A group of Detroit Lions fans are misunderstanding the current state of their favorite team.
At some point, someone convinced this group of people that the Lions have some basis to have standards. Standards, that at some point, would keep the team from trying any possible avenue to improve from 2-30 over the past two years.
At this juncture, the Lions should be scouting every semi-professional, bar league, or flag football team on this or any other planet to find upgrades for a roster that is devoid of talent after a decade of Matt Millen shenanigans.
No one should attempt to justify Pacman Jones' past behavior.
No one should attempt some pie-in-the-sky 'youthful indiscretion,' 'never going to happen again,' 'let him grow up' justifications of his past actions like they're never gonna happen again.
Past actions help predict future behavior.
Just the way it is. Not saying people can't change, because they can. People do change. It is just that young men who aren't on the verge of settling down, enjoy strip clubs and 'making it rain' aren't going to start painting picket fences and attending PTA meetings.
But, there is a difference between getting into legal trouble and being immature.
Anyone here want to stand up and sign up Shawn Kemp, Wilt Chamberlain, Tiger Woods, or Priest Holmes for beatification anytime soon? What about Kobe Bryant? Tom Brady? Ray Lewis?
Fact is...people can still be royal losers on a personal level and great at sports...AND stay out of the back of a squad car.
Larry Bird and Isaiah Thomas has some great basketball battles, both have illegitimate children. No one puts Holyfield on the same plane as Tyson but he does too. Ask any stripper in Vegas and she will tell you all about all-star weekends like you wouldn't believe. Think Miami wasn't 'bumping' with the Pro Bowl there this year?
Worst case scenario: Pacman Jones screws up or plays poorly and the Lions cut him. Oh noes! That wouldn't be anything like dozens of other players who have gone down that same road in the past 12 years.
Best case scenario: Pacman is in game shape like he was in Tennessee and plays well for the Detroit Lions.
Most likely scenario: Pacman, at 26, does a lot of stupid stuff and makes some mistakes on and off the field for whatever team signs him. For many teams, that probably isn't enough to take the risk. For the Lions, who don't have a starting CB anywhere on the roster? It's no risk at all.
Michael Schottey operates Blue And Silver Pride and is a Detroit Lions featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also serves as a team correspondent for DraftTek.com and is a guest blogger for Mlive's Highlight Reel. Check out his Podcasts and add him on Twitter!
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