“I Don’t Think They’re Going To Dump Aqib”
April 16th, 2011
Where the Bucs honchos stand on Aqib Talib is a closely guarded secret. Of course, the way Talib’s legal case plays out will be a huge factor in the team’s approach.
But it’s interesting to see how much disagreement there is from the full-time Bucs beat writers on the subject.
Yesterday, Joe brought you Stephen Holder’s take from a live chat on TampaBay.com that he believes “we’ve seen the last of Talib.”
That was decisively countered by Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune during his on-air chat with The Fabulous Sports Babe Show on WHBO-AM 1040 on Friday.
“I don’t think they’re going to dump Aqib Talib,” Cummings said.
While rock star Bucs general manager Mark Dominik clearly is a detailed planner, Joe can’t imagine Dominik has completely made up his mind on Talib.
Joe keeps coming back to Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski’s take, that Dominik will withhold a decision on Talib until he can fully assess the roster following the draft, free agency and preseason.
April 16th, 2011 at 10:19 am
No self-respecting man listens to the Sports Babe…
April 16th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Trading him would not be dumping him.
April 16th, 2011 at 10:40 am
To say we’ve seen the last of Talib would be saying we won’t have a 2011 season at all. Even after the cabbie incident, it took the NFL a whole year to finally suspend him one game.
To say they’re not going to dump Talib is probably true. It seems as though his lawyers have done their job rounding up witnesses on his behalf. So, whether innocent or guilty, they have “credible” witnesses saying he didn’t do it. I must say though, with the corruption in the legal system (whether it’s bought and paid for witnesses or bribed judges or a DA quietly dropping a case while depositing a check) I’m not sure I’ll ever actually “like” Talib on the Bucs. I don’t know if he did or didn’t do anything, but he does have a history and I’m inclined to think there is something to this case but that it will be swept under the rug.
April 16th, 2011 at 10:45 am
@BamBam Totally agree with you here, esp the last part. The Talib’s have a lot of money on the line if he goes away. If the Mom willingly takes the fall, and that’s all they can prove, not much the Prosecution can do. “Swept under the rug” isn’t really the way I’d describe it, but it’s close. If I were a prosecutor, it’d be a waste of time and money to take it to a jury with the facts we’ve got so far.
April 16th, 2011 at 10:53 am
BamBam, maybe you should be an investigator for talib’s case, considering you still want to believe a hunch. Just like everyone that jumped the gun, you’re wrong. What history? he punched a taxi driver once and settled out of court.
I guess there is a double standard for football players named aqib talib. Steelers fans still love big ben, and his case was questioning Ben’s diginity. Talib on the other hand, is a “gangsta”. So he is blacklisted forever?
as far as this situation goes, tampa fans have really sucked.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:05 am
From what I understand he came to the rescue of his sister and mother. The boyfriend has charges including “preventing a person from dialing 911” Some would call him a hero.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:05 am
of course Talib is guilty,didnt Billings say so after he was caught with the gun and quickly told the police he took it from Talib,that sure saves Billings from breaking the restraining order with a firearm.Can anyone please tell me how I can find the mugshot when Billings got arrested so we can see how his face looked because that will show whether he was pistol whipped
April 16th, 2011 at 11:21 am
“Can anyone please tell me how I can find the mugshot when Billings got arrested so we can see how his face looked because that will show whether he was pistol whipped”
Wow, there are a lot of junior private investigators on this blog. I think some of you have watched a little too much Law & Order. Hey M. Wesley, how is a mug shot going to show you the back of his head? According to you, Talib could have only pistol whipped him in the face?? Taking a stance on this subject is foolish. None of us have all the information and everyone involved in the event has questionable credibility.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:26 am
It looks like Talib may dodge this latest incident. It’s obvious the details of the case are very cloudy. I can’t see the Bucs cutting him if the charges are reduced or dropped altogether. He is an extremely talented player who is playing on a inexpensive rookie contract. He has two years left on that contract, so why not let him play it out as long as he stays clean. Dominik needs to sit Talib down and “lay down the law”. Make it clear that one more run-in with the law of any kind will result in his immediate release.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Well HGH. its like this when Billings story came out how much investigating was done on Talibs behalf by you and most others before you all had convicted him?Now that more witnesses have been talked to you feel we shouldnt take a stance,and by the way mugshots show the side of your head and if theres injurys they are photographed.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Don’t you think Rock Star has had the come to Jesus talk with this clown several times….he is a person who needs more help than this team has the time or resources to give.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@m.wesley
Funny stuff 🙂
@BamBam
I find this is one of those ultra rare occasions I disagree with you, buddy. The problem I have with all this is everyone believes the worse of Talib…even when he’s got 17-19 witnesses to back him up.
It suddenly is assumed he “bribed” witnesses. There is no doubt that Talib has a temper and that he often acts unwisely on impulse. He plays a voilent game that breeds voilent attitudes. Some handle it worse than others.
The witnesses were not “rounded up” by Talib’s lawyers…they were the witnesses the police rounded up. The defense is permitted to interview those witnesses, which they did.
It seems the police filed charges against Talib based on the accusations of Shanon Billings, who certainly is not a credible witness. The man has had domestic voilence charges, had a restraining order, and was a sexual offender (on a 14 year old girl!).
And yet, most fans and media choose to ignore Billings. They would rather assume the worse of Talib. We see investigations into the past of Talib, his mother and sister…yet where are the articles on Shanon Billings past?
Not one news agency has looked into the guy and his crimes. Did anyone consider that Talib was right in being concerned?
Here’s a newsflash…the incident supposedly happened at Billings home (along with Talibs sister’s home). Only Billings had a restraining order on him preventing him from returning to that home (from a previous charge).
Billings was not supposed to be there at all. Why? Because he abused Talibs sister…he balled up his fist and pounder her on several occasions. But that’s not all. Somewhere, some 14 year old girl has to struggle with the emotions of being sexually assaulted by this guy…she will likely struggle with that the rest of life.
Where is the concern for this girl or Talibs battered and bruised sister? This guy is a habitual offender. Say what you want about Talib…he isn’t raping children or punching women.
But where are the cries for justice here for those victims? I don’t see anyone showing concern for them. THEY have to live with the knowledge that this Billings guy is out there and could harm them again in the future…and he has already proven that the plice cannot stop him.
So, even if Talib did pull a gun, shoot or whatever, which 17-19 witnesses claim he didn’t, but even if he did, it would have been justified.
And, as far as Big Ben and a suspension, these are two totally different cases. Ben put himself into an unfavorable environment, one where he was meeting his own selfish needs.
Talib was there to protect his sister. He didn’t wake up to say, “I think I’ll shoot someone today.” He saw a man who had assaulted his sister and the police were unable to keep him away from her even with a restraining order. He saw a man who had already shown he would rape a female.
If that’s not justified, what is? If Talibs sister had used a gun and shot the man, would people still be hating on her? After all, she was afraid for her life, right? If that’s the case, Talib was right in being afraid for his sister’s life too.
This case has no hope, and Talib should not be suspended.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:42 am
We turn the ball over a lot, he gets the ball back a lot – case closed!
April 16th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Pete,thats all im saying,I know his history but I bet you any one else would be a hero for protecting his family
April 16th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
And to think alot of people is still mad at Vick about the dogs feel sure dont feel the same about the rapist woman beater or maybe its just attack the famous guy
April 16th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
M. Wesley,
I haven’t taken a stance on Talib. All I’ve ever said is that he obviously is a magnet for trouble. I hope he stays in a Bucs uniform, but I know we can win without him.
Unlike you, I’m waiting to see what happens, instead of playing “Clue: The Aqib Talib Edition”…
April 16th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
whateva gets you through the lockout
April 16th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Now heres a guy that called the cops instead of helping his sisterhttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/04/14/2011-04-14_holly_bobo_20yearold_nursing_student_missing_after_man_in_camouflage_breaks_into.html
April 16th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
This dummy wacthed his sister get dragged away and called the cops instead of helping ,she is still missing
April 16th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Yes, I have taken a stance without all the facts. I have taken a stance with the known information. Aqib has swung a helmet at a teammate in practice (and for those that say things like this happen all the time, you’re wrong. Players occasionally fight in practice, but rarely swing helmets). Aqib did hit a cab driver. Aqib was involved (in some way) in the incident in Texas. Based on history, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was involved in some way in the violence part of what happened. I don’t know Billings history other than what has been reported since this incident, and don’t think he’s an angel either. I have been in close proximity to similar situations involving people of questionable character with restraining orders against them and the girl (usually also of questionable character) breaking the restraining order and seeing the guy anyway. Things usually go bad, and it’s not always the guy of questionable characters fault, although he usually takes the heat for it. Call it “protecting the family”, but what I’ve heard so far makes it sound like the sister and Billings have actually had other contact since the restraining order and I must say I have to put some of the blame on her. If she is going to put herself in situations of contact with Billings, there will be the potential for violence. Next time Aqib may not be so lucky as to get off the hook “protecting the family”. Aqib must get smarter about things, his sister needs to be smarter about things and Billings needs to get his act together as well.
All that said, I still find Aqib with a history of violent incidences which make me believe that I don’t much care for the guy, no matter how well he plays football, no matter whether he improves our chances of making the playoffs, or whatever. It’s just football, not life. Life comes first, football further down the list. He may play for the Bucs, and I don’t have to like him or what he does. I still love the team and want them to succeed, but I’d rather the team struggle and have better people on the team than win with people of questionable character.
April 16th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Congratulations haters, you all have been proven wrong Aqib Talib is a good fair man. His sister tried to call 911, only to have Billings take the phone and damage her face. He is a known sexual abuser, after hours of the police not showing up she was able to somehow get little brother to come. Aqib wanted to remove Billings from the property, not shoot him… Aqib Talib is a good fair man
April 16th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
I have not changed my opinion of Aqib by any of this. He is time bomb just waiting to go off. About every 6 months he blows a fuse. That means by the 3’rd game of the season he will abuse some clerk or run somebody over with his vehicle. Get him help now, like Jaws said. Hopefully the Judge will force him into some type of program. Maybe next time Aqib may cross the wrong person and end up on the losing side of it.
Good Fair Man??? LOL
April 16th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Unless you know him, calling Talib a good fair man is a bit over the top. I think at this point he would be happy with just being not guilty.
Talib is being convicted in the court of public opinion mostly because of his past. No that’s not really fair, but that is life. You lose the benefit of the doubt when you have a checkered past. In reality, he did what probably most of us would have done if we were in the same situation, but his incidents in the past affect the way people feel about him. If he truly is innocent (which none of us know the answer to that question), it is unfortunate that he is having to go through this. However, the supporters of Aqib in this incident (which I’m starting to consider myself a supporter with all the evidence) can’t get all hot and bothered when people don’t believe in his innocence. It is completely fair for people to doubt him.
April 16th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
He still could have and should have called the cops. When you call 911, they respond quickly. When you say it is a life threatening situation, they respond even faster. This story that the cops did not respond to his sister’s call for help is bogus. I’ve lived in Dallas and their cops are not laid back at all. They do their job and do it well.
April 16th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Billings was charged with interfering with a 911 call and the police showed up after Talib and him had their altercation,so they didnt come that fast.
April 16th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
What are you saying bogus? They showed up about three hours after Saran Talib’s original call, only because they heard of shots fired. Ok ok “good fair man” might be a bit overboard, but I’m not in the wrong hoping our best corner is playing with us owning Roddy White, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Greg Jennings, and the other absolute studs we’re going to need him for this season!
April 16th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
If the original call was on a cell phone, I can see how the cops would not even know where she was. That would explain the shots fired, quick response. How did Aqib know she was in trouble? During this 3 hour time period, did she call Aqib? When? Why didn’t he call the cops? You have not answered this question, and no one else has either. If she was in that much trouble why did the whole thing take 3 hours to manifest? This whole thing stinks and I would not be surprised if there was something illegal going on that had to be dealt with first. Not saying for sure, or by whom, but this story is very fishy, and there is more to it than what has surfaced. It said Mama was a convicted felon, the daughter is dating the biggest scumbag on the planet, and for how long? This whole situation stinks and I’d bet there was some seriously illegal a ctivities going on behind the scenes. I don’t buy any of it. Why did Billings all of a sudden become a threat? WHy was she at his place to begin with? This all smells like a drug deal gone bad.
April 16th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
BigMacAttack:
Cell phones made in the past two years or so are all wired with GPS for just such cases, or if someone gets in a wreck and calls 911, etc.
April 17th, 2011 at 12:50 am
Aqib’s sister has been involved with Billings since their Cleveland days when mama Talib was being arrested for stabbing someone over an unpaid debt. There has apparently been more than one case of abuse by Billings towards Saran, and yet they still communicate in violation of a restraining order requested by her. You can’t protect a sister from herself. If she’s gonna keep going back to the scumbag, that’s eventually gotta be her problem to deal with.
I don’t know whether Aqib did anything at this point, but must assume (based on prior conflicts) that he was to some degree. I mean, seriously, just look at his past. The cabbie punching, the helmet swinging, the fight at the rookie symposium, allegations of drug use in college and not attending classes, and breaking and entering in high school. It’s not the first time, it’s a pattern.
Defend him all you want, but I’m not willing to let someone “slide” because they’re “too good” of a player for the team to lose and still be competitive. Sorry, wrong is still wrong and I’d rather move on to better people. Reward someone else with millions of dollars for being a good player AND a good person. People keep saying what a scumbag Billings is, but Aqib Talib is no angel. People want to say how much worse Ben Rothlisberger is because he assaulted a woman, but Talib potentially shot a gun at someone. Maybe just pistol whipped him. Yeah, the someone is a scumbag… but I can’t say the guy that beat him is “innocent” and doubt that his sister is all that innocent either.
April 17th, 2011 at 5:01 am
@BamBam,
I agree with almost everything you said. However, the one thing I disagree on is that no matter if the sister still keeps in contact with Billings, Talib still can and should protect her. Yes, she is stupid if it is true, but regardless, if it’s me I’ll do anything and everything necessary to protect my sister.
I don’t have a problem with you assuming he did something because of his violent past. Like I said, that is fair. However, you should be aware that it is still possible that he didn’t do anything wrong in this case. Probably not likely, but definitely possible. If he didn’t have a gun, then I have absolutely no problem with him whipping this guys arse. Obviously he deserves it. For the sake of our team, let’s all hope that is the case.
April 17th, 2011 at 9:48 am
I’m glad that I am not the one making the decision on Aqib’s future. I think it is a tough call for Raheem and think Dominick will ultimately let Raheem make it. But, if Aqib stays on the team, I will cheer for him as always because I am a Buc fan. I believe as a fan, you have to take the good with the bad. You may not always like it or agree, but what are your choices? To act like Thomas? I don’t think so? If Aqib is kept, I’ll get over it, but I can only hope they get him some professional help. I like Tanard much more than Aqib, and he is equally as dumb, but not a violent person. I hope he gets straight and remains on the team. Having them both back and focused is the best scenario from a competitive standpoint as long as they are still in football condition.
April 17th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
@BigMacAttack
why do you think it was something illegal going on? Because he is black.. You probably don’t like your president either. How could you say that Big Ben sexually assaulting women, is worst than aqib protecting his sister… Your an idiot. Aqib should be judged by his performance at work, what he does outside the tampa bay buccs is his personal life. So you (bigmacattak) should be fired from your job for being an asshole……
April 18th, 2011 at 12:17 am
tampa2ali,
Something illegal was going on… shots were fired, there’s no doubting that. The only question is what Aqib’s role in the whole thing was. I keep hearing the “protecting the sister” argument, but who’s to say she didn’t provoke a fight with Billings to get him to come over in a rage, then call her brother and mother to kill the guy. If we’re going to make assumptions here, let’s allow all assumptions including that she (Saran) intentionally set this in motion to have Billings hurt or killed. So, maybe Aqib was duped by his own sister, which is still not very smart on Aqib’s part.
As for what happened being worse than Big Ben’s sexual assault… I won’t say one is worse than another. Sexual assault is no minor thing, but neither is firing a gun at someone in a populated area. I also can’t say that Ben was guilty of anything, as all charges were dropped before it went to trial. For all intents and purposes, that’s the same as “not guilty”. Talib’s charges are still pending, so we don’t know. If the charges are dropped completely, then he’s also “not guilty”. If he accepts a plea to a lesser charge, then he has admitted guilt to a lesser degree.
Aqib should be judged as every man is judged, not by the work he does, but by his actions in and out of work. If he is judged as a troubled, violent person then I don’t care if he can intercept passes or shut down opposing WRs, he should be locked up. At the very least taken out of the spotlight of the NFL where young children aspire to be like these guys. It would be more of a travesty if he were not only to be violent and get away with it, but also encourage our youth to follow his footsteps because it’s so easy to get away with it and still be incredibly successful.