Johnson Suspended For Eight Games

by Adam T on Jun 4, 2007 3:11 PM CDT in News

The NFL has suspended Tank Johnson for eight games.

The defensive tackle recently served a two-month jail stint on a probation violation on gun-related charges.

He's the third player suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell in little more than a month for off-field behavior. In April, Goodell suspended Tennessee Titans defensive back Adam "Pacman" Jones for the entire 2007 season and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry for eight games. Jones is appealing his suspension.

Goodell said Johnson's suspension could be reduced to six games if he has no further involvement with law enforcement and undergoes counseling.

After meeting with Goodell upon his release last month, Johnson said he was ready to accept whatever punishment Goodell handed down and that he wants to become the NFL's "Man of the Year," the player honored for being its best citizen.

I think half a season is a bit harsh, but I am not going to knock the Commish for trying to clean up the league a little.

With an eight-game suspension, Johnson would be permitted to return for the Bears' Nov. 11 contest against the Raiders in Oakland. A six-game suspension would end in time for the defensive tackle to face the Eagles Oct. 21 in Philadelphia.

The six games that Johnson is assured of missing are home contests against the Chiefs, Cowboys and Vikings and road games versus the Chargers, Lions and Packers.

Tank is listed on the roster as a nose tackle, leaving only Dusty Dvoracek as the only one currently with the Bears. The Bears did rotate a lot of guys last year, but with Boone and Scott signing elsewhere the Bears will need to sign or move some players to provide some depth.

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Comments

yikes

looking thin up front, and I really hope if we are sucking against the run early on that we don't hear a lot of "once tank gets back..." we were iffy against the run anyway last year. get going JA.

by mike b on Jun 4, 2007 3:26 PM CDT reply actions

That's harsh...

Given all the details of the case, this was a decision based on the image of the league and not justice, IMO. Of course, that's what this is all about, anyways...

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 4, 2007 3:36 PM CDT reply actions

Way too harsh...

You only get a 4 game suspension for failing a drug test and that actually harms the game. F that.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jun 4, 2007 5:55 PM CDT reply actions

I thought

it would be 4-6, so if he gets 6, I think it is pretty fair. This is a conduct policy, and the Commish is making an example out of these guys.

by RME JICO on Jun 4, 2007 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

What will be far more interesting

is Michael Vick's penalty...

Tank seems like a reformed man, so I'm sure it will be six. Goodell needs to be a hard-ass now if he wants these suspensions and new policy to have any effect.

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by thecubreporter on Jun 4, 2007 6:59 PM CDT reply actions

If there's any fairness to this...

Vick gets at least a year.

Seriously, Tank had a shitload of guns. Vick made dogs kill each other.

Think of it this way: if Vick is an oil tycoon instead of an NFL quarterback he's the badguy in some shitty action flick.

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 4, 2007 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

i doubt it

Goodall will pull a double standard and find some bullshit reason why Vick should only get 2 games.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jun 4, 2007 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Adams - A Smart Pick-up

Picking up Adams from SF will help a lot. Living on the west coast I get to see a lot of the 49ers and Adams will fit in perfectly with the Bears.
Does anybody know how this suspension works?
Tank can use the facility for personal work-outs, but can not participate in practices - will he have access to game films, meetings, and game plans?

by phastphil on Jun 5, 2007 9:48 AM CDT reply actions

If he can use the facilities, i'm sure...

he can watch game film. The sticky question is whether or not he can watch it with the rest of the team. Does that constitute a practice? I think its probably categorized as a "film session" and he'd be allowed to attend.

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 5, 2007 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions