Herm Edwards is The Punisher

If Chiefs coach Herman Edwards was in charge of dishing out punishments for NFL players who misbehave off the field, what you'd end up with -- other than a lot of fatherly lectures -- is a system that doesn't ever fine players, but deals in suspensions. Herm doesn't want you to play to win the game, in fact, Herm doesn't want you to play at all.

"I've never been a big proponent of fining players. Players, last time I checked, if they don't get to play, they understand that," he said. "If they don't get to play, that's what they understand. You don't dress. You don't play. Go home. You sit there and you watch.

Sounds great. I'm on board. The only problem is that the NFL will never let that happen. Sure, they're concerned about the players Pacmanning it up out there, but the most important thing to the NFL is selling their product. And because they have a product to sell, they want their best players on the field on Sundays, regardless of whether or not they committed rape, murder, arson, and rape (bonus points to whoever gets that reference) on Wednesdays.

That's the truth. Because Herm Edwards is right, suspensions would be a much harsher punishment for players. But I'm right, too ... because the NFL knows damn well that Herm Edwards is right, and yet, it will never, ever happen.

It's not like you're going to stop buying tickets and merchandise and DirecTV packages if NFL players don't "clean up their act." You may get indignant in a few behavior-related comment threads here in the FanHouse, but you're not going to stop watching football. You just aren't.

So the punishments will continue to be light, Chris Henry and Jerramy Stevens will continue to be on the field on Sundays, and we'll all continue to enjoy the NFL and not think about criminal behavior at all between the whistles. That's just the way things are. But thanks anyway, Herm.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-21-2007 @ 2:27AM

stan said...

I think it's from blazing saddles. He likes rape.

Ironically, KSK has that as Lawrence Phillips' final four.

3-21-2007 @ 3:09AM

jdvick24 said...

Before making this statement, Edwards reached into his pants and said, "Excuse me while I whip this out."

3-21-2007 @ 3:29AM

mjdoggydogg said...

Well done.

3-21-2007 @ 3:35AM

Alex said...

"It's not like you're going to stop buying tickets and merchandise and DirecTV packages if NFL players don't "clean up their act." You may get indignant in a few behavior-related comment threads here in the FanHouse, but you're not going to stop watching football. You just aren't."

You know, MJD, I don't think this is unique to football, or professional sports. We are willing to buy all kinds of products/services from people who commit crimes. If the employees at your local supermarkets occasionally stole some of their store's products, and everyone knew that this happened, would you stop buying groceries? Of course not. So why would people suddenly let their moral indignation interfere with their lives when it's football? And for that matter, why should they?

insomniac said...

MJD, You use your tongue prettier than a 20 dollar whore.

3-21-2007 @ 1:13PM

David Wurzbach said...

MJD I have a question: how many "Pacman" jerseys are being sold? Michael Vick's Jersey is regularly a top ten seller around the league but sales fall starkly when he gets caught up in "Ron Mexico" or some other kind of nonesense. It recovers but that is because we, as people, have deep capacities for forgiveness, and, as consumers, buy new jerseys.

The League is not entirely blind to this- this is another reason not to suspend players, it allows players to make amends for their behavior by playing well.

I do feel that a after a precedent of misbehavior a suspension is appropiate. But not after an initial arrest. Players who pop positive for 'roids aren't suspended until after the second positive result. Justice must appear fair to be called just- its just a truism. suspending a player after an first infraction sounds harsh and i don't think it will bge widely accepted... a three strikes and your out policy sounds much better.

3-21-2007 @ 2:25PM

Jaj8588 said...

Just call him "The Herminator"......

You go, Herman....

3-21-2007 @ 5:29PM

Eric said...

Ah-hell Herm dont keep his word anybody remember,I will replace someone or anyone who struggles in the playoffs? Dwight Freeney had a free pass down I-65 all day and Black played all game.He says things and does not follow through.Chiefs are doomed till he is gone.