Phillips: Why I’m Rethinking the Josh Brent Situation

[bbgun]

So you don't want any drunk drivers on your team? Or only the ones who get in an accident while they are drunk? What about the ones that don't get caught drunk driving, but do?

Brent has a long track record of shitty, destructive behavior. Combined with his lack of production, letting him go is an easy call.

I don't give a shit about guys off the field stuff.

Neither do I so long as it's legal.

If they want to do coke off a strippers ass it doesn't matter to me.

pretty sure coke is illegal

As long as they are on the football field on Sunday helping us win games.

I totally reject that line of thinking

The only valid argument against Brent in my opinion is the drug concern. If they guy pops positive for weed he won't be on the field on Sunday.

alcohol's a drug too

 

[Cowboysrock55]

alcohol's a drug too

A very legal one...

 

[bbgun]

A very legal one...

he wasn't arrested for drinking responsibly

 

[hstour]

oh, that's my choice? Brent or Tim Tebow? nothing in-between? if only Antonio Bryant had killed someone instead of throwing a towel ...

How about Ray Lewis?

 

[1bigfan13]

Let's not forget all the failed drug tests, too. I just don't think he's worth it.

Exactly. This guy is probably one slip up away from a 4 to 8 game suspension. He's undependable.

I just don't like the idea of making concessions for marginal players like Brent. Now if he had talent like Leon Lett, another talented but troubled Cowboys DL, then I'd be more willing to to try to work with him. But hell no to some JAG like Brent.

The guy fails another drug test or misses one and we'll be back in the position we were in last year...scrambling for cheap street FAs to fill in for him.

 

[ravidubey]

Exactly. This guy is probably one slip up away from a 4 to 8 game suspension. He's undependable.

He's already going to be suspended, and given he killed another NFL player I'm sure his suspension won't be a light one.

 

[NoDak]

He's already going to be suspended, and given he killed another NFL player I'm sure his suspension won't be a light one.

Is killing an NFL player more important than just a regular ol' run of the mill citizen?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

He's already going to be suspended, and given he killed another NFL player I'm sure his suspension won't be a light one.

He has already missed a year of football. If you suspend him again you might as well just hand him a life time ban and call it a day.

 

[L.T. Fan]

He has already missed a year of football. If you suspend him again you might as well just hand him a life time ban and call it a day.

His debt has been fully paid for his deed. I think the NFL will accept that as well as the time he has missed as adequate restitution for league purposes. I have been wrong before thought.

 

[Cotton]

His debt has been fully paid for his deed. I think the NFL will accept that as well as the time he has missed as adequate restitution for league purposes. I have been wrong before thought.

Don't bet on it with Goodell. He has been insistent on punishing players for making the league look bad.

 

[Bob Roberts]

If Stallworth, Little, and Tebow were allowed to play after killing people, then I can't say ban the guy or anything.

But he's a JAG and not even worth any negative publicity that would come from having him on your team.

 

[Clay_Allison]

If Stallworth, Little, and Tebow were allowed to play after killing people, then I can't say ban the guy or anything.

But he's a JAG and not even worth any negative publicity that would come from having him on your team.

 

[ravidubey]

He has already missed a year of football. If you suspend him again you might as well just hand him a life time ban and call it a day.

He hasn't been suspended by the NFL yet. Even Michael Vick was suspended indefinitely before being convicted and sentenced months later.

Goodell may consider the year Brent spent "retired" as part of his penance, but I can't imagine he'll just be reinstated with no thought towards a suspension.

 

[Cotton]

Brent deserves a chance -- not with Dallas

June, 16, 2014

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

• 11

Former Dallas Cowboys' defensive tackle Josh Brent was moved from jail to a treatment facility on Sunday.

This is a positive step in Brent's recovery from his conviction on intoxication manslaughter charges that resulted in the death of his best friend and teammate, Jerry Brown.

In January, Brent was sentenced to 180 days in jail and given 10 years' probation. He's scheduled to be released in late July. Cowboys' officials have monitored Brent's recovery from afar and team executive Stephen Jones said the team is open to Brent returning to the field.

The Cowboys have adopted this obligation to Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson, that they would support Brent because he needs football and wants to make amends for what he's done.

Brent is about to pay his debts from a legal standpoint to the state of Texas when he's released. Brent is determined to take care of Brown's toddler-aged daughter from a financial standpoint, and he sees football as the quickest way to do that.

All of that is understandable. In fact, it's admirable that the Cowboys don't seem concerned about possible public perception and believe they would be doing the right thing for everyone involved. They are standing by their man.

But looking at this from a football perspective, Brent is an average player who has five career starts. He was scheduled to start the Cincinnati Bengals game in 2012 because of an injury to Jeremiah Ratliff when he was involved in the car crash that killed his friend.

Brent showed a lack of judgment that night when he went out drinking 48 hours before a big game late in the season.

Life is about second chances and Brent deserves one. He should be given an opportunity to provide for Brown's daughter and for himself.

Brent is a good guy, but he made a terrible mistake.

But everybody needs a true fresh start here. Brent, the Brown family, the Cowboys. Let another team give him a chance to play along the defensive line and if Brent excels, great.

After Dallas beat the Bengals that afternoon in Cincinnati, the locker room was silent. There was no loud talking or slapping fives. In the post-game interview, coach Jason Garrett spoke to reporters in an emotional tone.

The emotion it took to win that game -- on top of losing Brown and Brent, who was in jail during the game, was a daunting task.

The Cowboys can't go back here and do it again.

 

[jsmith6919]

He's scheduled to be released in late July.

I see Watkins still won't do his homework on articles..Brent was released yesterday

 

[Cotton]

I see Watkins still won't do his homework on articles..Brent was released yesterday

I think he means released from the treatment facility.

 

[jsmith6919]

I think he means released from the treatment facility.

Possibly but still lazy reporting

 

[Cotton]

Possibly but still lazy reporting

Well, of course... it's Watkins.