Throwing Roc(ks): The "Benching" of Larry Johnson and The Suspension of Kellen Winslow II

Larry Johnson:

As stated last week in my article about Larry Johnson, he currently faces accusations of assault on more than one female. A new allegation surfaced since last week along the same lines. What did his organization do? They benched him. Worm Edwards even further proved the lack of fortitude he has shown in his tenure, by further insulting and compromising the "integrity" of the NFL judicial system, saying it wasn't related to his off-field problems. Edwards stated he might not wait for the league to reprimand Johnson further, but regardless, Herm needs to take a stand now instead of allowing time to elapse and the matter get worse.

According to the Associated Press, Edwards is hinting at possibly benching him for this weeks game as well. It was at this point when I wanted to put the blame on Edwards, but honestly, its not all his fault. I found the following quote from Chiefs president Carl Peterson about the league's handling of the matter.

I don't know how fast they move on these things," Peterson said. "They have a lot of problems to address at the league level. I think the commissioner moves through these as fast as they can. I do know they are investigating it and that's what their responsibility is. They have assured us they are doing that and we can have no further comment."

Mr. Peterson, what do you mean you don't know how fast they move? Maybe you are not familiar with Adam Pacman Jones. His incident can happen on Monday, and by Wednesday, he has received his punishment. So Herm Edwards, I apologize for putting a lot of it on you, but this is a corporate example of the "apple not falling far from the tree".

Kellen Winslow Jr.

The outspoken Winslow Jr. has had quite an interesting week. He was hospitalized last week for what was described as an undisclosed illness. My thought as a sports fan, was why weren't we being notified of his illness. But late Sunday, Winslow Jr. made it public that he had a staph infection, which was his second such bout with the illness. My understanding of the injury policy my be different from yours, but I was under the impression that it is the team's responsibility to disclose any illnesses to the league.

Winslow Jr's revelation has cost him a one-game suspension. Why? Because he spoke out against the organization and the way it handle him. He was not pleased that team president Phil Savage didn't check on him, and the how the team has a problem they need to address. Apparently staph infections run rampant in the locker room. Many cases have affected the team of the last couple of years.

Anybody familiar with Winslow Jr. knows he is verbalizes his feelings often, but was he wrong for complaining about an unsafe work environment? Phil Savage had this to say about the suspension:

"His comments and behavior on Sunday evening, however, were unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization. His statements brought unjustified negative attention to our organization, and violated the team-first concept of our football squad. Therefore, disciplinary action will be taken in the form of a one-game suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the club."

What would that conduct detrimental to the club be? Telling you that he is tired of being exposed to an illness that is deadly? Side note: That is BS, Phil Savage.

So here we have two different scenarios. One player has been suspended, the other has been benched. I know everyone's trying to protect the shield, but again I ask, where is the consistency across the board? Where are the checks and balances?

If Kansas City thinks benching Larry Johnson according to the numerous accusations is acceptable, then why is Pacman suspended for at least four games, has to enter alcohol treatment, for an incident that still has not been explained in detail? Matt Jones gets 3 games for getting arrested, at gunpoint, while in his car, cutting up cocaine. Kellen Winslow Jr. gets a one game suspension, loses a game check of over $200,000 ( I know right! ) for telling the world that the Browns have a nasty locker room?

Who really is the judge and jury in the NFL? Morally, the league needs to take a look at what they are doing here. The Commissioner has had a history of being inconsistent in his punishments and is standing on his last limb when it comes to the credibility of the judicial system of the league. The most recent cases concerning Johnson and Winslow Jr. are examples of the inadequacies of a uniform policy they try to play off as the Player Conduct Code.