So word today, is that the Redskins have interest in Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib. Obviously Raheem Morris knows as well as anyone the skill set that Talib brings to the position, but surely he also knows the baggage. Rumor has it that the Bucs are looking for a late round draft pick.
Talib is a bit of a problem child. In fact, some may consider him a lot of one – and it started from the very beginning of his NFL career. Drafted in 2008, he got in a fight at the NFL Rookie Symposium… with his own teammate! Since then, he’s gone on to such off-field greatness as battering a taxi driver, resisting arrest, and currently faces pretty serious charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after firing a gun at his sister’s boyfriend.
Not your garden variety ‘mishap’ list for a guy just four seasons into an NFL career. There is every possibility that his latest charge could land him in jail, but it most certainly will bring some sort of reprimand from the League.
Redskins fans should remember Talib – in 2009, three of his season’s five interceptions came in the game against the Redskins. In 2010, he had six interceptions before injuring a hip in week 13, but was still named Defensive Back of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association. In 2011, he again was injured in week 13, and despite having just two interceptions – he returned both of them for touchdowns.
The guy can definitely play; unfortunately, the guy can also get into a lot of trouble. It doesn’t matter how ‘talented’ you are when you’re suspended or even worse, in jail.
It’s always interesting to see how divided Redskins Nation can be on such issues, so I hit Twitter for a little crowdsourcing on the matter, and here are some of the responses that I received:
@TheHogsdotNet How he's not in jail is beyond me. This isn't a pot smoking issue ala TW/FD. He has mental issues. Can't reward criminals.
— Ed (@WFTHISTORYPHOTO) June 3, 2012
@TheHogsdotNet Asante Samuel went for a 7th rounder with none of the "red flags." I bet a 7th gets it done…pick well spent.
— Chris (@ChrisToTheHess) June 3, 2012
Absolutely worth it. RT "@TheHogsdotNet: Rumors abound #Redskins interested in CB Talib. "Only issue" is character. Worth a late rounder?"
— Ian Newbury (@iantn84) June 3, 2012
Talent, he's worth alot, with Morris, still alot, w/out….I dunno MT @TheHogsdotNet: #Redskins interested in CB Talib. Worth a la.. #httr
— Grow West Rodge (@monkeyhouserock) June 3, 2012
@TheHogsdotNet he's incredibly talented but having him and fellow trouble makers Tjackson and dui merriweather could become an issue
— Aaron Thomas (@aronThomas86) June 3, 2012
@TheHogsdotNet wait until he's released.
— gutlead (@gutlead74) June 3, 2012
Thanks to everyone who responded and I’m sorry that I didn’t include all of them, but most of them echoed one of the sentiments expressed in the samplings cited above.
So, what do you think? Do the Redskins have the veteran make-up to account for some of these potential problem children? Brandon Meriweather has already added a DUI to his rap sheet since landing in Washington, and Tanard Jackson has had some off-field issues as well. If you add those to Trent Williams’ and Fred Davis’ issues – you’ve got four guys with checkered pasts – can the Redskins afford a fifth in Talib?
Hit me up on Twitter @TheHogsdotNet and let me know what you think.
As somebody pointed out, he’s probably looking at some legal trouble. I’m trying to remember, but didn’t this situation that he responded to happen right after he had just gotten into trouble for something else and really close to same time when pacman had just tripped himself up and ended up missing time? Combined with jail time he may see a year out of football. The league really seems to want to send a message on this type of thing.
A 7th round pick if definitely worth it. Coach Shanahan wants competition and immediate impact on his team’s defense and with Talib’s skillset, he’ll definitely make that impact but his off the field issues will also hurt the team. If this trade does happen, there should be a clause in his contract that can affect his salary if he gets in trouble again. But I believe that the Redskins should pull the trigger and make this happen.