Bucs Should Cut Ties With Aqib Talib
March 29th, 2011
The unnerving details surrounding Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib doing his best Sonny Corleone impression has to make any Bucs fan wonder about Talib’s future employment with the Bucs, both short-term and long-term, not to mention his chances of continuing to walk the streets as a free citizen.
This subject has also got the attention of Tampa Tribune humorist Martin Fennelly. The nationally-respected columnist believes Talib’s track record of violence-related antics have run it’s course.
Fennelly writes it’s time for Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik to cut ties with the Bucs problem child.
Everyone knows this guy is Bad News. It’s going to end badly. It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when.
The Bucs’ sliding sense of justice is in full view.
I mean, would Talib still be part of this team if he wasn’t very good at football?
Joe’s not sure how many of his readers heard him live on the Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday morning to discuss the Talib issue. In short, Joe mentioned how fortunate both Talib and the Bucs are that Talib clearly can’t handle a gun.
First, in an attempt to pistol whip a man, Talib dropped the gun and the victim was able to pick it up and run with it.
Second, Talib — if witness testimonies are to be believed — shot at and missed the victim… twice!
Whew!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Whatever … When someone is defending family from an abuser they have the right to shoot them ..
If this was some club event that would be different and I would agree 100%
But its not .. Hey Joe who was arrested that night ??! Oh yeah .. The guy that was shot at that had a gun in his hand while abusing a female on her property.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Hey is it just me or does anyone else miss Tony Dungy?
Think Talib would be on the team if Tony were still around……..
March 29th, 2011 at 10:25 am
According to Texas law, Talib did not commit a crime.
The laws in Texas clearly state that if someone trespasses on your property with evil intent, you have the right to defend it and your family.
Once Shannon Billings took Talibs gun and ran with it, another law kicked in…you are permitted to shoot someone that trespasses on your property, takes some of your proerty, then flees.
No shots were fired until Billings took the gun. Billings was clearly there to do harm to Talib’s sister.
Case closed.
And, Joe, the title of this article leads people to believe you agree with Martin Fennelly. Is this true?
March 29th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Yes I do, Derf. Tony was not one to pass judgement on people. He would have waited until all the facts were known, unlike other people.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:29 am
Agreed jvato, you don’t let someone touch your sister period. But too often talib is looking like an idiot off the field, and yet still a genius on the field. I feel you can’t ever let your best player walk (pittsburgh steelers with big ben last year). And look at michael vick, the may not have a soul, but he sure as hell can play football.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Aquib was out of trouble for a while .. But has a hot temper .. Hes not a bad guy … But he uses bad judgement .. I agree if this was different player with a good track record it would be different ..
But thats the way it goes ..
Still .. Not sure he will be convicted … Not surprised if they charge him just to get the publicity for the DA
March 29th, 2011 at 10:37 am
Rothlesburger is a great example of how Superstars get the full cover up and their actions get swept under the rug. Even repeat offenders!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:37 am
jvato if this was anybody else I would say absolutely defend your sister. Since its Aqib who randomly hits cab drivers for no reason for some kind of thrill (check out the accounts of that crime) then get rid of the thug. This guy would be in a street gang if he wasn’t in the NFL. We need someone we can count on not someone who we have to beg to behave. The guy is making millions i mean give me a break.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:41 am
I always thought pro football teams strived to have people “very good at football”.
These local media hacks are hilarious. But I can se how he obtained “nationally recognized” status with such keen observations.
I doubt the defending property and life defense will work, unless the other dude had a gun, or knife, or something. And if Talib fired at the guy (vs. only in the air) – big heap of trouble.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Nick, why do you presume talib would be in a street gang, because he’s beaten up a taxi driver, ONCE. I dont think you know too much about how gangs operate, but regardless, there is no reason you can give me, that not defending your sister is ok. Aqib is innocent until proven guilty, and like pete said above, all the facts of the situation are not yet known.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:52 am
Unfortunately this will end up being another one of those stories where a talented football player meets a violent end because he can’t mature and see how good he has it. Did the guy deserve to get his ass beat? Of course. But Talib tried to kill him. Literally. He clearly is not of sound mind. Corner is arguably our biggest need now. I hope Talib gets the worst punishment, that way other players on our team realize they aren’t invincible. What a shame.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Dropping the gun and then missing two shots is really going to hurt Talib’s street cred.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Pete,
Tony Dungy DID reserve judgement but I recall there was a player who was found drunk/passed out in his car and Dungy cut the guy that week! Now I recall this was a bubble player during preseason but Tony didn’t put up with bad behavior.
I’ll go out on a limb with Talib and say this: I don’t know all the facts but from what I do know I’ll wait until the police either file charges (all the facts) or dismiss the case before I say WHAT the Bucs ‘SHOULD DO’.
On the other hand given Talib’s past history I do believe that Tony Dungy would have traded Talib before it came to this.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:11 am
@Theodore, I agree, real Gangsters and Thugs don’t miss at near point blank range, then drop the gun.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:17 am
LOL at talibs rep being hurt. Nah i think this situation is much more justified than anything he has ever done. The hitting Torrie with his helmet and punching cap driver. that is way worse than trying to protect your family.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:18 am
Pete Dutcher:
More important to Bucs fans, what does the law of Roger Goodell say?
Leaning that way because this guy is Tanard Jackson with a different uncontrolable issue.
Joe will say this: If he was Mark Dominik, he would sit Talib down and say, “Son, let me be as crystal clear as possible: Right now this organization does not care how talented a football player you are. We reached 10 wins without you. If you need psychiatric care, we can have you go away to a treatment center. If not, if during the remainder of your contract, if for whatever reason your name is coming out of a mouth of any law enforcement official, even if it is for speeding or jaywalking, you are no longer a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Do you have any questions? Is there anything I said that was in any way unclear or confusing? The choice whether you stay a member of this team is in your hands alone.”
It’s real easy to say, “Hey, he should have beat up the guy who roughed up his sister.” Think about it: What’s more important to his family, Talib’s seven+ figure salary or him pulling a Chuck Norris stunt?
You have to use your head. Call 911 if you are on double-secret probation with your killer job. It’s pretty clear Talib has no head.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:20 am
Gavster:
Talib protecting his family would be protecting his salary.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:39 am
I can not believe that the Bucs NOW have yet ANOTHER need prior to the draft. This is so dissapointing on so many levels.
I really wanted Dom to draft heavy on the front 7 (minus DT) early in the draft.
FU Aquib Talib. You can’t be trusted!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:51 am
You have almost certainly committed a crime if you fire a gun at an unarmed person who is running away from you. Whether Talib was morally right or wrong is a different question and will depend on many different facts.
Talib is always in the middle of this stuff: marijuana before the draft; the cabby; the swing of his helmet at Penn and hitting another player; going after the ref in Baltimore; attending the game while on suspension (against league rules); and now this.
The bucs have fallen into this mentality (b/c the Glazers have gotten cheap) that they are looking for the best talent at the cheapest price no matter what the baggage: i.e. Williams, Blount, Talib, T Jax, J Stevans etc.
I am not saying that all of these guys will end up like the last 3, but the chances are significant that they will.
Add veteran, proven, stable players (yes at a higher cost) and you have to worry less about this kind of stuff. The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:57 am
LOL Joe loves how Thomas strangles the facts in order to fit a raging narrative to rail against the Glazers and/or Mark Dominik.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Thomas2.2
Talib is always in the middle of this stuff: marijuana before the draft; the cabby; the swing of his helmet at Penn and hitting another player; going after the ref in Baltimore; attending the game while on suspension (against league rules); and now this.
Cmon man .. cant we leave out the yelling at the ref thing .. I was probably saying the same things in my house at the ref .. That was a bad call .. lol
March 29th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Its impossible to really tell which players are going to be brain dead morons, like this guy Talib.
Can’t really put the blame on the Glazer boys or Rah for this. Sometimes these checkered past guys turn out well – like Sapp and Mike Williams, Moss, etc. Nobody knows.
But, they can be judged by how they deal with this imbecile from now forward. Id say don’t count on him ever playing again and make whatever draft/FA adjustments that are necessary. If by some miracle(brain transplant for example) he cleans up his act, then your ahead of the game.
March 29th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
If this guy beat up his sister twice then he would be in jail. All Aqib’s sister has to do is make the call. If someone did the same thing to my sister my emotions might get the best of me and I might try to take matters into my own hands. With a gun?? No not with a gun I would not hide behind a gun.
March 29th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Stick by you team and stop being db’s. Talib is one of the best players we have period. He will not be cut period. Furthermore, I bet none of you db’s talking smack have even been remotely in that kind of situation.
March 29th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Joe believes you are right digitalone.
Joe thinks it’s safe to say no one on this board is on the verge of losing a seven-figure annual salary because he/she can’t keep his/her nose clean.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Can someone remind me who drafted this guy? Yeah, that’s what I thought. The problem was inherited and the Current staff has been forced to make the most of it. Aqib sure needs some type of rude awakening, because nothing has worked this far, but I too want to see what the actual crime is for which he will be charged if any. Talib’s crimes are not in the same category of Rap!st Ben the Predator, and Ben is lucky he didn’t rape Talib’s sister because that surely would have ended in a murder.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
I don’t think Aqib can change his hot temper. I’m not saying he was wrong here, but I do believe it will happen again. He is too unstable for everyday life in this messed up world. Most of us know how to control our emotions and anger, Talib does not. The worst part about it is that he gets caught every single time. He is a very good CB, but stealth is not a part of his repertoire. That is the whole stupid “Gangsta” mentality that they are above any law or reason and everything has to be settled right now in the middle of the street for the Whole World to see. If you keep putting your bidness in the street, eventually you will get run over by a truck. I don’t care what Raheem does with Aqib, but he needs to be taught a lesson, once and for all.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
“You have almost certainly committed a crime if you fire a gun at an unarmed person who is running away from you.”
He wasn’t unarmed, allegedly. He allegedly had a gun in his hand at that point. Yeah, Talib’s an idiot but the case against him is not totally sound- ESPECIALLY in Texas.
March 29th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Oahubuc:
Cool name.
It really doesn’t matter what Texas law or a Texas judge says. What really matters for Bucs fans is what Roger Goodell says.
It’s difficult to believe Talib won’t be suspended for multiple games.
March 29th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
What a minute Joe, if the Texas judge sentences the man to ten years in prison Goodell is irrelevant.