By Tom Rock
Well, the Jets are no longer spectators when it comes to the NFL’s new conduct policy. Thanks to the arrest of All-Pro kickoff returner Justin Miller early Sunday morning after a nightclub altercation– he’s been charged with third-degree assault according to police after swinging at a man and hitting a woman – the Jets must now hope they do not lose Miller to an NFL suspension. That is, assuming they WANT to keep him around. The Mangini and Tannenbaum policy for these actions may be even stiffer than the Commish’s. And less than a month after drafting Darrelle Revis to start at the position Miller plays on defense, the cornerback could become a casualty due as much to his conduct as his coverage.
Here’s the Jets’ statement on the incident: “"We expect our players to adhere to the highest standards of conduct off the field and take any allegation of personal misconduct very seriously. We are in the process of gathering information, and have notified the commissioner - in light of the NFL's new conduct policy. Until we’ve had an opportunity to review all the facts we will refrain from further comment."
And here’s Miller’s statement, issued through the Jets: “I want to apologize to everyone for this situation, including my family, my teammates, the Jets organization, our fans and the entire NFL. I understand that serving in the NFL is an honor and that I have an obligation to behave in a manner that reflects the privilege I have been given.”
Of course, the Jets aren’t trigger-happy when it comes to cutting their losses in these situations. Adrian Jones was busted for DUI during the season and he received a harsh, harsh fine. I figured he’d be let go once the season ended, but he’s still around. This may a little different, especially considering the spotlight the league has put on behavior recently. The players are routinely briefed on what they are and are not allowed to talk about with the media (ichts-nay on Andy-ray Oss-may), so they must also be drilled about what behaviors fall within Core Jets Values. Clubbing at 4 in the morning is probably borderline. Getting into a fight at 4 in the morning probably crosses the line.
What do I think will happen? If the early storyline is in any way true – and judging from Miller’s statement of apology that appears to be the case – I suspect the Jets will fine Miller and suspend him for one or two games. That will allow them to stay in the good graces of the NFL offices and also maintain their own adherence to internal standards. It’s also not so drastic a penalty that if something similar happens to a key player down the road the team is not painted into a corner where they’d have to suspend a starter for four games, or worse. Only the NBA can get away with assigning penalties on a case-by-case basis like that.
As for the jokes about an All-Pro kickoff returner being caught by the cops after fleeing the scene (as per the espn.com report) or Miller’s misguided punch after all the work the Jets do with boxing trainer Teddy Atlas, well, like the Jets, I’ll refrain from further comment until I have an opportunity to review all the facts.
So, Jets fans: What would be a suitable punishment for Justin Miller?
Comments (15)
A fine and maybe a game or 2 suspension should be more than enough. 20-something year olds occassionally do stupid things. I know I did. NFL players have all sorts of wannabeees egging them on. This isn't a case of a shooting, weapons etc. Lets hope the punishment fits the crime.
Apropriate punishment for Miller would be to spend a weekend with you. Although that may be too severe since no doubt he will be tempted to end it all, and jump out of his car window while it's moving, to avoid having to hear you say things.
reading your blog is punishment enough for all
It sounds as if he punched the woman by accident. He should be fined and forced to miss 2 preseason games. Anything more severe is foolish. If you can't be out till 4 when you're 22 years old when CAN you? Of course if he punched her intentionally the punishment should be severe.
I'd agree with Greg. You have to know that there are people out there who would become jealous at the presence of an NFL player and provoke an incident. Now whether Miller handled himself in a just manner should be left up to someone else to decide, but you got to be mindful of your surrondings. Depending on what else comes out as the story unfolds, I think 2-3 games would be fair. Although, this is a ripe time for someone to be made an example of under the new conduct policy. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Trade Miller to Cincinnati... he'll fit in well there!
Nep,
He might have hit a woman by accident but it certainly sounds like he intended to hit someone. If you get behind the wheel drunk and kill someone, its an accident - you weren't intending to kill someone - but you're still responsible for some kind of murder.
Hey, considering what Giambi is doing and the fact that he has yet to be punished, I think a one-game suspension for a 22-year old who was probably provoked is fair enough.
I am going to leave the punishment up to Sherrif Godell and Mangini. I will say this though- in a time when someone like Pac Man Jones who was implicated in the shooting and subsequent paralaysis of another human being doesn't even have the decency to apologize to the people he's hurt by his irresponsible and dangerous behavior, I find Justin Miller's quick and seemingly sincere apology refreshing. Here, you could see the Jets' core values at play in terms of taking responsibility and being held accountable. Most athletes (Michael Vick also comes to mind here) would issue either denials or statements that they can not comment on a "pending legal matter". Instead of listening to bad advice by his handlers, agents or lawyers, Justin Miller seems to stand up here. Now that doesn't forgive or foirget what he did in the club. But he is human. If I were the jets and or Godell, I would take a look at Miller's attitude. He may be suspended one game, but I would not kick him off the team. Instead, I would use him for the younger Jets as a cuationary tale.
A 22 year old gets into a pushing match at a bar with an alleged punch involved. Who among us has never been in a situation like that?
No weapons, no drugs, no complainant other than the cop, third degree misdemeanor that would never have even been charged if he had not fled the scene. Charges will likely be dropped.
There is nothing here to warrant a suspension much less losing his job. Bad judgement, yes, criminal in nature, no.
Hopefully this serves as the wakeup call he has needed and he goes on to a long and lucrative career as a NY Jet.
I think a hefty fine,anger management counseling and community serivce is suitable punishment given his non-violent past off the field. I think the league has chance this season to objective and at the time consistant in regards to punisments it should levy and maybe other pro sport leagues will use as an example, we'll see what the NFL will do....I hope they don't overreact like the NHL has this season ( i.e. Chris Simon etc...)
I've met Dustin a few times and he's a very nice guy- I think anyone suggesting "anger management" doesn't really know him or the situation he found himself in. All I would say here is I think this is agoing to be a wake-up call for him in terms of partying- being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
To other matters, I think the Jets should symbolically sign Keyshawn johnson and he should retire a Jet. Either that- or the Jets should have a Wayne Chrebet/Keyshawn Johnson day this coming year. Of what I've been told, Eric Mangini has encouraged a sense of Jets history by inviting veterans to talk to the team and be involved. A Keyshwan/Chrebet day would celebrate two of the best players the Jets had in one of their best years- 1998-1999. If you think about the two receivers who supposedly didn't get along and came from different places, their careers were never better than when each had the other.
Tom,
What do you think about trying to deal Kendall and a second round pick for Feneca who is a 6 time Probowler who wants out of Pittsburg and is burning bridges fast by expressing his disapointment in Pitt's choice of coaches. That would fix out Oline problems for a few years in my opinion.
trade miller to the bears for lance briggs. bears maybe inclined since hester is leaving a void at cb.
This Player made a bad judgement call for sure. He seems to be doing all the right things to make up for it. No games suspension, a fine and alot of community work. kids need to see an apology up close in order to fully understand how to give one!