From the national media, Carson has always been a class athlete and darling in the eyes of many. Chad on the other hand has always been covered by the media as a very talented clown and in many cases a disturbance. Neither of these two players have ever been considered a menace in the locker room by their peer players, but in the public eye they have been perceived differently.
Back in 2008, it is well known that Chad demanded that the Bengals trade him. He stated that he would not attend team functions or anything. I can remember the media, the fans, and Carson pretty much disagreeing with the way Chad requested a trade. I remember Chad being called a "cancer", a 'diva", and pretty much every negative name that can be thought of. He became the blame for the lack of success the Bengals had experienced.
Moving ahead to Carson in 2011. Carson is under contract until 2014. He was given the franchise player tag a few years ago and a huge contract back in 2005/2006...$120 million. That said, Carson has demanded a trade over the off season just like the teammate that he criticized back in 2008. Carson not only decided that he would hold out like Chad was going to do, but he has "quit". He did not fulfill his contract, and he sold his teammates out because he refuses to be the leading captain and franchise player that he is suppose to be for this franchise.
I find it hard to believe that this is not getting more pub in the off season/pre season. There is almost no mention of this. There are no bad names being spoke of concerning Carson. There are no stories about how he should do the right thing and play out his contract. There are no media heads saying that Carson or players like Carson are a problem. Instead there is total silence. I heard Kurt Warner of the NFL Network say that Chris Johnson of the Titans should report to the Titans camp and let his play speak for itself. He went on to say that he hates to see things play out this way when a player holds out for money..... (Chris Johnson, is holding out to not only become the highest paid running back in the NFL, but to attain a salary on the scale of Brady and Manning). Kurt was then asked about Carson's situation, and he immediately said that it was difficult and that he understood. No mention of how Carson should comeback and play. No mention of how he hated to see players do what Carson is doing.
I understand that Warner is a former quarterback, and can probably relate to Carson more so than Chris, but c'mon. His interview is symbolic of how certain athletes are covered and judged versus others. There is no way that this situation should not be commented on in the media or by fans. Carson should be held in the same regard that Chad was then and Chris is now.
2 comments:
I view it like the TO situation. When TO was a 49'er he had stuff to prove. He had HUGE shoes to fill and he was trying, but the D of the team at that time wasn't helping win games. Flash forward to Philly and he wasn't the same player. His mouth couldn't carry him and his skills. Put him in Dallas and despite the numbers he was losing stats. Now...he's just a diversion for another WR. You BETTER put a good corner on him though...he WILL burn you if you get lazy and don't.
Now, with all that...they're both athletes that are vocal in the media. To a fault. Its also the position that seperates them too. I don't think you're going to have a QB in the NFL for long (See where is Scott Mitchell for proof!) when he's in the media ripping on the team...the owners...the fans...the front office. They're gone and it's like some mob hit. You NEVER hear from them again. Nobody wants THAT on their team when their "leader on the field" is ripping everything in the press. It tears a locker room apart too. Everyone feels the need to get in on the bad-mouthing and you'd have total anarchy both on and off the field.
If anything both of them should let their ability on the field do the talking. That will shut up all the detractors be them coaches, fans or worse yet...talk radio hosts. If they can do that it removes all doubt and makes them credible.
PS: we're talking about Cinn. So I'm not too geeked up about either one. The BOTH have a TON to prove. Every time Cinn. has been to the Promised Land of Post Season they haven't looked too good. They're either one and out or fodder for the NFC rival in the Super Bowl. No middle ground. They have an all-time franchise record of 285 wins, 373 loses and 2 ties for regular season play. Who knows, maybe Cinn. is keeping all of its powder dry for the REAL season. Yeah, and Elvis shows up with Bigfoot riding into town in a UFO...LOLZ!!!
The Archman!
You are spot on this time T4. There is one character trait that they all share and that's blessed. They play the game they love and get paid more than police officers, firefighters, and teachers to do it. This is an open and shut post bro.
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