Rumor: Tank Johnson to the Saints
 

The following appeared on Yahoo! Sports under the Rumor section:

Tank could come cheap
Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 12:45 pm EDT

Tank Johnson is a valuable player at a key position and will not be expensive. He was only scheduled to make $510,000, so a team willing to take a chance on him would get Johnson for around $240,000 for a playoff run.

Candidates include the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints.


Would you make that deal? Or is he too much headach for the money?
Remember, this comes on the heels of the dismissal of the DUI charges against him.

It really all depends on how healthy we are at DT after week 8. If Hollis goes down or Clancy goes down and we are thin, I think at the price it makes a ton of sense to sign him. Thanks to the new strict conduct policies of the NFL it is a decision we don't have to make until October.

I'm on board with whatever Sean Payton and the front office want to do. If they feel like we need to add another DT, which I don't see why would need to after the Clancy signing, then fine. If they feel like Tank Johnson can help us make that leap, do it.

YES... go get him. There is no charges for DUI, he was under the legal limit. We are going to need him late in the season and for the SB run!

I think he would be a great insurance policy, but do not think we can wait too long. Bringing in fresh legs at the halfway point is appealing to a lot of teams. We can sign him now, then pay him after the suspension

Also, there is no guarentee he will only make $240,000. Look at where we were with Hollis last year. We would have paid considerably more to replace him for the last 4 games, and I think other teams will think the same way.

I would pass all the way, but that's just me. This guy had like an arsenal of guns at his house. We don't need more guns in New Orleans. He also can't seem to stop having run ins with the law, whether he was drunk this time or not. Pass, pass, pass.

He didn't hurt or kill anyone. Just because someone has been arrested doesn't mean he can't work in this country. You can't stop a guy from trying to put food on his table, and there is no reason to suspect he's going to start killing people well maybe RB's and QB's if he's in a Saints uniform.

I mean, I am fine either way, sign him-pass but this will be the one signing that will shot us in the foot. If we have DT problems in the later park of the seaon this is it. If we sign him and he is a bust, I'll take all the blame for it, you heard it here first.

My fear is that we sign him - only to have him commit some screw-up, resulting in another suspension. But this time, ticking against us rather than someone else.

I have a question. If we sign someone, that person counts against the 53-man roster. If that person is sitting on a suspension, does that person still count against the 53-man roster?

Yes he still counts against us, and you have a good point. Anyone person on our roster could easily go out and do something wrong and get suspended. As soon as you cut them the he doesn't hurt the number.

Technically no, but his bodyguard was killed. Would that man have been killed if Tank hadn't been in harms way? Was Tank responsible for placing that bodyguard in harms way? Did the bodyguard take a bullet intended for Tank? Was the bodyguard shot due to Tank starting trouble?

The fact is trouble appears to follow this guy. There's a reason why many teams took him off their boards.

Pass...the Saints have done so much in the last 2 years to build a team of character with no off field issues...this would be a move in the opposite direction and i think Payton would lose some credibility if he brought him in.

If and only if, he can convince Payton that he has changed and wants to be a team player. If not see Ya!

P.S. Some of these guys need to read my signatures.

in regards to tank johnson, some people need to read my signature.

Although I believe Johnson would bring unwarranted attention to the team, I seriously doubt Payton would lose any credibility especially with how he's turned this organization around. Look at Bilichek in New England... this offseason he's signed Randy Moss and drafted Meriweather. On the top of that he was having an affair with a married woman. People aren't making a big deal out of any of it. Nothing wrong with throwing a talented player a bone, especially if there's little risk involved imo. If he screws up, cut him.

what are you kidding? n.o. is the perfect place to dry out..........

A few days ago I would have said no way. I am starting to think a little different now. Yes, he has made some bad mistakes, but maybe he is willing to straighten out. Would not be a bad pickup, let him play during training camp and preseason, then work him into the rotation after the 8th game. Chances are he would start to peak during the last four games of the season, which would be a blessing since by that time the Saints D-Line will probably be a little banged up.

Pass...and don't think twice

He wasn't DUI, but still was driving and had alcohol in his system. Just b/c he didn't blow a .08 doesn't exactly absolve him...it simply means he isn't as guilty of being a dumbass and driving impaired.

I mean, come on....you already have the spotlight on you and then you go out speeding with liquor on your breath? WTF? He may be talented, I'll grant him that, but at what point do you pull your head out and actually start to try to be the "Man of the Year"? Next time?...the time after that?...

I think we have far too many better options to us, and if it means our D struggles, or has to make do in another way...In Gibbs I Trust

with or without the alcohol, hes guilty of being a dumb ass

Yes, blowing lower than .08 does absolve him. Perhaps not in your minds, but in the minds of those who matter. Those of the police, District Attorneys, and Judges. I have come to realize that most of those who are always so quick to call someone a dumbass, have usually pulled something dumber during their lifetimes.

That may absolve him of criminal liability, but it really tells me the man just got very lucky. He was only .008 from being legally DUI, but the point is that he put himself THAT close to it in the first place after all he has been through.

There is no "luck" involved, and this is along the lines of things I find annoying. Close is irrelevant. People are either found guilty, or not. Why reach, speculate, scrutinize, and nitpick. Bottom line is that he could not be convicted of an additional crime, so move on. I've read no report of erratic driving and behavior, slurred speech, or anything besides doing an ungodly 40 mph in a 20 that would even attract attention. Besides, a 300+ pound man usually has a higher alcohol tolerance.

The six unlicensed guns and the pit bulls in the house around his kids still don't sit right with me(extreme immaturity). Then he's suspended for eight games, makes this grand speech on how is going to win the man of the year award in the NFL, is out 3 'O' clock in the morning driving after drinking, I don't care if it's .008 or 1.00 from being legally drunk, it does says a lot about his judgement, character, decision making, and his dedication to the game. He and the entire NFL knows this commish ain't playing, and he gets caught like this. If Chi-town said no, then the Saints need to really investigate this situation before making a move on it.

We've been though this, and now all pitt bulls are terrors? He kept loaded guns next to the cookie jar, and let his kids crack pecans with em? ? Where are you going with this? He got "caught" like what, exactly, while driving? Newsflash: Most young single professional athletes have driven out at 3:am. Doesn't matter if he was suspended. Still, immaturity can be addressed. Growing is the natural process of life.

Some players from meager enviornments take longer to adjust, and put their priorities in order. This is the type of positive atmostphere he needs to be involved in. He probably won't find any players here willing to accompany him in distructive behavior. I can promise that he'll find positive mentors, though.

PM me when he commits a real crime, so I can join the "Oh what a waste" posse.

First of all, I thought he was married, or at lest living with his kids mother, so that rules out your single professional theory. Secondly, when you say positive mentors, I think you can find only a few mentors more positive than Lovie Smith, he don't even curse for Christ sake. He had a lot of positive mentors in Chicago and look how that turned out, none of the guys around him during his indiscretions were teammates. And when you keep six unlicensed guns in your home, 9 times out of 10 your pit bulls are more terror than terrier. Look man, you going to bat for a guy who has showed that he just don't get it, or just don't care because if he did he would spend more 3 'O' clock in the mornings with his family and not in the clubs.

I'm going to bat for him, because I've seen convicted murderers turn around and do as much for humanity as Pastors. Actually, some Pastors are running around fondling little boys. Marvin Lewis is a Christian and good role model. Nuff said.

Sooooooo if he happened to be married, being out at 3:am doesn't mean he doesn't care about his wife. Your responses are based on speculation, and bordering on inflammatory. Do you want him to fail? You don't know the man, haven't observed his family life, and certainly haven't had his dogs evauluated for homicidal tendencies.

BTW, how could his teammates be involved with him keeping a gun in his car, and more at his home? That seems like a personal matter. I see nothing to hang my hat on. Known locker room cancer, or club brawler? Drunk?? This latest "indescretion" is a non-incident to me. Where was he coming from? Who cares? He's a grown man.

I feel being cut could be the wake up he needed. I'm just interested in why some are so unwilling to give a talented player a chance to redeem himself. He can't drag down the team. He won't screw up the space-time continuum.

All our DTs are either aging, average, or both. Tank isn't just a roadblock. We have that. He isn't just a "high reving guy". We have that. He penetrates and disrupts. He could be the missing piece, and at a discount . We could draft at our leisure next year, or even trade up for some super stud prospect. The other reasons that I would give Tank a shot are easily searchable.

Look my man, calm down a minute and take a deep breath. What the hell do Pastors and Marvin Lewis have to do with anything we're talking about here? You're right, everything I said is speculator, I don't know this cat personally, and neither do you or anybody else on this forum for that matter. But based on his history that is in the press for the whole world to see and with all the young impressionable kids we have on the squad, IMO and that's all it is MO, I just don't see Tank (The:handguns:) Johnson's character as fitting this teams new image and mentality. And you're also right about me not observing his family life style, or having his dogs evaluated for homicidal tendencies. But in all honesty, neither have you. And as for the question; Do I want him to fail? I really don't care either way, because if you're blessed with the talent and opportunity to play in the NFL and don't appreciate or give a dam to change some things necessary to stay in the NFL, than why should I care if he fails or not.

I think it's all a bunch of B.S.

I'm waiting for the NFL to show up at MY door and suspend me for 8 games. Looks like Roger Goodell's into casting first stones. I can see if he steps on a man's face or commits murder, or you know, puts a late hit on someone which paralyzes them.

I probably have unregistered guns in my home that were passed down to me by my grandpa and stuff. I also have pitbulls in my house, 2 - which lovingly protect my home and siblings. Should I lose my job? Should the media come to my house and blow it all out of proportion, should I be the victim of crazy witch hunts, or should we go follow Roger Goodell around for a few weeks with a camera to see if he goes over the speed limit, if he has any guns, any dogs, or if he ever has a drink. B.S.

"I feel being cut could be the wake up he needed. I'm just interested in why some are so unwilling to give a talented player a chance to redeem himself. He can't drag down the team. He won't screw up the space-time continuum.

All our DTs are either aging, average, or both. Tank isn't just a roadblock. We have that. He isn't just a "high reving guy". We have that. He penetrates and disrupts. He could be the missing piece, and at a discount . We could draft at our leisure next year, or even trade up for some super stud prospect. The other reasons that I would give Tank a shot are easily searchable."


Tank Johnson's 2007 stats:
GP Tot Tckl Sacks Int TDs FF
__14___26__3.5___0__0__1

" Where's this dominance you're talking about. He's a decent DT at best."

"ChicagoBears.com reports that the team has waived DT Tank Johnson. The troubled defensive lineman had been arrested recently in Arizona, and the club apparently did not want to deal with him anymore from a public relations perspective. "We are upset and embarrassed by Tank's actions last week," said general manager Jerry Angelo. "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."

"If Chi-town can roll with out him, so can our Saints."

If I calm down any more, I will nod off. I was bored, so engaged you in what I predicted would be an unpleasant exchange. I do it for sport.

I mentioned Marvin Lewis being a positive mentor, yet his team imploded, because you brought up Lovie. What the hell did Lovie have to do with what Tank does in his spare time? A relationship between players is far more intimate. Perhaps Tank didn't have the same sort of mentors on the Bears' squad, that we obviously do here. That was my point.

If La ever bothers to make having unregistered guns in your home a crime, then many may find themselves in court.

Do you play in the NFL? Is every move you make in your private life made public and directly reflects your employer? Did you sign a contract that exclusively says that you are the property of your employer as long as you are employed by said employer? Do you get paid MILLIONS of dollars to do something you did and dreamed of ever sense you were a kid? If the answer is yes, than Roger Goodall can do it to you to. Remember, the Players and the Union backed him up on this. And also remember this is a BILLION dollar business here, and a lot of people get real rich from it. The Commish, the Owners, the Union and it's Players are going to do everything in their power to keep it that way, period.

Ohhhhhh Tank commands attention on the line. Keep leaving him with an average lone blocker, and see what you get. You think someone like Thomas would get all this press? No disrespect to Thomas.....

You're quoting a team that cut a man before test results came back? A man cut without even being charged??? I wouldn't call that ammo.

BTW, I've used that "roll on" line. I've said we would roll on, just as the Pats would roll on without Moss. Using a man's quotes against him is poor form.

Let's see, just off the top of my head here, but Brian Ulacher, Lance Briggs(at the time), Thomas Jones(at the time), Muhsin Muhammad, Reuben Brown, Olin Kreutz, Mike Brown, Desmond Clark, Rex Grossman(sucks as a QB, but a all around good guy), are a few names that came to mind as real good character guys and respectable mentor types. Remember, Coach Lovie Smith did the same thing Coach Payton did when he became the Bears coach. Smith got rid of the guys that didn't fit his "high character type guys" also, so please stop giving reasons and excuses for the way this guy is, he's not 12 ylds, he's a grown a@# man who need to get his mind right. Just not in a Saints uniform.

First of all, it's not the man, but the subject that gets all the press. Second, read the bold sentence, nuff said. And third, what the hell are you talking about "the roll on line" that had nothing to do with you, but all to do with the paragraph. Yo Nem, for future references, I'm an adult and I respect any and all posters and expect the same in return, so if you thought it was something pertaining to you, I'm here to say it wasn't.

Have you ever done 5 mph over the speed limit? Have you ever once drank an alcoholic beverage? Have you ever driven a day with an expired inspection sticker? Have you ever driven without a seatbelt? Have you ever changed lanes without your blinker? Have you ever accidentally passed a redlight? Have you ever had sex out of wedlock? Have you ever spoken in class without raising your hand? Have you ever driven through a parking lot to avoid traffic?

And just like yours, my questions are pointless. I'm just saying Roger is hypocritical and out of control just a bit here. The only reason the "players" that make up the player's union are behind it is because they don't want Roger up their own buttholes with q-tip and a magnifying glass or else they'd get suspended for not agreeing with Goodell. Now listen to me when I say that I am finished with the checking of the bags conversation! And yes, I have signed a contract stating I'm another's property, and every move I make is made public and directly reflects my employer. Didn't think I did, did you?

Man what are you talking about? The Commish and the Union fight and disagree with 98% of everything. This is one of the few things they agree upon because it threatens their livelihood and nobody wants that, and last time I checked Goodall didn't go looking for anything it was dropped in his lap when he took over the position. And by the way, the Players that the Union represent just happens to be all the players in the league. This is not MLB, the Commish is not looking for anything, he's just dealing with it as it comes. If the Commish was "out for blood" and so evil, he wouldn't have allowed Tank (The:handguns:) Johnson to play in the Superbowl, you are a lil off basis with this one. One more thing, whoever property you are, It's nothing like the NFL, period.

The Bears' own site seems to concur that Tank was an above average DT. Perhaps he wasn't ready to be quided by those mentioned "good guys". I say if he isn't now, then that's that.

We took a chance on a rookie coach that was once stripped of his OC duties in NY. We brought in a QB recovering from major surgery to his throwing arm. Brees has been benched on a few occasions. Failure and being humbled. builds character.

Please save your "But they didn't commit a crime." rebuttles. We can take a cheap chance on Tank.

I meant that I was aware that we could roll along without Tank, because I've previously stated it...

You're also proving my point of inflammatory attitudes by referring to Tank with that smiley. He hasn't shot at or threatened anyone.