The many faces of "character issues"

[patchick]

Over the past week, it's struck me that "character issues" is becoming a less and less useful term. To mangle Tolstoy, every unwholesome player is unwholesome in his own way. So I've taken a pass at a character taxonomy. It may seem ridiculous, but I'm finding it's helping me sort out how I feel about the many prospects labeled "character risks" this year.

Are certain kinds of bad behavior more worrisome to you than others? Can some kinds of character positives cancel out negatives? Or does any concern at all automatically downgrade a player or take him off your board? Curious for your thoughts.

Character Concerns:

I: Immaturity. Character that might not stand up to the rigors of NFL life. Sensitive to criticism/failures, easily led astray by temptation, requires "babysitting."

L: Lifestyle. Habitually shows questionable judgment in lifestyle/pastimes in ways likely to lead to future trouble (e.g. "making it rain" in strip clubs, riding motorcycles without a helmet).

A: Attitude. Comes off as a jerk or a complainer or belligerent or over-entitled; blames others for failings. Likely to be a bad locker room presence.

W: Work ethic. Lazy, chronically out of shape, doesn't go the extra mile, coasts on natural ability.

S: Substance abuse. Failed drug tests, DUI arrests, or heavy rumors of drug/alcohol abuse.

P: Performance-enhancing drugs. Positive tests or heavy rumors of juicing.

V: Violence. History of fights, assaults, etc.

C: Criminality. Aside from above, history of thefts, gang involvement, etc.

R: Repeat offender. Continues to get in trouble for any of the above, even after suffering consequences.


And on the flipside, character pluses:

H: Hard worker. Extra hours in the weight room, film rat, does all the little things to get better.

M: Motor. Relentless in practice and games, always plays to the whistle.

D: Leadership. Captain, positive role model, emotional leader, coach on the field.

X: Extraordinary off-field character. Exceptional community service record, overcoming hardships via strength of character, acts of selflessness/heroism.

 

[Sciz]

This is kind of fun to do with current players:
Tom Brady: HMDX
Ben Roethlisberger: ILAVC
Peyton Manning: IAH
Clay Matthews: PM
Santonio Holmes: SR

 

[convertedpatsfan]

That's a pretty good summary. I might also add dumb to the list. I know football players are not rocket scientists, but some have talent but will struggle understanding complex schemes at the next level.

As for the issues outlined, all of them would concern me if they showed up consistently. Certain ones could be overlooked if they were isolated instances (substance abuse, violence, criminality depending on what it was, immaturity), but if they are repeat offenders, no.

To me, hard worker and motor would make me rank a guy a bit above another who didn't display those things. When you draft a rookie, it's not just for his skill set on draft day, but where you project he could be in 3 or 4 years of continued growth. Those two things would help him fulfill that potential the most.

 

[patchick]

That's a pretty good summary. I might also add dumb to the list. I know football players are not rocket scientists, but some have talent but will struggle understanding complex schemes at the next level.

Hmm, interesting point. But is that really a "character" issue?

One I'm having trouble placing is accepting bribes from agents. Is that immaturity? Lifestyle? Criminality? Does it depend on the specific situation?

FWIW, I'm finding that the 2 labels that are the biggest red flags to me are A (attitude) and R (repeat offender), and that I'll cut some slack to a guy who comes up H M & R (hard worker, motor and leadership).

 

[fxkane]

Sexual abuse and domestic violence would be big negatives to me and, I think, they are to the Pats. Pot smoking or admissions would be insignificant unless it was part of a larger negative pattern.

Leadership and football smarts would be the number one positives. I think almost every player has to be a leader, esp. on these no star patriot teams.

 

[patchick]

One I'm having trouble placing is accepting bribes from agents. Is that immaturity? Lifestyle? Criminality? Does it depend on the specific situation?

Now it occurs to me that issues like academic cheating might fall in the same category. (Remember that ILB who was supposed to be Mr. Wonderful because he'd diligently drive an hour home to his wife and kids after practice...then it turn out that he was taking all of his coursework home for the wife to do?) Cheating, lying, coverups, bribery etc. earn you a F for Flim-flam.

 

[patchick]

Sexual abuse and domestic violence would be big negatives to me and, I think, they are to the Pats.

Wow, I can't believe I didn't separate that out, thanks.

 

[Water Boy]

Here's some suggestions for additional categories:

DF: Likes dog fighting.

TW: Throws boiling water on friend

HC: Has cousin who's always leaving drugs in duffle bag or jacket of the player

RC: Murdered wife

OJ: Murdered ex-wife and ex-wife's boyfriend

LT: Rapes young woman in hotel

BM9: Has 9 baby mommas

CS: Injurs female bar patron while crowd surfing

LD: exposes self to female reporter in locker room

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Hmm, interesting point. But is that really a "character" issue?

One I'm having trouble placing is accepting bribes from agents. Is that immaturity? Lifestyle? Criminality? Does it depend on the specific situation?

FWIW, I'm finding that the 2 labels that are the biggest red flags to me are A (attitude) and R (repeat offender), and that I'll cut some slack to a guy who comes up H M & R (hard worker, motor and leadership).

Fair enough, I'm not sure if dumb is a character issue or just a sad fact of life for some people. Maybe it's unfair to hold that against someone, but part of me thinks they should study harder or something.

Attitude is a big one for me as well, and I think bad attitude also plays a part in some of those other areas you listed like work ethic and lifestyle. The repeat offender is also a huge flag because they clearly don't learn from their mistakes.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

LD: exposes self to female reporter in locker room

Make it "exposes self to female in locker room", and you could call it PM.

 

[Off The Grid]

Just because you ARE a Character...doesn't mean you HAVE Character.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Make it "exposes self to female in locker room", and you could call it PM.

And he could be a "H"....