It all boils down to accountability.
While the Detroit Lions’ brass had taken little action against their four players with a combined seven offseason arrests, on Monday, they finally held someone accountable.
After being arrested for the second time in a month, Lions’ cornerback Aaron Berry was released from the team.
At last, the Lions’ front office made the decision, albeit an easy one, to rid themselves of a player causing trouble during this offseason. Hopefully, by holding Berry accountable for his downright idiotic actions, the front office has made themselves clear: no more playing around.
And when I say downright idiotic, I mean it. Pointing a loaded gun at three people can be classified as nothing else.
By cutting Berry, Detroit has rid themselves of a player who not only has been arrested twice this offseason, but also called out fans via twitter after last year’s playoff loss to New Orleans.
“Go back to being Broke & Miserable” were Berry’s words after angry fans let him have it after he dropped a potentially game-changing interception.
I have no doubt in my mind that cutting Berry has made this team better, although it also means that someone needs to step up. Whether it be veteran Alphonso Smith or rookie Bill Bentley, someone has to take the starting role opposite Chris Houston.
While dumping Berry was the right call, I’m still far from sold on the Lions being even close to disciplined. Their youth and “bad boy” attitude will lead to boneheaded decisions both off the field and on it. But age can’t be changed by anything other than time, and that attitude of theirs works two ways.
The Lions will have guys who get arrested, take penalties, hit the quarterback late.
But they also have the ability to play with any team in the league.
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