Nice post, but this part I have to kinda disagree with. Some players today are complete thugs, no doubt. But I think that a lot more of these guys -- probably the majority of them -- DO have extreme sides to their personalities: mean, psychotic, violent, aggressive, even thuggishness. But based on the three or four that I have sorta known, or ones that I've had interactions or run-ins with over the years, and their families (I've known a couple of relatives or family members of Saints players over the years) I think it's more often something that these dudes turn ON and OFF, like a switch. Just one side to them.

There are PLENTY of players who fit that Willie Roaf type -- the huge body, mean as heck when he's out on the field, but who in reality is actually kinda soft and quiet and really thoughtful.

I mean that's like the dream stereotype of the offensive lineman, the huge hulking guy who smashes people on Sundays, breaks bones, but then he loves his weak little kicker and QB like a little brother, and hugs them, the way Nicks picked up Drew in his arms and bear hugged him when he broke the record. The terror of the gridiron who cries and sniffs at the sad parts of a Pixar cartoon movie with his kids. This is a cliche, but it's kind of a real NFL thing too. My impression is that a lot of players, really are like that, in person.

Take someone like Jonathan Vilma -- the man is very bright and super articulate off the field, but he also has a dark side, enjoys poker and high rolling. The man was U of Miami, but don't think for a minute that his business degree from there isn't real. You know he is right there in the huddle with the lawyers, for all this stuff he's doing in court.

Deuce is another one. The man was a raging beast on the field, but talks so quiet in person you can barely hear him. Extremely humble.

Courtney Roby is completely bat**** crazy, insanely violent gunner on special teams, but he's also a deeply religious and spiritual person -- prays in the end zone at almost every game. He was deeply upset when he accidentally clobbered that officiating guy holding the yard marker that one time on a kickoff. Prayed for him, even visited the poor guy in the hospital, felt horrible about it. I don't know what the hell else Courtney Roby could do with his life and his violent skill set, as a profession, being a maniac like he is, but his heart is in the right place.

While we're on misconceptions, I also think that a lot of people tend to think Drew Brees is some kind of hero and angel -- and that's probably NOT ENTIRELY TRUE as well. He doesn't show it much, but I'm sure he has that "locker room side" to him, as well.