Bears waive DT Tank Johnson June 25, 2007 LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS (TICKER) -- The Chicago Bears on Monday waived troubled defensive tackle Tank Johnson. Anyone for a tank? (just looked at that again and my Aussie mates might find that amusing ) Embarrassed' Bears cut Tank Johnson June 25, 2007 LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Tank Johnson was released Monday by the Chicago Bears, who are "upset and embarrassed" by the defensive tackle's legal troubles. Johnson was waived three days after he was pulled over by police in Arizona. He already had been suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season for violating probation on a gun charge. He spent two months in jail and was released in May. "We are upset and embarrassed by Tank's actions last week," general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement. "He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error. Our goal was to help someone through a difficult period in his life, but the effort needs to come from both sides. It didn't, and we have decided to move on." Police in the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert said Johnson was stopped for driving 40 mph in a 25 mph zone at 3:30 a.m. Friday and the officer made observations that led him to believe Johnson was impaired. Sgt. Andrew Duncan, a police spokesman, said Johnson was arrested for "DUI Impaired to the Slightest Degree" but was released without being booked or charged. Duncan said Johnson was taken to the Gilbert police station, where officials drew blood for a blood-alcohol content test before his release. He described Johnson as "very cooperative." The officer had probable cause to make an arrest, Duncan said. Test results aren't expected for up to two weeks, and they would be sent to Gilbert town prosecutors for consideration of any charges. Earlier this month, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Johnson for half the regular season for violating the league's toughened personal conduct policy. He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error. Our goal was to help someone through a difficult period in his life, but the effort needs to come from both sides. It didn't and we have decided to move on. GM Jerry Angelo At the time Johnson, who recently spent two months in the Cook County jail for violating probation, called his suspension an "opportunity for me to move forward." Goodell said the suspension could be reduced to six games if Johnson has no further involvement with law enforcement and undergoes counseling. Last December, police raided the 300-pound defensive tackle's suburban Chicago home and found six unregistered firearms -- a violation of his probation on an earlier gun charge. That charge stemmed from Johnson's 2005 arrest after a Chicago nightclub valet reported seeing Johnson with a handgun in his SUV. He subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge. Two days after last December's raid, Willie B. Posey, Johnson's bodyguard, was shot and killed in an early morning fight while he and Johnson were at a Chicago nightclub. Johnson was suspended by the Bears for one game for being at the club. He played in the Super Bowl as the Bears lost to Indianapolis. In March, Johnson began his two-month jail stint. Last month, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge stemming from the December raid as part of a deal with prosecutors that kept him from serving more time in jail. He was ordered to serve 45 days, which he served concurrently with the sentence for violating his probation. "A lot of people within our organization gave extra time and energy to support Tank; players, coaches and our front office," coach Lovie Smith said. "We did our best to establish an environment for him to move forward. Ultimately Tank needed to live up to his side of the deal" A second-round choice in the 2004 draft, Johnson appeared in 46 games in three seasons with the Bears and registered 63 tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defensed. The departure of Johnson further weakens a tackle corps that has suffered plenty of attrition this offseason. Veteran tackles Alfonso Boone (to Kansas City) and Ian Scott (to Philadelphia) exited the Bears as unrestricted free agents this spring. The team's top tackle, two-time Pro Bowl performer Tommie Harris, is rehabilitating from hamstring surgery that cut short his 2006 season and was only recently cleared to return to the field. That means Chicago may have to rely on young and untested tackles, like second-year pro Dusty Dvoracek, a third-round choice who missed his entire 2006 rookie season because of a foot injury, to fill the void. The Bears did sign one unrestricted free agent, four-year veteran Anthony Adams, formerly of San Francisco. Because he has accrued only three seasons toward the NFL pension plan, Johnson is subject to waivers, but it is unlikely, given his circumstances, that the former University of Washington star will be claimed by another club. If he is not, Johnson will become a free agent able to sign with any team. Johnson, 25, had two seasons remaining on his original rookie contract with Chicago, at base salaries of $510,000 for 2007 and $548,750 in 2008 In other words , he'd had a drink but was legal. Who sticks to the speed limit at 3:30 am , 40mph in a 25mph , please.
What. An. Idiot. I am so sick of these players waste great talent with questionable off-the-field behavior. I mean, Tank doesn't surprise me, but the league is just getting out of control.
Sign him. Many times, a guy like this will make the most of his second chance, and you can probably get him for a low cap $$$ amt.
I agree here. We could really use him. Yeah, he did some bad things but not every troubled guy is guaranteed to remain troubled. I agree with the previous poster also. 40 in a 25 after two beers.....it's not like he's Dillinger here.
The 8 games is what kills you. You are pretty much paying for his 8 week vacation if you pick him up. If we could get around paying him for the games he misses i would say do it but he has too much weight to carry right now and i dont think this team needs anyone else to influence Justin Miller...
I don't think this latest 'offence' is much of anything - if he was below the limit. Obv. if he was at or over it, then he's a moron.
It's hilarious to think back of Tank Johnson in the days after he first spoke to goodell. He was giddy about the chance to show the commish what kind of citizen he is personally, and that all of the stories and things of his past are really a negative facade. He might get some people to buy it, and then he does something like this. He has zero credibility left in the eyes of any beholder.
It is much of something because he was given strict instructions to walk the line and he has proved once again that he is just too stupid to do so. If I were convicted, plead no contest to or whatevered a felony, served jail time and my ?Employer? was gracious enough to give me a secondteen chance to right things ? you can bet your ass that I?m going to work hard to respect that. Speeding after drinking is not my idea of doing so ? but that?s just me. At some point ? these assholes have to be held accountable for their behavior.
thank you putting in the right forum and not putting in the Jets one and saying "hey lets sign him!!!!!!!!" but im sure by the time i finish typing this it will be up there
Yeah right Mangini is probably fining people that say Tank. No way in hell they even consider speaking to this guy.
Do you have specific examples? There are many on the other side. Koren Robinson and Ricky Williams are two recent examples.
The only player I can recall as having taking advantage of his second chance was Chris Carter from the Vikings who had some issues with drugs and alcohol early in his career. I am sure there have been a few others, but I doubt they outnumber the players who have squandered chance after chance. You would have to have a sweet contract where you could lose him for crossing the line if you really went after someone like this. I think it would affect team chemistry taking someone on like this, imo.
Wow that sounds awfully familiar to another troubled athlete in the NFL who cant seem to stay out of strip clubs
Cris Carter is probably the best example. I'm sure I'll recall some others that got better, but like you wrote, the majority of them don't make good on their second chances.
