If Joe Thomas used his legal handgun to protect his roomate he would = hero

[PatsFaninAZ]

Does anyone actually have any details about the gun incident?

Without them, it's impossible to judge. If the two of them were just minding their own business and a burglar shot at the room mate, and Meriwether returned fire, I agree with most of the posters here.

If the roommate was into dangerous activities or something and the reason they felt the need to arm themselves was because they have shady associations, it's another whole matter completely.

It's not illegal to carry a gun. It's not illegal to defend one's self. It's legitimate to ask questions about players who live on scholarships but still feel the need to have guns and who hang around with roommates who get shot at. It may be innocuous, it may not.

When the same person is seen on tape trying to stomp another football player into the ground, it's human nature to assume it might be the latter not the former. Whether white, black, green or purple.

 

[AzPatsFan]

From this article in the New York Times from 1997. Seems like the league has come a long way. With the number of incidents in the mid-90's it could have been the "National Firearms League."
I don't think that we need to be concerned at all with the Merriweather hand gun incident. He learned something and reportedly doesn't own a gun any longer. . . .

He also doesn't live in the midst of a slum, where his college is, with lots of drive by "gangstas", either.

 

[mgcolby]

Does anyone actually have any details about the gun incident?

Without them, it's impossible to judge. If the two of them were just minding their own business and a burglar shot at the room mate, and Meriwether returned fire, I agree with most of the posters here.

If the roommate was into dangerous activities or something and the reason they felt the need to arm themselves was because they have shady associations, it's another whole matter completely.

It's not illegal to carry a gun. It's not illegal to defend one's self. It's legitimate to ask questions about players who live on scholarships but still feel the need to have guns and who hang around with roommates who get shot at. It may be innocuous, it may not.

When the same person is seen on tape trying to stomp another football player into the ground, it's human nature to assume it might be the latter not the former. Whether white, black, green or purple.

Here is a quote from the linked article. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2526104

Cooper and Meriweather told police they noticed a suspicious car parked outside their home near campus shortly after 6:30 a.m. When they went outside to investigate, a person crouched next to the house jumped up and shot Cooper.

Again what made the car suspicious and why did he feel the need to go out and investigate - with a loaded gun at 6:30 in the morning? Its a legitimate question.

 

[dhamz]

Here is a quote from the linked article. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2526104



Again what made the car suspicious and why did he feel the need to go out and investigate - with a loaded gun at 6:30 in the morning? Its a legitimate question.

I am wondering if there is a circumstance where I would not find a strange car parked out in front of my house at 6:30 AM suspicious.

 

[mgcolby]

I am wondering if there is a circumstance where I would not find a strange car parked out in front of my house at 6:30 AM suspicious.

Would you walk out there with a loaded gun? Do you live in the city? I live in a community that is fairly spred out with most houses sitting on an acre or more so I would find it odd that a car is parked outside of my house that early but I wouldn't walk outside with my shotgun. I would guess that the person is either lost or at the wrong house, I wouldn't think they were there to shoot me.

I won't pretend to know where he lived if it was a townhouse, apartment etc.. Nor do I really care, the Pats drafted him and they know a hell of a lot more about it than I do.

I am just pointing out an obvious question. I am also rebutting the original posters attempt to cry racism when it has nothing to do with the situation.

 

[Grizzafted]

How about the time Peyton Manning showed his ass to a female trainer? That to me is much worse than getting caught in the middle of a brawl and acting stupid. I broke a guys nose in a bar once for almost nothing. Felt terrible about it, really stupid mistake that doesn't reflect who I am. I stay away from fights since, people make dumb decisions.

 

[TealSox]

In the case of a suspicious car parked in front of the house, I think I would call the police first rather than pull my gun and investigate on my own. I consider myself a wannabe CTU agent, but I'll leave that to Jack Bauer [24 reference].

Do I think Meriweather associates with the best of society? Probably not, but I don't know that. He probably has a bunch of thuggish groupies like Pacman has. But then again, he might not and my judgements are irrational.

I'm giving him a second chance with a limited leash.

I wanted Griffin, Nelson, Rouse or Wendling, but Meriweather was fine. Some of you guys were in love with him and I'm sure he will do just fine.

 

[Grizzafted]

Cowherd was saying he underachieved. Was he worth number 24?

 

[mgcolby]

Cowherd was saying he underachieved. Was he worth number 24?

Given the Pats 1st round history under BB and Pioli I will go with yes. I will continue to stick with that answer, until they whiff on a 1st rounder.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Nothing I've seen, including this espn blurb, is enough to judge. We just don't have all the facts. It could be indicative of judgment or bad-association issues, or, it might not. There's really no way to know.

My view is that what comes across on the video in the florida international stomping incident is enough to cause character concerns, and it also is, in my mind, completely legitimate for the press to also raise the gun issue even though no criminal wrongdoing was charged.

With due respect to some of the posters in this thread -- and I respect your opinions -- it is not appropriate to claim racism here to try to defend a guy that we just drafted against the media coverage. I believe that the coverage is legitimate. If you want public perception to be on your side on a gun-play issue, don't stomp the crap out of a defenseless player on television.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

Dont worry Jabar Gaffney and Asante Samuel can yeild weapons too so if he gets out of hand.....

 

[Remix 6]

agreed. Stereotyping imo. I talked to 1 of the members here before i said theres some stereotyping/racism..nojoke

If he wasnt African American..if he wasnt at Miami. The talks about a non issue woudlnt have went on as long as they did

 

[danny88]

agreed. Stereotyping imo. I talked to 1 of the members here before i said theres some stereotyping/racism..nojoke

If he wasnt African American..if he wasnt at Miami. The talks about a non issue woudlnt have went on as long as they did

Joe Thomas with legal handgun = No big deal

Black player with legal handgun = questionable character.

 

[Fixit]

This is an excellent point.

 

[zippo59]

Joe Thomas with legal handgun = No big deal

Black player with legal handgun = questionable character.

Part of it too is that Thomas is a wholesome country boy who would rather go fishing with his father than go suck up the glory of the NFL draft. If he acted like Eminem there probably would be no difference.

 

[drewdagreat]

If Joe Thomas was firing a gun at 6:30 am because a questionable car was parked out side his house, people would be asking questions.

 

[zippo59]

If Joe Thomas was firing a gun at 6:30 am because a questionable car was parked out side his house, people would be asking questions.

Meriweather didn't shoot because he saw a questionable car, he shot because someone was shooting at him!

 

[dhamz]

Part of it too is that Thomas is a wholesome country boy who would rather go fishing with his father than go suck up the glory of the NFL draft. If he acted like Eminem there probably would be no difference.

Of course, Thomas might also have done that as a PR move as evidenced by his decision to let the NFL network film his "private family fishing trip."

 

[danny88]

If Joe Thomas was firing a gun at 6:30 am because a questionable car was parked out side his house, people would be asking questions.

There was a "questionable" care parked outside Meriweathers residence, When he and his roommate went to check it out, someone jumped out and shot his roommate.

This is why people make things up. They don't take the time to learn that facts.

 

[Remix 6]

Meriweather didn't shoot because he saw a questionable car, he shot because someone was shooting at him!

actually they shot Willie Cooper..a teammate. Had to clear that up..or else some would think Brandon is a target. only target Meriweather will ever be is Peyton's target for catches. I predict a pick in first meeting if Meriweather starts