OT: Alameda Ta'amu in a Whole Lotta Trouble

[mayoclinic]

This kid was one of my sleeper binkies last year, and I was disappointed when the Steelers grabbed him in the 5th round of the 2012 draft. But after last night, Alfonzo Dennard's legal problems pale in comparison:

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu was arrested and charged with DUI and trying to flee police early Sunday morning after a wild car chase that allegedly included him hitting multiple parked cars.

Ta'amu faces three felony counts of aggravated assault, a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and a felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, according to court records. In total, Ta'amu faces five felonies in 10 total charges.

WPXI-TV obtained the criminal complaint, which indicates Ta'amu drove a car on the wrong side of the street and blew through red lights. When police tried to pull him over, Ta'amu reportedly drove his car at them. The police considered shooting but did not because the large number of pedestrians and motorists around.

Ta'amu hit five different vehicles as he tried to get away from police, according to the report. One woman in one of those cars was injured.

According to the Associated Press, after his vehicle was disabled Ta'amu fled on foot, taking off his shirt in his attempt to evade police. Once officers caught up to Ta'amu in a parking lot, they ordered him to the ground but he resisted. Ta'amu appeared to reach for his waistband, the AP reports, so an officer punched him twice. Once handcuffed, Ta'amu was transported in a police wagon "due to (his) extremely large size."

Ta'amu took a blood alcohol test and registered .196, twice the legal limit.

Steelers' Alameda Ta'amu charged with felony DUI - NFL.com

Three felony counts including 2 assault charges while intoxicated? That's serious stuff.

Didn't see that one coming. I can't remember any major red flags, off the top of my head. But I'd guess his career just took a major derailment.

 

[Off The Grid]

When police tried to pull him over, Ta'amu reportedly drove his car at them.

Well, I'm sure it seemed like the thing to do at the time!!

Obviously, Taamu was a major Binkie of mine, and I would've been ecstatic to've pull'd'm down when the Steelers did...

Always in motion, the Future is.

 

[Sciz]

And nobody missed more than Russ Lande...
NFL Draft 2012: Final mock-up for Round 1 - NFL - Sporting News

 

[mayoclinic]

Steelers cut Ta'amu.

Steelers dump Alameda Ta’amu | ProFootballTalk

 

[manxman2601]

Steelers cut Ta'amu.

Steelers dump Alameda Ta’amu | ProFootballTalk

I suppose there's three possibilities:

1. His performances in practice are not up to scratch.

2. He's going to prison and the Steelers recognise that fact.

3. He's a bigger headache than the one incident demonstrates and the Steelers realise they won't be able to control him


Whichever is the right one, I say stay away.


OT: Did you see that the Rams made Janoris Jenkins a healthy scratch for a rules violation? Didn't even make it to half a season before the problems set in.

 

[mayoclinic]

I suppose there's three possibilities:

1. His performances in practice are not up to scratch.

2. He's going to prison and the Steelers recognise that fact.

3. He's a bigger headache than the one incident demonstrates and the Steelers realise they won't be able to control him


Whichever is the right one, I say stay away.


OT: Did you see that the Rams made Janoris Jenkins a healthy scratch for a rules violation? Didn't even make it to half a season before the problems set in.

I certainly wasn't suggesting putting in a claim on Ta'amu. Not interested. Pats have picked their risks already.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I certainly wasn't suggesting putting in a claim on Ta'amu. Not interested. Pats have picked their risks already.

Well, they did release Tarpinian today. . . .

Seriously, though, I think they'll pass.