Michael Irvin on Janoris Jenkins: Can’t play football with choir boys

[Bonecrusher#31]

Michael Irvin on Janoris Jenkins: Can’t play football with choir boys
Posted by Michael David Smith on April 25, 2012, 6:15 PM EDT


We’ve noted many times that Janoris Jenkins, a talented cornerback who was kicked off the team at Florida and finished college at North Alabama, has so many off-field red flags that some teams think he’s just not worth the risk. But one Pro Football Hall of Famer argues that it’s OK to have some guys with character questions on your roster.

Michael Irvin believes teams can go overboard with their focus on character, to the point where they’re hurting themselves by passing up on elite talent.

“You can’t play a game like football with all choir boys,” Irvin told USA Today. “You need somebody that is a Janoris Jenkins. The issue is, the proclivity to make some bad decisions might live within him. But, he will make some great plays on the field. When you draft a guy like this you have to give him the right support, and then he could be the steal of the draft.”

Irvin thinks it’s natural for great football players to live their lives on the edge. They just need a support system to keep them from going over the edge.

“A cornerback like that with that attitude and that skill set is a rare find in this league,” Irvin said. “It takes some kind of psychological instability to do what they do. Some guy just went 80 yards on you and you’ve got to turn right around and step up like you’re still the baddest man in the world. Him being crazy, I like. I just don’t want him being crazy and making bad decisions off the field.”

Irvin’s own career serves as an example that a guy who has elite talent on the field can be worth occasional trouble off the field.

 

[bbgun]

We're talking about criminals here, Mike. Not guys who get suspended for making fart noises in class.

 

[Hoofbite]

We're talking about criminals here, Mike. Not guys who get suspended for making fart noises in class.

Yeah, can't imagine it's very easy to get a work release to play football.

 

[UVAwahoos]

Cromartie Jr.

He'll need a signing bonus ASAP.

 

[jiggyfly]

We're talking about criminals here, Mike. Not guys who get suspended for making fart noises in class.

So you would have never drafted Irvin if you knew his background right?

 

[Sheik]

I think it's hilarious that Cowboy fans worship Michael Irvin, but Terrell Owens was the devil.

 

[UVAwahoos]

So you would have never drafted Irvin if you knew his background right?

Most teams that win the Super Bowl are led by high character guys. The desperate teams who can't build are the ones who take the risks and chances on these types of players.

Dallas does not have the leadership to keep guys like Dez and Jenkins under control.

Also, I would have no issue with passing on Irvin if it was clear that he was a crackhead and got caught fucking prostitutes.

We passed on Moss for his questionable background. Last I checked...Moss has zero rings and he has been bouncing around the NFL. He's top 5 all time, but that doesn't equate to team success.

 

[bbgun]

So you would have never drafted Irvin if you knew his background right?

He had a criminal history before we drafted him? News to me.

 

[Iamtdg]

I think it's hilarious that Cowboy fans worship Michael Irvin, but Terrell Owens was the devil.

Irvin was a leader on the field. Owens was the exact opposite. I think that's the glaring difference.

 

[Iamtdg]

He had a criminal history before we drafted him? News to me.

Not that I'm aware of.

 

[dbair1967]

Cant play football with suspended football players either


no way in hell do I waste a pick, in any round on this guy

 

[UVAwahoos]

I'd let him fuck my dog for free and then roll a blunt butt naked on my couch if he led my team to 3 titles. That's a lifetime pass. It's one thing to be a top WR of all time when sober. It's whole other to be able to do it on crack with hitmen trying to kill you for fucking their girlfriends.

Give that man a Corona and a high five.

Jenkins is a completely different situation...

 

[Theebs]

pac man jones says....thats what I am talking about....

taking advice from irvin on building a team is like taking marriage advice from deion sanders....

 

[Maveric]

I'd let him fuck my dog for free and then roll a blunt butt naked on my couch if he led my team to 3 titles. That's a lifetime pass. It's one thing to be a top WR of all time when sober. It's whole other to be able to do it on crack with hitmen trying to kill you for fucking their girlfriends.

Give that man a Corona and a high five.

I'll drink to that...
Jenkins is a completely different situation...

 

[Cr122]

I agree in part with what Mike says, sometimes you have to take a chance with some of these kids, especially the very talented ones.


Does it always work out? No, but it's the chance you have to take. I mean what is the worst that could happen, Dennard might punch Jerry in the face, or Jenkins might smoke a little pot before a game.

 

[jiggyfly]

He had a criminal history before we drafted him? News to me.

He did not have a criminal record but he did a lot of the same things Jenkins did just watch the documentary The U.

Are you really ignoring every thing he did in Dallas of the field because he did not have a criminal record in college?

 

[bbgun]

He did not have a criminal record but he did a lot of the same things Jenkins did just watch the documentary The U.

Are you really ignoring every thing he did in Dallas of the field because he did not have a criminal record in college?

Of course not, but that's not what you asked. Nor do I buy the Jenkins comparisons. Jenkins had multiple run-ins with the law, was thrown off his team, and fathered four kids by three different women. That doesn't describe Hurricane Irvin in the slightest.

 

[jiggyfly]

Of course not, but that's not what you asked. Nor do I buy the Jenkins comparisons. Jenkins had multiple run-ins with the law, was thrown off his team, and fathered four kids by three different women. That doesn't describe Hurricane Irvin in the slightest.

My point was that Irvin was a thug who in this day and time would have as many red flags as Jenkins would you not take him on your team?

We had a whole team of Jenkins type in the 90's do you feel we should have drafted differently?