Mikey Can't Redeem Everyone - Nor Would He if He Could

Blogs have a reputation for (among other things) launching anonymous, critical posts without regard to their truthfulness or the fallout from their statements.  Sounds awesome, right?  I know, so let me join in the on the fun.

One thing that bugs me is when I hear people say Mike Brown does deserve some credit for his willingness to give players the benefit of the doubt when it comes to off the field issues - that he deals with people on a more human level.

I might be inclined to agree if the times when he offered second chances did not seem to be so convenient for his purposes and wallet.  Most "redemptions" offered by Mikey that I can easily recall involve situations where it allows him to sign a talented player for cheap.

But what about when it comes to "redeeming" a beloved ex-Bengal and former team career rushing leader James Brooks, a man with limited prospects outside of football because he never learned to read?  Chick reveals that James came looking for a redemption and got the cold shoulder from Mike.  James applied for a job as assistant RB coach to Jim Anderson.  I see no listing for Assistant RB coach on the Bengals website so I assume James was hoping to create the role.  But Mike wouldn't ante up and turned him down.

James has had a tough time post football, racking up child support payments he cannot afford and spending some time in jail because of it.  While he does bear some responsibility for his lack of non-football skills, read this old Tim O'Sullivan article for some perspective.

So color me skeptical that Mikey has a big heart and loves second chances.  Perhaps.  But to me it seems his door remains open only to family & the closest of friends - or a first round talent with a history of trouble he can sign at a discount. 

The cost of bringing on James as an assistant RB coach likely amounts to a fraction of even a back up RBs salary.  Perhaps other factors matter and Mikey obviously can't say yes to everyone who approaches him looking for something, but can we officially kill the line of dialogue that says Mikey deals on a more personal/human level with players/coaches/employees than other owners?  I'd say evidence points to the fact that he is no more generous or compassionate than the average person, and probably much less.

Comments

[NOendINsight]

Amen

[BILL]

Hey does everyone need a damn assistant? Would you hire a guy with those problems? He can only redeem so many. If he had a nickel for every retired player that wanted a new job he could buy a new lumina.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

Being unable to pay child support does not necessarily mean you would not be a good RB coach. In fact, the two factors may be directly related. The more you owe in support, the better you are at coaching RBs.

I didn't claim he could redeem everyone. That was the whole point of the post - to show that claiming while Mike may suck as an owner but at least he's a redeemer, is nonsense and inaccurate. He's not charitable. Nor does he need to be.

[jbibbali]

Look, it's as simple as this, the whole world is divided by redeemers and non-redeemers. Get redeeming or get on with it.