did not make the cut. So, I joined the Military and saw those locker rooms also. But, I learned to have trust with my team while I was there.

Small things can make big things if you are not disciplined.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Among other issues, Christine Michael didn't know the plays.

I assume that you are inferring that from Romo's comments about turbin?

 

[mattjames2010]

You're missing the point. The coach tells you to do something, you do it.

Wherever you work, read your policy book. I can promise you there is a stupid rule in there that you and nearly every one of your fellow employees don't follow on a regular basis.

Until there is something that connects wearing a suit to play on the field or even life off the field, it's pointless. That's not me saying to disobey the coaches or be a rebel, I'm simply talking about how mundane wearing a suit is to board a damn plane while you stuff buffalo wings in your mouth.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I'd like to wear shorts and flip flops to work, but, I can't, so I wear what the people who give me money tell me to wear.

I gotta wear a beard guard starting Dec 1st lol.

Its part of being an adult

 

[mattjames2010]

What do you think the NFL is? It's part of the entertainment business. "Looking nice for the stupid cameras" (and talking to the stupid reporters, etc.) is very much part of the players' job descriptions.

First off, you don't have to talk to the reporters. You can give them the silent treatment, doesn't matter.

And it's not some press conference, it's you getting on a plane and traveling while you hold unhealthy food (Seriously, buffalo wild wings?) a day or so before a game. Again, until someone can link wearing these suits to somehow bettering these guys on or off the field, it's pointless.

 

[Nightman]

First off, you don't have to talk to the reporters. You can give them the silent treatment, doesn't matter.

And it's not some press conference, it's you getting on a plane and traveling while you hold unhealthy food (Seriously, buffalo wild wings?) a day or so before a game. Again, until someone can link wearing these suits to somehow bettering these guys on or off the field, it's pointless.

I think it's funny that the NFL FORBIDS coaches from wearing suits for the games. So the one time they are on TV they can't wear a suit. None of it makes any sense.

My best bud is a coach for a DIII Basketball team and has to wear a suit to every game. The gym is 100 degrees and they are wearing hard sole shoes on the court. Whatever happened to some khakis, a team polo and some sneakers. But everyone wants to be Pat Riley.

A suit has nothing to do with discipline, a team, a plane, a bus or anything else. It's just a power trip for the coach. Even the trip to 9/11 Memorial didn't require a suit. I went there and had jeans and a fleece on and it was OK.

 

[rpntex]

So you think it's a silly rule? Fine, lobby to get it changed. That's one of the things the NFLPA is there for. Meanwhile, until you are successful in getting it changed, it's still a rule. When you chose to break it, you choose to accept the consequences.

The rule may be sill, but knowingly breaking the rule -at the risk of life sing your job - is stupid.

 

[casmith07]

I assume that you are inferring that from Romo's comments about turbin?

Not really. I know a guy who is close to a player or two on the team in Arlington right now. Michael was a knucklehead AND didn't know the plays.

 

[CCBoy]

Not really. I know a guy who is close to a player or two on the team in Arlington right now. Michael was a knucklehead AND didn't know the plays.

Thanks for the insights.

On players, do you think that right now, Claiborne will be brought back?

 

[viman96]

You guys are so predictable.

"I have to run to defend the rules no matter how dumb they are."

The teams are traveling on a private plane to a football game, a suit does not belong. I had coaches that made us were coat and ties to high school games on buses when the other team didn't have locker room facilities. Don't wear team sweats without a shower, gotta look right.

Yeah genius you saw Knute Rockne do it and that is why he was a successful coach.

Does Bill Belichick look professional following the NFL's rules or does he win looking like a bum?

AND the point wasn't necessarily about the rule but cutting guys at thin positions to prove a point before viable backups were in place. Is that best for the team or for JG's ego?

So what if you or anyone does not agree with the rules. They are the rules and until it is changed it should be followed. If the players do not like it then they can look for work elsewhere.

As for what JG should have done. When is the right time to cut the cancer from the locker room?

 

[RJ_MacReady]

I'm still scratching my head over White's departure since it happened and still can't get it. IIRC, he was cut by the Saints, even though he wasn't THAT bad and we didn't pay him squat (no other teams interested?). He was the only CB that was constantly making plays during preseason, took over Patmon's role for a bit, didn't give up any big plays and made some amazing opened field tackles for a CB. After all that, and with Mo injured, White gets the axe? There has to be something going on behind the scenes beyond not wearing a suit and tie. Did he have a couple of spats with the coaching staff for not getting playing time? Was he not giving any effort during practice or learning assignments? Whatever it is, it might be the reason the Saints let him walk.