“Crime” Not To Cut Aqib Talib
March 30th, 2011
Now Joe is the first one to know that reporters and columnists rarely get to write their own headlines. That’s generally the work of copy editors — people readers never get to see on TV, hear on radio and rarely if ever see their bylines in the 19th century news delivery service called “newspapers.”
But kudos to whoever at The News Center wrote the headline for Joe Henderson’s column about Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib, who was slapped by Garland (Tex.) police with a felony arrest warrant yesterday.
[UPDATE: When Joe first wrote this post at 1:27 a.m. this morning, Joe thought that headline for TBO was rather bold. And Joe was right. The fine folks at The News Center saw fit to change the headline from “It would be a crime if Bucs Didn’t Cut Aqib Talib” to something softer. ]
Henderson is the voice of reason among Tampa Bay scribes. Naturally he is appalled at the latest stunt by Talib and Henderson, almost writing as if he is sighing with relief, believes Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik will turn the page and begin a new chapter in Bucs history.
[Talib] makes plays, some of them spectacular, but the Bucs can’t count on him. He has the talent to be a fixture at the Pro Bowl, but it keeps getting short-circuited by his lack of common sense.
Maybe the legal system of Texas will beat Dominik to the punch, so to speak.
Talib faces the potential for considerable time in the slammer, but the Bucs can’t wait for the final act in this theater of the absurd.
Yes, as Joe alluded to yesterday, Talib has entered Tanard Jackson territory. Time for a spring cleaning.
At least with Talib (and Jackson) off the roster, you know you will never have his services again, which is a much better position than not knowing when, or if, you will have his services again.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:05 am
Am I the only one who is more upset by the cabbie incident than this if it turns out he shot into the air and not AT the guy?
All I’m saying is that, given the details of the case that have emerged (violent boyfriend stole his gun, protecting his sister/mother), I wouldn’t be surprised if this case ended with charges a lot less than felony anything, and possibly no jail time.
I’m not saying the guy is a saint or anything, I’m just surprised at how people always make a decision without knowing all of the facts.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:16 am
Matt:
What if one of the shots Talib fired (and missed) hit a little girl I the neighborhood?
What Talib did was beyond reckless.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:42 am
Fans want WINS. Owners want WINS. This is a business. You don’t cut your best player, the guy responsible for your 7th-best-in-the-NFL pass defense, due to speculation. When he’s convicted, then you cut.
Give me a break.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:43 am
Hey anyone know the status of Tanard Jackson????
crickets…..crickets…..
March 30th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@Joe: Right. My assumption was based on him firing up in the air, and assuming that a shot fired directly up wouldn’t injure anyone by falling.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:52 am
Dang! And I had just bought a Talib jersey to replace my Clayton jersey!!!
March 30th, 2011 at 8:53 am
But the point is that people automatically assume the worst and jump to conclusions. I suppose maybe it is warranted in Talib’s case due to his background, it’s just one of my pet peeves.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Matt:
For Talib’s sake I hope his attorneys are able to convince a judge/jury that he indeed fired in the air. From what Joe has read, the cops believe he fired at the other culprit, which is why he and his mother got tagged with felony charges
March 30th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Same as last season. Hasn’t changed.
March 30th, 2011 at 9:26 am
Joe – Get some sleep.
March 30th, 2011 at 9:28 am
LOL! This is a labor of love for Joe. Dunkin Donuts and Diet Mountain keep Joe going during the day. 🙂
March 30th, 2011 at 9:48 am
Thank you Ian…you don’t cut your best defensive player without finding out more details, darn straight he can receive special treatment when he picks the ball off the way he does. The MINUTE he is convicted and sentenced to his minimum 5 year sentence, the next move is pretty obvious…until then just wait! There is no CBA anyway.
March 30th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@Joe
What if? What if Tanard Jackson became the drug kingpin of Tampa? What if Jeremy Trueblood loses his temper and literally knocks a players head off?
A person cannot be tried for “what ifs”.
That fact is that the shots hit no one. The fact is that Billings is scum and a PA may not wish to risk a case with him as the star witness.
March 30th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Pete,
According to every report I’ve read, there are other neighborhood witnesses to the incident. It’s not just a sex offenders word against Talib’s. This is probably why a warrant was issued for arrest on felony charges, rather than misdemeanor or keeping it at “person of interest” level.