Michael Vick.  Justin Miller.  Chris Henry.

Are these guys dumb or do they just think they're above it all?

Let's start with Vick, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons with abilities beyond mortal men.  He has a canon for an arm, a $100 million contract and the town of Hotlanta on a string.  I think it would take two hands to count the number of mental lapses on Vicks' part since he arrived in the NFL with all the potential in the world, but currently has very little in the way of accomplishments to match it.  The latest one:   being involved in dogfighting in Virginia.  According to reports, the dogfighting ring was sheltered in a home he had built and run by buddies of his.  Brilliant.

 Then let's go to the New York Jets' Justin Miller.  He apparently didn't read the memo that states that nothing good happens in the wee hours of the morning after a night of clubbing.  During an altercation at a New York nightclub, Miller allegedly decked a woman.  Accidentally, of course.  He was actually aiming for a guy.

Let's look at Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry.  Already under suspension by the NFL for eight games for a number of transgressions.  Henry allegedly tested positive for opiates in his system, a direct violation of his probation in Florida.  Ummm…Yeah, if that turns out to be accurate Henry will face 88 days and jail and officially be given the title of "Dumbest Guy in the NFL."

But all three could easily be lumped in that category.  I realize that all three make their respective livings by leaving bits and pieces of their bodies and blood, sweat and tears on the football field.  However, that doesn't give them the right to flout laws as if they reside in some alternate universe where they are above the law.  We all know that only O.J. Simpson enjoys that distinction from the world of football.

Given NFL Commish Roger Goodell's crackdown on league bad boys, you'd think that they would be intelligent enough to at least try to stay out of trouble - if indeed they are guilty of their respective allegations.  Each commissioner in the modern era has left a unique mark on the league.  It's clear that Goodell has decided his will be to maintain law and order and protect the NFL's rep.  The players would be wise to take notice and remember that the NFL is a private business.  While they want the best players possible, it's not going to be without conditions going forward.

If first impressions mean everything in any relationship, Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn and Eric Wright, the Cleveland Browns top three draft choices made huge ones Sunday in Berea, the day after they were selected in the first, first and second round respectively.

Some might expect that of Thomas and Quinn, but given the perceived baggage that's accompanying Wright, many might prefer to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.  For those who need a summary of his past problems, they can be found here.

In light of the NFL's new player conduct policy, it would seem that Wright is a huge gamble.  It was last night and it may still be, but after the way in which he turned on the charm in Berea Sunday, it's easy to see why the Browns selected him.  He's an articulate, charismatic guy with an easy going sense of humor, who's faced his issues and is ready to move on.

“It was definitely a long road and it was very hard. It was a roller coaster ride if you will. I feel like it made me weary of the people I trusted and weary of the people I associate myself with. I grew up in strong household and was an honor roll student my entire life. I went to an all boys catholic school and that sort of thing. I really need to present myself in a proper light so people can really know who I am," he said.  "I think this organization has done all they could to get the proper information. That’s why I think they were comfortable in picking me and trading up to get me. I really appreciate that.”

As for Quinn, it's difficult to not like the guy.  Did anyone notice that after the Browns traded up and selected him that as he walked to the podium, he seemed to be on the verge of tears.  Even as he held his new jersey, he looked as if he were about to cry.  He mentioned more than once in interviews that playing for the Browns was a dream come true.

“It was always something where we started watching Browns games. When I was seven, we started going to Browns games," Quinn said.  "My mom’s father, who passed away when I was younger, was huge into the Browns. I think he gave the uniform I was wearing when I was younger that was flashed on TV. It was ingrained in me from day one.”

The last quarterback that wanted to come to Cleveland and lived in Ohio had a pretty good run here.  It took a gutsy move on General Manager Phil Savage's part to take a gamble and move up to acquire him.  Quinn dropped to the 22nd pick, a fate that normally hits some bewildered QB.  The Browns should send flowers, chocolates and a new Lexus to Ted Ginn and the Miami Dolphins for selecting him.  Conventional wisdom said that the Dolphins, who are in need of a QB, would take Brady if the Browns passed on him.  Shows how unconventional the draft can be.

As for Joe Thomas, having grown up in Northeast Ohio I feel comfortable saying he's the type of player the Browns fan base can take to.  Another bright guy to be sure, but what struck me is his attitude.  He's a blue collar type of guy who wants to pack his lunch pail, go to work and do his job.

"I didn’t want to take this off season and waste it. And what I mean by that is waste it by preparing for the combine or the draft. The most important thing is to be ready for your NFL career. I wasn’t going to judge my pro career by where I was drafted yesterday," he said. "I was lucky enough to be drafted high by a great organization and by a team and a city that I fit in very well with. For me, the work has just begun now. The important this is how I play in my career, not where I was drafted. That was the mentality that I took over the off season.”

Ultimately these words will ring hollow if Wright, Quinn and Thomas don't perform on the field.  But proud cynic that I am, I have to confess that when I left from covering the Browns Draft Party Saturday and the dark clouds from the morning had given way to afternoon sunshine, I was optimistic.  Draft Day euphoria?  Maybe.  Ultimately we won't know until next season.

Anyone remember the bit that cemented actor-comedian Eddie Murphy's career on the silver screen?

It's the scene in 48 Hours when Reggie Hammond, the felon he portrayed, pretends to be a cop in a country-rock club.  Oh to heck with being PC.  It was a freakin' redneck bar.  He rousts the natives, getting them all riled up, but he kept them in check and got the information he was looking for in the process.

The new NFL commish, Roger Goodell is in full Reggie Hammond mode, stirring up the locals - meaning players - and flaunting his authority.  Is this a bad thing?

Not necessarily.  In the case of his decision last week to suspend Tennessee Titans defensive back and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry no. 

However, in the case of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, can I get a huge PLEASE!!!  Goodell issued a 100K fine for Urlacher wearing the baseball cap of an unauthorized sponsor during media day at the Super Bowl.  Don't we think that's a wee bit excessive?  Insulting even?  Or just borderline ridiculous?

I vote for all of the above. I understand that Goodell is the new sheriff in town and he has to show that he means business.  With the new player conduct policy adopted with the cooperation (or is that collusion) NFL Players Association, he took a step in the right direction in putting some shine back on the league's image.  That policy now puts players on notice about what's expected with respect to individual behavior.  In that regard it's about time.

With this latest move, however, Goodell reinforces a common belief that the NFL stands for No Fun League.  It also displays just how petty the league can be.

Yes, there's a new sheriff in town and it looks, in this instance, that he's wearing a tin badge.

I sat in on Phil Savage's pre-draft meet-and-greet with local media types today and something became apparent to many of us as Savage sat at an elevated dais and analyzed every position on a football team (except kicker and punter) in some semblance of detail and several things revealed themselves:

1) The Browns would have little problem with moving up in the draft  to get the player they want if the deal is right, Savage said.

2)  Savage has apparently known LSU's JaMarcus Russell since the kid was 14 or 15.

3)  During the course of the press conference, Savage rattled off the comparative strengths and weaknesses of approximatley 15-20 quarterbacks.

4) After ending with his breakdown of all of the positions about 45 minutes later, I suddenly needed to reach for the Tums.

Why?  Because it became painfully aware that after edumacating the press that Savage and the Browns have researched quarterbacks more than any other position.   The Browns will be taking a quarterback in the upcoming draft.  Will they move up to get Russell?  Or will it be Brady Quinn?

It's no secret that Randy Lerner traveled to see Russell work out.  It's also no secret that Quinn wants to play for the Browns.  So why do I want neither?  Let's think waaaaaayyy back to … 1999…when the team drafted Tim Couch out of Kentucky with the No. 1 overall pick.  Yup, he was going to lead us to the Promised Land.  He got sacked. We booed.  He cried.  He was doomed.

Fast forward to 2007 and yes, we once again need a quarterback.  Sorry Charlie, Frye ain't the answer.   Yet it looks as if we're about to make the same mistake.  What good is a quarterback when you can't protect him?  Right now, the Browns pass protection is inconsistent at best, horrible at worst.  And make no mistake about it, if they draft Russell or Quinn, they will play this year.  The Frye Experiment is done.

Here's hoping that Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel possible gamble pays off.  If it doesn't, they'll likely pay with their jobs.  And Browns fans?  How does another five years in football hell sound?  Yeah, I thought so.

The Akron Beacon Journal's Patrick McManamon is reporting from league meetings and this week could prove very interesting for one reason.

Click on the link above and you'll find that the NFL is expected to adopt a player conduct policy this week with the full support of the NFL Players Association.  No, it's not a unilateral decision by still-wet-behind-the-ears commish Roger Goodell.  This is coming from some of the players themselves.

Today we get notice that Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Tennessee Titans will likely face felony charges on at least one front in coming weeks - for his alleged involvement in a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club during the NBA All-Star break last month.  What could be interesting is whether the new policy, which is expected to be applied to repeat offenders, will be enforced retroactively to Jones.

Should it be?  The temptation is to say "yes."  The guy has been questioned by police in 10 separate incidents in recent years.   But the league punishing him ex post facto is way out of line.  No, this one falls strictly on one entity - the Titans.

We'll see where the team's priorities and integrity lie in this one.  I fear, however, that Pacman may end up getting another opportunity to gobble up wide receivers from his defensive back position when the NFL opens its next season in September.

I shall have thoughts on this later, but here it is from ESPN's own computer. Their news release about Theisman being replaced:

Sports television’s signature series, ESPN’s Monday Night Football, will kick off its 38^th season with a new line-up when longtime ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski joins Mike Tirico and Tony Kornheiser in the booth, and sideline reporters Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya.

   Jaworski will occupy the analyst role previously held by Joe Theismann, who has been offered a prominent football analyst role with ESPN. 

“This new lineup will enhance our presentation of Monday Night Football, our most important property,” said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, studio and remote production, ESPN.  “Ron has covered the NFL from many different perspectives, and he is totally tied into the issues and trends from around the league. “We appreciate the work Joe has done for 19 years and continue to talk with him about another high-profile football role with ESPN.” 

Jaworski’s passion for football and his knowledge of all things NFL have made him a fan favorite on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and other studio shows.  Following a 17-year NFL career (1973-89), most notably as quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jaworski joined ESPN in 1990.  He has worked in various capacities – sideline reporter, game-site reporter, host and as both a studio and game analyst. 

 He was a fixture on ESPN’s NFL studio programs last season, including Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL PrimeTime and NFL Match-Up, a show he will continue to do.  Jaworski has also appeared as a weekly ‘Five Good Minutes’ guest on Monday editions of Pardon the Interruption with Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon and worked as an analyst during the San Diego Chargers-Oakland Raiders game as part of ESPN’s 2006 season-opening NFL doubleheader.  He continues to be a major contributor to ESPN’s annual NFL Draft coverage.