Pros and "Cons"

The recent situation involving Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is both sad and frustrating. Here's a guy that has the whole world by the cojones, and he screws it up by shooting himself at a night club? Never mind the fact that he wasn't going to play in a game two days later because of a pulled hamstring. I don't understand the mentality of guys that feel the need to arm themselves in order to have a good time out at a club. I heard recently that LeBron James is building on his own property: a restaurant, a bowling alley, and a nightclub. That way, when he wants to go out with 'the fellas', he can do so on his own property and not put himself into situations that would get him into trouble. Sounds like a smart thing to do to me.

Still, the Burress situation sounds dicey, considering that it sounds like because of NYC's gun laws, he's going to be sentenced to time in prison for his transgressions. This got me to thinking, what would happen if the next NFL expansion franchise was placed in Leavenworth, Kansas?

====PRESS RELEASE====

LEAVENWORTH – The Kansas Shivs are pleased to announce the formation of their first-year expansion National Football League franchise. Shivs general manager Paul Crewe introduced head coach Dennis Erickson and his star-studded coaching staff, as well as the members of the active 53-man roster for the upcoming season.

"The recent addition of Plaxico Burress via un-free agency has further bolstered our passing attack," Crewe told reporters. "I know that Coach Erickson is excited to put him into our dynamic receiving corps."

Burress joins an impressive cadre of wide outs that already include Rae Carruth, Brandon Marshall, Randy Moss, and Chris Henry. Koren Robinson will now likely be relegated to special teams' duty only.

"I know that (Michael) Vick will be pleased to have this group of players to throw to," said Erickson.

KANSAS SHIVS COACHING STAFF:

Dennis Erickson, head coach; O.J. Simpson, offensive coordinator; Warren Moon, quarterbacks coach; Mercury Morris, running backs coach; Mark Ingram, receivers coach; Nate Newton, offensive line coach; Keith Hamilton, defensive line coach; Lawrence Taylor, linebackers coach; Eugene Robinson, defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach; Donald Igwebuike, special teams coach.

KANSAS SHIVS 53-MAN ROSTER:

QUARTERBACKS (4): Michael Vick, Todd Marinovich, Quincy Carter, Josh Booty

RUNNING BACKS (7): Lawrence Phillips, Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, Ahmad Bradshaw, Cecil Collins, Maurice Clarett, Troy Hambrick

WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Plaxico Burress, Randy Moss, Brandon Marshall, Rae Carruth, Chris Henry, Koren Robinson

TIGHT ENDS (2): Jerramy Stevens, Dwayne Carswell

OFFENSIVE TACKLES (4): Nick Kaczur, Bryant McKinnie, Luis Sharpe, Stockar McDougle

OFFENSIVE GUARDS (3): Ryan Tucker, Ben Coleman, Reed Diehl

CENTERS (2): Barrett Robbins, Todd Burger

DEFENSIVE ENDS (5): Leonard Little, Jared Allen, Kenny Mixon, Anthony Hargrove, Jason Shirley

DEFENSIVE TACKLES (4): Tank Johnson, Christian Peter, Chad Eaton, Jonathan Babineaux

LINEBACKERS (6): Ray Lewis, Steve Foley, Odell Thurman, John Mobley, Derrick Rodgers, Trevis Smith

CORNERBACKS (5): Adam 'Pacman' Jones, Deltha O'Neal, Ricky Manning Jr., Cedric Griffin, Darryl Henley

SAFETIES (3): Terrence Kiel, Damien Robinson, Dwayne Goodrich

KICKERS (2): Sebastian Janikowski, Todd Sauerbrun

=====

On paper, it would seem as though this is could be a very competitive team. It's unfortunate that the majority of the players in the NFL are able to do the right thing and never have these kinds of issues. Most of them are strong in their communities, never get caught driving under any influence of an illegal substance or alcohol, never are arrested for anything illicit. Yet, as is the case in most other things, it's always the actions of a few that impact the reputations of many.