Be Careful with that Thing, You Could Shoot Your Eye Out... or Your Own Leg

Plaxico Burress really is an idiot, and not just because he was dumb enough to carry a weapon without a license and then shoot himself with it. No, he is an idiot because he is basically throwing away every wide receiver's dream situation.

How perfect exactly?

1. He is the number 1 receiver on arguably the best team in the NFL.

2. He signed a 35 million dollar extension (including an 11 million dollar signing bonus)

3. He already won a Super Bowl.

Come on, Plax; you could be Calvin Johnson (more on him later). Would you rather fight through triple teams and watch a defense that couldn't stop a high school team week after week?

Seriously, how hard is it to stay out of trouble in the NFL?

Plaxico Burress didn't just shoot himself in the leg, he shot his career in the leg. Plax won't get to participate in any more games, the playoffs, or, potentially, the Super Bowl. Instead, he can add a felony charge to his resume, right next to that Super Bowl victory. Plus, it is increasingly likely that the Giants give up on Plaxico and go a different direction?

I understand that NFL players are very recognizable and are generally known to be wealthy, but does that really justify carrying an illegal weapon? Plaxico claimed he carried the weapon because he was carrying a large sum of money and wearing expensive jewelry. Well, common sense should kick in here at some point right? Why would you need to carry that much cash? Why not, show a little bit of conservatism and tone down the flash? Or shoot (no pun intended), maybe engage the safety on your weapon while carrying it (okay maybe the pun was a little intended)? You could try testing the safety while the gun isn't pointed at any of your limbs to make sure your weapon isn't malfunctioning? Or if all those ideas are difficult to get your mind around, you could always not play with your gun! Are these outside the realm of common sense?

I am totally guessing here, but team rules or NFL rules might prohibit the possession of firearms. Or maybe concealed weapons licenses are very difficult to obtain, I don't know. But what I do know is having a weapon illegally is dumb, no matter who you are. If you are really feeling so unsafe Plax, hire a body guard! I bet 11 million could get you like an ex-Navy Seal or something.

While it is really fun for me to make fun of a former Michigan State player, the real substance of this blog is that the Lions are actually lucky. They have a primetime, legitimate, number 1 receiver who isn't a head case. In fact, he SHY!

Calvin Johnson is the anti-(insert annoying whinny receiver you are sick of hearing about: Options include TO, Ocho-cinco, Plax, Randy Moss...)

A few weeks ago, I got the excellent experience of going to the Lions-Buccaneers game with a media pass. When I went into the Lions locker room for post-game interviews, Calvin Johnson was MIA. While I understand that nobody wants to talk to the media after a loss, it seems this is pretty standard practice for him. He doesn't talk. He doesn't miss practices. He doesn't shoot himself in his own leg. He seems like a decent person who has his head screwed on straight; lets just hope the Lions and losing culture don't drive him insane, because the Lions have a real good player to build around. Include the added bonuses of not having to worry about his off-field demeanor and tendencies.

One of my favorite things about Barry Sanders was his demeanor on the field. He never celebrated his dozens of touchdowns; just handed the ball to the referee and quietly left the field. Calvin Johnson is a lot alike in that aspect, and I really respect that.

While I give credit to Calvin Johnson, I must also give credit to the New York Giants. Despite losing their two best defensive players to retirement and injury, and a year long distraction from their best offensive player they somehow manage to win week in and week out. That is impressive.

Plaxico, your fame and success turned into infamy and $100,000 worth of bail. Instead of a Super Bowl champion, you are the laughing stock of the whole league.